Darby Kennedy

From the time I was a junior in high school, sitting in Sarah Baird's US history class, I wanted to be a teacher. Actually, I wanted to be like Mrs. Baird. I wanted to be the kind of teacher who inspired students to love a subject so much it became a part of them. My time with Mrs. Baird ended long ago, but my love of teaching has only grown. And along the way, I've found that I have a talent for helping students understand the "why" or the "so what" of social studies. 

Here is what I know works, and why so many students who have studied with me say that I have changed how they view history, the world, and themselves.

• I teach history by theme rather than chronologically. Addressing major historical questions as themes allows students to cultivate an understanding of how issues develop over time, rather than seeing history as a series of unconnected events. Thematic history also allows us to delve into topics that might get overshadowed in a chronological history class.
• I bring in current world and national events in every class, not just my Current Events classes. Students often hear me say, "History is not just in the past." For teens to see the relevance in what we study, they need to see the connection to what is going on in the world around them.
• I stress that it is always ok to not know something, that questions are a natural part of learning, and that geeking out about cool people or events is not just ok, it's what makes learning fun! I model curiosity and excitement, because that is how I feel about studying and learning history.
• I don't shy away from hard topics. The study of history and its related subjects is, after all, the study of humans. Humans are not perfect, now or in the past. Studying the amazing highs and lows of humanity, and everything in between, allows us to connect to the subject matter. 
• I encourage "big picture thinking," by asking students to see similarities between events and people across the world, and through human history. This level of analysis takes practice, but is a critical skill for living in today's world. I guide students through it in every class, until they begin to do it on their own.

More simply put, I help students find relevance. They need to understand why we study what we do, how it connects to the present, and how they are actually part of it all. I know that what I am doing works because students and their parents tell me that regularly. Former students report that they are well-prepared for college classes using the thinking skills practiced in my classes. 

The more time I spend helping students see the connections in what they are studying, the more convinced I am that this type of teaching and learning style is a great fit for all sorts of learners. My digital classroom is an open and welcoming space for all. And, as the parent to two "twice exceptional" learners, I also have experience modifying curriculum and instruction to help all students succeed. 

What parents and students say about my classes:

 "...she is the first teacher I've had who did not make me feel stupid for asking a question..." 

 "Darby is passionate about everything she teaches, and she passes that on to her students..."

 "My teen raved about this class. He appreciated the discussion-style class sessions and consistency of the assigned homework....he enjoyed deep dives into historical events that he'd not known much about previously."

 "Darby is a fascinating teacher and a skilled discussion leader...."

 "The class has surpassed our wildest expectations! ...  After each class, my daughter spends the rest of the day starting conversations with, "Did you know....?!" before telling us all about current events in Sudan, or Poland, or Sweden, connecting each situation not only to its historical context, but to its potential impacts in the future. After slogging through a challenging 9th-grade homeschool year, I'd almost given up hope that we'd ever find our way back to such enthusiasm and excitement about learning."