Not all history classes deal with the past. In fact, social studies teacher Scott Brandon’s 5th Hour Contemporary Issues class is concerned with events unfolding now.
Brandon finds the class enjoyable because of the opportunity to present current issues and events to students for discussion.
Local, national and world issues are discussed daily in the class.
“Providing a forum to discuss these issues and ‘hash out’ our differences can be truly educational,” Brandon said.
Junior Kevin Garrone said, “Mr. Brandon seems like a nice guy who actually cares about the topics he is teaching.”
“He is very interested in his students’ lives and asks students for their personal experiences to tie into each lesson that gives us a sense of connection to the world that’s more real than any text book,” senior Casey Frazier said.
“With Mr. Brandon giving us all perspectives of situations, we start to decide for ourselves how we feel about the external world,” Frazier said.
“A student might not be able to personally relate to discussing the Great Depression, but discussing the current recession, students can see how it might impact his or her plans for life,” Brandon said.
