History Teacher of the Year Award

Nominate Your Teacher! DEADLINE: April 1st

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 CHD to receive the national Richard Farrell Teacher of Merit Award, which is awarded at the National History Day contest and comes with a $1,000 cash prize.

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 letters, in one envelope, to the Colorado History Day office: 

1. One letter of nomination written by the nominator.  If the teacher is being nominated by more than one person, each should sign a letter of nomination.
2. One letter of recommendation written by a school administrator or fellow teacher.

Letters should address as many of the award criteria as possible.  Letters should be very specific about the qualities of the teacher and why he/she deserves this award.  All letters must be signed and dated.  Nominations must be received by April 1.

AWARD CRITERIA

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

1. Active learning projects within and outside the classroom, such as mock debates or oral history projects.
2. Innovative use of primary sources in the classroom.
3. Use of the latest communication and computer technology in history research and classroom learning.
4. Practice of teaching methods which link history to students’ broader interests; for example, using interdisciplinary approaches to historical topics or developing projects which link history to current events.
5. Use of teaching methods which build a range of skills in students as they study history.

2.  Exemplary commitment to helping students develop their interests in history and recognizing their achievements.  Examples could include:

1. Exemplary support and guidance for students working on History Day projects.
2. Assistance in helping students showcase their history projects within the community and/or publish their material.
3. Overall commitment to the intellectual development of individual students.
4. Encouragement of students to use their understanding of history to become engaged, informed citizens in their communities.

PROCEDURE

1. The state office will select the Colorado History Day Teacher of the Year from the nominations submitted.
2. The teacher’s regional coordinator will be notified and asked to write a letter of recommendation.
   
3. The Teacher of the Year will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Colorado History Day state contest.
   
4. The award-winning teacher will then write an essay or working plan on how he/she uses Colorado History Day and its contributions in the classroom (e.g., lesson plans, handouts, exercises, etc.).
   
5. The state office will send the original nomination and recommendation letters, nomination letters from the regional and state coordinators, and the teacher’s essay to the National History Day office, nominating the Colorado teacher for the Richard Farrell Teacher of Merit Award.  The deadline for the national nomination is May 15 (materials must be received by NHD by that date).
   
6. The Colorado Teacher of the Year will be recognized in the National History Day contest program.  The winner of the Richard Farrell Teacher of Merit Award is announced at the national awards ceremony.

QUESTIONS?

Please Contact Us in the state office.