Pinpointe Teacher Profile: Christina Shively

Christina C Y P R E S S R A N C H Shively

H I G H S C H O O L P I N P O I N T E T E A C H E R P R O F I L E

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Husband’s Name: Richard A. Shively

Children’s Names/Ages: Meagan 19 • Madison 16

Education (College attended/Degree Received):

B.A in History and English from Stephen F. Austin State University M.S. Educational Administration from University of Houston-Clear Lake M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in History from Sam Houston State University

What was your motivation to become an educator?

I’ve a lways loved working with kids and seeing their faces l ight up when they understand a concept or get excited about a topic we are discussing. I also had an amazing history teacher in high school, Joan Rowland, who added to my love of history and writing.

Campus/Teaching Assignment:

Cypress Ranch High School: AP World History, AP European History - Department Chair

Years of Experience (Same Assignment/Campu s):

I am entering my 23rd year of teaching (1999-2000 Brenham High School, 2000-2001 Creekview HS in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, 2001-2005 Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, 2006-Present CFISD – 3 years at Cypress Creek HS, the rest at Cypress Ranch HS). I started out as a substitute while I was in college, spending 2 years working in different districts a round the Houston area.

Recall one memor able teaching moment.

Honestly, there are several, but the one that really stands out to me is a student who had just moved into the district after being in the United States for just over 2 years. He was still learning English, but decided to take my AP World H istory class. To say that he struggled is an understatement, but he kept working at it and ended up doing well in the course. What stands out abo ut him is the history that he was taught in his home country and what w e teach in the United States was quite different. This opened up a wonderful discussion in class about perspective and how different events are perceived by the participants as well as the spectators and how different governments control (or do not control) what is reported to the people. This was a major eye opener for all of the stud ents a nd for me as well. This particular student continues to keep in touch with me (it has been almost 11 years since he graduated), updating me on his family and life in general.

My “Super Power” is:

Making history interesting (or at least entertaining) for students who may not like history. World History in particular is full of entertaining people who do things that are so unreal, that you just can’t make them up.

What do you see as your biggest challenges this year?

Given the current state of the world, my biggest challenge in teaching this year will be managing on-line and fa ce-to-face teaching at the same time. I have taught on-line at the college level for several years and love it and have taught face-to-face for over twenty years at the high school level and love it; however, doing both at the same time (synchronously) is a challenge.

Finish this sentence: If I hadn’t chosen a career in education, I would have pursued…

A career as a physical therapist.

Favorite leisure a ctivities:

Spending time with my family and friends; Reading; Watching movies, sports, and a few TV series; Tr aveling, particularly to the mountains, beaches, or historical places; Relaxing with the pets (2 dogs and 2 cats)