The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

David Mitchell, 2009 History Teacher of the Year, with one of his students.

The Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding American history teachers from elementary school through high school, and the crucial importance of American history education. State winners are selected from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories. From these finalists, a national honoree is recognized as the Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. In 2010, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will honor a middle or high school teacher of grades seven through twelve. K-6 teachers are honored every other year.

Winners will be chosen based on several criteria.

Qualifying Criteria
  • At least three years of classroom experience in teaching American history.
  • A deep career commitment to teaching American history, which includes local and state history.
  • Evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom that address literacy and content beyond state standards.
  • Close attention to primary documents, artifacts, historic sites, and other primary materials of history, including oral history.
  • Evidence of thoughtful assessment of student achievement.
Eligibility
  • Any full-time middle or high school teacher of grades seven through twelve who teaches American history (including local and state history).
  • Past state and national winners are not eligible.

Procedure

Nominations (Deadline: March 15, 2010)
All teachers must be nominated on the Gilder Lehrman website. Deadline for nominations is Monday, March 15, 2010. All nominees will be notified via email and will receive instructions for completing their application. To nominate a teacher, click here.

Supporting Materials (Deadline: April 15, 2010)
All nominees will be invited to submit supporting material to be considered for a state award. The following supporting materials are required from each nominee:

  • The nominee’s resume.
  • A letter of support from a colleague, immediate supervisor, or education professional familiar with the nominee’s work. The letter should address the award criteria.
  • A one-page statement of the nominee’s philosophy of teaching American history.
  • A sample lesson plan, no longer than 3 pages. Primary document attachments are not included in the page limitation.
  • A sample extended student project, demonstrating use of primary documents, artifacts, historic sites, etc. Nominees may include up to ten pages of student work in this category.

Deadline for submission of supporting material is Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Announcement of State Winners (June, 2010)
All submitted applications are reviewed by a three-person committee within the state consisting of the state coordinator and two other judges who may include history educators, professors, and former state winners. State winners will be notified by GLI and receive a prize package including a certificate of recognition, a $1,000 award, a collection of classroom resources to be presented in their name to the school library, and an invitation to participate in a Gilder Lehrman Institute summer seminar. Each state holds its own ceremony in honor of the winner.

Announcement of National Winner (Fall, 2010)
All state winners are finalists for the national prize. A panel of judges (comprised of the former national winner, renowned historians, professors, and teachers) reads and evaluates all state winner applications and selects a national winner. The winner will be announced in early fall 2010 and will receive a $10,000 award and a trip to the national award ceremony along with two of his or her students.