Alumna Michelle Ford graduated from SHPRS with her bachelor’s degree in history in 1991.
Ford answered a few questions about her current position, her time with SHPRS and tips for current students.
Tell us a little bit about your current position and you found yourself there.
I am currently a teacher at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. and I have been at the school for over ten years. I teach multiple social studies subjects there and I am a Model United Nations advisor.
Growing up, were you always interested in history?
Yes! I have always been interested in history. My dad was a World War II veteran & Lebanese immigrant and I had some fantastic history teachers in both junior high and high school.
What attracted you to the undergraduate history program at ASU?
I was attracted to ASU initially for the warm weather and proximity to home, not too close and not too far. After only a few weeks of classes, I was hooked! The faculty and diversity of classes is not only why I thrived at ASU but also why continued to study there and earn my graduate degree in post baccalaureate social studies education.
Tell us about your time with SHPRS
The time that really stands out to me in SHPRS was without a doubt the interesting classes and amazing faculty. I loved going to class and listening to my professors. I still have some of those class notebooks in the cupboard in my classroom.
Did SHPRS and your degree help in preparing you for your current position?
I feel the basis of my background in historical studies always ends up going full circle back to the classes I took at ASU.
Was there a defining moment with your academic career?
The defining moment would have to be being placed by the ASU department of education advisors, at Corona Del Sol High School to both observe and then student teach. I was able to work with a knowledgeable and caring department chair and mentor teacher. Being able to apply what I had learned in the classroom at ASU, in a real classroom settings with expertise guidance, shaped the educator that I am today.
What is the most useful thing you learned that you can still apply today?
The most useful thing that I learned is the information from the graduate class titled: Methods of Teaching Social Studies. The things that I still use and that stand out to me from that class are writing effective assessment questions for students.
Were there any extracurricular activities you were involved in at ASU?
I was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, served on the executive board for two years, a member of Panhellenic and a chair for Greek Steering Committee for the 1990 Greek Week
Do you have any tips for current students?
Take classes that interest you, get to know your professors, join Greek Life or any organization on campus where you can get to know different people, take advantage of everything ASU has to offer and travel the world.