Known for being transformative and dedicated, Ansley Bogart brings a passion for the past and an insightful approach to human behavior as a history and psychology teacher at Fauquier High School (FHS). Bogart attained her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and her master’s from Liberty University. She is certified in Social Studies and has taught Sociology and Government at FHS. She currently teaches World History 2 (WHII), Intro to Psychology and AP Psychology.
Bogart’s passion for teaching sparked in high school when she became inspired by a teacher. It was their immense knowledge of the subject matter they provided in class that showed Bogart that “teaching doesn’t have to be boring.” Bogart stated, “It was the first experience I had in a classroom setting where it was really engaging,” and her teacher seemed to really love their job. It demonstrated how a person’s passion for what they’re doing can spark something in someone else.
Her teaching environment varies by class, so how she handles her AP class differs from how she handles her intro-level class. The constant theme throughout her classes, no matter the level, is the accountability Bogart has placed on her students. Although not many may know how to handle that accountability, they eventually learn to adjust, which is a valuable life skill as students enter the workforce. Bogart explained, “They get the hang of the expectations and rise to the bar that is set.”
Bogart’s placing accountability on her students for class performance is a crucial, foundational skill because it builds the mindset needed to manage tasks, time and independent learning. These attributes tie into the professional responsibility and ownership one is held accountable for in the work field.
Having an elective as a class is fun and exciting for Bogart. ”It allows for a little more freedom in the classroom because you are not rushing to get through every single piece of content for an AP exam.
Bogart enjoys her time at home with her family. She states her favorite part about going home would be “seeing faces that are so excited to see you home” and “getting to put on the comfiest sweats.” She has a five-year-old and an 11-month-old at home, so most after-school days are very “run-of-the-mill.” Even while having two younglings, Bogart makes sure to prioritize time with her husband on the weekends. They often try going out and doing something fun, such as hiking at Whitney State Forest, taking the kids to the toy store G. Whilikers, or even making a new pie since her oldest loves baking.
What makes her job special is the interactions she has with different people, including conversations with students and coworkers. She always finds herself learning something new from someone else. Bogart wants to provide her students with everything they need to succeed. She points out, “that every student has the potential to learn, but they have to want to learn. So if they want to learn, then I want to be a resource for them to do that.”
Teaching psychology has improved Bogart’s overall teaching by helping her better understand and connect with her students. Bogart stated, “There is so much more to understanding people and how they act than meets the eye,” which is one thing she hopes her students will take away from this class.
By bridging the gap between history and psychology, Bogart provides her students with more than just facts; she gives them the analytical tools and empathy needed to understand the world and themselves more deeply.
