A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Bryson May ('24) comes from a tight-knit family that includes parents Melissa and Chris, and younger brother Dylan, and with deep roots at Appalachian State. Both of his parents, as well as his grandfather, graduated from App State (with mom and grandfather graduating with degrees in education). Boone is Bryson's home away from home, a place where the campus extends to the outdoors through kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, ziplining, snowboarding, getting connected with a strong church community. Bryson completed his student teaching experience at R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, where he taught American history. He credits his 8th-grade and 11th-grade American history teachers for inspiring him to teach and make to a strong impact on every student who enters the classroom.
Bryson was selected as a finalist for the 2023-2024 Appalachian State University Student Teacher of the Year. He is excited to represent App State and carry on the legacy of his mentors by teaching at his alma mater, Ronald Reagan High School, in Pfafftown, NC.
How did the History Education Program prepare you for a career in history/social studies education?
Bryson May: The history education program at App State is an absolutely fantastic program that takes the utmost care in preparing educators who are well-versed in content, up-to-date teaching pedagogy, classroom management skills, and teaching using digital media. Throughout my time in the History Education Program, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective history teacher through specific courses tailored for history education majors, as well as numerous professional development opportunities. During my time in the program, I was also able to see what good teaching looks like and receive the utmost support from professors such as Dr. Sibaja, Dr. Fredette, and Mrs. Morris. Their guidance and support were crucial in my journey. I was able to learn how important good planning is in education and how to create good curriculum unit maps and lesson plans, all of which set me up for success in my student teaching and in my career. This program also helped me create some of my strongest friendships and build relationships with other history educators who I know I can call upon for support, advice, and a good smile at any point in my career. .
What is the best part of teaching history/social studies?
BM: Teaching high school social studies is such a gift! Social studies is a discipline in which students can come and talk about the things going on in this world, have discussions about the past, and make informed decisions about how they want to serve and make a change in their community and in their school. I believe that the best part of being a social studies teacher is providing students with the opportunity to learn more about who they are, their culture, and their history. I love to teach students from a multitude of perspectives that allow them to look at a variety of different cultures displayed throughout history. I firmly believe that every student should have the opportunity to see themselves and their culture represented throughout history and learn the lessons that history has taught us. I also love seeing students making thematic connections that spark light bulbs in their minds about history. The role of a good teacher is to guide students in using history to make connections to the modern age; the joy of teaching is seeing students' faces light up when they see the ways that history still impacts us today. We have such an incredible responsibility in teaching social studies and helping build future citizens and leaders, and I am honored to be a small part of that amazing responsibility.
What do you look forward to the most as you begin your teaching career?
BM: As I begin my teaching career, I look forward to helping inspire future leaders in and outside of the classroom. Using history as a vehicle to help inspire leadership is a passion of mine and one that I look to cultivate early on in my teaching career. I want to not only help students understand history and its connections but also help guide them in understanding how they can use this knowledge of history to impact their community and school and make positive changes in their own histories. I also look to create positive relationships with all my students and use these relationships to encourage them to use their gifts and talents to lead by example, show kindness and generosity to all, and be leaders in all of their endeavors.
Bryson May
