McCarthy, NormaJean | HS Social Studies
Class Homepage
Welcome to Ms. McCarthy's History courses website
There are no weekly virtual class meetings for this course. To schedule a meeting to go over assignments, content and grades use the Calendly link in the course announcements.
*For summer courses, check the announcements for weekly Zoom office hours.
The best way to contact me is though Canvas Messenger. When communicating, please provide specific details including assignment name/project titles. When you are creating your communication, please use proper formatting, such as an appropriate greeting, complete sentences, detailed content and a closing salutation. (Examples: Dear Ms. McCarthy, Have a pleasant day....)
GroupWise should only be used by parents and if a student needs to communicate about an emergency. Usually, I am in Canvas all day, so I see Canvas Messenger before I see GroupWise emails.
During normal school hours, I will be grading assignments and working on updating Canvas. This means that I will be accessible virtually through Canvas Messenger and Zoom. Sometimes I check my Canvas Messenger in the evening hours, as I know that some students are more active in the afternoon and evening hours.
Being a virtual school, I see Zoom meetings as the same as if you raised your hand in class. The meetings are easy to set up, and they give you one on one time with me to answer questions and go over content. I love to meet with my students to help with assignments.
I am available to meet:
- In person at the new Innovation Center, Aspire's campus (by the district office) (not in the summer)
- During open lab days and times (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12 pm - 6 pm) (there are no open labs in the summer)
- Virtually on Zoom
Open labs: The computer lab at Aspire is from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The lab will be staffed by 2 Aspire teachers who will be available to help with assignments. I will post in the class announcements when I am scheduled to staff the open lab. The lab has 16 desktop computer stations and is a quiet place to work. If your Internet access becomes unavailable, you may come to the Innovation Center for free WiFi.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions about the courses or technology issues. If I do not know the answer, I will do my best to find the person or resources that do.
Class Expectations
Class Expectations
There are a few things you should keep in mind for the class.
1. Assess your course(s) in Canvas with your district login. You may email me at normajean.mccarthy@dvusd.org before the course starts with questions. Once courses start, I prefer you use the Canvas messaging system because I see these messages first.
2. You need to print or save your pacing calendar. Due dates are twice a week, so this gives some flexibility, but my greatest tip for success: do not get behind on due dates. Take a look at your week ahead of time and plan out when you will complete each assignment as assignment times vary.
3. Due dates are not suggestions or optional. Consistently turning work in late is a recipe for failure. Save or print out the document. Due Dates/Close Dates/End Dates. Please manage your time wisely.
4. Always complete the lessons, whether it is a "mark as done" assignment, a reading, a project or assessment. The textbook is available through the link in the navigation or the Read Anywhere app, you do not need to check out a textbook.
5. Last, know that I am always here to help. Please communicate whenever you need me. I love my subjects, but I teach because I have a passion for teaching you, the students!
Course Pacing Calendars
About the Teacher
Ms. NormaJean McCarthy
Welcome to Aspire, Deer Valley's online academy. I am so excited that you will be part of my classes and that I will get to share fascinating events from history with you.
This is my 14th year of teaching. I have taught 7th grade social studies at Desert Mountain School and Hillcrest Middle School. This is my fifth year of teaching online, and I am very excited to be part of the new Aspire school.
I received my bachelor's degree in secondary education (minor in history) from Arizona State University. I have certifications for social studies, history and political science. After completing my bachelors degree, I entered the educational technology program at ASU and found my passion for providing education in different formats: in person, hybrid and online.
I love history and some of my favorite places to be are book stores and museums. At any given time, I read 3–4 books on a variety of subjects.
I have been a participant in a district federal grant called GLYPH. This was a program for history teachers to gain resources and network to teach history. It is because of this program that I am able to create the lessons that I use to teach social studies.
My favorite historical figures include Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Abigail Adams, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, L Frank Baum and Ronald Reagan.
I was born in Ontario, Canada. My father moved our family to Arizona to accept a job that had advancement opportunities. I was 5 years old when we arrived in Arizona. I grew up watching my parents learning about the United States and studying to become citizens. In 1974, our family became United States citizens. I believe that this influenced my choice of the subjects that I teach.
In 2003, I retired from the Phoenix Police Department after 20 years of service as a patrol officer, field training officer, detective and academy instructor. Awards that I received while in service were a special unit award, a life-saving metal and expert shooter.
I have two adult sons, a daughter (in-law) and 2 grandsons. My oldest son is currently in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Moore in Georgia. He is armored, which means he is in a tank. He is currently a Master Gunner. He has been deployed twice to Africa and the Middle East. He is married to a wonderful young lady, and they have two sons, ages 6 and 2 1/2. I love being a grandma, and I am thankful for FaceTime to stay connected to my grandsons. My youngest son joined the US Army after high school and completed his contract. He is now a Phoenix Police officer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and me.
I am looking forward to teaching online and all the educational possibilities this makes available to all learners.