Introduction

While choosing my senior year schedule I became nervous as I realized the majority of people where choosing the same electives. Not only was my first choice Facing History and Ourselves, but everyone else wanted it as their first pick elective. I had been waiting to return to a class taught by Mr. Gallagher since my sophomore year at the high school. In my previous class with him, I was left with an abundance of useful life tools and knowledge. Through schooling my memories of the affective teaching he supplied encouraged me to motivate myself in school. If I did not get to experience this environment again my senior year I would have been disappointed. In addition to the kind motivational Mr. Gallagher was the feedback from the students. This course was described to me as a class about realizing history and our own moral and ethical choices. The seniors who I observed took the class portrayed optimistic and friendly attitudes; and I knew this was something I would love to be a part of. Although a very small percent of students said they were not signing up for the course because they could not relate, I found you are not meant to relate to such atrocities. Instead learn a better understanding of our past, and then take our responsibility to never be a bystander into action. I have left this course with a great passion for everything I was exposed to. Some days this course even left me in an emotional daze of sadness, because I was so deeply disturbed.

            The passion the teacher puts into Facing History and Ourselves sparks an interest in all High School students. Mr. Gallagher has a way of gaining and giving respect to his students. I am truly lucky to be able to take part in this class and the Facing History Club. If I had not chosen this course I would not be walking away from high school with the extremely impotent life lessons I have learned.