A social studies teacher at Oak Ridge High School will discuss the Harvard Law School case method and its teaching benefits during an online meeting at noon Tuesday, October 5.
Teacher Richard Alexander “Alex” Shaffer will be the speaker at the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge meeting. Shaffer has completed the training for and is teaching a course using the Harvard Case Method of teaching history, a press release said.
“The case method is proving to be effective in teaching high school students critical thinking skills, just what our future leaders will need,” the press release said.
The public is invited. The meeting is virtual in order to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. You don’t have to be a League member. For instruction on linking to the live presentation, contact lwvoakridge@gmail.com.
All League members will receive an email with the zoom link prior to the meeting, the press release said. A couple of days following the presentation, you may view the recorded presentation on the League’s website at https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge.
In 2020, the League of Women Voters offered an opportunity for teachers to participate in the Harvard Case Method of teaching history.
“It was initially a 2.5-day professional workshop all-expense paid, in-person event,” the press release said. “However, the COVID pandemic forced it to be changed to a virtual event. Applicants submitted an op-ed style essay on the question ‘Why do you want to join this initiative, and why do you think public discussions about key moments in the history of American democracy are valuable?”
Through the advice and assistance of Kay Moss, a long-time member of LWVOR, and then a teacher at Oak Ridge High School, LWVOR selected Shaffer to submit his application, the press release said.
Growing up in Kingsport, Tennessee, Shaffer had a love of history fostered by his AP European History class teacher, Kevin Fielden, and Civil Rights/Vietnam class taught by Coach Bingham when he was a student at Dobyns-Bennett High School, the press release said.
Shaffer went to college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned an undergraduate degree in history with a double minor in secondary education and geography. the press release said. He was able to work at UT’s Center for the Study of War and Society while an undergraduate. He furthered his education at UT, completing a master’s degree in teaching program/internship. He interned at Farragut High School while getting the degree. Once the master’s internship was competed, he was hired by Farragut as a full-time teacher. He taught as an Admiral for seven years before being hired by Oak Ridge High school in 2019, the press release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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