News-School to Offer European History AP

Originally published in the print issue of the Saratoga Falcon.

By Neyha Bhat

A new European History advanced placement course will be available to juniors and seniors as an elective for the next school year.

Principal Jeff Anderson, a former history teacher, felt this class would be an interesting addition to the school’s history curriculum and proposed the idea to the history department at the beginning of the school year.

History teachers thought students with a passion for history deserve an elective that would allow them to study an interesting time period and area of the world, while earning an extra AP point.

“This class offers students the chance to explore their love for history and reap the rewards for taking a challenging course,” said history department head, Kim Anzalone.

The curriculum will cover the Renaissance period to the European Union. Because other schools already offer this course, College Board has a set curriculum for teachers to use and prepare for the AP test.

World History teacher Jerry Sheehy will teach the class.

“Mr. Sheehy is already experienced in teaching world history, which includes Europe,” said Anzalone. “In addition, his teaching methods appeal to students.”

Sheehy also looks forward to the opportunity to teaching his first AP course. He feels his experience with world history has prepared him to instruct an in-depth course.

“It will be a great learning experience for me,” said Sheehy. “I’ll pick up good teaching methods for this course as it goes.”

He also looks forward to studying with students who have a love for history and have chosen to take a challenging course.

“The best part will definitely be teaching students who are motivated to excel in a more focused and intense part of history,” said Sheehy.