Schools

Excellent Educators: Social Studies Department Supervisor Maria Thompson

Though her work is mostly supervisory, Thompson says being in the classroom is the best part of her job.

In the education profession, there are various ways to make a difference in the lives of students, from working inside the classroom as a teacher to preparing those teachers with tools that they will need to effectively teach the curriculum.

At Pelham Memorial High School, Social Studies Department Supervisor Maria Thompson does the latter. She is in charge of evaluating and observing teachers from junior high through high school, gathering educational resources for teachers and charting a yearly plan so that teachers are in the most conducive environment for giving students the best education possible.  

“I care so much about the department and I always have to stay active in keeping important programs in place and preventing cuts to the history curriculums,” Thompson said as she sat in her office in the high school.

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Thompson began teaching history in New York City in 1997 and after two years she came to PMHS.  By 2004, she was the department chair in social studies, a position she says is much different from her current role as supervisor.

“My position as department chair was more of a colleague-style role and I got to work more closely with teachers,” she said. “Now my responsibilities as a supervisor over all social studies teachers involve teacher evaluations and observation.”

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Teachers have to be observed formally only once every four years in Pelham unless they only have a provisional teacher certification. Despite her never ending cycle of administrative duties, Thompson also teaches two classes a day—9th grade global and a 12th grade A.P. European History.

“The best part of my day is being in the classroom,” Thompson said. “I love teaching and always will.”

Growing up, Thompson was filled with dreams of one day being an ambassador to Russia and dealing in foreign policy. Halfway through college, however, she changed to a simpler aspiration and majored in history.

"I love researching and asking questions," she said.

Thompson’s curiosity is reflected in the assignments she gives to her students.  Each year, one of their biggest tasks is to complete a 10-17 page research paper. Sixth to 12th grade students are also taught MLA style each year, learning how to footnote, construct note cards and how to correctly use and cite resources for their yearly research project.

One program Thompson says is working well is the middle school’s Living History program. Students seem to benefit from participating in the interactive learning environment and are more engaged.

“The kids seem to really enjoy the more interactive curriculum, whether it is performing historical events or multimedia, and it’s my job to bring those resources to the teacher,” Thompson said.

Thompson has a deeply rooted love for European and world history, and while her summers consist of long hours in the office planning for the following school year, you can also find her at local museums learning about interesting historical facts that she eventually will bring back to her students.


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