The study of history is one of the most important and essential areas of study a civilization can obtain. I have many interests, such as playing classical piano and powerlifting. But mainly, I want to make a difference in the world through teaching history. Learning history, to properly read and understand it, is one of the most refreshing and nourishing things one can do. This is why majoring in history is so important to our communities and country as a whole. Knowing who we are and where we’ve come from is critical to making decisions in the present and future. Knowing the effects of past presidents or legislation is imperative to actions made in government today. However, this is not the only reason why I chose to major in it. In the classroom, I feel very comfortable being at the front of the class discussing history and teaching my peers about that subject. Last semester during AP US History, my teacher had assigned us to pick a topic during the Civil War and make a 45-minute presentation on it. I chose the decisive Vicksburg campaign led by Ulysses S. Grant for my presentation. Explaining the campaign from start to finish and its consequences on the war was one of my favorite projects from my time in high school. This is what led me to consider teaching as a career. To a future employer, such as a public school or university, my personal love and enjoyment of the subject I teach will translate well into my ability to communicate it. Teaching a topic that I personally don’t take interest in would lessen both my and the student’s experience. I also think that being a good teacher to students can be very influential, as I myself am thankful for the great teachers that have helped me through the years for me to become who I am today. I hope to be that teacher someday. To me personally, the importance of history lies within my family. My father’s side of the family has been here since the 1630s, and has had a large role in the founding of many towns and colonial-era institutions. My mother, who is an immigrant, grew up under communist rule in Eastern Europe. Her family’s story through the 20th century between two world wars and different dictatorships is astounding. My great-great uncle fought against the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 and fled to England to fight for the Royal Air Force, something I’m very proud of. There is military history on both sides of my family. My great-grandfather on my father’s side fought in both world wars. In WWI, he fought in the Scottish regiment at Gallipoli. In WWII, he was with the US Navy in the North Atlantic. In studying American and World history, I am able to grasp a better understanding of myself and my family. This is not exclusive to just myself, however. It is my personal belief that everyone should have a grasp of their nation’s history, and their own. I also want to expand my understanding of history; learn about different eras, and venture into different places where I’ve never been able to go. Ultimately

The study of history is one of the most important and essential areas of study a civilization can obtain. To learn history, to properly read and understand it, is one of the most refreshing and nourishing things one can do. This is why majoring in history is so important to our communities and country as a whole. Knowing who we are and where we’ve come from is critical to making decisions in the present and future. Knowing the effects of past presidents or legislation is imperative to actions made in government today. However, this is not the only reason why I chose to major in it. In the classroom, I feel very comfortable being at the front of the class discussing history and teaching my peers about that subject. Last semester during AP US History, my teacher had assigned us to pick a topic during the Civil War and make a 45-minute presentation on it. I chose the decisive Vicksburg campaign led by Ulysses S. Grant for my presentation. Explaining the campaign from start to finish and its consequences on the war was one of my favorite projects from my time in high school. This is what led me to consider teaching as a career. To a future employer, such as a public school or university, my personal love and enjoyment of the subject I teach will translate well into my ability to communicate it. Teaching a topic that I personally don’t take interest in would lessen both my and the student’s experience. Teaching history is something I believe I can excel at and be confident in. To me personally, the importance of history lies within my family. My father’s side of the family has been here since the 1630s and has had a large role in the founding of many towns and colonial-era institutions. My mother, who is an immigrant, grew up under communist rule in Eastern Europe. Her family’s story through the 20th century between two world wars and different dictatorships is astounding. My great-great uncle fought against the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 and fled to England to fight for the Royal Air Force, something I’m very proud of. There is military history on both sides of my family. My great-grandfather on my father’s side fought in both world wars. In WWI, he fought in the Scottish regiment at Gallipoli. In WWII, he was with the US Navy in the North Atlantic. In studying American and World history, I am able to grasp a better understanding of myself and my family. This is not exclusive to just myself, however. It is my personal belief that everyone should have a grasp of their nation’s history, and their own. I also want to expand my understanding of history; to learn about different eras, and venture into different places where I’ve never been able to go.