Michael Clapper
4733 Hazel Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215)729-7335
clapper@sas.upenn.edu

Education

University of Pennsylvania	Ph.D. Candidate in History	2000-
University of Pennsylvania	Secondary Social Studies Certification	1997
Temple University	M.A. in History	1993
Macalester College	B.A. in Psychology/Philosophy	1991
Phillips Academy Andover		1986

Work Experience

Visiting Lecturer and Teaching Assistant

University of Pennsylvania, History Department

Fall 2003-

Taught American History since 1865 during Summer Session 2004. During the academic year, served as a teaching assistant for three sections each semester, facilitating discussion sessions and overseeing all assessments.

Social Studies Department Chair

West Philadelphia High School Philadelphia School District

October 1999- June 2002

Served as a liaison between the Social Studies staff and the administration, including the Cluster and School District’s Office of Curriculum Support. Communicated new curriculum and assessment initiatives to the History Department staff.    Arranged the agenda for, and chaired, all department meetings, secured appropriate resource persons/consultants to provide staff development as needed.   Developed yearly departmental goals along with staff. Ordered supplies and educational materials in consultation with the bookroom coordinator.

Instructor :  Social Studies

West Philadelphia High School Philadelphia School District

September 1997- June 2002

Taught a range of courses including both halves of the American History Survey, World History, Ancient History, Introduction to Law, Street Law, Economics and Political Science.  Acted as the computer technician for my small learning community and participated in the technology committee.   Coordinated intramural basketball.

Student Teacher

Simon Gratz High School

October 1996-May 1997

Observed classes during early Fall; taught one world history class in the Crossroads Charter, a Coalition of Essential Schools member.  During the spring, led classes of World History and 20th Century History.

Drug and Alcohol Assessor

Shalom, Inc.

June 1995-June 1996

Assessed students at risk in fifteen Philadelphia public high schools for the Student Assistance Program. Worked with previously identified students and their families to arrange treatment options.

Counselor

Shalom, Inc

September 1993-June 1995

Provided drug/alcohol programming at St. John Neumann High School. Responsible for individual and group counseling, family intervention and case management within the school. Co-facilitated the Student Assistance Program, a safety net for students having academic, discipline or other problems. Coached the school tennis team.

Ranger

Philadelphia Ranger Corps

June 1991-June 1993

Responsible for interpretive programming at several historic sites including the Fairmount Water Works and Bartram's Garden.  Presented numerous environmental and historical presentations in local schools.

Additional Experiences and Education

Research Assistant Positions
*Research Assistant, Rogers Smith, Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, Summer 2003
*Research Assistant, Urban Studies Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2002-2003

Education Related Experiences
*Teaching Assistant for Professor Anne Spirn, "Urban Studies 130: The Power of Place"  University of Pennsylvania, Spring 2001
*Coordinated Service Learning Projects for Professor Michael Zuckerman, History Course: American National Character, University of Pennsylvania    1999-2001
*Cooperating Teacher for Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania 1998-2000. Supervised two student teachers each semester.
*Coordinated Service Projects for St. Joseph’s University “Faith Justice” Institute, 2001.

Additional Education and Skills
*Deliberative Forum Training with Dr. Harris Sokoloff of the University of Pennsylvania
*Computer Skills: Fully Literate in Windows and Macintosh Applications;
*Web Programming, both html, php, and flash.
*Trained in ARCGIS and competent with Geographic Information Systems Projects.
*Fellow: Philadelphia Writing Project, August 1999
*Rutgers Summer School of Drug and Alcohol Studies, 1994.

Grants, Awards, Publications, and Presentations

*Finalist: Penn Prize for Excellence in Teaching by Graduate Students, 2004

*“School Design, Site Selection and the Political Geography of Race in Post-Industrial Philadelphia”   Society of American City and Regional Planning History Conference, Fall 2003.

*Recipient: Jordan Fundamentals Grant, Spring 2000.

*Room 113 Earned an Honorable Mention in the 1999 Philadelphia Compact Contest.

*Carruth Fellowship for Outstanding Teachers:  1999-2000, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania

*"Reflections of a First Year Teacher," Presentation at Ethnography Conference, University of Pennsylvania, 1998.

* “The Twin Tower Trios of Society Hill and Southwark: Post-Industrial Housing in Philadelphia after World War II, Master’s Thesis, Spring 1993.