Julie Stavitski has taught American history and civics/economics at Jack Jouett Middle School in Albemarle County for the past six years. A former journalist, Julie’s instructional focus has been on developing historical reasoning and writing skills in her students through the integration of authentic learning experiences, inquiry activities, and technology. She was selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities summer scholar in 2011 and studied with nationally known historians and musicologists at the Voices Across Time program in Pittsburgh, Pa. She received the Golden Apple Award for Jouett Middle School in 2011 and is pursuing her National Board Certification in Social Studies.