Montgomery Social Studies Department Petition

Instead of removing successful supervisors, it is past time to review the underperforming science department and remove the current supervisor, Mr Sullivan.

I graduated from MHS in 2012, but I will never forget the impact that the Social Studies department had on me personally. The teachers that I had encouraged me to come out of my shell, display my passion for history to my classmates, and ultimately inspired me to become a teacher myself. I have recently graduated from college with a double major in history and secondary education, and I strongly believe that if it were not for these teachers and the things that they taught me, I would not be where I am today. There is no other curriculum that I respect more, and I am firmly against any potential changes that could be made towards it, including the removal of the current supervisor.

Class of 2009: The Last Class to Say "OH" Loved all the history classes I took at MHS, including AP Art History which I got a 3 on the AP exam. Teachers were dedicated and informative, which made the whole high school experience a lot better.

Do the right thing!

Social Studies teacher at MHS for the past 22 years

Social Studies teacher at MHS for the past 22 years.

This is a high functioning department with superb leadership. The planned destructive changes call into question the competence and motives of the person who pushed for the change and the person who approved it. In the meantime, no evident action of any sort to clean up the mess in the science department.

You should be focusing on a messed up science department instead of a very nice social studies department

So sad to see this! Not allowing students or teachers to be creative and to punish the leader of the department is so wrong. I worked with the very talented group of social studies teachers for 10 years and their creativity and that of the students was of the highest standards. When we allow those in charge to put us all in the same bubble we become their puppets and that's exactly what it sounds like the administration is doing once again.

The resources that she provides to her students can help them and can give them more understanding than without them. She has been a key person in the District of Montgomery and would be false verdict to remove her.

The data and results speak for themselves- so why would you not renew the supervisor's contract?

The History Department is likely one of the best departments at MHS. All the teachers I've had so far - Mr. Flug, Mr. Porcelli, and Mrs. Murphy - have been extremely positive influences in my life. World Studies Honors was an eye-opening and enriching experience because Mr. Flug had the freedom to spend more or less time, or modify assignments, all based on how we learned the material or where our specific interests lay. Above any other subject, I would absolutely credit both my AP US History teachers with every skill I have learnt in the classroom, my growth as a student, and my performance on the AP Exam. These teachers have achieved one of the primary goals of teaching - to give students a much higher perspective on learning that they would never get if merely homeschooled. This required the teachers to have the freedom to bring up debate topics as and when the class was interested in them, while their teaching ethic is so strong that almost no topic was left undiscussed.

The MHS Social Studies Department has always performed well, and has done even better under the guidance of Mrs. Hodgson. Evidently, both Mrs. Hodgson and the teachers are doing something right under the current system. Don't fix what isn't broken.

I support the fine teachers of Montgomery 100 percent. Shackling them with restrictive rules is stifling and counterproductive. We cannot afford to lose dedicated,caring, excellent teachers to an uncaring, shortsighted bureaucracy.

Support the teachers 100%. Our current teachers are excellent. They teach with a passion and are creative and care about our children's learning and they encourage the students to think and use their knowledge in applications to real life situations. They are also very committed to supporting the students' out-of-classroom activities. We need and have to support our teachers and give them room to teach in their style that best foster the students understanding and learning of critical foundations to build upon for their future endeavors.

Montgomery's history department is one department I would not touch. As an '16 alum, the history classes I've taken through my 4 years were second to none. The teachers had real passion. A connection with the subject that transpired flawlessly to their students. Failing to renew the supervisor's contract, an incredible asset to the department would be then be compromised. And for what? The mere fact that someone doesn't agree and doesn't see eye to eye with her? I thought the ultimate goal of MHS was top notch education for the students. We beg you to reconsider.

Mrs. Hodgson is an amazing teacher with the ability to make any lesson interesting. She cares about her students and was one of my favorite teachers at MHS because of that.

My fiancé graduated from MHS ('02) and had a wonderful education. Please afford today's youth the same opportunity.

Some of the best MHS teachers that were the most positive, inspiring and influential for my children are in this department. We support them all.

Every single one of the social studies teachers I have had at Montgomery High School have been excellent instructors.