A class that 10 years ago had 1 section with 8 kids now has 10 sections with over 200 kids. That class is History of St. Louis.
This year the class is taught by social studies teachers Carrie Steele and Amy Hubbard.
“It’s grown a lot. It’s kind of my baby and my kid. It’s what I want to teach and how I want to do it. The neighborhood project, all the projects are all my creations so we used to take 1 field trip and now I’m taking 2. We started in a minivan and now take 3 buses. It’s really grown over the time,” Steele said.
This class is offered to juniors and seniors and is a semester-long. Students sign up for many different reasons.
“I think people should take this class because Mrs. Steele has a good way of making history that could be boring very interactive and fun. It’s not just taking notes, it experiencing history,” senior Carley VanEsendelft said.
Also, another reason many kids take this class is for the field trips.
“My favorite part of the field trips was the Arch grounds leading up to the riverfront. Even though it was raining it was sentimental because it’s old town St. Louis and we were known for steamboats and it was cool to see where it all happened,” junior Andy Hertlein said.
According to Steele’s class syllabus, a goal for the class is to have students be a “tourist in your own city.”
“I think it’s important to understand there is life outside of Ballwin and Manchester. There are neighborhoods with more history and culture. There’s fun things to do and enjoy,” Steele said.
Senior Amira Shehata is also a student in History of St. Louis.
“The class is a good experience to learn about where we live and the history of it and also to see that you don’t have to travel anywhere to have fun,” Shehata said.
VanEssendelft agrees that she now appreciates St. Louis and knows how to have fun in her hometown.
“The class made me appreciate St. Louis more than a run-down city that used to have life. It showed me there are fun things to do and I am proud to live here,” she said.
However, students also do get to see the old historic side of St. Louis.
“I really liked seeing the inside of the Campbell House; it was really cool, especially seeing all the glassware,” Shehata said.
While the students enjoy field trips, Mrs. Steele has a different favorite part.
“I like the neighborhood project. I like that I get kids to go outside and go to places they wouldn’t go/hear about. The field trips I expose kids to places they havent been and get them out. That’s the coolest thing. I have kids email me in college/out of college email me pictures of them doing things in STL and I see I’m making a difference,” said Steele.
Even with projects, the class is stll fun, according to Hertlein.
“It’s a really fun class for upperclassmen. It’s a different approach, a breath of fresh air,” Hertlein said.
The class also adds a different dynamic to the Social Studies Department, according to Shehata.
“I think it adds a splash of fun. Some of the other classes don’t seem as fun and were able to learn new things so it evens it out,” Shehata said
Steele agrees that it adds to the Social Studies Department, but by physically adding more students.
“It brings us more kids we see in the hallway and touch base with. You don’t need 4 years of social studies to graduate, so it draws kids in that they might not have to have,” said Steele.
VanEssendelft said no one regrets taking the class.
“Take the class, you won’t regret it. Mrs. Steele’s great!” said VanEssendelft.
