MR. GEAR BIO…

I grew up in Mt Vernon, Ohio and graduated from Mt Vernon High School in 1972. Then I attended Crown College in St Bonifacious, Mn. and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. I received a bachelor’s degree in History in 1976 and began to teach in the Norfolk Public Schools in 1977. Since 1977, I have also received a master’s degree in Social Science and 45 additional hours after my masters’ degree. This is my 31^st year of teaching seventh grade Social Studies (Geography emphasis). I also taught one year and five summers in the Peoples Republic of China.

I have been married to Janice for over 32 years now and we have two sons. Andy (28) and his wife, Hannah, are living in St Louis. He is going to Covenant Theological Seminary. Greg (25) works at Claasen’s Manufacturing in Norfolk. His girlfriend, Mandy, and her son Trinn are a joy to us. Janice and I love to travel and spent five weeks summer 2007 visiting friends in Laos and then vacationing in Hawaii.

I believe all students should enjoy learning about our world and its amazing diversity. I will work with you and your son/daughter to ensure a successful year in Social Studies. I also believe that technology affords us with amazing opportunities for fresh and interactive information about our world. My website contains abundant resources:

http://www.npsne.org/ms/staff/bgear/index.htm.

Our textbook, The World and Its People, is three years old (2005). There is a website that corresponds to this textbook that is very useful. It is: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078609763/. Online edition is available here…the username is TWIP2005 and the password is z5tequ2u. Copies of the text may be checked out through our library in book or CDROM form.

I will communicate with you frequently. My weekly lesson plans are available on my website. Your son/daughter will also bring home a “post card” about every three weeks that will tell you their experiences in class and this post card will also have their current grade. I ask that you sign this and send it back to me through your son/daughter. You also may contact me through my email: bgear@npsne.org or at the NMS phone #: 644-2569.

Created 9-6-05

Last updated 8-22-08