The goal of the Social Studies Department is to give our students Roots and Wings.

Through a variety of required and elective offerings, we seek to firmly ground our students with essential skills and historically accurate information that promotes the development of a Christian worldview. In each course, we strive to meet the needs of our students with varied teaching styles and learning activities. Our ultimate goal is to equip each student with the desire and skills for life-long learning and active citizenship.

In addition to our required and elective courses, we encourage and facilitate participation in extra-curricular activities such as:

• Registering students and parents to vote
• Becoming official poll workers during state and local elections
• Coordinating Kid's Voting polling places
• Senior internships with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office
• National History Day activities
• Boys State
• Girls State
• Our nationally recognized Washington, D.C. field study course
  
  

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Our Staff
The Social Studies Department staff is comprised of experienced and talented educators who care about student learning and are enthusiastic about their curriculum.

Deb Waymire began teaching at NCS in 1993 and has been the Department Head for the Social Studies Department at NCS since 1995. Prior to teaching at NCS, she spent 10 years in public schools where she taught junior high and participated in staff development training. She has a Bachelor's degree in American Studies from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, and has completed post-baccalaureate work at Grand Canyon College. Mrs. Waymire currently teaches United States History, Introduction to Law, and a Historical Simulations elective.

Mary Hall began teaching at NCS in 1997. She came to NCS with 14 years of classroom teaching experience in other schools. She has a B.A. in History Education from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. She completed her Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in History from Northern Arizona University. She has worked on the Resource Program Selection Committee for the Arizona Humanities Council, and she was chosen to attend the nationally acclaimed Belfer Conference at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2002. In addition, she has been included in Who's Who Among American Teachers, was a member of the National History Day State Board, and was named Educator of the Year by that organization in 2003. Mrs. Hall teaches World History, 8th Grade Arizona Government, and a Holocaust elective.

Shawna Martino began teaching at NCS in 2005. She had previously taught five years in both Christian and public schools. She received a B.A. degree in History from Gonzaga University in 1991 and a M.A. degree in Teaching from Whitworth College, majoring in Gifted and Talented Education. Mrs. Martino teaches 7th Grade Social Studies and 8th Grade Geography.

Derek Wahlstrom returned to teaching at NCS in 2001. He came back to NCS after teaching for four years in other Christian schools in the Valley, prior to which he had taught at NCS. He is a graduate of NCS, as is his lovely wife Jeanette. After graduating from NCS, he received his B.A. degree in Social Science Education from Friends University. Mr. Wahlstrom currently teaches Government, Economics, Yearbook and Junior High Yearbook classes. In addition to his duties on the teaching staff, Coach Wahlstrom is the Head Coach for the football team.

Dave Young has been teaching at NCS since 1992. Before teaching at NCS, he taught for nearly 10 years at other schools. He has a B.S. in Education from Central Michigan University and a M.A. in Counseling. He has also served in other Christian ministries for 15 years. Mr. Young is currently the Superintendent at NCS and teaches Psychology.