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Social Studies

Welcome To Social Studies!
Please Meet Our Staff & See Our Electives

 

Stephanie Bongiovanni - Ms. Bongiovanni joined the staff at Montville Township High School in 2018 and has taught World History and U.S History I. Stephanie graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree in history. She also attended the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education’s Five-Year Teacher Education Program where she obtained her Masters of Education.  Prior to working at MTHS, she taught Geography at Tenafly Middle School and Ancient Civilizations at Lazar Middle School. When Stephanie is not teaching she enjoys creative writing, reading, and watching historical TV shows. She is also a big fan of the Giants and loves watching them play with her family and friends.

 

Christopher Butchko – B.A. St. Bonaventure University, History and Political Science (2000), M.A. Seton Hall University, Secondary Education (2004), M.A. Kean University, Holocaust and Genocide Studies (2016).

Mr. Butchko has been teaching at Montville since 2008 and currently instructs Holocaust and Genocidal Studies. His specialties include the Holocaust Period, 20th Century World History, and Current Events. He was a Class of 2014 Co-Advisor and also co-advises the Class of 2018.

 In his free time Mr. Butchko enjoys traveling around the world to expand his knowledge of different societies and to America’s national parks.  He is also an avid Numismatist.  He is currently President of the Chatham Coin Club.

  

Max Dorsey-Gordon – Mr. Dorsey-Gordon, or "Mr. D," is a graduate of New York University and Montclair State University. He has degrees in Political Science, Economics, and Arts in Teaching. He is a professional, excitable, and is usually smiling; probably because he is thinking about the joke of the day.

 

Ken MacIver – B. A. History, Subject Matter Education, Rowan University (2013),

Mr. MacIver joined the Montville High School staff for the 2014 school year and teaches World History & Cultures as well as US History I. In addition, he is an assistant coach for Boy’s/Girl’s Spring Track and volunteers with Montville Wrestling.

 

James McManus –

Mr. McManus grew up in Mendham, NJ and graduated summa cum laude in 2016 from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina with a BS in Social Studies Education and a minor in Fine Arts. While at The Citadel, James was very active in extra-curricular activities and conducted an extensive research project of education systems in New Jersey, South Carolina, England, Wales, and the Netherlands. In the 2016-17 school year, he added Norway to that list when he accepted a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant job in Ås, Norway. After living in Norway for 10 months, James is glad to be back for his first fall in New Jersey since 2011!

In his free time, James is a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician, runs his own company (Medic Mark), volunteers as a BSA assistant scoutmaster and as a counselor at American Legion Jersey Boys State, maintains a YouTube channel (The Oxford Observer), and created a resource to help teachers incorporate technology into their classrooms (www.Teachwith.Technology). He enjoys photography and regular participation within the Montville Township High School community.

 

Erik Morrison – B.A. University of Delaware, Psychology and Geography (94) and Secondary Social Studies Education (97), M.Ed. University of Delaware, Social Studies Education (97).

Mr. Morrison has taught World History/Cultures, Sociology, US History I, and US History II.  Currently, he is teaching all three psychology electives (including AP Psychology) at the high school as well as World History/Cultures.

Mr. Morrison is a former collegiate cheerleader and has coached JV and Varsity squads at Montville High School.  Mr. Morrison enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially his wife and two sons born in September 2014 and December 2015.

 

Rick Mosera – Mr. Mosera is a graduate of Monmouth University (2012) where he received a bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education, he also worked as a tour guide for the Monmouth University. 

Mr. Mosera has a Master’s degree in Special Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology. Mr Mosera teaches US History I and AP Human Geography.  He is also an assistant tennis coach at the high school. In his spare time he enjoys sports, music, traveling and the outdoors.

  

 Scott M. Riotto – B.A. University of Pennsylvania, American History (90), M.S.Ed. University of Pennsylvania Secondary Education (91), M.A. Rutgers University, American History (02).

Mr. Riotto has been teaching since 1991 and has been a member of the Montville High School staff since 1994.  His specialty is American History and the Constitution.  He currently teaches Sophomore United States History I Honors and Senior United States Government & Politics Advanced Placement.  He is also advisor to the International Concerns Club (ICC).

 Mr. Riotto has made three trips to Asia and has lectured in Korea, China and Japan.  He is also a student and instructor of traditional Japanese martial arts.

 

Alyssa Reilly – B.A. William Paterson University, History and Secondary Education (10).

Mrs. Reilly started working at Montville High School in 2013 and has taught World History and Sociology.  She is the Assistant Girls Varsity Soccer Coach and Freshman Girls Softball Coach.  She is a former 4 year collegiate soccer player.  She is currently working on getting her masters in Technology Integration. 

 

Stefanie San Filippo – B.A. William Paterson University, History and Secondary Social Studies Education (08), Masters coursework through Kean University (10), present additional Masters coursework in Professional School Counseling through William Paterson University.

Ms. San Filippo has been a member of the Montville High School Staff since 2009. Currently she is teaching United States History II Honors, AP United States II and World History/Cultures. Previously, she has also taught other levels of United States History II and United States History I. Ms. San Filippo’s areas of interest historically include the WWII and 1960s period in American History and Women’s History. Ms. San Filippo is co-advisor for the History Club and the coordinator for National History Day. In her spare time Ms. San Filippo listening to rock music, movies, sports, reading and watching/attending NJ Devils and NY Yankees games.

 

Chris Trzepinska – B.A Seton Hall University, History (05), and a M.A William Paterson University (11).  Mr. Trzepinska has been teaching since 2011 and has been a member of the Montville High School staff since 2013. Mr. Trzepinska has taught 9th grade World Cultures. 9th grade Honors World History, 10th grade United States History I, and 12th grade Holocaust and Genocide at Montville.          

In addition to teaching Mr. Trzepinska is also the Assistant Coach for the Montville High School Ice Hockey Team.

 

David Tubbs (Supervisor of Humanities) – B.A. Rutgers College, Political Science, History (95), M.A. St. Peter’s College, Teaching & Supervision/Administration (98).

Mr. Tubbs has been a member of the Montville High School staff since 2006 and has been working in education since 1997. He has taught multiple courses over the years include AP Economics, AP Government & Politics, Global Studies, World History and Cultures, United States History I / II, and American Political Systems.  Mr. Tubbs is an alumnus of Montville High School ('91) and has been the Supervisor of Humanities since 2012.

Mr. Tubbs is a trained Advanced Placement grader for the College Board and has worked in AP test development. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, reading, cars/motorcycles, performing arts, and going to museums.

 

Kate Vander May— Mrs. Vander May is very excited to join the Montville High School community and to become a Mustang! For the past 3 years, she taught Social Studies at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne. She has taught US History I, US History II, AP Government & Politics, and a variety of other Social Studies courses.

 Kate graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with her B.A. in History ('13). During her college experience, she studied abroad in Europe twice! Her favorite memory was visiting all 5 of the D-Day beaches and several trenches from WWI. After graduation, Kate spent the following fall engaged in the Disney College Program.

 During her spare time, Mrs. Vander May enjoys watching college football with her husband, baking, and playing with her dogs. She is looking forward to building a relationship with her fellow faculty and staff members as well as her students!

 

Amanda Waxman – Ms. Waxman joined the staff at Montville Township High School in 2016 and is a graduate of William Paterson University of New Jersey (2014) where she earned a degree in History and Secondary Education. Prior to working at MTHS, she worked in two different high schools in Bergen County as a leave replacement teacher and has taught World History, US History I & II, and Sociology.

Aside from teaching, Ms. Waxman is a summer camp director and enjoys traveling to different countries, attending sporting events and concerts, and spending time with friends and family. 

 

 
Electives -
 

AP ECONOMICS (Gr. 11, 12)

AP Economics is a full year course that will give students the opportunity to take two advanced placement examinations.  The first half of the course will examine microeconomics, which is the analysis and behavior of individual consumers and firms.  We will examine behavior in the context of economic decision-making.  In the second half of the course, students will study macroeconomics, the behavior of economies as a whole.  This will allow students to develop the ability to evaluate economic policy.  Since economics is a requirement for almost any college business or social science major, this course will give a distinct advantage to students with an interest in pursuing those majors.

AP AMERICAN GOVT. AND POLITICS   (Gr. 12)

AP United States Government and Politics provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes as they relate to government or political content.

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (Gr. 11, 12)

The full year course in Advanced Placement European History is an in-depth, comprehensive study of European history and culture from the end of medieval times to the present.  Particular emphasis will be on the period beginning with the Renaissance.  The course is designed for students of demonstrated superior ability in history who have a desire to pursue a study of history beyond high school or who wish to gain some advanced placement in college through taking the Advanced Placement test.  This course is also an excellent preparation for students who are considering a college major in political science, business or pre-law.  This course includes the study of history, political science and international business.

 
AP HUMAN GEOGRPHY (Gr. 11 – 12)AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth and surface.  Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences.  They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.

AP PSYCHOLOGY  (Gr. 11, 12)

The AP Psychology course is a full year elective course that introduces students to the field of psychology in a manner consistent with a one semester collegiate introduction to psychology course.  It is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. 

 

Criminology (Grades 10-12) The goal of this full-year course is to gain a clear understanding of crime’s causes and consequences and an accurate knowledge of the workings of our criminal justice system. An examination of past and current case studies allow students to analyze legal issues, debate procedures and predict outcomes as they collaborate to apply learning to real-life situations within the American Criminal Justice System. Some of the broader topics of study include: What is Crime?, Criminology, Criminal Behavior, Classifying and Measuring Crime, The Police, The Constitution and Law Enforcement, The Judicial System, Gangs and Organized Crime, Women in the Criminal Justice System, and Sentencing and Corrections.

 

ECONOMICS (Gr. 10 – 12)

This half year elective course introduces students to how economic theory and policy is relevant to their lives.  The course includes an introduction to microeconomics.  The foundation provided by this course will help students understand basic economic concepts on the local level and make them more informed citizens.  In addition, this study will help students understand the economics behind sound business decision making.


ECONOMICS HONORS  (Gr. 10 – 12)
 

This Economics course is a one semester course that introduces students to economic theory and policy.  The first half of the course covers basic economic concepts and the behavior of individual consumers and firms.  The second half of the course introduces students to macroeconomics, the study of entire economies.  The foundation provided by the course will allow students to better understand the government’s economic policy, making them better informed citizens.  It will also provide a strong grounding in economic concepts for any student interested in studying business or the social sciences in college. The course is an excellent precursor for AP Economics.

 

HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES (Gr. 11, 12)

The Holocaust and Genocide Studies course is a full year college prep that examines the nature and causes of prejudice and discrimination that have led to acts of genocide around the world.  There will be specific focus on the Nazi Holocaust, but other acts of genocide that preceded the Holocaust, including the Native American, Irish, Armenian, and Ukrainian genocides will also be studied.  Further, the genocidal acts that followed World War II will be studied.  This course is useful to all students, since it examines  the  political,  economic  and  cultural  sources  of man’s inhumanity to man.  Its purpose is to develop a greater understanding of similarities, rather than the differences, between all peoples.

HONORS HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE  (Gr. 11, 12)

The Honors Holocaust and Genocide course is a full year course.  This course is designed for advanced students who seek a structured academic environment. The course will include similar curriculum to the “Holocaust and Genocide Studies” course described above, but will also take a more in-depth look into the Holocaust and other world atrocities that have occurred in modern times.  The class will also work on a research paper focusing on an atrocity of the students choosing.


PSYCHOLOGY (Gr. 10 – 12)
 

The Introduction to Psychology course is a half year course that introduces students to the psychological aspects of life in contemporary America, and is the first half of an elective two part course that is open to juniors and seniors.  This course, along with its second half, is designed to provide students with a survey of psychology that is comparable to a semester long Introduction to Psychology course that a student would encounter in college.  It begins with a brief overview of the theoretical history of psychology and analyzes and discusses how psychology looks at issues such as sensation and perception, memory and thought, motivation and emotion, body and behavior, and learning.  This course is beneficial for students who are considering a major in education, medicine, law enforcement, social sciences, lab sciences, hospitality services, human resources, economics, business, human studies and any course/career path that deals directly with people.

 

PSYCHOLOGY (ADV. PSYCHOLOGY) (Gr. 10 – 12)

 

The half year course in Advanced Psychology concludes the introduction of students to the field of psychology and is the second part of a two part psychology curriculum available only after Introduction to Psychology has been completed successfully.  In this course, students continue to develop their awareness of individual growth and self-concept themes focusing more specifically on personality theory, psychological testing, stress and health and psychological disorders and treatments.


SOCIOLOGY  (Gr. 10 – 12)
The purpose of the half year Sociology elective is to provide students with an overview of the ways in which sociologists investigate, describe, and analyze social life.  The course is divided into units that provide the basic core concepts used in analyzing social life and recognizing social conformity and diversity.  The course provides a view of the methods used by sociologists in their work and an investigation of various aspects of the social framework, including culture & socialization.  Social differentiation and inequality will be analyzed through topics that include race, ethnicity, sex and gender and age and the elderly.  Social institution, including the family, education, religion, politics and war, and health and medicine will also be studied.  Other important topics will include social change, collective behavior and looking to the future.  Students who are interested in a college major in sociology, psychology, law enforcement, business or medicine should consider the Sociology course.