I am thrilled to be back at Har-Bur for a fourth year to teach American history! I absolutely LOVE learning about, and teaching, American history. However, like a lot of students, I didn't even really like history in middle and high school! I always dismissed the subject as boring and irrelevant. That all changed when I took a required U.S. History course at Quinnipiac University my freshmen year of college. I had finally been introduced to what the study of history is all about; arguments and interpretations. I had never analyzed primary and secondary sources before, and it really opened up my eyes to see that history is not just dates and old people. I became interested in the evolution of our culture. We often take it for granted that we have become a powerful and important country in the world, but many people do not really think about how we ended up here. We live in a great country, and we have a great story full of extraordinary characters. I am excited this year, as I am every year, to watch as students uncover the deep roots of American history to develop their own arguments and interpretations about the past.
A little more about myself...
I live in Barkhamsted, CT, with my husband and two dogs, Molly, a puggle, and Brooklyn, a boxer. My favorite non-fiction book is His Excellency by historian Joseph Ellis, and my favorite fiction book is a tie between Moby Dick by Herman Melville and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Some of my favorite movies include: Pride and Prejudice, Despicable Me, and Mary Poppins. My favorite historical place is Mount Vernon in Virginia. I had the very fortunate experience of traveling there last summer to attend a teacher's institute. It is truly a step back in time as most of the main house, buildings and gardens have been preserved or recreated to look as they would have in the 1790s! It is an enchanting experience for anyone who enjoys United States history, and I would encourage everyone to visit at least once!