James Popek

Teaching Portfolio

About Me

With a deep passion for history and a dedication to the art of teaching, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with students. Over the course of three years of teaching, along with previous experience as a substitute teacher in diverse school settings, I have refined my skills and established a solid foundation in delivering engaging and impactful lessons. Guided by my unwavering commitment to history and teaching, I aim to inspire curiosity and a lifelong appreciation for the subjects I teach.

Throughout my teaching career, I have gained experience in developing customized curriculum for elective courses while ensuring alignment with state standards for core subject classes. I have collaborated with fellow educators to ensure our curriculum met the standards set by the state of North Carolina. Understanding the diverse needs of my students, I made adaptations to lessons and assignments to cater to the unique challenges faced by ESL students. Additionally, I worked closely with parents and counselors to support students with Individualized Education Plans, implementing accommodations to ensure their success. By modifying and incorporating diverse teaching approaches, I strive to create an inclusive and enriching learning environment for all students.

Beyond the classroom, history continues to captivate me. I immerse myself in historical biographies, explore landmarks, and collect artifacts to enhance my knowledge and share my lifelong appreciation with students. Alongside history, I also possess a keen interest in photography and graphic design. Leveraging these skills, I engage students in projects that integrate historical themes with artistic expression and technical proficiency. In addition to my creative pursuits, I also enjoy playing musical instruments such as the guitar and piano. Notably, I actively participated in in the establishment of an after-school guitar club at my previous school, where my goal was to foster students' musical talents and abilities.

Teaching Philosophy

 

My teaching philosophy centers around creating a captivating and interactive learning environment that empowers both student and teacher in our mutual pursuit of knowledge. 


I believe in engaging students through interactive discussions and writing prompts that encourage them to explore historical events and figures in a manner that resonates with their own experiences and interests. By emphasizing the human aspect of history, I aim to help students understand that decisions made by imperfect individuals in the past have shaped our present and will shape our future. I encourage students to express their understanding of these events in their own words and writings, promoting a sense of ownership and critical thinking. 


Ultimately, I want students to develop the ability to place past events in a historical context, analyze motivations, and evaluate the consequences of actions, enabling them to become mindful historical actors who will shape the world of tomorrow.

Click here to read more about past classes I have instructed

Click here to find a copy of my resume