Skip to main content
Dale Kern » Staff Profile

Staff Profile

Greetings!

 

My name is Dale Kern and I’m the High School Social Studies teacher and Senior Advocate. I received my Bachelor of Arts in History from Tennessee State University where I also minored in Political Science. While I was there, the emphasis of my studies centered around eras of social change in US history and the practices implemented by people who sought social justice. I earned my State of Colorado teaching license through the ASPIRE to Teach Alternative Licensure Program at CU Denver.  

 

 The 2023-2024 school year will be my eighth year of teaching and my fifth at Westgate. Before coming to Westgate, I taught US History and Music at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center in Golden where I worked with at-risk youth who were in the custody of the Division of Youth Services. My time at Lookout gave me experience practicing trauma-informed care and guided me in adopting the principles associated with TIC; safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment.

 

As a social studies teacher, I believe that it is imperative to not only develop the readiness of my students as critical thinkers and engaged citizens; but to also help facilitate learning experiences where they can find growth and personal enrichment.

 

In my free time I enjoy backpacking, traveling, and snowboarding. I'm also a musician and I play guitar in a few local bands around Northern Colorado. 

 

Classes

Posts

Economics - Week of 10/14 - 10/16

Hey Folks! This week I will be giving you a study guide and you will be taking a quiz on everything we have covered this year so far. The quiz will be your only assignment so make sure you take your time and complete it to the best of your ability. The quiz will be available on Wednesday and will be due by 8 AM, Monday morning.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topics 1-5 Review and Assessment

Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, Factors of Production, Production Possibility Curve, and Supply and Demand.

New Assignments Due 10/19

  1. Quarter 1 Quiz

US History - Week of 10/14 - 10/16

Hey Folks! This week we complete Topic 11 America Comes of Age. We will be discussing the Spanish American War, “Big Stick Diplomacy,” Dollar Diplomacy, and Moral Diplomacy under TR, Taft, and Wilson.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

 Zoom Meeting ID: 727 1779 5548

Weekly Objectives

Topic 11.6 The Spanish-American War Objectives: Explain the causes of the Spanish-American War. Identify the major battles of the Spanish-American War. Describe the consequences of the war, including the debate over imperialism.

Topic 11.7 The US Emerges as a World Power Objectives: Analyze how economic concerns influenced the Open Door Policy and US relations with Japan. Examine what happened to Puerto Rico and Cuba after the Spanish-American War. Analyze the effects of “Big Stick” diplomacy and “Dollar Diplomacy.” Compare Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” with the foreign policies of his predecessors.

New Assignments Due 10/19

  1. Topic 11.6 The Spanish-American War
  2. Topic 11.7 The US Emerges as a World Power

Dear Westgate Families, 

There are a few items I wanted to share with you.

First, due to rising cases of COVID-19 both in Adams County and Adams 12 school district, and out of an abundance of caution, Westgate's High School is cancelling our in-person school week for October. This was originally set to be next week, October 19th through October 23rd. Students will have their virtual classes as normal following the Q2 schedule you received before Fall Break. We are still currently expecting to have our November in-person classes the week of November 16, 2020. We are keeping an eye on the numbers, and we will update you if anything changes before then. All K-8 schedules will proceed with in-person and hybrid learning as previously planned.

 

Given that we in the high school would still like to see our students (and they may wish to see each other), we are instead offering a walk to EB Raines for trash cleanup on Friday, October 23rd. Students may meet their teachers in the Westgate front parking lot between 8:30 and 8:50, and we will depart the school at 9:00. We will return to the school in time for pickup at 1:00. This is a completely optional activity. Despite being outside, we will still be wearing masks and keeping six feet apart from one another. We will not be entering the Westgate building at any time. Students will not be allowed to visit other locations during the walk and must return to the school with the teachers by 1:00.  Please bear in mind this is all weather-permitting, and we will send word before the walk if the forecast is looking dangerous.

 

If you would like your HS student to attend the walk to EB Raines and want to learn more about what it entails, please complete the following:

Use the link to access the permission form on Microsoft Forms. Please read everything thoroughly before signing.

 

Second, I'm sending you the ​updated Zoom meeting schedule again that reflects the 10th grade schedule so that you are aware of when the sophomore class has to be online for their classes. It has been updated to reflect the expansion of class times by 15 minutes.

Remember that this week we will have zoom meetings starting on Thursday with this new time schedule and then next week we will be moving full time to this schedule.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me. 

Best,
-Dale Kern
High School Social Studies &
10th Grade Advocacy Teacher

 

Advocacy Update 9/28

Dates of Conferences:

Thursday, October 1st from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Friday, October 2nd from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

*Please email your student’s advocate if you would like a conference and have not signed up. Our availability is quickly becoming limited.

Dates of Fall Break:

Westgate’s Fall Break is Monday, October 5th through Tuesday, October 13th.

You will still have your FRCC classes over Fall Break.

First Day of Quarter 2/PSAT Information:

All grades: Assignments will be posted on Wednesday, October 14th. Due to the PSAT being held at Westgate on October 14th, virtual classes will resume on Thursday, October 15th.

Quarter 2 Class Schedule:

During Quarter 2, High School will be continuing with distance learning. Class times have been extended by 15 minutes and begin slightly earlier. Please use the following schedule beginning on Thursday, October 15th:

Q2 High School Distance Schedule (New Times!)

 

Monday Schedule 

Tuesday Schedule  

Wednesday Schedule  

Thursday Schedule  

Friday Schedule 

8:10-8:40am  

Advocacy  

Advocacy 

Advocacy  

Advocacy  

 

8:45-9:30am 

Algebra 1 

US History  

English 11 

Spanish 1 

Geometry 

Forensics

Algebra 1 

US History  

English 11 

Spanish 1 

Geometry

Forensics 

9:00-9:45am: Senior Seminar  

 

9:45-10:30am 

Economics 

English 10 

Biology 11 

Earth Science 

Spanish 2 

Economics 

English 10 

Biology 11 

Earth Science 

Spanish 2 

 

10:45-11:30am 

English 9 

Biology 10 

Algebra 2  

Pre-Calc 

World Lit 

Health 9  

English 9 

Biology 10 

Algebra 2 

Pre-Calc 

World Lit  

Health 9 

 

11:30-1:00 

Lunch 

Lunch 

Lunch 

Lunch 

 

1:00-1:45 

Sociology 

Spanish 3 

Human Geo 

Sociology 

Spanish 3 

Human Geo 

 

 

Economics - Week of 9/28 - 10/2

Hey Folks! This week we will be doing a review of the material we have covered over the last 5 weeks and will be doing some assignments in Econlowdown. I will show you how to login on Monday.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topics 1-5 Review

Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, Factors of Production, Production Possibility Frontier, Types of Businesses, and Supply and Demand.

New Assignments Due 10/12

Assignment in Econlowdown

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/5 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 5.1 What is Supply?
  2. Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production
  3. Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization

Human Geography - Week of 9/28 - 10/2

This week we will continue with Topic 3 and discuss migration. We will look at the reasons that people migrate and take a closer look at immigration in the United States and in Europe.

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom ID: 727 4933 3213

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

-Topic 3 Migration-

Key Issue 3.3 Why do people migrate?

Objectives: Explain cultural reasons for migration. Explain environmental reasons for migration. Understand economic reasons for international migration. Describe the demographic characteristics of international migrants.

Key Issue 3. 4 Why do migrants face obstacles?

Objectives: Describe government policies that affect immigration. Understand features of US Quota Laws. Understand the diversity of conditions along the US-Mexico border. Understand attitudes toward immigrants in Europe.

New Assignments Due 10/5

  1. Key Issue 3.3 Why do people migrate?
  2. Key Issue 3.4 Why do migrants face obstacles?

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/5 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Key Issue 3.1 Where Are the World’s Migrants Distributed?
  2. Key Issue 3.2 Where Do People Migrate Within a Country?

Sociology - Week of 9/28 - 10/2

Topic 4 Society and Social Interaction

This week we are talking about the history and types of societal structures, look at them through the sociological perspective, and discuss social interactions.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom ID: 740 3251 3917

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

4.1. Types of Societies

  • Describe the difference between preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial societies
  • Understand the role of environment on preindustrial societies
  • Understand how technology impacts societal development

4.2. Theoretical Perspectives on Society

  • Describe Durkhiem’s functionalist view of society
  • Understand the conflict theorist view of society
  • Explain Marx’s concepts of class and alienation
  • Identify how symbolic interactionists understand society

4.3. Social Constructions of Reality

  • Understand the sociological concept of reality as a social construct
  • Define roles and describe their places in people’s daily interactions
  • Explain how individuals present themselves and perceive themselves in a social context

New Assignments Due 10/5

  1. Read the Power Point of Chapter 4 Text
  2. Chapter 4 Society and Social Interaction Reading Questions
  3. Sociological Status and Role Character Study

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/5 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Culture Questions Part 1
  2. Culture Questions Part 2

US History - Week of 9/28 - 10/2

Hey Folks! This week we continue Topic 11 America Comes of Age. We will be discussing Teddy Roosevelt and trustbusting, the Taft and Wilson Administrations, and America’s first steps toward the position of a world power.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

 Zoom Meeting ID: 727 1779 5548

Weekly Objectives

Topic 11.4 Reformers in the Whitehouse Objectives: Analyze how Theodore Roosevelt influenced the changing relationship between the federal government and private business. Explain the impact of Roosevelt’s actions toward managing the environment. Compare Roosevelt’s policies with Taft’s and Wilson’s. Describe Wilson’s efforts to regulate the economy. Assess the legacy of the Progressive Era.

Topic 11.5 American Influence Grows Objectives: Identify the key factors that caused Americans to want to take a greater role overseas. Explain how the US took its first steps toward the position of a world power. Evaluate the acquisition of Hawaii by the US. 

New Assignments Due 10/5

  1. Topic 11.4 Reformers in the White House
  2. Topic 11.5 American Influence Grows

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/5 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 11.1 Progressives Drive Reform
  2. Topic 11.2 Women Gain Rights
  3. Topic 11.3 Striving for Equality

Q1 Conference Sign Up

Greeting Parents and Guardians,
 

Here is the signup link for Q1 High School Conferences:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4DA9AF2AA2FE3-q12020

We will be scheduling conferences on Thursday, October 1st between 8am to 8pm and Friday, October 2nd between 8am and 12pm. Conference will be held over Zoom Meeting and slots are 20 minutes a piece. If you have more than one child, please schedule one slot for each student. We will send you Zoom link information sometime next week. We are looking forward to seeing you!
 
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Dale Kern

Sociology - Week of 9/21 - 9/28

Topic 3 Culture

What are the rules when you pass an acquaintance at school, work, in the grocery store, or in the mall? Generally, we do not consider all of the intricacies of the rules of behavior. We may simply say, "Hello!" and ask, "How was your weekend?" or some other trivial question meant to be a friendly greeting. Rarely do we physically embrace or even touch the individual. However, we all adhere to various rules and standards that are created and maintained in culture. Sociologically, we examine in what situation and context certain behavior is expected, and in which situations perhaps it is not. These rules are created and enforced by people who interact and share culture.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom ID: 740 3251 3917

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

3.1. What Is Culture?

  • Differentiate between culture and society
  • Explain material versus nonmaterial culture
  • Discuss the concept of cultural universalism as it relates to society
  • Compare and contrast ethnocentrism and xenocentrism.

3.2. Elements of Culture

  • Understand how values and beliefs differ from norms
  • Explain the significance of symbols and language to a culture
  • Explain the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
  • Discuss the role of social control within culture

3.3. Pop Culture, Subculture, and Cultural Change

  • Discuss the roles of both high culture and pop culture within society
  • Differentiate between subculture and counterculture
  • Explain the role of innovation, invention, and discovery in culture
  • Understand the role of cultural lag and globalization in cultural change

3.4. Theoretical Perspectives on Culture

  • Discuss the major theoretical approaches to cultural interpretation

New Assignments Due 9/28

  1. Culture Questions Part 1
  2. Culture Questions Part 2

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/28 at 8:00 AM)

  1. “Single Story” Essay

Human Geography - Week of 9/21 - 9/25

This week we will begin Topic 3 and discuss migration. We will look at the differences between emigration and immigration, describe the sources of immigration in the US, and examine the three types of intraregional migration.

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom ID: 727 4933 3213

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

-Topic 3 Migration-

Key Issue 3.1 Where Are the World’s Migrants Distributed?

Objectives: Understand the differences between immigration, emigration, and net migration. Recognize the principal streams of international migration. Understand the difference between internal and international migration. Describe the different sources of immigration during the three main eras of US immigration.

Key Issue 3.2 Where Do People Migrate Within a Country?

Objectives: Describe the principal patterns of interregional migration in the US. Describe the principal patterns of interregional migration in several large countries. Describe the three types of intraregional migration.

New Assignments Due 9/28

  1. Key Issue 3.1 Where Are the World’s Migrants Distributed?
  2. Key Issue 3.2 Where Do People Migrate Within a Country?

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/28 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Key Issue 3 Why Do Some Places Face Health Challenges?
  2. Key Issue 4 Why Might Population Increase in the Future?

US History - Week of 9/21 - 9/25

Hey Folks! This week we start Topic 11 America Comes of Age. We will be discussing The Progressive Era, the 19th Amendment and Women’s Rights, and the move by progressives to make changes for civil rights.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

 Zoom Meeting ID: 727 1779 5548

Weekly Objectives

Topic 11.1 Progressives Drive Reform Objective: Analyze the role that journalists and novelists played in the Progressive Movement. Evaluate some of the social reforms that Progressives tackled. Explain what Progressives hoped to achieve through political reform.

Topic 11.2 Women Gain Rights Objective: Analyze actions taken by women to address social issues affecting workers and families. Evaluate the tactics reform leaders used to win passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

Topic 11.3 Striving for Equality Objectives: Analyze Progressives’ attitudes toward minority rights. Describe the political organizations formed by African Americans to promote civil rights. Examine the actions taken by minority groups to expand their rights.

New Assignments Due 9/28

  1. Topic 9 Quiz
  2. Topic 11.1 Progressives Drive Reform
  3. Topic 11.2 Women Gain Rights
  4. Topic 11.3 Striving for Equality

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/28 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 9.4 The New Immigrants
  2. Topic 9.5 - A Nation of Cities
  3. Topic 9.6 – New Ways of Life

Economics - Week of 9/21 - 9/25

Hey Folks! Last week we did Demand this week we will do supply. We will talk about the supply curve, the three stages of production, and look at how we measure cost, revenue, and profits.  

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 5.1 What is Supply?: Understand the difference between the supply schedule and the supply curve. Explain how market supply curves are derived. Specify the reasons for a change in supply.

Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production: Explain the theory of production. Describe the three stages of production.

Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization: Define four key measures of cost. Identify two key measures of revenue. Apply incremental analysis to business decisions.

New Assignments Due 9/28

  1. Topic 5.1 What is Supply?
  2. Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production
  3. Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/28 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 4.1 What Is Demand?
  2. Topic 4.2 Factors Affecting Demand Objectives
  3. Topic 4.3 Elasticity of Demand

Sociology - Week of 9/14 - 9/18

What are the rules when you pass an acquaintance at school, work, in the grocery store, or in the mall? Generally, we do not consider all of the intricacies of the rules of behavior. We may simply say, "Hello!" and ask, "How was your weekend?" or some other trivial question meant to be a friendly greeting. Rarely do we physically embrace or even touch the individual. However, we all adhere to various rules and standards that are created and maintained in culture. Sociologically, we examine in what situation and context certain behavior is expected, and in which situations perhaps it is not. These rules are created and enforced by people who interact and share culture.

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom ID: 740 3251 3917

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

3.1. What Is Culture?

  • Differentiate between culture and society
  • Explain material versus nonmaterial culture
  • Discuss the concept of cultural universalism as it relates to society
  • Compare and contrast ethnocentrism and xenocentrism.

3.2. Elements of Culture

  • Understand how values and beliefs differ from norms
  • Explain the significance of symbols and language to a culture
  • Explain the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
  • Discuss the role of social control within culture

New Assignments Due 9/21

  1. Topic 3.1. What Is Culture?
  2. Topic 3.2. Elements of Culture

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/21 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Sociological Research Assignment Part 1
  2. Sociological Research Assignment Part 2

Human Geography - Week of 9/14 - 9/18

This week we will continue looking at population through the lens of geographers and see why they have unique perspectives on the ability of people to live on Earth. More people are alive at this time than at any other point in Earth’s history, and most of the growth is concentrated in poor countries. Can Earth sustain more than 7 billion people now, let alone the added billions in the future? We will be looking more at the Demographic Transition Model and population pyramids.

Weekly Objectives

-Topic 2 Population-

Key Issue 3 Why Do Some Places Face Health Challenges?

Objectives: Understand reasons for varying sex ratios and for reduced birth rates. Understand the impact of the demographic transition on the percentages of young and old. Understand variations in health-care services between developed and developing countries. Summarize the four stages of the epidemiological transition.

Key Issue 4 Why Might Population Increase in the Future?

Objectives: Summarize arguments supporting and opposing Malthus’s theory of the connection between population and resources. Understand the future population of the world’s most populous countries and elements of a possible stage 5 of the demographic transition. Understand reasons for a possible stage 5 of the epidemiologic transition. Understand reasons for declining birth rates.

New Assignments Due 9/21

  1. Demographic Transition Model Activity
  2. Key Issue 3 Why Do Some Places Face Health Challenges?
  3. Key Issue 4 Why Might Population Increase in the Future?

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/21 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Key Issue 1 Where Are the World’s People Distributed?
  2. Key Issue 2 Why Is World Population Increasing?