Michael Stanton
Allen,Texas
Summary
Humanities educator with 29 years of experience guiding young people toward intellectual discipline, moral responsibility, and earned academic excellence. Known for creating classrooms that prize sustained effort over immediate reward, require students to defend their ideas with clarity and evidence, and hold them accountable for their choices. Deeply committed to the St. Mark's ideal that knowledge carries responsibility and that privilege demands service.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Humanities, English, & Social Studies Teacher
Jasper High School
Plano, TX, USA
01.1997 - Current
- Teach English I & II, World History, Advanced Placement World History, Advanced Placement Capstone - Seminar, and Humanities courses grounded in close reading, historical reasoning, scholarly research, and disciplined writing.
- Develop engaging lesson plans that aligned with curriculum standards and student needs.
- Design curriculum around essential questions and long-term assessments that reward persistence, revision, and intellectual endurance rather than short-term performance.
- Lead structured, student-centered discussions in which students are expected to articulate claims clearly, defend positions with evidence, and engage opposing viewpoints with respect.
- Emphasize personal responsibility by holding students accountable for preparation, participation, deadlines, and conduct, reinforcing the relationship between choices and outcomes.
- Require multi-draft analytical writing that cultivates patience, humility, and precision of thought.
- Differentiate instruction to challenge highly advanced students while providing structure and guidance for those developing academic discipline.
- Provide consistent, thoughtful feedback and mentoring to help students grow not only as scholars, but as young men of character.
- Maintain close communication with families to support student growth, accountability, and ethical development.
Teacher
Summer Institute for Gifted Students
Plano, TX, USA
05.1998 - 05.2023
- Teach accelerated humanities courses to gifted middle school students in a rigorous, discussion-driven environment.
- Designed a three-year curriculum cycle centered on inquiry, sustained research, collaboration, and public presentation.
- Guide students to manage time effectively, persevere through intellectual challenge, and take ownership of their learning.
- Plano ISD
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English, Minor in History
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, Texas, TX12.1993
Teaching Certification Program -
The University of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX05.1997
Skills
- Seminar-Style Humanities Instruction
- Analytical Writing & Argumentation
- Intellectual Independence & Accountability
- High Expectations with Clear Consequences
- Long-Form Projects & Delayed Gratification
- Ethical Inquiry & Civic Responsibility
- Interdisciplinary Humanities Curriculum
- Strong School-Family Partnership
Certification
English Language Arts 6-12
History 6-12
Timeline
Teacher
Summer Institute for Gifted Students
05.1998 - 05.2023
Humanities, English, & Social Studies Teacher
Jasper High School
01.1997 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - English, Minor in History
The University of Texas At Austin
Teaching Certification Program -
The University of Texas At Dallas
Faculty Leadership
- Humanities Team Leader, supporting curricular coherence and shared academic standards.
- Campus Lead Mentor - mentor new and early-career teachers in classroom culture, discussion leadership, and assignment design.
- Lead professional learning focused on writing instruction, academic discourse, and differentiation for advanced learners.
- Contributor to English, History, Humanities, and AP World History curricula emphasizing rigor, coherence, and ethical reflection.
Student Life Engagement
- Faculty Sponsor, Quiz Bowl Team - coaching disciplined preparation, teamwork, and competitive integrity.
- Faculty Sponsor, Gender & Sexuality Alliance - modeling respectful dialogue, empathy, and responsible leadership.
- Advisor and mentor to students navigating academic pressure, identity formation, and ethical decision-making.
- Regular participant in parent conversations focused on responsibility, growth, and character development.
Professional Learning
- Presenter and facilitator for Humanities, Social Studies, and English professional development.
- Facilitator and participant in faculty book studies and professional learning communities.
- Ongoing engagement with scholarship on classical and college-preparatory education, gifted instruction, and adolescent development.
Training
Gifted & Talented Education, 30 hour requirement