Igniting the Classroom: How Stephen Otis Makes History Come Alive for Middle Schoolers

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Ignition Point Podcast, where we explore the spark behind the stories and achievements of educators who are setting the academic world on fire. Host Kendall Terry sits down with Stephen Otis, a dynamo of a teacher who's just joined the 6th and 7th-grade Social Studies department at CBA.Stephen is not your ordinary history teacher; he's a pedagogical innovator who makes the past come alive in his classroom. From hands-on activities to outdoor lessons, Stephen believes in teaching history as an emotional and human experience, not just a list of names, dates, and events.Tune in to hear how Stephen Otis translates his wide range of life experiences into powerful teaching moments and how he manages to instill a sense of wonder, empathy, and critical thinking in his young students. Learn about his unique approach to classroom engagement that takes kids from their desks to the great outdoors, helping them connect the dots between yesterday and today in a way that's meaningful, memorable, and, most importantly, fun.Don't miss this episode if you're an educator looking for inspiration, a parent seeking understanding of progressive teaching methods, or just someone who loves a good story about people making a positive impact in the world.