Two Indiana Educators Nominated for National History Day Teacher of the Year Awards

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) proudly announces two teachers from Indiana have been nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award. The award — recognizing the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students — is sponsored by Patricia Behring, widow of the late Kenneth E. Behring, who previously sponsored the National History Day (NHD) National Contest for many years.

James Howard, a teacher at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Ind., was nominated in the junior division; and Jason ElRite, a teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind., was nominated in the senior division.

Each NHD affiliate may nominate one high school and one middle school teacher for this award. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills and participation in the NHD Contest. All nominees receive $500.

Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that engage students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.

“This award recognizes the very best educators from across the nation and beyond,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “These educators are leaders and innovators in the teaching of history. They engage their students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning with primary sources. I congratulate them on their well-deserved nominations.”

Both Howard and ElRite will be recognized at the National History Day in Indiana State Contest, to be held at Marian University on April 22. The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians, and announced on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the NHD National Contest Awards Ceremony in College Park, Maryland.

NHDI is a project-based, inquiry-based program which encourages students to explore their own passions by conducting research, developing research questions, and then exhibit their individual learning styles through the creation of exhibits, documentaries, performances, papers and websites.

NHDI is presented by the Rooker Family Foundation with support from the Vigran Family Foundation. For more information, visit www.indianahistory.org/historyday or call (317) 232-1882.

Share this post:

<Previous Story New Indiana County Historian Appointed in Wayne County

>Next Story Two Indiana Educators Contribute to New Classroom Resource to be Used by Schools Nationwide