The Hallowed Halls of History and Rhetoric

During the 2009-2010 academic year, I will be teaching five sections of Ancient Legacies (Advanced and College Placement) and one section of Warfare in the Twentieth Century: World Wars and the Cold War (College Placement). Ancient Legacies introduces students to the history of man, beginning with the earliest evidence from prehistory and extending to the Middle Ages. Warfare in the Twentieth Century, a college seminar style course, will through a focus on discussion, lecture, film, literature, and primary source documents immerse students in the movements, ideologies, and events surrounding the major wars of the twentieth century. Throughout both courses, students will be challenged to develop their written communication skills through in-class, out-of-class, and exam essay-writing, their oral communication skills through everyday class discussions and formal debates, and their critical thinking skills through a variety of thought-proking and innovative assignments. Students will also gain a greater understanding of geography, political systems, economics, and ethics through our discussions and assignments and will learn to perceive the relevance of history to current events and the modern global situation.

To make history interesting, we will often incorporate "pop culture" to demonstrate to students how history is everywhere and how it can be fun and enjoyable. For example, Ancient Legacies students could be asked to compare the rise to power of Augustus Caesar, first Emperor of Rome, with a fictional character like the evil Emperor Palpatine of a galaxy far, far away... By doing so, students forget they are learning history and gain a greater understanding of how Augustus Caesar used deceit and force to become the first Roman Emperor (and they will never watch a "Star Wars" movie the same way again.)

Besides teaching history, I have the privilege of advising the Interact Club and College Model United Nations (UN) Team. Interact is a Rotary-sponsored community service club, which enables members to have fun and participate in community service activities while developing fellowship and leadership skills. The JPII Interact Club has completed 2,300 hours of community service in six years. College Model UN involves students in role-playing countries in a simulation of the United Nations, which promotes public speaking, careful research, and conflict resolution. College Model UN has proven itself a debating powerhouse, earning 174 awards in twenty one conferences in seven years.

During the school's first year, I founded and advised the Student Council, which has transformed over the years into our School Council. From 2004-2007, I also served as the House Master for the House of Leo and was privileged to be a part of our three consecutive Silver House Cup victories, more victories than any other house. Since Spring 2008, I have advised the School Council as we have increased our focus on the development and opportunities for student leadership. In addition, each summer since 2003, I have sponsored a variety of summer enrichment camps through the JPII Summer on the Hill Program. Past camps have included Castles and Sieges, History of Warfare through Boardgames, Model UN, and Creative Writing.

During the summers of 2006 and 2007, I participated in two National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institutes. In 2006, I was one of 28 teachers from across the country selected to participate in a two-week institute on "Churchill and America" sponsored by the Churchill Centre based in Washington, DC and the Ashbrook Center of Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. In 2007, I was one of 25 teachers selected to participate in a four-week institute on "Southern Geography and Culture" sponsored by the Department of Geography at the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Geographic Alliance. Through these experiences, I have learned a great deal, published several lesson plans, and created a 2007-2008 sophomore Great Book course centered on Sir Winston Churchill's "My Early Life".

Pope John Paul II HS Academic and Interact Links:

• Ancient Legacies Course Curriculum (Revised for 2007-2008)
• Warfare in the Twentieth Century Course Curriculum (Revised for 2008-2009)
• Interact Club General Information (Founded May 20, 2003; Updated August 2007)
• JPII Interact off to a Great Start (Hendersonville Star News and Tennessee Register - September 2003)

Pope John Paul II HS Model United Nation Links:

• Pope John Paul II High School College Model UN Team Dominates at ASU Conference
• Pope John Paul II High School College Model UN Team Finishes Strong at UNC Conference
• Model UN Conference and Award History (Updated March 2009)
• Research Tools for Model United Nations (Useful tools for researching and writing position papers and resolutions)

Before coming to Pope John Paul II, I served three years as the Head Residential Dean for Heard Hall (Freshmen Dormitory) and as a History Teacher and Head of the History Department at Subiaco Academy, an all boys Catholic Boarding School located in Subiaco, Arkansas. For those interested in learning about Subiaco, visit the school's webpage by clicking the picture of the inner courtyard. The school has been in operation for 114 years and is associated with a Benedictine abbey located on the campus. The school enrolls 160 day and boarding students in grades nine through twelve. Ms. Lyndsey Hyke and I were married by Abbot Jerome Kodell on June 16th, 2001, at St. Benedict's Church at Subiaco Academy. Mike McLaren and Bliss Hyke were the Best Man and Maid of Honor and Jody and Mike McLaren hosted the reception. "Dusty", the former Heard Hall dorm dog is now enjoying a life of luxury and freedom from freshmen at our home in Goodlettsville, TN along with "Lily", "Bailey", "Tristan", and "Dolly".

After graduating in 1997, I spent two years in D.C. working as an Inspector for the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Justice. I traveled all over the country on program reviews with codenames like BIBOP and VOITIS, inspecting prisons and drug treatment centers. I even toured the "Hot House" in Leavenworth, Kansas. I can honestly say that I have been to more boot camps, minimum, medium, maximum, and supermax facilities than any inmate in this country (at least voluntarily) and learned a great deal about the federal government. While working for the government, I lived in Rockville, Maryland. To learn more about the Department of Justice and to look up some of my reports, click the DOJ seal.

Before coming to Subiaco, my first foray into the South was my four years at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. The school celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1999 and hosted its annual Mock Convention in 2004. To learn more about this fine institution, click the picture of Lee Chapel. George Washington saved the school from financial ruin when it was Liberty Hall Academy with a timely gift of stocks. In 1865, Robert E. Lee became President of then Washington College after his service in the Civil War. He instituted our "Speaking Tradition", set the basis for our Honor System, and founded the Journalism school. Lee is buried in Lee Chapel as are other Lee family members. Lee's horse, Traveler, is buried beside the Chapel and is often the recipient of fresh apples, pennies, and Confederate flags. The college was renamed Washington and Lee University in his honor.

After spending most of my life growing up in Northeast Philadelphia, I moved to the suburbs where I attended Hatboro Horsham Senior High School as a member of the Class of 1993. During our junior year, we moved into a brand new high school and during our senior year, we experienced the start of Block or Intensive Scheduling. While in high school, I served as Regional President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Interact Club President, Youth and Government Committee Chair, and in a variety of other leadership roles. Click on the HH logo to visit the school's website.

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