Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum centers on the study of global cultures both past and present. Teachers strive to create active classroom environments in which students can develop into self-directed learners and thus prepare themselves for the world of tomorrow. Teachers foster an investigatory approach towards learning that places a premium on participation along with the analysis and evaluation of historical questions and topics. Academic skills are introduced and reinforced at each grade level. Foremost among these skills is the utilization of new and emerging technologies. Students learn how to locate, select, and interpret information from the rapidly expanding base of electronic resources. The department emphasizes an interdisciplinary methodology that incorporates literature, art, and other subjects into its curriculum. We believe that students can employ their knowledge of the past as a means of dealing with the challenges and complexities of the future.

Requirements and example questions for AP History available here.

William N. Babcock holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the University of Florida. Bill came to Bolles in 1966. In 1968, he became Chair of the Social Studies Department, a position he held until 1997. At that time he was named Chair Emeritus of that department and holds The Henrietta Donovan Chair of American Studies. He was Director of Student Activities and Student Government Sponsor from 1976 until 1990. Since 1988, he has been a reader/grader, consultant, and table leader for the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board.

Mary Ann Blackwell has been teaching for 25 years in both public and private schools. She received her B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of North Florida where she was also tapped for membership in the honorary society of Phi Alpha Theta for scholarship in history. Mary Ann began her teaching career in Fort Myers, where she taught honors U.S. history, sociology, and economics. Since returning to Jacksonville she has taught grades six through nine. She has been named history chair of three different schools’ departments, and has sponsored several organizations and clubs. Currently, Mary Ann is teaching seventh grade U.S. history at The Bolles School and serves as a member of the Middle School Honor Council.

Alison Brock is a graduate of the University of North Florida where she earned a B.A. in education, social sciences. After graduation, she taught at a private school in Ocala, Florida. In 1996, she joined the Bartram Campus of The Bolles School. She is currently teaching sixth grade geography and eighth grade government.

Allison Chandler earned her Master's Degree from the University of North Florida with a concentration in Latin American history. She also holds Bachelor Degrees in history and psychology from UNF. She has attended several conferences to present her original research on colonial Latin America, most recently at the Simposio Internacional Interdisciplinario in Bogota, Colombia. She has received several awards for her historical research, including a research grant from the Order of Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez and a scholarship award from the National Society of Colonial Dames in America. Allison's teaching experience includes courses in western civilization, colonial and modern Latin America, and world history. At the upper school, Allison teaches ninth grade World History and Contemporary World History Honors

Rick Crowley, originally from Massachusetts, joined Bolles in 1998. He is in his second year as a history teacher on the Bartram Campus. In addition to his teaching duties, he is also involved in the seventh grade boys basketball program and middle school track. He completed a master’s degree in history at American University in 1996. While in Washington, D.C. he served as an intern and worked for the Holocaust Memorial Museum on the Swiss Banks project. His primary interests are modern U.S. and European history. Rick wrote a thesis for his master’s degree on Swiss refugee policy during World War II. Recently, Rick’s scholarship interests have centered on the Civil War, specifically local Civil War battles in Florida.

Janice Fluegel is in her third year at The Bolles School where she teaches 9th and 10th grade World History. She holds a B.A. from Stetson University, an M.A. in History from the University of North Florida and a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. Before coming to Bolles, she had “half-careers” both as a staff writer and editor for The Daytona Beach News-Journal and as a regulatory attorney at Barnett Banks, Inc. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor in the Department of History at the University of North Florida. Her major areas of concentration and interest include modern European History and America’s Vietnam experience.

Dean Hilf, Bolles Class of 1977, holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from The Citadel and a Master’s degree in Management from San Diego National University. Dean is a junior advisor and teaches Economics and History of the Middle East.

Danton Kostandarithes has served as chairman of the Social Studies Department since coming to Bolles in 1996. He earned degrees in history and classical culture from the University of Georgia in 1985. In 1988 he completed an M.A. in American history at Tulane University and a Ph.D., focusing on American diplomacy, in 1992. Prior to coming to Bolles, Danton taught courses in American foreign relations and world history at Tulane and Loyola University. He teaches regular and Advanced Placement U.S. history at Bolles and US History at the University of North Florida on an adjunct basis.

John Howard is entering his 16th year at Bolles having taught and coached at Pendleton High School in Pendleton, S.C., Ed White High School and Episcopal High School in Jacksonville. Currently teaching Contemporary World History at the 10th grade level and United States History at the 11th grade level. Additional activities include being on the Bolles advisory staff as a Sophomore Class advisor, assistant varsity football coach (defense) and 1st base/catching coach for NCAA Division I Jacksonville University baseball. Attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. graduating with a BA degree. Leisure time activities include fishing , golf and spending time with grand babies. Three children, Kelly, Hillary and John Jr.'93.

Anthony B. Miller, who has taught at Bolles since 1975, holds a B.A. from Guilford College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He has taught U.S. history, AP U.S. history, recent American history, and history of the South. Tony has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Florida and Florida Community College at Jacksonville. He has served as an AP U.S. history essay reader for Educational Testing Service since 1985 and as a College Entrance Examination Board consultant in AP U.S. history for the Southeastern Regional Office since 1984.

Jack Milne, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Florida College of Law, is in his seventh year at Bolles after careers in law and business. In addition to continuing to teach his senior elective course on the History of the Civil War and Reconstruction, two years ago Jack assumed the role of Associate Head of School for Student Life. Prior to these duties he taught Economics and U.S. History, was a 9th grade Advisor, Senior Class Sponsor, and Faculty Advisor to the Honor Council. He was the recipient of the 2004 Dewan Teaching Fellow Award for Teaching Excellence. Jack’s strong interest in American history focuses on the study of the Civil War, and for over 35 years he has collected and studied relics, original letters and memorabilia of a number of Confederate leaders. In 1997 he published a book of original poetry by and to General J.E.B. Stuart. He is the father of two Bolles alums and a current middle school student.

Cormac O’Riordan, a native of Cork, Ireland, has taught at Bolles since 1996. He teaches World History (grade 10) and AP Modern European History (Grade 12). He is also an AP grader for the College Board. Cormac holds a B.Ed. degree from Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick, Ireland, and B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from the University of North Florida. Track and cross-country running have played a prominent part in Cormac's life. He ran for Ireland at two Cross-Country World Championships, and in 1986 he came to the U.S. on a track scholarship.

Don Paige is happy to be back in Jacksonville teaching on the Bolles faculty. Originally a graduate from Stanton College Preparatory, Don left Jacksonville to attend the University of Florida. At UF Don majored in both political science and history, graduating with high honors in both by writing a thesis on the relationship between modern democratic theory and educational institutions. From UF, Don attended the University of Georgia for a Master’s Degree in Social Science Education, writing a thesis about Constitutional Law and the school voucher issue. Don is currently working on a second Master’s Degree at the University of North Florida, this degree focusing on American history. Don teachers U.S. History and both sections of World History at the Upper School.

Ashley Smith has a Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University with majors in secondary education and history. She is a member of the Bolles graduating class of 1997 and returned to her alma matter in 2002 as a member of the faculty. She is currently teaching seventh grade American History and eighth grade American Government. In addition, Ashley coaches the women’s Junior Varsity soccer team.

Steve Soud teaches Humanities Honors, an interdisciplinary course within the Social Studies Department. Steve earned his B.A. in English from Davidson College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Eighteenth-Century British Literature from the University of Florida. His academic interests include the history of ideas; the history of economic thought; philosophy in literature; religion in literature; the rise of modernity; and all things Spanish. He has published articles on Sterne’s use of labyrinths, landscape gardens, and military fortifications in Tristram Shandy; Borges’ use of the golem legend in “The Circular Ruins”; and Joyce’s use of Aristotle’s Master-Piece in Ulysses. Additionally, he has published some two dozen reviews in journals such as Eighteenth-Century Fiction and The Scriblerian. Steve also serves as Director of College Counseling and as a volunteer assistant coach on both the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams. Steve’s wife Cathy teaches in the Bolles Language Department. He has a daughter who is a Bolles alumna (’02) and two sons who are current students.

Peter Whitehouse graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Political Science. He did his graduate work in Education at Temple University and is currently studying for a Master's degree in American History at the University of North Florida. He has taught in a wide variety of public high schools in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Anselmo, California. Prior to teaching, he toured for two years with the National Shakespeare Company, worked in New York City government, and ran a small business improvement district in Philadelphia.

Jennifer Whittier received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in History at the University of North Florida and she is currently completing work on her M.A. in history. At the University of North Florida, Jennifer served as Graduate Teaching Assistant for the History department which gave her the opportunity to teach Western Civilization to college freshmen. Jennifer has also completed numerous education courses. Her major areas of concentration and interest include Native American and Latin American history. She has also completed extensive research pertaining to British rule in the Southeastern United States.