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.