Theodore Roosevelt House

Background | Mission | House Teachers | Student Expectations | Upcoming Events

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.  In this life we get nothing, save by effort." -Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president, was an American Renaissance man.

Teddy Roosevelt's life was one of service to his nation.  He was a deputy sheriff in the Dakota Territory, Police Commissioner of New York City, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and helped lead the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War.  He held such diverse elected offices as New York State Assemblyman, Governor of New York, and vice president.  At the age of 42, he became our youngest president.

Aside from his work as a government official and politician, Teddy Roosevelt led an incredibly rich life.  He was a historian, and served as president of the American Historical Society.  He was also an original member of the American Institute of Arts and Letters, and a founder of the Boone and Crocket Club, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Long Island Bird Club.

Roosevelt is well known for his love of the outdoors and fascination with wildlife.  He was a naturalist with an expertise in large American mammals, but he also traveled around the globe on various expeditions.  His passion for the natural life can be seen in the commitment to conservation his administration showed.  Roosevelt gave federal protection to almost 230 million acres, including National forests, federal bird reservations, National Parks, National Monuments, and National Game Preserves.

In between these busy enterprises, he found time to ranch in the West, hunt on several continents, raise a family of six rambunctious children, read a remarkable number of books (often one a day), write more than thirty-five himself, and develop an extraordinary network of friends and contacts, which he maintained mostly by mail, writing well over 150,000 letters.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential achievements are impressive. In foreign affairs he led us into the arena of international power politics, thrusting aside the American tradition of isolationism, while on the domestic scene, he reversed the traditional federal policy of laissez-faire, and sought to bring order, social justice, and fair dealings to American industry and commerce. In all his policies as Chief Executive, he expanded the powers and responsibilities of the Presidential office, establishing the model of the modern Presidency which has been followed by most of his successors in the White House.

Aside from his conservation efforts, he "busted" trusts bringing the large corporations under the control of the people; he began the Panama Canal (more canal photos); he established the Department of Commerce and Labor; he negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War and thereby won the Nobel Peace Prize; he preached a "Square Deal" for all Americans, enabling millions to earn a living wage; he built up the Navy as the "Big Stick," thus establishing America as a major world power; he reduced the National debt by over $90,000,000; and he secured the passage of the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act for regulation of the railroads, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act for consumer protection, and the Federal Employers' Liability Act for Labor.

In addition, he successfully mediated international disputes over Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Morocco. He was the first world leader to submit a dispute to the Court of Arbitration at The Hague, and he was the first head of state to call for convening of what became the Second Hague Peace Conference at which he obtained for Latin American nations equal status with the rest of the world, and won the adoption of the Drago Doctrine, which outlawed the use of force in the collection of foreign debts.

Many of the policies he advocated during the Bull Moose years were adopted by Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt.

Towards the end of his life, he was a major force for military preparedness particularly as World War I loomed. Much of what he achieved affects each and every American today and his name and personality have become part of the collective icon for what America stands for at its best.

Teddy Roosevelt House Mission:

Our goals are...

Teddy Roosevelt House Teachers:

Kimberly Lueck (Social Studies, House Team Leader) Kimberly_M_Johnson@mcpsmd.org

James Goldsmith (English) James_D_Goldsmith@mcpsmd.org

Marc Kell (Math) Marc_Kell@mcpsmd.org

Drew Zachry (Science) Drew_Zachry@mcpsmd.org

Felicia Kimmel (Counseling) Felicia_Kimmel@mcpsmd.org

Students in the Teddy Roosevelt House generally have Ms. Kimmel as their counselor, and the above teachers in their respective subjects.  Due to the myriad courses available to freshmen, though, some cross-teaming was inevitable.  This is especially true in the areas of math and science.  The houses are generally similar in structure and practices, so a cross-teamed student will still receive the same support and instruction.

Student Expectations:

• Be in your seat, ready to learn when the bell rings.  Each unexcused tardy merits a LAP detention.  Three unexcused tardies merit a call home.
• Be in class every day.  House teachers will follow the loss of credit policy outlined in the student agenda book.  You need to provide notes to the attendance office upon returning from an absence.  In the event that you lose credit, you  have 10 days to appeal.  You will be expected to serve 30 minute detentions for each tardy and/or absence and come to class every day on time through the final exam.
• Keep cell phones and electronic devices turned off and not in use.  Confiscated cell phones will be given to the Security Office.
• Have your agenda book and supplies, as specified by the teacher, with you each day.
• Use your own agenda book to ask the teacher for all passes.  Passes are for urgent or emergency use.
• Have only clear water in re-sealable plastic bottles when in class.  All other food and drink are prohibited.
• Turn in your assignments in on the due date.  Work turned in after a deadline will not be accepted.

Upcoming Events:

September 26 - Back to School Night - We hope to see parents there!

October 8-13 - Spirit Week and Homecoming - The House will be encouraging participation with a Participation Checklist.  Students that participate in 5 or more homecoming events win a prize!

October 26 - TR House Visits the Maryland Science Center - This exciting trip was coordinated by the Science Department.  All TR students will go to the Science Center on this day.