State’s middle-schoolers use ACC professor’s textbook
Austin Community College Professor Larry Willoughby does more than teach Texas history. He also writes about it.
A four-time author, Willoughby has written two history textbooks including one that’s used in more than half of all Texas seventh-grade public school classrooms. “Texas!” has sold more than 300,000 copies and is in its third printing.
A self-proclaimed civil rights historian, Willoughby tries to write the textbooks from multiple perspectives. He especially revels in the underrepresented characters of history and tries to expose their stories.
“Other people contributed to history, not just white males,” he says. “I like to bring diversity to history and talk about all Texans, including African Americans, women, Native Americans, and Mexican Americans.”
Writing for middle school readers requires some changes for a professor used to addressing college classes. “I had to bring the reading level down, and my editors helped me revise content that may have been too controversial for seventh graders,” he says.
Willoughby’s ultimate goal is to make history memorable and meaningful to students. “I love history. It’s the story of the human experience, and there is something in it that everyone can relate to. I want people to look beyond the facts and dates and see their grandparents.”
Willoughby began teaching at ACC 30 years ago and continues to share with students his passion for history. Waiting together before class on a recent day, students could overhear Willoughby relating Old West tales of stagecoach robberies and shootouts. His voice literally boomed from a nearby room, capturing an audience well before class started.
“I thought his class was going to be so hard-core and intense because he wrote a history book, but it is completely the opposite,” says Holly Wilson, a Texas Tech University senior taking Willoughby’s Texas History class at ACC this summer. “He keeps it interesting, and I don’t ever find myself getting bored.”
Willoughby’s favorite Texan is Sam Houston but not for the traditional things people like about him. “He did things that were not popular in his time, like supporting Indian rights and opposing the spread of slavery,” Willoughby says.
Like his hero, Willoughby isn’t afraid of confrontation and likes to push current discussions to get students engaged. “I throw out points of view they may not have considered before. I want to challenge their traditional views on anything and everything,” he says.
A recent discussion flared on whether the state should subsidize a new Dallas Cowboys football stadium.
“Why should taxpayers have to pay for a profit that will be made by individuals?” Willoughby challenged his students. Most liked the subsidy, but one student, an education major, objected. “It doesn’t make sense to me to be spending on sports when students need textbooks,” she said.
“Those of you who go on to teach in public education may be frustrated with the amount of funding that is funneled to sports programs,” Willoughby agreed.
Willoughby often takes opposing viewpoints during classroom discussions–even when they’re not his personal beliefs. “I’ll take any side, just to get students involved,” he says.
And it works.
“Professor Willoughby brings conviction, dedication, humor, and vast knowledge of the subject matter to his classes,” says Gaye Lynn Scott, dean of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division which oversees the history department. “His students benefit from Professor Willoughby’s passion for the subject and ability to bring history alive in the classroom.”
Back to Top
By Amber Montogmery June 29, 2009 - 10:05 pm
I love having Willoughby as my professor. I really enjoyed history, thanks to him.
By Laura Tabor-Huerta June 30, 2009 - 8:21 am
I am always happy to read about an Instructor who engages and expands the knowledge and critical thinking of students-kudos!
By Mike Reid June 30, 2009 - 12:28 pm
Prof Willoughby made history interesting and worth my time. Before I would dread coming to class and studying US History. After the first day, I looked forward to class. He is the only teacher that I recommend to student. I actually read multiple book about history that wasn’t part of the required material because of his class. GREAT Teacher!!!!!!!!
By Aaron Davatgar June 30, 2009 - 3:15 pm
Professor Willoughby’s class was truly the most enjoyable class I had at ACC, I really believe that teachers should show a genuine passion for their subject and Mr. Willoughby embodies that belief and whole-heartedly loves history and inspires his students to think critically about history on a grand scale. I insist that anybody taking a history class try to take a class with him.
By Chris Burns June 30, 2009 - 9:13 pm
Great Professor, Took his history class in ’07, he is on my top 3 most honest and fair professor list. He made the class entertaining and you learned at the same time, pretty much what you signed up for when you think of college class. Can not say it enough: he is an awesome professor.
By Becca Chandler July 1, 2009 - 12:14 pm
I’m so glad that an article was written about Professor Willouhby. His lectures feel like stories and there are always discussions about current issues that relate our current cocerns with historical events. One of the greatest things about Professor Willoughby is his stance on minority rights. He doesn’t just support the issue, he is very passionate and active about it. I took his classes about 3 years ago and he is still the best teacher I have ever had.
By Albert Autin July 1, 2009 - 2:59 pm
Willoughby Rules!
By Drew Lindsey Keller July 2, 2009 - 10:24 am
Professor Willoughby has been my favorite professor in college! I have since moved on to Texas State but I have recommended his classes to several friends and family!Its nice to see this article written for Professor Willoughby.
By frankie dutton July 2, 2009 - 8:01 pm
I am now a history major at Texas State. Professor Willoughby truly inspired me. He is an amazing professor!
By Isaias Cerrito July 3, 2009 - 6:23 pm
Professor Wiloughby make going to class a pleasent thing to do, I had him for History 1 and then I had to take him for my History 2, he was fair in the way he teaches the history, not like others who like to teached from their own perspective only.
By Sera Baxter July 5, 2009 - 10:24 am
I was fortunate to take Professor Willoughby during a History Honors course. By far my favorite professor ever!I meet people outside of ACC who took his class years ago and they claim him as their favorite as well. Obviously Willoughby has the power to actually MOVE his students, it’s not just a credit-it’s an experience.
By David Guthrie July 6, 2009 - 1:25 am
I think Profesor Willoughby’s personality and knowledge makes his class aweasome. He is one of the few teachers that made me go to class and want to be there. I had his 9 am class and i hardly missed because each day was not just history but class discussion and engagement on views that matter to todays generation. Take his class.
By Di Floyd July 6, 2009 - 9:31 pm
Professor Willoughby Rocks!
By Samantha Wella July 7, 2009 - 1:45 pm
I took Willoughby for 2 semesters, including Texas History. I would never miss a class because I was too excited about the material and the discussions that he brings forth, such as the birth of Rock and Roll, and the exploitation of Indians on the new frontier. Like many of the professors at ACC, he goes above and beyond student expectations, and entices one to really want to learn. He definitely doesn’t teach a regular history class, and if you were not excited about history in high school, or any other form of public or private education, I recommend taking his class. Thank you so much for writing about my favorite professor.
By Manuel Gonzalez July 9, 2009 - 9:47 pm
I have had alot of teachers here at ACC and I hold only two of them among the best I have ever encountered (Willoughby and Lewis). They have the very intersting teaching styles and keep me awake and focused with their since of humor. Oh yeah, Willoughby ROCKS!!!
By Jennifer Burke-Hansen July 16, 2009 - 5:43 pm
Professor Willoughby has shattered the Texan stereotype that my Danish students brought with them when visiting ACC and replaced it with a vast knowledge, greater understanding and the deepest respect for Texas and Texas history. As one student said, “I never knew history could be fun.” So, on behalf of my students and myself … Thanks for making a difference in so many lives!!
By julie holland July 22, 2009 - 4:50 pm
Larry Willoughby is one of the most interesting and unique teachers ever! ACC is blessed to have him on staff!
By Estes Chastain July 23, 2009 - 12:40 pm
I had Mr. willoughby for U.S. and TX History several years ago. He is still my all time favorite professor. His diverse historical perspective and lively class discussion made history intriguing for me. I recommend him to anyone. You will learn something new and interesting under him.
By natasha honeycutt July 23, 2009 - 1:01 pm
I had never enjoyed a history class, until I took Professor Willoughby. He really makes the class interesting and keeps your attention. He has so much energy and passion for the subject. I took his class about six years ago and I still rave about his class. If you haven’t taken the classes he teaches, you should make it a priority. You will learn so much from him and experience what all professors should be like! 🙂
By Sarah A. August 7, 2009 - 2:39 pm
Professor is hands down the best professor I ever at at ACC and UT for that matter. He made history enjoyable and he is an amazing professor.
By Dana O. August 8, 2009 - 12:25 pm
The best teacher at ACC…took him three times just cause i loved him as my teacher. He has the best stories simply the best!!
By David Kong August 12, 2009 - 10:05 pm
I had the HONOR of being Professor Willoughby’s History classes. Not many professors teach with such enthusiasm as Mr. Wiloughby Every class period I learned something new about our history as a country. We have come a long way but as citizens of this great country we should know our history and understand the many challenges we had to overcome to become the United States of America. I recommend taking his class because you will thoroughly enjoy learning. Thanks Larry, keep up the good work!!
By David Weddell August 17, 2009 - 6:28 am
Congrats on the Book!
Im sure it won’t be your last!
Thanks for making history about more then memorizing dates and names, I loved your class!
By Pete Pyeatt August 19, 2009 - 2:36 am
I attended Professor Willoughby’s Texas History class back in the Spring of 2003 when I was fresh out of the Army and was not disciplined about attending class, and his was one of the very few I did not drop in my first two years of college. I remember the first class I attended of his, I was about an hour into one of his lectures and realized, “Hey, I’m actually not zoning out right now.” He brings you back to 1836 and makes you feel like you are right there with Sam Houston and Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
By Bridgette "Salas" McMillan August 19, 2009 - 12:40 pm
Larry Willoughby has influenced me to pursue my teaching degree and someday be a texas history teacher! I took both semesters of History with Professor Willoughby and couldn’t get enough of his lectures. His love for teaching is without a doubt evident and I couldn’t ahve asked for a better professor. Thank you Professor!
By Donetta Goodall August 20, 2009 - 7:40 am
Larry, this is great. Congratulations. I am so proud of you, and am pleased that public school students will also have the opportunity and pleasure to enjoy your books. Donetta Goodall
By Deselle Jones August 30, 2009 - 7:25 pm
Congratulations Mr. WIlloughby. This does not surprise me one bit. You have a wonderfully energetic and lively perspective of Texas history I have never experienced before. Who else would be as quaified to tell our state’s story. Thank you for sharing it with us.