The best part of Saint Martin de Porres High School is the community and all the people in it..."

Carlous, '08

Mr. John Fay

John Fay is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio with a degree in History and a Master of Education and Ohio Teaching Certificate from Ursuline College. He is the ninth grade teacher and advisor. In addition, John is a licensure representative, Praxis Three Mentor, Professional Development Committee Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Photography Club advisor, Guitar Club advisor and Prom Committee advisor.

Ninth Grade Social Studies: Thematic Studies in Civilization I

Unit One: Identity and Diversity: Race, Gender and Religion

As the foundation for the theme of “Care for the Community,” this unit will examine the identities of individuals and groups and the relationships among people. Students will study the principles of identify formation using historical and contemporary examples. The unit will focus on the characteristics of cultures and the interactions among cultures.

Unit Two: The Things They Carried

A study of immigrant movements in a variety of time periods, reflecting the family histories of the students in the class. The unit may include the “Great Migration” of African-Americans to the North; waves of Latino migration; European immigrant movements; the Middle Passage; European colonization of Africa . Students will research different immigrant movements and teach them to the rest of the class.

Unit Three: Labor and the Workplace

This unit will explore the history of labor and basic principles of economics as well as philosophical, sociological, political and ethical questions regarding the world of work. This unit will use the students’ experiences in the workplace as a means of examining these questions.

Unit Four: The Power of Commitment; the Danger of Indifference

This unit will explore historical (Holocaust, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, etc) and contemporary examples of the power of individuals and groups to influence the common good. The unit will study nonviolence as a force for positive change as well as the causes and effects of war. Structures within democracy that support citizen involvement will be studied. Connections will be made with the students’ own power to influence the local community, the United States and the world.