My name is Mr. Matthew Cochran, and I am excited for this school year. This is my 12th year as a social studies teacher and 3rd at Greensurg Junior High School.  My previous nine years were taught at Mona Shores HS in Muskegon, MI, Elkhart Central HS in Elkhart, IN, and South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC.  During my career I have taught World Studies, US History, Economics, Geography, Advanced Placement US History, and Contemporary Issues.  I have also coached football, wrestling, and baseball.  I am an assistant varsity football coach and the head wrestling coach at Greensburg High School.  I strongly encourage all students to participate in extra-curricular activities to enhance their educational experience.  They are only young once and may not have these type of opportunities in the future.

I am originally from Ft. Wayne, IN.  I graduated from Northrop HS in 1994 and then went to Indiana State University.  I earned my BS in Social Science Education in 1998 from ISU.  I earned my MA in History from Winthrop University (South Carolina) in 2008.  I am married to Michelle, who is from Lisle, IL, and graduated with a BBA in Marketing from Grand Valley State University (Michigan)in 2001.  We have three children, Gabriella, Jaden, and Kaitlyn. 

 In this class, students will study the historical, geographical, economic, political, and cultural relationships of the Eastern Hemisphere.  My goal is for the students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the different realms of the Eastern Hemisphere.  Regions that will be studied include East Asia (China), South Asia (India), Sub-Sahara Africa, the Middle East (Southwest Asia and North Africa), Russia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia.  Current events for the different regions will also be covered.  Students are expected to maintain a spiral notebook.  Within this notebook, students will glue in their notes and most of their assignments.  This type of notebook will be different for most of the students, and may take some time to get adjusted.  However, I strongly believe that this notebook will be extremely beneficial to your students organizational and study skills.  Most of the assignments in this class will be in the notebook.  Therefore, failure to keep a notebook will result in failing the course.  Students are also expected to demonstrate respect to all and to take care of their responsibilities.  Failure to do so will set in motion a series of consequences that include warnings, student-teacher/ one-on-one conferences, and parent contacts.  I have high expectations for all students and these goals are attainable.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.  My school webpage will be up and running within a couple of weeks and I will post information frequently.  I can be reached by the school phone number or by email at mcochran@greensburg.k12.in.us.  I look forward to working with all of you this year.  Go Pirates!

Sincerely,

Matthew Cochran

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Greensburg Jr. High