This year, social studies teacher Taryn Sorrentino is bringing a fresh perspective to AP Human Geography at Portola High, blending real-world connections with classroom lessons. When the honors point for Honors American History became unavailable, student enrollment in AP HUG increased.
Sorrentino volunteered to teach the additional sections due to her interest in the subject. She continues to teach English Language Development (ELD) and American History alongside AP HUG.
“Studying geography is a different skill set than historical thinking,” Sorrentino said. “So something that I think students have to adapt to, and even I have to adapt to within my teaching, is that you’re studying the where of the where and why things happen instead of the when and why. It’s a very different concept than studying history.”
To support her students, many of whom are sophomores taking their first AP course, Sorrentino emphasizes time management. One of Sorrentino’s students and sophomore Jasmine Khaligov feels that taking the course has helped her prepare for the AP workload in junior year.
“Ms. Sorrentino is very kind and understanding,” Khaligov said. “Even though it’s her first time teaching an AP HUG class, it doesn’t feel that way. I feel like I’m prepared for the AP test because she’s so helpful with explaining the content that we’re learning, and I really appreciate how much work she puts into teaching us.”
Until now, social studies teacher Shameemah Motala has been the sole AP HUG instructor, expertly guiding students through the complexities of human geography. Both teachers credit the other as invaluable when it comes to developing a comprehensive curriculum.
“Before, I had to plan and think about things on my own, whereas now I have someone that I can bounce ideas off of,” Motala remarked. “Ms. Sorrentino is way more creative in terms of interactive type of things, so she provided that aspect to AP HUG.”
Ultimately, Sorrentino advocates for students taking the course, as it can not only offer a taste of higher rigor but can also allow them to develop a better understanding of the world around them.
“I enjoy the fact that students have an opportunity to make real world connections,” Sorrentino said. “Everything that is happening in our world is geography related. It is so connected in every aspect of our lives, politics and culture. That’s what I like the most—is the constant connections we can make to the content.”
