AP Recognizes Teacher Sam Biglari

by Head of Community Engagement Gordon Mathis

This summer the AP chose Upper Learning social studies teacher Sam Biglari as one of six teachers nationwide to record videos to support students across the country as they prepare for the AP US Government and Politics national exam.  

During his 25-year career teaching an AP course, Mr. Biglari has served as a reader (reading and scoring the national exams), table leader (monitoring ten readers to ensure they apply the rubrics correctly), and question leader (supervising 12-15 tables of 150 readers). He has both attended and presented at the national AP Conference and also works as an AP Mentor, supporting five teachers from across the country in monthly sessions as they grow into competent instructors of the AP curriculum. 

As an AP Daily Video Instructor, Mr. Biglari recorded 12 ten-minute videos that offer students daily support on each topic and practice applying relevant skills in every unit. The videos are short, segmented, and appropriate for in-person, online, and hybrid/blended learning environments. For example, Mr. Biglari recorded videos on selective incorporation, Roe v Wade, and polling. There are two videos per topic; for example, the first video of the Roe v. Wade topics provided the history and context of the Supreme Court case, while the second video presented the skills the students need to know about the case which is required as a part of the US Government and Politics curriculum.  

Nationally, 10% of students who take the national exam earn 5, the highest score in the AP format. Mr. Biglari is justifiably proud that roughly 50% of his students earn that score. Currently, he teaches two juniors and twenty-one sophomores who are taking their first AP course.  

“Serving as an AP reader is great professional development,” remarked Biglari. “I learn from teachers all over the country, about different students and different approaches to teaching. It makes me a better teacher.”

Mr. Biglari counts among his former students practicing attorneys, students in law school, and young adults who work in politics in Washington. "The legal terms [Biglari] taught me as a 14-year-old have put me ahead of the curve at the start of law school," former student Maddie Felts '23 recently wrote in a letter to Biglari. "We did an in-depth look into how to read a case briefing during orientation, and I felt like I was looking through one of [his] infamous review packets. I just finished reading Roper v. Simmons for my Constitutional Law class, and I already could predict who would write concurring opinions and dissenting opinions."

Both graduates and current students at Galloway continue to benefit from Sam Biglari’s commitment to teaching US Government and Politics.