Educator Services Career Advancement
Educator Recognition Programs

Preserve America History Teacher of the Year

I am pleased to announce that nominations are open for the fifth annual national Preserve America History Teacher of the Year program to honor outstanding teachers of American history across the country. The Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year will automatically be the state's candidate for the National Preserve America History Teacher of the Year award.

The award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America. The Gilder Lehrman Institute, founded in 1994, promotes the study and love of American history. Increasingly national and international in scope, the Institute's programs and initiatives serve audiences ranging from students to scholars to the general public. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve America's cultural and natural heritage.

History teachers of grades 7-12 are eligible for nomination and will be selected based on the following criteria:

• At least three years of experience in teaching American history in grades 7-12;
• A deep career commitment to teaching American history, including local and state history;
• Evidence of creativity in the classroom that addresses historical literacy and state standards;
• Close attention to documents, artifacts, historic sites, and the other primary materials of history;
• Sensitive and accurate portrayals of America's history to students; and
• Evidence of thoughtful assessment of student achievement.

American history teachers of grades K-6 will be eligible for the 2009 History Teacher of the Year program.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will honor each statewide winner with an award of $1,000 and a "History Teacher of the Year" plaque. The Institute will also present the winner's school with an archive of primary historical materials for use in the school library or resource center.

The National History Teacher of the Year will be selected from the state winners by a panel of prominent historians. The winner, together with the nominating supervisor, will be flown to Washington, D.C. or New York City for the national recognition ceremony.

I encourage you to read and disseminate the enclosed nomination procedure    and to nominate outstanding American history teachers in your district/school. Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, April 4, 2008. For further information, visit our website at www.doe.mass.edu/educators/recognition/ or contact Deborah Walker at djwalker@doe.mass.edu or phone 781-338-3347.