Recently, Garnet valley’s own Mr. Layman has been recognized for an Excellence in teaching award. After 20 years of teaching history in a more interactive style, he certainly deserves recognition for this award. Keep reading below to get a little more insight into this amazing teacher!
1. What do you think helped you to grow into the kind of teacher who earns an award like this?
Working in an environment where I have been mentored by highly effective teachers here at GVHS has certainly influenced my teaching. This award is the product of the community of teachers that I have had the privilege to work with.
2. What made you do more hands-on teaching instead of lectures?
I have taught in block scheduling for my whole career, so that is part of it. Lecturing for 70 minutes would not suit my teaching style, for sure.
3. What's one activity you've done that really stood out to you?
I enjoy setting up and watching simulations play out in class. We do one in my APUSH class on the Constitution that is both fun and is an effective way to explore the debates that shaped our nation.
4. What's your goal for what students take away from your class besides facts and dates?
I want my students to be able to think critically. This means they can frame an argument, support an argument with facts, evaluate sources of information, and be aware of bias (including their own).
5. Do you think students today see history differently than students did when you first started teaching?
What has changed is WHOSE history students learn about. History has evolved to include the views of people outside the traditional version of history, including more voices from disempowered groups. Students are looking for that now and expect to learn about history that includes groups like women (a pretty big group, right?), people of color, LGBTQ communities, and other marginalized groups.
6. Do you see AI as helpful for learning, or does it create challenges?
Tough question. On the whole, I would rather live in a world without it. While it has been helpful with annoying tasks, I think it is also robbing us of our creativity and - sometimes - our integrity.
7. What's your favorite part about teaching high school students?
Helping a student do something that he or she thought they could not do.
8. If your students had to describe your class in a few words, what do you think they would say?
I hope they would say engaging and fun?
9. What did it mean to you to receive the Excellence in Teaching Award, especially after teaching for so long?
It was particularly nice to share this with my family, as they do not see much of what I do since we live outside of the district.
10. What's one moment in your career that reminded you why you wanted to be a teacher?
I'll start with the most challenging time, which was COVID-19. The work that I saw my colleagues - administrators, staff, and teachers - do to recreate what education looks like on the fly and with no precedent to guide them was the inspiring moment of my career.
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