Mr. Robert Pollaro is entering his 15th year in education and his eighth in North Colonie, serving as Social Studies Department Supervisor for his entire tenure. The primary goal of the social studies department is for students to gain an understanding of social, political and economic organization through the use of the skills of analysis and discovery used in the social science disciplines. Pollaro recently took some time to discuss the social studies curriculum and offer his perspective on issues such as a recent report claiming that more young Americans today do not know their U.S. history.

Mr. Robert Pollaro, Social Studies Department Supervisor.

Our nation and its schools celebrated Constitution Day last week. Talk about the importance of this day.

I think the Constitution is one of history’s most lasting and remarkable documents ever written. However, one “interprets” it or believes the “intentions” of it are, it remains a tremendous work. The fact that it is hotly debated even today proves this point. Yet even as the foundation of our government, the principles in it are somewhat taken for granted or under appreciated. Constitution Day provides all of us with the opportunity to remember that nowhere else do people enjoy the same rights and possibilities as the Founding Fathers set down more than 200 years ago.

Because of the nature of our world today, it feels as if history is being made every day. How are you and your colleagues able to account for this?

This is a dilemma for all teachers but especially social studies/history teachers. The demands of covering required content have to be balanced with a sense of what is important for students in a culturally literate society to know. Any connection that can be made to current and relevant events also enhances students’ ability to comprehend the past.

According to The Nation's Report Card released last June, more young Americans today do not know their US history, yet test scores at North Colonie prove that statement to be false. What are you and your department colleagues doing to counteract that report?

I tend to take measures of learning like this with a grain of salt. Any such instrument is only a single snapshot in time of small sample of questions about history involving a relatively small sample of American students. At North Colonie, social studies teachers rely on sound and varied instructional techniques that teach to the whole child—strategies that build skills and teach students how to think about problems, analyze evidence, and make decisions in an informed manner. These concepts cannot be measured on any test but are what effective teaching is all about and why students leave Shaker High School more prepared to meet challenges and excel outside of high school.

What is your favorite period in history and why?

World War I and the Lost Generation of the early twenties is definitely my favorite historical period. While I am attracted to the romance and tragedy of the war itself, I also find the sadness and uncertainty of the times reflected in the music, literature, art, and changing social values extremely fascinating.

The North Colonie School District does a lot to support our nation's veterans, specifically the annual Veterans Day celebration. Your colleague, Dan Weaver is instrumental in organizing the event each year. How has this event connected over the years with our students?

Mr. Weaver is definitely the tour de force behind the Veteran’s commemorative events (Editor's note: This year's Veterans Day Celebration will be held on November 2). He advises a student group, The World of Difference Club, that organizes and hosts each event. The students work very hard with Mr. Weaver on the program, the planning and the execution. As the program has evolved, and grown bigger, the students have stepped up their roles and participated with family members and veterans in general. It is truly a unique memorial and an important learning experience for both the students in the program and those in the audience.