Mr. Schaefer's WebPage
October 01, 2006
Biography
Greetings! As a teacher, I find this is a unique opportunity to provide some insights about who I am, what I teach, and my philosophy of teaching. I am from Wichita- born and raised- and I attended Texas Lutheran University and Emporia State University to attain my BSE with an emphasis in Social Studies. Additionally, I have received my master’s degree in American and European History from Wichita State University. On a more personal note, my wonderful wife, Amy, and I live in Andover and feel we are very lucky to raise our two daughters in a community that embraces its commitment to education and children.
My passions are history, music, baseball (Go Cubbies!!), and traveling. I am entering my ninth year at Andover High School and I have loved every minute of it . . . almost (there might have been 1-2 off days). Currently, I am teaching Ancient World History, AP United States History, and Comparative World Religions. I have put my Social Sciences skills to the test over the years at Andover by teaching World Geography, Sociology, Current World Affairs, Comparative World Religions, Ancient and Modern World History, and AP and United States History. I also serve as our department chair and the district chair for Social Studies.
Outside of the classroom, I have served as Scholars Bowl coach, assistant coach, JV baseball head coach, varsity baseball assistant coach, Site Council, SILT member, District Safety Team member, Fellowship of Christian Student sponsor, and APUSH club sponsor. All of this boils down to the simple notion that I love the kids, the faculty, and the entire process of helping students develop in and out of the classroom. I often hear friends tell me how brave I am for working in a high school but I truly believe that we often sell our children short on what they are capable of accomplishing. I believe every child has the capacity to learn and achieve far more than we often expect. Andover students have simply amazed me over and over again the past years.
As a personal philosophy, I've come from a family once full of ministers so I have been ingrained with the idea of servitude. Albert Pine once said, "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." The study of history and analyzing how it affects us today is a genuine passion. Also, I think I have always had a general sense of wanting to continually learn. For I see learning as a never-ending journey, and I realize while I have gone far, I have many more miles to go. So it is out of these two beliefs that I've decided to dedicate my life to teaching. My hopes as a teacher are to continually challenge students to examine ideas from various perspectives as well as to learn to be kind, compassionate and helpful to others. A social studies classroom has provided me with an excellent forum to examine past cultures' values, beliefs, innovations and achievements and apply them to our lives today. If you (or your child for that matter) ever have any questions, feel free to call me here at the high school or e-mail me at SCHAEFER@USD385.org.
Class Schedule
1. US History
2. US History
3. US History
4.
AP US History
5. Plan
6. Ancient World History
7. AP US History
