Why Am I Learning This: Strategies for Increasing Real-World Relevance in the Secondary Classroom
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2025
Pages: 108
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2025
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Why Am I Learning This: Strategies for Increasing Real-World Relevance in the Secondary Classroom addresses a fundamental challenge facing educators today-student motivation and engagement. The authors argue that traditional responses to the question "Why do I need to learn this?" often fall flat. Instead, they provide a framework for connecting classroom content to students’ current lives and interests. Through compelling examples and practical strategies, this book offers teachers tools to foster intrinsic motivation, increase student investment, and create a dynamic learning environment where students see the immediate value of their education.
Derek Riddle, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at California State University, Stanislaus, bringing a wealth of practical experience to the field of teacher preparation. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Riddle spent several impactful years teaching middle and high school English in Title I schools in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This classroom experience deeply informs his research interests, which broadly encompass teacher education and English education, with a particular focus on pedagogical practices that foster student success. Driven by a passion for educational excellence, Dr. Riddle is committed to developing highly effective teachers who will positively impact the education system.
Dr. Veronica C. Chaidez is a dedicated educator and part-time lecturer in the Mathematics and Teacher Education departments at California State University, Stanislaus. With a robust background in K-12 education, she currently serves as the Administrator of Special Programs within her district, where she focuses on enhancing services and programs for English Learners.
Dr. Chaidez brings over a decade of diverse educational experience to her roles. Before stepping into administration, she worked as a high school math teacher, high school counselor, instructional coach, and school administrator. Each of these positions has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that students face in their educational journeys.
Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Modesto, Dr. Chaidez has firsthand experience with the obstacles that many students encounter. This background fuels her passion for education and inspires her commitment to ensuring that all students and their families feel supported. She believes in honoring and recognizing the participation of families, understanding that their involvement is crucial for student success.
Dr. Chaidez’s dedication extends beyond her administrative duties; she is deeply committed to the preparation of new math teachers. Her research interests focus on promoting equity in education, as she strives to create inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of all students. Through her work, Dr. Chaidez aims to empower future educators to foster a sense of belonging and support for every student in their classrooms.
Leona Calkins is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at California State University, Stanislaus. Prior to moving into higher education, Dr. Calkins spent 14 years teaching high school social studies and was a teacher librarian in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her experiences growing up in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago and working with diverse youth in Las Vegas has inspired her to ensure all students feel seen throughout the histories and perspectives discussed within the social studies classroom and learn to develop essential critical thinking skills. With this in mind, Dr. Calkins aims to help develop teachers who are committed to high-quality social studies education and want to make a positive impact on their students and the world we live in. These experiences and goals also influence Dr. Calkin’s research interests, which heavily focus on social studies education and teacher self-efficacy, especially that of social studies teachers.
Harleen Singh is an Assistant Professor of Education in the College of Education, Kinesiology, and Social Work at California State University, Stanislaus. She brings a wealth of teaching experience, having taught high school physics and chemistry in both the United States and India. Her academic research focuses on teacher knowledge and professional development, with a particular emphasis on the experiences and growth of newly hired science teachers who are teaching subjects outside their area of formal training—commonly referred to as "out-of-field" teaching. Dr. Singh is dedicated to exploring how these educators acquire content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and confidence as they adapt to teaching disciplines in which they may not have specialized.
Susan L. Eastham, Ed.D, earned her doctorate in learning and instruction at the University of San Francisco. She is a professor of kinesiology and the chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Promotion at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, CA where she has taught for the past 30 years. Prior to that, she coached women’s basketball and taught physical education for 4 years at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. Her teaching and research focus is on methods of teaching physical education, coaching theory, and physical fitness testing in the schools.
Janice Herring, M.S., is a full-time lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Promotion at California State University, Stanislaus, preparing future physical education teachers, and allied health, fitness, and wellness professionals since 1993. A lifelong resident of Hughson, CA, she is passionate about promoting sport opportunities and fitness development for all ages. Janice was a founding board member of the Hughson United Soccer League (2013-2017) and has served on the Hughson Sports and Fitness Complex Committee and the Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival Board. Before her teaching career, she was a community pool director and a fitness club activities director. She also worked for a Wellness Program for school employees, serving nearly 40 school districts. At
Stan State, she is the faculty advisor to the Student Health Advisory Committee and an officer in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Named the CAHPERD 2015 Health Educator of the Year and Stan State 2014-2015 Outstanding Community Service Professor, she is keen on helping students develop practical professional skills in communication and academia. As a member of the Stanislaus County Senior Collaborative, she recruits 100-120 Stan State Kinesiology students annually to volunteer at the fall Healthy Aging Fall Prevention Summit and spring Age With Movement Celebration events put on by the Healthy Aging Association of Stanislaus County. Over her career at Stan State, Janice has taught 23 different courses, with current courses in Measurements, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Aquatics Pedagogy, Swimming, and the capstone Physical Education Curriculum course. She enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking with her family, attending bay area sports events, singing in choirs, and traveling.
Why Am I Learning This: Strategies for Increasing Real-World Relevance in the Secondary Classroom addresses a fundamental challenge facing educators today-student motivation and engagement. The authors argue that traditional responses to the question "Why do I need to learn this?" often fall flat. Instead, they provide a framework for connecting classroom content to students’ current lives and interests. Through compelling examples and practical strategies, this book offers teachers tools to foster intrinsic motivation, increase student investment, and create a dynamic learning environment where students see the immediate value of their education.
Derek Riddle, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at California State University, Stanislaus, bringing a wealth of practical experience to the field of teacher preparation. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Riddle spent several impactful years teaching middle and high school English in Title I schools in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This classroom experience deeply informs his research interests, which broadly encompass teacher education and English education, with a particular focus on pedagogical practices that foster student success. Driven by a passion for educational excellence, Dr. Riddle is committed to developing highly effective teachers who will positively impact the education system.
Dr. Veronica C. Chaidez is a dedicated educator and part-time lecturer in the Mathematics and Teacher Education departments at California State University, Stanislaus. With a robust background in K-12 education, she currently serves as the Administrator of Special Programs within her district, where she focuses on enhancing services and programs for English Learners.
Dr. Chaidez brings over a decade of diverse educational experience to her roles. Before stepping into administration, she worked as a high school math teacher, high school counselor, instructional coach, and school administrator. Each of these positions has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that students face in their educational journeys.
Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Modesto, Dr. Chaidez has firsthand experience with the obstacles that many students encounter. This background fuels her passion for education and inspires her commitment to ensuring that all students and their families feel supported. She believes in honoring and recognizing the participation of families, understanding that their involvement is crucial for student success.
Dr. Chaidez’s dedication extends beyond her administrative duties; she is deeply committed to the preparation of new math teachers. Her research interests focus on promoting equity in education, as she strives to create inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of all students. Through her work, Dr. Chaidez aims to empower future educators to foster a sense of belonging and support for every student in their classrooms.
Leona Calkins is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at California State University, Stanislaus. Prior to moving into higher education, Dr. Calkins spent 14 years teaching high school social studies and was a teacher librarian in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her experiences growing up in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago and working with diverse youth in Las Vegas has inspired her to ensure all students feel seen throughout the histories and perspectives discussed within the social studies classroom and learn to develop essential critical thinking skills. With this in mind, Dr. Calkins aims to help develop teachers who are committed to high-quality social studies education and want to make a positive impact on their students and the world we live in. These experiences and goals also influence Dr. Calkin’s research interests, which heavily focus on social studies education and teacher self-efficacy, especially that of social studies teachers.
Harleen Singh is an Assistant Professor of Education in the College of Education, Kinesiology, and Social Work at California State University, Stanislaus. She brings a wealth of teaching experience, having taught high school physics and chemistry in both the United States and India. Her academic research focuses on teacher knowledge and professional development, with a particular emphasis on the experiences and growth of newly hired science teachers who are teaching subjects outside their area of formal training—commonly referred to as "out-of-field" teaching. Dr. Singh is dedicated to exploring how these educators acquire content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and confidence as they adapt to teaching disciplines in which they may not have specialized.
Susan L. Eastham, Ed.D, earned her doctorate in learning and instruction at the University of San Francisco. She is a professor of kinesiology and the chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Promotion at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, CA where she has taught for the past 30 years. Prior to that, she coached women’s basketball and taught physical education for 4 years at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. Her teaching and research focus is on methods of teaching physical education, coaching theory, and physical fitness testing in the schools.
Janice Herring, M.S., is a full-time lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Promotion at California State University, Stanislaus, preparing future physical education teachers, and allied health, fitness, and wellness professionals since 1993. A lifelong resident of Hughson, CA, she is passionate about promoting sport opportunities and fitness development for all ages. Janice was a founding board member of the Hughson United Soccer League (2013-2017) and has served on the Hughson Sports and Fitness Complex Committee and the Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival Board. Before her teaching career, she was a community pool director and a fitness club activities director. She also worked for a Wellness Program for school employees, serving nearly 40 school districts. At
Stan State, she is the faculty advisor to the Student Health Advisory Committee and an officer in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Named the CAHPERD 2015 Health Educator of the Year and Stan State 2014-2015 Outstanding Community Service Professor, she is keen on helping students develop practical professional skills in communication and academia. As a member of the Stanislaus County Senior Collaborative, she recruits 100-120 Stan State Kinesiology students annually to volunteer at the fall Healthy Aging Fall Prevention Summit and spring Age With Movement Celebration events put on by the Healthy Aging Association of Stanislaus County. Over her career at Stan State, Janice has taught 23 different courses, with current courses in Measurements, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Aquatics Pedagogy, Swimming, and the capstone Physical Education Curriculum course. She enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking with her family, attending bay area sports events, singing in choirs, and traveling.