Tim Connelly - US History, GOVERNMENT, ECONOMICS, AssISTANT Basketball Coach
Mr. Connelly was born right outside of Detroit, Michigan (Go Lions!) and then quickly moved on to Sweden, Thailand and Germany. He finally settled back in the states where he went to The College of William and Mary for a BA in History and then Virginia Tech for his MA in Education.
When he's not at school you can usually find him hanging out with his dogs and his son Jackson.
Mr. Connelly's favorite subject has always been History. Understanding the events of the past allows you to truly comprehend the world as it is today. He believes that an informed citizen can make a difference. A theme that runs through all of his lessons. He is excited to continue the GWCS tradition of building well educated life long learners.
Courses Taught
US History
History is an organic and ever-changing discipline that allows us to better understand the world around us today. Every current event and controversial issue discussed today is rooted in events that have happened in the past.
This course is designed to prepare and give you all of the tools necessary to succeed in future academic settings. By the end of the course you will be able to identify, analyze, and interpret the major themes that run throughout America’s history.
AP US History
In AP US History we will explore events of U.S. history through the use and analysis of documents, images, cartoons, quantitative data, and other primary sources.
Develop an understanding of major themes in U.S. history, including American identity, economic and social life, political change and continuity, and the U.S. role in the world.
Government
Ever wondered what Congress was really up to? Pondered the idea of whether the media is biased or not? How DO those politicians get elected anyway? This course is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the American political system. We will cover the philosophical underpinnings of our guiding documents, the evolution of our government, the institutions and players, and how policies and priorities are decided and enacted.
AP Government
AP United States Government and Politics is an intense course that studies the formal and informal structures of the US Government and the processes that take place in the American political system. We will dive deep into all areas of the US Government and study everything from the Constitution to the US Healthcare system. This course requires a great deal of commitment and dedication to analyzing our system of government and becoming informed active citizens.
Economics
Economics is the study of how societies, governments, businesses, households, and individuals allocate their scarce resources. We will apply this knowledge to everyday life. Economics gives us the tools to approach questions about the desirability of a particular financial investment opportunity, whether or not to attend college or graduate school, the benefits and costs of alternative careers, and the likely impacts of public policies including universal health care and a higher minimum wage.
