Robert Ashkinaze, M.A.

Adjunct Faculty

My teaching career began in September, 1956, in the Yonkers Public School System. After leaving Yonkers in 1962, I began my teaching career in the Croton-Harmon School District. My teaching experience in these two school districts was in the field of Social Studies 9 – 12th Grade. In 1994, while teaching at Croton-Harmon High School, I was awarded the title of High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Westchester Council for the Social Studies. In addition to teaching, I was a senior class advisor, newspaper advisor, debate coach, and student-government advisor. In 1996, after teaching for forty years, I retired from teaching. However, in December of that year, Professor Gail Robinson of the Manhattanville School of Education recruited me as a Field Supervisor of Social Studies. I joined the faculty working with Professor Lawson Bowling who at that time was also a Field Supervisor in Social Studies. My career at Manhattanville began in January, 1997. Some two years later, when Professor Irene Whelan went on sabbatical leave, Professor ! Bowling recommended that I become an adjunct in the History Department and cover a class in Traditional European History. I have continued at Manhattanville as both a teacher of History and Field Supervisor for student teachers. Two years ago, I was named a Visiting Scholar and my field of courses has been expanded to include: Russian History, a Middle Eastern History with an emphasis upon the wars of the Modern Middle East, and "Leaders and Leadership", a course that was originally developed by Professor David Shields. Lastly, Professor Andrew Bodenrader recommended that I work with first year students in the Writing Program at the College. Currently, I am teaching a College Skills course in that Department. I continue to enjoy work, do some traveling, enjoy my summer home in Vermont and am an avid movie and theater goer and Museum visitor. I also manage to see my seven grandchildren ranging in age from four to sixteen. All of this in my spare time!