Mr. Frizzell Leads the Conversation in Social Studies Standards

Houston High School teacher John Frizzell has spent years helping students think about history in a new way. This summer, he shared that expertise with educators from across Tennessee.

Frizzell was selected to serve as a trainer for the Tennessee Department of Education's statewide Social Studies professional learning sessions, joining a select group of educators responsible for supporting teachers as new instructional practices are implemented across the state.

The two day trainings were held at five regional sites across Tennessee, with Frizzell leading sessions in both Martin and Memphis for middle school educators. While part of the training introduced upcoming state social studies standards, the primary focus centered on helping teachers move beyond traditional instruction.

"Historically, history classes have often been about teachers delivering information for students to memorize," Frizzell said. "That doesn't work in a modern world anymore. Our goal is to help students think deeply, interact with primary sources, recognize bias, and understand different perspectives."

"Mr. Frizzell has always been willing to step up and lead professional learning," said Dianne Stovall, GMSD instructional supervisor for social studies. "He's an engaging presenter, and this opportunity allows him to continue growing while helping educators across Tennessee."

For Frizzell, one of the most rewarding parts of the experience wasn't simply presenting content. It was encouraging fellow educators.

"Teaching can be such a siloed profession," he said. "Sometimes the only people who benefit from a great teacher are the students in that classroom. It was meaningful to be able to share what I've learned and support other teachers”.

As Tennessee returns to more in person statewide professional learning opportunities, Frizzell says those experiences ultimately benefit students back home.

"I love standards. I love assessment. I know that's probably the least glamorous side of education," he laughed. "But I enjoy helping teachers understand how those pieces fit together so they can create better learning experiences for students."

Frizzell also hopes more educators will pursue leadership opportunities beyond their own classrooms.

"There are so many extraordinary teachers doing incredible work behind closed doors," he said. "Start small. Present at a school training, a district session, or a conference. The opportunities build from there, and the more we share what works, the more students across Tennessee benefit."

By representing Germantown Municipal School District on the state stage, Frizzell is helping shape the future of social studies instruction while bringing fresh ideas and valuable professional connections back to Houston High School.