Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is John Clements.  This is my 21st year as a Social Studies teacher at BHS!  In that capacity I have taught a variety of courses including various levels 9th and 10th grade Global History and Geography, Comparative Religions, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and AP World History.

      I am looking forward to a 13th year of collaboratively teaching two Global History & Geography 9 classes with Ms. Kerri O'Shea.  With our many years of teaching experience, mutual creativity and energy, humorous banter, and the benefit of her extensive global travels experiences we truly are a dynamic duo. The new NYS Global 9 curriculum has recently changed.  As such, we will cover world history up until approximately 1750 C.E.  I am also thrilled to round off my schedule teaching several sections of AP World History again this year.  This course made its debut at BHS last year.

      I will not be teaching the elective course Comparative Religions this year for the first time since it was offered in 2002.  I have really enjoyed instructing this class but I will be using my temporary hiatus course to instead focus on developing a new AP Human Geography course elective.  The Comparative Religions course will still run this year and students taking it will continue to have the opportunity to take it as an optional dual credit course with Nazareth College.

     Now a little bit about me.  Teaching is a second career for me.  After receiving a B.A. in Broad Social Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh I went on and obtained my M.S. in Geography from Virginia Tech.  For seven years there after I was employed as a cartographer.  After meeting my wife and moving to Rochester I decided to pursue a career change and become a secondary school social studies teacher.  With my background and experiences I was able to quickly earn my education certification requirements through SUNY Brockport.  In the fall of 1998 I had the good fortune to be hired for my first teaching job at BHS.  I have been here ever since working with the very dedicated and talented colleagues of the Social Studies Department and the rest of the amazing Brighton community.  

     Currently, I reside in West Irondequoit with my wife Susan, sons Jimmy and Peter, and our dog Reggie.  My oldest son, Matthew, is now attending Ithaca College College majoring in Physical Therapy.

      If you ever visit my classroom you may notice that I am a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I also loyally follow the Penguins, Pitt Panthers, and of course the Pirates too.   This probably has much to do with the fact that I was born and raised in Pittsburgh.  In fact, everyone on my side of the family still lives there.  As such, I continue to visit and have strong connections to that city.  However, much of my wife's family lives in the area and it's great to have family in town.  I really do enjoy living, working, and raising my family in Rochester.  I honestly look forward to the four distinct seasons we share here and living close to the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands, and Adirondacks.  

     In my leisure, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading history, watching movies, working on gardening and home improvement projects, woodworking, hiking, biking, and camping.  I am involved as the scout master in my sons' Boy Scout Troop.  Currently here at BHS,  I am a co-advisor for the BHS-Israeli Exchange Program and the advisor for the Asian Student Association, Chess, and Interfaith Clubs. 

Be well,

John Clements