District News

Joining the Somerset Hills School District in 2004, Shane Porter has worked as a Social Studies teacher, impacting thousands of students at Bernardsville Middle School in their quest to learn about history, civics, government, and the world around them. His teaching philosophy is focused on creating an environment for students to feel like active participants in their own  learning, as well as in society as contributing citizens. He incorporates inquiry-based learning and helps students to analyze documents and primary sources, which has become increasingly important over the years due to the evolution of technology and social media. In addition to emphasizing credibility on the internet as it applies to news as well as history, Mr. Porter prioritizes skill development such as notetaking for clarity, comprehension, and retention, along with independence as it relates to study preparation. 

Since he teaches Civics classes, many lessons revolve around current events and issues, in addition to their historical context. Year after year, Mr. Porter encourages respectful dialogue and reiterates to students and parents that his classroom is a safe space to learn and grow. 

One of Mr. Porter’s favorite units concluded prior to winter break. It was a congressional simulation where students created their own committees and leadership positions. As of the start of the  new year, his 8th grade students are embarking on a unit related to the federal court system. One of his observations, spanning the last decade, is that children are now more aware; they follow and are in tune with cases at the federal level.  They are also more adept at research and critical thinking, and he knows that discussions are happening even beyond his classroom with students having dinner table conversations with their family members about such topics.

In its second year at Bernardsville Middle School, the Capturing Kids’ Hearts initiative has been a great addition to the school community, Mr. Porter expressed. “I feel it is validating what good teachers already do. We see the benefit in taking a few minutes from instructional time  to show students we care about them.” There are a variety of components to the program that include everyday routines, sharing “good things” and checking in with teachers and peers. Mr. Porter is a proud educator, engaged in the curriculum, who truly believes that “teaching caring matters.”