New History Teacher Taryn Edward’s Year at TC
Tibebe Gebiso
The history department has added a few new faces this year. One being Taryn Edwards, who has had teaching experience and currently teaches on-level VA-US History and Psychology/Sociology. Edwards has spoken on the difficulties of adapting to the curriculum difference, although she attests the history department to an easy transition. With lighter student-per-class loads, Edwards continues to implement her addition online techniques, such as Nearpod, Edpuzzle, and ActivelyLearn to help her students.
Coming from a different state means that the curriculum differs in many ways. Texas schools do not have their high school History curriculum conform with the standards of state tests but they do have end of course exams. “Having to tailor my lessons to a test has been different.” The order in which history classes are to be taken is also different. With the curriculum being unique to Edwards, the social studies department has been active on assisting her. “The social studies department is the best department,” Edwards said. With support from her fellow staff, she has been able to flow into matters smoothly. Assisted by what her co-workers have advised she continues to use technological integration in her classroom.
“The most diverse school I have step foot in,” Edwards noted. With approximately 39% Hispanic, 32% African American, and 21% White, T.C. is one the most diverse schools in Virginia. Moving to Virginia from Texas, Edwards admits to not seeing such a diverse school before.
With all the positive outlooks on T.C., Edwards still has not gotten used to moving around the school so much, “It’s a blessing and a curse,” Edwards said. Edwards does not have a classroom and it has become very difficult for her.
Another difference between her previous schools and T.C. is the class sizes. “My class sizes have been good,” said Edwards. Prior to T.C., her class sizes would be seven to eight students more than her current class sizes. With contributions coming from the social studies department and the easy transition into working here, Edwards would only change one thing. “I would really love it if attendance was higher, it’s hard to teach when students are not here.” Even if students do not show, Edwards makes sure they can still learn on their own with the assistance of the application Nearpod, her students do not have to be present to complete work for each class.
Edwards has also taken time out of history to use one of Theogony’s story, “Valedictorians and Their Discontents”, and implement it to spur discussion during one of her class’ socratic seminars. With youthful faces in the history department, Edwards has been adapting to the curriculum alongside plenty of social studies teachers. She continues her year with a positive outlook and outreaching assistance to all her students.