Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2017 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!
Michael Hubbs
Grades 9-10, Global History & AP World History; Grades 11-12, College Now Criminal Justice
New Dorp High School
Tell us about some of the special joys and challenges you’ve experienced as a teacher.
One of the biggest challenges as an educator is trying to complete all the material to prepare them for the state exams. But as a teacher you realize that there is more to education than exams. We get to explore history, current events, and other topics that are relevant to today’s society and I think just getting the kids involved in that area is one of the things that I love about this job. We are history and they are the future.
Please share a special project or achievement that you are particularly proud of from this year.
A few years ago we did a school-wide assessment and noticed that writing is a weakness across every grade level. Based on our findings, we started a writing initiative at New Dorp High School to teach basic writing skills to every student. Every year we learn new techniques and new strategies that allow us to reach a large number of students and help them overcome these writing issues.
Over the course of your career, what do you consider your greatest accomplishments?
I have been a member of a writing team that produced global history workbooks for every student in both freshman and sophomore year. These workbooks are designed to help students grow as writers, and to see these workbooks help students is probably my greatest achievement as an educator.
What keeps you motivated and committed to being a dedicated and hard-working educator?
I have always been driven by the students. I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger. My biggest mistake was not trying hard enough while I was in high school. I think that that one regret is the motivation behind my desire to be the best educator that I can be. As an educator and role model for these young students, it is our job to represent what we want our students to become when they are older. I use my time in front of the class to teach them not only content, but also life lessons that may help them in years to come.
