Teaching social studies during this time of deep political and social divisions

Rich Donnelly is a social studies teacher at Bedford High School.  He has taught at Bedford High School since 2001 talking to students in real time about 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2008 Financial Crisis, the election of president Obama, the 2016 election, the attack on the Capitol Building in 2021 and the war in Ukraine.  Prior to being a high school teacher, he taught for three years in Ukraine and Moldova.

 

As the United States has become more divided over political and social issues, the content and process of how social studies is taught has become part of this debate.  Richard Donnelly will speak about talking to young people about current events and helping them see how the world around them fits into historic context.  Importantly, he will talk about how to teach students to be aware and engaged in the challenges facing the country without becoming cynical.