Colorado History Day Teacher of the Year Award

Nominate Your Teacher! DEADLINE: April 8, 2009

Each year, Colorado History Day recognizes an outstanding teacher for innovative history teaching within and outside the classroom. This award-winning teacher will be nominated by the state Colorado History Day office to receive the national PBS Teacher of Merit Award.

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WHO CAN NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER?

1. Students
2. Parents
3. Fellow teachers
4. School administrators

HOW CAN A TEACHER BE NOMINATED?

To be eligible, a teacher must be a current participant in the National History Day program.

To nominate a teacher, mail the following information, in one envelope, to the Colorado History Day office.   We must receive the nomination by April 8, 2009.

• A current resume of the nominee
• Three letters of recommendation in support of the nomination.   These letters could come from students, fellow teachers, administrators or parents. The letters should address the criteria provided below and be written by those who know the nominee well and can give specific examples of excellence in history teaching.   All letters must be signed and dated
• A personal statement from the nominee about how NHD enriches the curriculum in his/her classroom

Mail to:      Colorado History Day
University of Colorado Denver
CB 182
PO Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

AWARD CRITERIA

Development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. Examples could include:

• Active learning projects, such as mock debates or oral history projects;
• Innovative use of primary sources;
• Integrated communication technology in history research and classroom learning;
• Teaching methods which link history to students’ broader interests (e.g., using interdisciplinary approaches to historical topics of by developing projects which link history to current events, debates, and issues); or
• The use of teaching methods which build a range of skills in students as they study history

Exemplary commitment to helping students develop their interest in history and recognize their achievements.  Examples could include:

• Exemplary support and guidance for students working on History Day projects;
• Assistance in helping students showcase their history projects within the community and/or publish their material;
• Overall commitment to the intellectual development of individual students; or
• Encouragement of student to use their understanding of history to become engaged, informed citizens in their community and beyond

PROCEDURE

1. The State Office will select the Colorado History Day Teacher of the Year from the nominations submitted.
2. The Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at the Colorado History Day state competition on May 2, 2009.
3. The State Office will nominate the Colorado History Day Teacher of the year for the PBS Teacher of Merit award.  This national award comes with a $5,000 cash prize.  The eight finalists at the national level receive a PBS video library For more information on this award, click on this link to the National History Day web site: PBS Teacher of Merit Award
4. The Colorado Teacher of the Year will be recognized in the National History Day contest program.  The winner of the PBS Teacher of Merit Award will be announced at the national awards ceremony on June 18. 

QUESTIONS?

Please Contact Us in the state office.