About Steve
Throughout his career, Dr. Steve Torquato has had the privilege to work with students at all educational levels, socioeconomic statuses, and in both Central and Western Pennsylvania. Currently, he is the AP US History and Honors American Civic Engagement teacher at Upper St. Clair High School, in Pittsburgh. In his teaching experiences, he has developed a variety of course curricula (Pre-AP US History, Seminar US History, Intro to Psychology, Intro to Cultural Anthropology, Mythology and Folklore, and American Civic Engagement) and has implemented a myriad of educational approaches focusing on an activity-based teaching style ranging from lecture, journaling, hands-on projects, reenactments, civil-discourse, among others.
Dr. Torquato completed his EdD in Teaching, Learning, and Leading from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration on Language, Literacy, and Cultural education – a cross-curricular program focusing on social studies and English education. His dissertation was on creating “cultures of caring” at the secondary level through student-centered opportunities focusing on supporting civil discourse within the classroom. Throughout his program, Dr. Torquato created a pedagogical framework for teaching that puts social studies content into perspective for students and uses it as a vehicle to learn about who we are and how we got here. He has used this approach as a cornerstone not only within his doctoral research but also in the development of a speaking series centered on humanizing history and providing teachers with a tool kit to bring their subjects to life in the classroom.
Future of Social Studies
Social studies education has the unique opportunity to reach students at all levels and to create an environment where students can learn about not only the history of our nation/world but also learn about themselves. Whether it be by incorporating critical thinking, historiography skills, promoting community/civic engagement, or creating opportunities for students to study a variety of social science courses, social studies educators have a vital role to play in the development of future leaders and changemakers for our state and nation. Additionally, as we return to a state of normalcy after recent years, teachers have the opportunity to develop classroom atmospheres in which students are able to grow academically, and personally while gaining an appreciation for the study of the past.
In the future I would also like to see students connecting to our growing network of learning opportunities - whether it be through organizations like Rho Kappa, scholarships, or local universities/historical organizations. As social studies educators, we now have the ability to re-envision the experiences in the classroom and create a new dynamic future for our students and our field. As we navigate through uncertain times, it is important to remind students, and ourselves, that history is OURstory and that each day we write the next chapter in tomorrow’s history.