Laura Bush Presents 2008 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award to Massachusetts Teacher

New York, NY
(October 24, 2008)

Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, today presented the 2008 national "Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" award, co-sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, to David B. Mitchell, a high school teacher at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, Massachusetts, during a ceremony at the Union League Club in New York City.

"Dave's always searching for new chances to teach and to learn. For him, sharing the love of history is a calling. And Dave’s enthusiastic teaching is putting his students on the path to success," Mrs. Bush said.

Mitchell's own philosophy of teaching history through the use of authentic original sources states: "These documents, photos, cartoons, and letters are still living and this life … helps our students feel the pulse of history."

Mitchell began his teaching career as part of the Teach for America Program. He taught in Los Angeles and Baltimore before coming to Masconomet High School in 1995 with an undergraduate degree and since has earned two masters degrees while tirelessly working to improve educational opportunities for students and mentor many colleagues. His extensive professional and civic involvement attest to his not merely teaching from an academic perspective but setting a personal example of the necessity to be actively involved in order to build a better society.

2008 is the fifth year that the administration's Preserve America initiative and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History have partnered to present the "Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" award. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History promotes the study and love of American history and serves teachers, students, scholars, and the general public. Earlier this year, finalists were selected from each state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Territories in the Pacific. The national "Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" is selected from the state and territorial winners. Each state winner receives $1,000 and an archive of books and educational resources for his or her school’s library. For more information about the Gilder Lehrman Institute, please visit www.gilderlehrman.org.

Preserve America is a White House initiative created for the purpose of encouraging and supporting community efforts to preserve and enjoy the nation’s cultural and national heritage. The overall goals of the Preserve America initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and other federal agencies partner to administer the various components of Preserve America. For more information, please visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov.

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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
19 West 44th Street, Suite 500
New York, NY 10036
www.gilderlehrman.org

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