Teacher Advisory Council
Kate O’Mara
Years teaching: | 18 |
Subjects: | History |
Education: | B.A., Gettysburg College (History with concentration in Business) M.S., Bank Street College of Education (Museum Education) |
Kate O’Mara’s teaching career began with museum education, working at the hands-on history museums of Historic Hudson Valley in New York State. After moving to Connecticut, she worked with the National History Day program and later moved into public education. Following eight years of teaching High School history and economics, Kate transitioned to Haddam Killingworth Middle School, where she enjoys teaching 8th grade American History. As a member of the Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks Professional Development Committee, Kate has worked to help teachers implement the National C3 Social Studies frameworks, and found the National Humanities Center’s resources to be great tools for this work.
“A few years ago I was searching for primary sources to use in my 8th grade curriculum as we moved toward the Common Core of State Standards. I found wonderful resources in the National Humanities Center’s Toolbox Library of Primary Sources. These resources were paired with a variety of other sources and background knowledge. I have used the sources to try and reach deeper levels of knowledge with my students. I hope to be able to help other teachers with their work utilizing primary sources in the history curriculum.”