Social Studies

 

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.  National Council for the Social Studies

Our team embraces this vision for social studies.  From Pre-K students through graduating seniors, we strive to create opportunities for students to become active informed citizens who will make a difference as they:

  • Apply the relevance of historical lessons and geographic patterns to a given situation, problem, or challenge.

  • Formulate inquiries and complete investigations using multiple sources of information to generate questions, form an opinion, defend a perspective, or solve a problem.

  • Acknowledge diverse points of view, communicate and support ideas effectively to address a particular audience and purpose.

  • Apply knowledge of political, economic and social structures to participate as an informed global citizen living in a democracy.

Meet the team

Pier Larsen
Director of Social Studies
Office: 972-968-6180

Mrs. Pier Larsen earned her B.A of English and History at The University of North Texas.  After receiving a James Madison Fellowship she completed her M.A in History.  She enjoyed teaching world history and U.S. History at the high school level for eleven years.  During that time, Ms. Larsen taught Advanced Placement U.S. History for six years and was an AP Reader for the College Board for three years prior to becoming the Director of Social Studies for Carrollton-Farmers Branch in 2010.

Daniel Derasaugh
Elementary Specialist
972-968-6687

Daniel Derasaugh earned his B.A. of Historical Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, and his M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership at the University of Delaware. He taught Texas History, RLA, and Science in 4th grade; and United States History, and Science in 5th Grade. An alumni of CFBISD, Daniel attended school at Sheffield, Furneaux, Dan F. Long, and graduated from Newman Smith in 2000. He now serves as the Elementary Social Studies Specialist with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

Terri Truong
Elementary/Middle School Specialist
Office: 972-968-6645

Terri Truong earned her B.S. in Social Sciences from the University of North Texas, Denton. She completed an M.S. in Learning Technologies from the University of North Texas in 2018. Terri taught for six years and was named the Humanities Texas Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History in 2019. She began serving as the Elementary/MS Social Studies Specialist for Carrollton-Farmers Branch in July of 2021.

Megan Duckworth  
Secondary Specialist
Office: 972-968-6560

Megan Duckworth earned her B.A. of History  and Med of Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University. She taught Advanced Placement U.S. History, World Geography, and Sociology at the high school level. While teaching, she received a grant to study with the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Teacher’s Program in the summer of 2011. She now serves as a Secondary Social Studies Specialist with the Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District.