Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year Program

Nominations are open year round for the Massachusetts and National History Teacher of the Year programs 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 History Teacher of the Year award. The award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI).

We are seeking outstanding K-12 teachers who find creative ways to bring history alive in the classroom and in communities.

Teachers will be selected based on the following:

• At least three years of classroom experience;
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching American history;
• Evidence of creativity and innovation in the classroom; and
• Effective use of documents, artifacts, historic sites, oral histories, and other primary resources to engage students in American history.
• Self nominations are not accepted.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will honor each statewide winner with an award of $1,000, a certificate of recognition, an invitation to attend a Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar, and the opportunity for the winner's school to become a GLI Affiliate School. The Institute will also present the winner's school with a collection of American history classroom resources, given in honor of the state winner, for use in the school library or resource center.

To nominate a teacher and learn more about the award, visit the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History's website or contact the National History Teacher of the Year coordinator at nhtoy@gilderlehrman.org or 646-366-9666. You may also email the educator recognition mailbox at educatorrecognition@doe.mass.edu for more information.

2021 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year

Christina O'Connor received her bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and her master's degree in teaching social studies from Brown University. She has taught Advanced Placement U.S. History, American studies, the American political system, and two original senior seminars on the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. She has also been recognized by and active with the National History Day organization.

Former Massachusetts History Teachers of the Year

Last Updated: February 10, 2022