Social Studies Tim Garner

My name is Tim Garner, and I am a social studies teacher and National Honor Society sponsor at Ankeny Centennial High School.

Welcome to my class!  I have been a social studies teacher at Ankeny High School, and now Centennial High School, since 1998. I am originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and I have a B.A. and M.A. in history from the University of Iowa. I teach world history to sophomores and, from time to time, American history to juniors, and American government to seniors. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am also the sponsor of National Honor Society, so if you have any questions about that organization and how to apply for membership, contact me.

I have been interested in history since I was a child, and I have wanted to be a social studies teacher since I was in high school. Active student involvement in class discussions, critical thinking, and an understanding of the history of our nation and world are all goals of the courses which I teach. I use a variety of activities to promote student interest, and students are encouraged to express their own ideas.

Open communication between the teacher and parents is essential to the educational process, and I hope that you will contact me anytime you have any questions or concerns about your child. I can be reached by e-mail at tim.garner@ankenyschools.org, or by telephone at 515-965-9610. Please-reach out to me whenever you like.

I have a number of hobbies that I pursue outside the classroom. Here are brief descriptions of a few:

I belong to Monarch Watch, an organization affiliated with the University of Kansas. Every fall I tag monarch butterflies so that scientists can learn more about the migratory patterns of these amazing insects. Butterflies have been something in which I have been interested in since I was a small child.

Stamp collecting is another interest of mine. Stamps tell us so much about our nation’s history, people, and places, and they do so in a very colorful way. This hobby has frequently enabled me to enrich my classroom teaching. I am an avid bird watcher, and belong to the National Audubon Society as well as its local affiliate, the Big Bluestem Audubon Society in Ames, where I reside.

I have often mused that were I not a teacher, I would be a railroad locomotive engineer. The power, size, and history of railroads have long held an attraction for me. Railroading is something that has influenced where I take my vacations, as I usually include a train ride in my itinerary.

Like any social studies teacher, I love to travel. I have been to 48 of the 50 states (Alaska and Hawaii are still on my list), and traveling has enabled me to better teach American history, and to gain an appreciation of the tremendous geographic and cultural diversity of this nation. A few other pastimes include reading, canoeing, and cross country skiing.

The world is a really interesting place to me. I love learning. And I am seldom bored.