My Role:
Social Studies Teacher, Model Congress Adviser, Sophomore Class Adviser and all-around good guy

What's New:

I begin my ninth year at GHS well-rested, focused and very excited. This will be my third year teaching 10th grade Civics and Economics,and I am hoping to continue building on what I have done with some new ideas and different approaches to content. I will also continue serving as a class adviser to the Class of 2013, this year's juniors. My one major regret this year is that due to budget issues I will not be teaching Sociology. I have really enjoyed this class for the last five years, and hope to teach it again in the future.

My great passion at GHS, the Model Congress Club, continues to grow and flourish. For the past six years the Goffstown delegates have been competing at the Model Congresses at Yales and the University of Pennsylvania, and last year we added the country's oldest Model Congress at American International College. This year we hope to continue to win a good share of the awards given out at these events, and we are always looking for new members who wish to learn and grow with us. If you are not aware of what this great group of students does look into it, or simply call or email me; I'll be more than happy to tell you all about it. link to Model Congress information

About Me:

I began teaching at the ripe old age of 45, on the same day that my grandson Sam was born.  This was the culmination of a five-year process that involved finishing my degree through the College of Lifelong Learning and getting certified through the Upper Valley Teacher Institute in Lebanon, NH.  I am now in my sixteenth year of teaching high school social studies.  Prior to this mid-life change I had worked for many years in private industry, as a carpenter, a mechanic, a production manager and several other things. I honestly consider the move into teaching to be the best decision I have ever made, and have found that my varied background has been a great help.

I current live in Nashua with my wife, Nancy.  My main non-school activity is operating my fine art and portrait photography business, but I also enjoy reading, music and cooking.

For a glimpse into my other life as a photographer check out artferrierphotography.com

Notes for parents:

Please try to helpyour son/daughter keep track of assignments. I will try to keep things updated here, and when possible will post instruction sheets, etc. here as well. I will also be sending out emails with updates on class activities and upcoming assignments for my classes. If your email is not listed in the student database please send it to me so that I may include you in these periodic mailings.

I continue to talk to classes about time management, and specifically organizing and scheduling assignments so as to not get overwhelmed. A couple of simple suggestions that you can help with are:

• Make a prioritized list of assignments before starting homework at night, and cross them out as you complete them. The important thing is to not allow yourself to begin another assignment until you finish the top one on the list. This avoids the frustration of having several things half done and none finished, and it feels really good to cross them out.
• For long term projects, try to schedule at least 15-20 minutes a night on specific tasks, such as research, outlining, sketching out one paragraph at a time, or whatever else you can identify that can be done in a short time. This will gradually reduce the size of the assignment and avoid last-minute panic, and also develop valuable skills for college and career.
  
  I am available most days after school and during my free periods and will gladly help any student who is putting in honest effort and having trouble keeping up. I encourage students to come for help preparing for quizzes. Any student who wants some extra assistance should speak to me so that we may schedule a mutually workable time.

I will be updating this and attaching scedules and assignments on as regular a basis as I can keep up with. Please contact me if you have questions.

Class Information:

Honors Civics (link to schedule) (link to course description)
Assignment Links:
In this class we will be examining the origin, purposes and functions of the U.S. Government. As this is an Honors class I expect a high level of engagement and effort from every student. The following are some general expectations:

• Readings, including those from the textbook and additional pieces such as primary source documents and analytical essays, are assigned for the purpose of discussion. I expect all students to complete readings and come to class prepared to discuss them. link to Reading Expectations
• All assignments must be handed in according to the requirements in the handout that I send home on the first day of class. It is essential that you read these requirements and keep them to refer to throughout the year. Link to requirements

Open Civics (link to schedule) (link to course description)(link to Timeline Project)
Assignment Links:
In this class we will be examining the origin, purposes and functions of the U.S. Government, including how it compares to other types of governments, and the role of the citizen. The following are some general expectations:

• All assignments must be handed in according to the requirements in the handout that I send home on the first day of class. It is essential that you read these requirements and keep them to refer to throughout the year. Link to requirements
• Students will come to every class on time and prepared. This includes having textbooks, notebooks, etc. with them and completing assigned readings and exercises.