Walking into Mr. Bannister’s classroom, it is clear that history is more than just dates and facts. With decades of experience in education, Mr. Bannister brings passion and purpose into his teaching every day. He began teaching during the 1994–1995 school year after attending Delaware County Community College and getting his master’s at West Chester. Inspired by his fear of losing the strong teachers who had influenced him during high school.
Mr. Bannister believes that the most important part of teaching is convincing students to want to learn, rather than forcing information on students. He focuses on helping them understand why history matters. “You don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you come from,” he explained. This belief shapes his teaching philosophy and explains why he values history as a subject. To him, history helps students learn to know themselves better and understand the world around them.
When asked how he keeps his class engaging, Mr. Bannister said he tries to relate the past to the present. By connecting historical events to modern issues, he makes lessons feel relevant and meaningful. However, he also acknowledges challenges in education today. He believes artificial intelligence will greatly challenge the current teaching paradigm, and he feels that technology, such as cell phones and computers, can sometimes interfere with learning if not used carefully.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Bannister still enjoys teaching and remains committed to his students. His ideal teaching day is one where students leave class feeling that the lesson added value to their lives. Through his dedication and belief in the importance of history, Mr. Bannister continues to make a lasting impact on his students.
