Mike Willis

Did you know that Grade 5 History Teacher Mike Willis lived in Iceland for three years during his Middle School years and was in two bands in college? Ask him to see pictures of when he was a lead singer with long hair!

My favorite lessons to teach are the Mesopotamia flood simulation and the Ancient Survivor speech competition. During the flood reproduction, kids make the connection between a need for irrigation systems and the rise of leaders in the first civilization. During the Ancient Survivor activity, I love to see the kids get competitive and excited about writing speeches for Julius Caesar, Hatshepsut, and Socrates.

I enjoy traveling, reading, and visiting history museums. So enriching!

I used to teach U.S. civics and government. We conducted a U.S. senate simulation, and I loved it when the kids were assigned a fictional senator with a different political leaning than them or their parents. They really developed empathy in this project. They didn't have to ultimately agree, but they could see where the other side was coming from.

Become the best teacher I can be. Write professionally some day. Make a lasting impact in social studies education. Live abroad again.

Children International and adoption because we're adopting our second baby.

Debate Club Coach, Advisor, Social Studies Department Chair

2019

Master’s degree in secondary education, Loyola Marymount University

Bachelor’s degree in sociology and crime, law, and justice with a minor in business, Penn State