Dr. Jordan McCarter: Making Middle School History Relevant and Fun

Dr. Jordan McCarter is friendly, focused, and deeply committed to girls’ education and to teaching history. With nearly 20 years of experience, she teaches Grade 8 Social Studies at Baldwin with ease and brings energy and excitement to her classroom. Dr. McCarter earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Tufts University. She is known for her creative curriculum and focus on students, and she is always eager to help young women find their voice and discover their passions.

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Middle school is a key time for girls to build confidence, resilience, and empathy, and Dr. McCarter enjoys guiding and supporting students during these years. Many students at this age ask thoughtful questions about the world and their place in it, while learning to handle challenges both inside and outside the classroom. As an educational leader, she takes every opportunity presented to encourage their thinking and help them learn more deeply. She loves seeing how her favorite subject, history, helps girls think more critically, even in the smallest moments of discovery. Dr. McCarter values a supportive classroom and believes students learn best when they work together or join lively discussions rather than just listening to a lesson. She often says she would gladly teach any subject if it meant helping middle school girls grow and succeed.

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Dr. McCarter often draws on her own experiences as a middle schooler and a teacher, noting that many people recognize the importance of history only later in life. In her classroom, she encourages students to discuss topics such as government, class structure, and historical justice to help them make connections. She often creates activities such as games, drawing, or skits to keep students engaged and support diverse learning styles. Even in more traditional lessons, she uses humor to make the classroom welcoming and to show that it’s okay to be playful. This helps students feel comfortable, accept mistakes, and know they are in a supportive, judgment-free space. Dr. McCarter knows that students, especially girls, can struggle with perfectionism. When she shows she is comfortable making mistakes, she teaches that errors or missteps are an important part of learning. Over time, this helps girls build a growth mindset, which is important for success in school and life.

 

Teaching history can be tough, and it often covers serious topics, but Dr. McCarter looks for ways to make her lessons more engaging. For a recent project on China and the Silk Road, she turned the lesson into a game. The girls moved from station to station along the Silk Road and set up tables in the Commons, a campus social area. At each stop, they picked cards that described collecting goods to trade or explained the challenges and opportunities travelers faced. Through the game, they learned about the products traded, the difficulties people faced, and how cultures along the Silk Road mixed. Her students had so much fun, and years later, they will remember more than facts; they will remember the positive experience this lesson offered. She also noted a student telling her that her earrings are “always iconic,” which made her realize that students notice everything about their teachers, both the big and small things, and that made her happy. As usual, Dr. McCarter also shared something more serious and personal while reflecting on the joys of teaching. “I went to an all-girls school,” said Dr. McCarter. “It was a life-changing experience that shaped and influenced the person, teacher, and parent I am today. My passion and commitment for my work can all be traced back to those formative years, and let’s face it, I am still a middle school girl at heart.”