History & Social Studies
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Providence High School has earned a reputation as being one of the best comprehensive high schools in North Carolina and the country. The Social Studies Department continues to support this legacy by creating a rigorous curriculum to help students grow academically and be college or career ready. The goal of the Social Studies curriculum is to develop 21st century skills, increase historical knowledge while building productive, knowledgeable and active citizens in a democratic society.
The highly qualified and licensed professional teachers of the PHS Social Studies Department represent a variety of experiences and backgrounds which contribute to the educational success of the students. The teachers collaborate to create challenging and inspiring courses to promote knowledge of the core content of historical, political, economic, legal, and social issues of our world, our nation, and our community. .
The curriculum is developed around the North Carolina Essential Standards and for AP courses, the College Board. The curriculum is designed to help our students contribute to the 21st century world by helping them develop the necessary literacy, technological and critical thinking skills. Teachers in the Department use a variety of teaching methods and strategies including common assessments, in order to ensure that all students are receiving a rigorous and high-level education.
All students will take World History, Civics and Economics, American History I and American History II (Honors or Standard). Students will have the opportunity to take a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses and several electives, such as African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. This comprehensive offering gives students the opportunity to study and understand the diverse people, cultures, economic systems and governments around them.
The final goal of the Social Studies Department is to help students connect social studies to their everyday life by fostering the awareness, desire, and knowledge needed to effectively participate in our complex and diverse democratic society. With all of the heated rhetoric that dominates politics today, students will be encouraged to participate in seminars and explore the issues of our nation and the world from multiple points of view. Furthermore, there are many clubs and organizations which allow students to be active in their political life and develop their own political opinions.
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**All students meet with their designated counselor to review and discuss course requests.
Meet the History/Social Studies Department:
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Ms. Sara Kate Thomas
I attended UNC-Chapel Hill where I earned my undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Peace, War and Defense with a minor in Education. I also received my Master of Art in Teaching for Secondary Social Studies from UNC- Chapel Hill. I teach Standard and Honors Economics and Personal Finance
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Ms. Laura Bauer
Hello, this is my 18th year in education. I hold two Bachelor's Degrees from Syracuse University and a Masters in Teaching from Wingate University. I currently teach American History, African American Studies and Leadership. I have been awarded the CATO award for excellence in Social Studies and am serving on the Educator Advisory Board for the Levine Museum of the New South.
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Mr. Robb Bolar
I have my degree in social studies education from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. I am teaching American History and AP World History this year at Providence. I have been teaching for 16 years and I have been a reader for the AP exam for four years.
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Mrs. Josie Bradshaw
I have a bachelor's degree from UNC Charlotte in Political Science with minors in Secondary Education and History. I am currently working on a Master's degree from UNC Charlotte in Public Administration. This is my second year teaching American History at Providence.
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Ms. Grace Cameron
Appalachian State University - Secondary History/Social Studies Education. This will be my 5th year teaching. I am excited to return to Providence High School this year teaching Economics & Personal Finance.
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Coach Caz
I have served as a Social Studies teacher for 20 years. Highly qualified instructor of Civics. I also serve as the Athletic Director for the Providence High Athletic Department.
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Mr. Kenneth R. Cawthon, Sr.
World History - highly qualified - teaching this subject for over 10 years. AP Certified for both AP Comparative Government and Politics and AP European History.
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Mrs. Amanda Church
Currently teaching Economics and Personal Finance as well as Psychology. BA in History with a minor in Political Science, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. Nationally Board Certified Teacher. 19 years experience.
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Mr. Chris Cleland
Mr. Cleland teaches AP US History and Civics at Providence High School. This is Mr. Cleland's 18th year teaching and his third year at Providence. Mr. Cleland is a National Board Certified Teacher.
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Ms. Lauren Dale
Hello! I am Ms. Dale and I teach AP Human Geography. This is my 11th year at Providence High School and my 7th year teaching AP Human Geography. My credentials include a Bachelors of Science in History, Secondary Education - Appalachian State University, 2013 as well as a National Board Certified Teacher, Adolescent and Young Adult Social Studies, 2020.
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Ms. Alexandra Dicks
I attended Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. I graduated Cum Laude with my Bachelor of Arts in Education - Adolescent to Young Adult Social Studies with a minor in History in 2018. From there, I worked at a charter school in the Cleveland, Ohio area for two years before starting at Providence earlier this year.
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Mr. Scott Fernandez
I am currently entering my 34th year in social studies education. I will teaching all AP Psychology classes and have been doing this for the past 22 years. I have a Master's Degree and am a Nationally Certified Board Teacher. I am also a member of the College Board’s FRQ Rubric Development Team.
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Mrs. Ali Glenn
I have been teaching since 2011, and I have been teaching Civics at Providence since 2021.
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Mr. Stephen Golder
I graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Social Studies Education. Ive spent the past 3 years teaching AP US History in Tampa Florida! Im excited for my first year at Providence High!
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Mr. Josh Oxendine
This is my second year at Providence High School and my first teaching World History. I also have coached tennis for the past 22 years.