Are You the Greatest History Teacher in the First President’s Neighborhood?
“Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”
~George Washington’s First Annual Address to Congress, 1790
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is pleased to announce the Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year Award for Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area teachers of grades 3-12!
The home of George Washington is seeking to honor local teachers who bring creativity and passion to their teaching, generate a love of learning, and deepen their students’ understanding and appreciation of history. The 2008 Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash award and a free field trip to Mount Vernon for his or her students, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Summer 2009 week-long residential George Washington Teachers’ Institute.
Eligible teachers MUST:
- work and reside in the Washington, DC, area
- teach full-time and have at least two years of experience
- teach American history at the elementary, middle, or high school level
Selection Criteria:
- Creativity and accuracy in lesson development and classroom teaching
- Ability to integrate primary documents and material culture into the study of history
- Dedication to improving students’ understanding of historical content as well as to fostering their appreciation of the importance of studying history
- Ability to cultivate in their students an abiding interest in and passion for history
Application Procedure:
Please submit the following materials to Nancy Hayward, Assistant Director of Education/Director of Programs, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, PO Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.
- A detailed teaching resume (maximum of two pages)
- Letters of support from your school principal or county superintendent and a colleague or department chair
- A maximum of three letters of support from former students and/or their parents (suggested, but not mandatory)
- An essay describing your philosophy and approach to teaching history (maximum of two pages)
- A sample lesson plan highlighting the use of primary documents or the exploration of material culture
- A sample project assigned to students (you may also include samples of student work)
You may download the following announcement (PDF format) for more detailed instructions.
mount-vernon-history-teacher-of-year-2008
Application Deadline: May 21, 2008.
The award presentation will take place at the George Washington Teachers’ Institute on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, to be followed by a reception on the Piazza of Mount Vernon!
Tags: Teacher Awards
