MY PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION: HANDS-ON WHENEVER POSSIBLE!!!
My number one goal is for students to pass the AP Exams!
AP MACRO-ECONOMICS. In order to be successful in Macro-economics, you have to build a toolbox and then learn which tools to use to fix a particular problem. Sometimes multiple tools are used. Experience has taught me that memorization does not work well in this class. While there is a certain amount of that, each problem the students encounter may have unique situations and incur unique ways of dealing with it. I know that the students begin to understand that, as economists, 'we make educated guesses' and then look at the results. We make those guesses based on prior knowledge and experience with similar situations. Mr. Bernanke's recent handling of the 'recession' is a prime example.
Lauren Pyle stated, "I really liked the class and it helped me to figure out how things really work in our economy". Jessie Ballsiger said "I'm so glad you made us do a bunch of those Free Responses, because I had no problem on the Exam".
Someone said that if we lined all of the economists up, end to end, we'd never reach a conclusion. There may be some truth in that jest after all.
AP US GOVERNMENT This course will use an active learning model; meaning that students will 'do' government in order to learn government. They will represent States as House and Senate Members and write Legislation based on the difficulties there State and the nation face. They will learn the Constitution by 'using' it whenever they come to class.
In order to be successful they will have to participate and grades will obviously come from that. Lack of participation/negotiation hurts the entire political process and too much of that causes a 'gridlock' for the government, as well as the class.
My door is always open and students will quickly realize that I believe in the statement
"Students don't care how much you know until the know how much you care".
If, at any time, you would like to visit or express concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. My school phone is 355-6377 and my email is maldavis@greenville.k12.sc.us.
I entered the education field 16 years ago through the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree at Charleston Southern University. Prior to that I was a Regional Manager with AFLAC over Washington and Baltimore. I am also a Vietnam era veteran, having served in the US Navy during this trying time in our country. My wife, Nancy, is the Music Teacher at Crestview Elementary and we have three wonderful children; Bonnie, Aaron, and Virginia.
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Educator with 16 years classroom experience in a wide range of social studies subject matter. Proven record of results in Debate, Youth-in-Government, and Mock Trial competitions.
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Teaching, Charleston Southern University, 1995
Bachelor of Arts, University of South Carolina, 1982
CERTIFICATIONS
Social Studies: South Carolina Department of Education
Advanced Placement "US Government/Politics", Clemson University, 2011
Advanced Placement "European History": Univesity of Central Florida, 2005
International Baccaluareate "Theory of Knowledge": University of Florida, 2000
Advanced Placement "Macro-Economics": University of Alabama, 1998
AWARDS
Mock Trial Regional Titles (Lowcountry) 2004-2007
YMCA Youth-in-Government "Outstanding Advisor/Bobby O'Rear Award", 2006
South Carolina Bar "Teacher of the Year", 2006
Who's Who in Education (1997-2005)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
President, Beaufort County Education Association (2002-2004)
National Council on Economic Education (2005-Present)
Global Association of Teachers of Economics (2005-Present)
National Association of Youth Courts (2004-Present)
Advanced Placement Institute (1998-Present)
International Baccaluareate Association (2000-Present)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
National Youth Court Association
South Carolina Bar Mock Trial
Youth in Government YMCA
Council for Economic Education
Global Association for Teachers of Economics
Advanced Placement Program
International Baccalaureate Program