Brandon Jones, an experienced 8th grade American History teacher at Henderson ISD, has spent the past three years bringing history to life for his students. From teaching Andrew Jackson’s fascinating yet complex legacy to integrating the Exploros platform into his lessons, Brandon has a passion for helping students connect with history in meaningful ways.

In this Educator Spotlight, we dive into Brandon’s teaching journey, his favorite historical figures, and how he uses technology to enhance learning and student engagement in Social Studies.

Q1: 🌟 Please introduce yourself, including your name, the subject you teach, the grade level of your students, and your school.

My name is Brandon Jones, and I have been teaching 8th grade American History for the past three years. Over the years, I've taught just about every social studies class from 8th grade up to Seniors.

Q2: 🌐 Social Studies encompasses a wide range of topics. What aspect of Social Studies do you find most fascinating and enjoy teaching the most, and why?

I honestly love teaching and studying Andrew Jackson. While he may not be the nicest figure in our history, that complexity makes him fascinating! He was shot twice, with one bullet lodged near his heart that could never be removed. Plus, he famously beat up his own assassin and had a giant block of cheese delivered to the White House!

Q3: 🎉 Can you share a specific success story or a memorable moment in your classroom that was made possible by Exploros?

A memorable success was seeing the students learn and grow with Exploros and then apply those skills to their unit tests. We all know that practice makes perfect, and Exploros supports this by providing the structure and content for students to practice key skills before assessments.

Q4: 🚀 What are some key benefits of using technology like Exploros in Social Studies classes?

We live in a tech-driven world, and as educators, we need to adapt. Exploros allows me to offer both guided instruction and independent study on a variety of topics. The platform also provides High-Quality Instructional Materials aligned with TEKS, ensuring the content is grade-level appropriate and rigorous, so I can trust that each lesson is challenging students at the right level.

Q5: 💡 Share a valuable teaching tip for fellow Social Studies educators:

One effective strategy I’ve used is creating a slideshow that mirrors what students see on their screens. This allows me to elaborate on key ideas, and I can also add timers to manage discussion time. Afterward, I review the questions with the class, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.