Audrey Southern

Audrey Southern, Humanities Teacher

asouthern@newrootsschool.org, 607-882-9220

I am looking forward to engaging students in a rigorous and meaningful examination of history this year at New Roots. With a background in community organizing and social justice, I am eager to empower the students of New Roots to become active citizens and life-long agents for positive change in their community.

I believe that history provides various lenses through which we can examine our world and forge a deeper understanding of who we are and where we are going. History is made up of infinite story lines and 'truths' that illuminate the paths of human experience. By approaching historical study with a focus on concepts, themes and trends across history, as opposed to the memorization of names and dates, the past can suddenly seem much more relevant and applicable to the issues we face on a local, national, and global scale.

I can be spotted around town at the Tuesday Farmer's Market, Gimme Coffee, or eating at one of my many favorite restaurants. I am an avid reader and committed caregiver to my numerous houseplants. Fall is my favorite season. I am particularly excited for this fall and to get to know more of the New Roots community!

Ms. Southern earned her Bachelor's Degree in American Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a Master's Degree in Adolescent Education in Social Studies at Ithaca College. She is certified to teach Social Studies 7-12 in New York State and Social Studies 4-8 in Texas. She taught American History for two years in Roma, Texas as a Teach for America Corps Member and has additional instructional experience in Houston, New York City, Trumansburg, and Ithaca. Ms. Southern has also worked with teens at a farm camp in Plymouth, Vermont facilitating farm food menus and consensus decision-making group meetings.

"Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world."

- Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed)