My work brings together history, political science, geography, civic education, and classroom practice. In my teaching, research, writing, curriculum work, and professional leadership, I am interested in how people make sense of the past, understand public institutions, and learn to take part in civic life.
More than a decade in secondary social studies classrooms has shaped the way I think about scholarship and leadership. I see teaching as both intellectual and civic work. Teachers help students wrestle with complex ideas, ask better questions, make sense of evidence, and think carefully about their role in public life.
The projects below reflect my interest in connecting strong scholarship with meaningful teaching, teacher leadership, and civic education.
Teaching and Curriculum
I build my classes around questions that give students something real to think about. I want them to look closely at evidence, hear different points of view, and connect what happened in the past to the choices people and communities face today.
I have taught U.S. history, government and civics, world geography, economics, and interdisciplinary social studies. Depending on the course and the students, that might mean working with primary sources, holding a discussion, running a simulation, completing a project, or creating something for an audience beyond the classroom.
My goal is not for students to leave with a long list of facts they will forget. I want them to know how to ask good questions, weigh evidence, understand people whose experiences are different from their own, and take part in civic life thoughtfully.
Selected Curriculum Work
USBE/PBLWorks Inquiry Pilot: Allies and Adversaries
As part of the USBE/PBLWorks inquiry pilot, I taught and evaluated a project-based U.S. history unit on U.S.–Soviet relations from World War II through the end of the Cold War. I also gave feedback on what worked for students, where the pacing or directions were unclear, and what kinds of support teachers would need to use the unit well.
Smithsonian Democracy in Dialogue
In this project, students explored identity, belonging, civic dialogue, and community action. I was especially interested in giving them a chance to do more than learn about government. They practiced listening, discussing difficult ideas, developing their own civic voices, and thinking about how discussion can lead to action.
Statewide Social Studies Resources
As a UEN Secondary Social Studies Resource Curator, I reviewed standards-aligned resources for teachers across the state.
Research and Scholarship
My research brings together American government, constitutional history, law, and education policy. I am interested in how institutions change over time, how courts define the limits of government power, and how those decisions affect schools, teachers, and students.
My years in the classroom shape the questions I ask. I am most drawn to research that helps people better understand public institutions, gives teachers stronger ways to explain complex issues, and connects academic work to civic life.
Current Research
The Limits of the Decision of 1789: Article II, Presidential Removal, and Federal Reserve Independence
This project looks at how ideas about presidential removal power have changed since the First Congress. It connects the Decision of 1789 to current debates about Article II, separation of powers, independent agencies, and the constitutional status of the Federal Reserve.
Additional Research Interests
Constitutional development and American political institutions
Access to civic education and social studies curriculum policy
Teacher voice in education policymaking
Professional Leadership and Service
Some of the most meaningful parts of my work happen outside my own classroom. I have had the chance to work with teachers, national organizations, and curriculum teams to share resources, learn from others, and help improve social studies education.
I care deeply about making sure teachers are included in conversations about curriculum, policy, professional learning, and civic education. Classroom teachers know what students need, what works in practice, and where good ideas can fall apart. I try to bring that perspective to every group and project I join.
Leadership in Action
RetroReport Teacher Ambassador
Support educators in using media, historical context, and inquiry to help students examine current events and public issues.
Selected Roles
National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council
Council on Foreign Relations High School Teacher Ambassador
Retro Report Teacher Ambassador
Smithsonian Democracy in Dialogue Facilitator
UEN Secondary Social Studies Resource Curator
World Geography Professional Learning Community Team Leader
Writing and Presentations
My writing and presentations grow out of the questions I wrestle with in the classroom, the research I am doing, and what I learn from other educators. I try to turn those experiences into useful ideas for teachers and into larger conversations about social studies, civic education, and teacher leadership.
Featured Presentations
From Dialogue to Tangible Civic Action
Smithsonian National Education Summer, 2026
This panel explores how conversations about identity and belonging can help students develop their voices and move from discussion toward meaningful civic action.
Teaching Democracy by Doing
APSA Teaching & Learning Workshop, 2026 - Forthcoming
This workshop gives teachers practical ways to use simulations, structured discussion, and civic projects so students can practice democratic decision-making rather than only study it.
Preparing New Teachers for Academic Discussion
NSSLA Annual Conference, 2026 - Forthcoming
This session shares practical ways to help new teachers increase participation, keep discussions focused on evidence, and make room for different viewpoints.
Selected Additional Presentations
Civic Thinking in 10 Minutes a Day - NCSS Annual Conference
Sustaining Inquiry All Year - NCSS Annual Conference
Teacher Leadership in a Digital World - UCET Conference
Inquiry-Based Government Instruction - Granite School District
Writing and Media
A reflection on how professional learning networks can support educator growth, collaboration, and new opportunities.
Empowering Educators: The Utah Teacher Fellows Experience
A podcast conversation about teacher leadership, educator voice, and professional learning.
I welcome opportunities to collaborate with educators, researchers, schools, colleges and universities, professional organizations, and policy leaders working to strengthen social studies and civic education.
I am especially interested in conversations about interdisciplinary social studies, history and government education, civic learning, curriculum development, teacher leadership, educational policy, research, writing, and professional learning.