The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

• Any full-time K–12 educator who teaches American history (including state and local history) as either an individual subject or as part of other subjects, such as social studies, reading, or language arts, is eligible for the award.
• Past state and national winners are not eligible. Self-nominations are not accepted.
• The 2019 award will honor exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers. Eligible generalist and specialist teachers in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and US Territories are encouraged to apply.

All nominated teachers must meet the following criteria:

• At least three years of classroom teaching experience
• Will teach for at least one year following the award year
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching American history
• Evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom
• Effective use of documents, artifacts, historic sites, oral histories, and other primary sources to engage students with American history

Consideration of these factors will be based on the grade level taught in order to accommodate the teaching requirements of both generalist and specialist teachers.

All nominations are made on the Gilder Lehrman website by completing a short form with the teacher’s contact information. You can nominate a teacher here.

Nominations can be made by a student, parent, colleague, or principal or other administrator familiar with the teacher’s work. Self-nominations are not accepted.

In order for a teacher to be considered for the current year’s award, he or she must be nominated by March 31 of that year.

The extended student project should show a progression of activities over a period of time, culminating in an assignment or presentation that is assessed and shows student progress. The extended student project should not be a direct extension of the lesson plan.

• Student work can be included in the extended student project. This student work may be submitted in any form, including written work, photographs of classroom displays, student-created websites, documentaries, etc. Any student work submitted with the extended student project will be included in the fifteen page limit.
• Student work should not be submitted with the lesson plan.

All supporting materials for the current year’s award must be received by the Gilder Lehrman Institute by April 30.

Each state convenes a committee to evaluate the award materials. Committee members may include history educators, professors, former state winners, and education professionals. The selection committee reviews all completed applications and selects the state winner from both generalist and specialist applicants using separate rubrics that fairly judge their individual strengths.

State winners are announced in June. All applicants will be notified at that time.

A panel of judges comprising the previous national winner, renowned historians, professors, and teachers reads and evaluates all state winner materials using separate rubrics that judge both generalist and specialists fairly and selects the National History Teacher of the Year.

The National History Teacher of the Year is announced and honored in the fall.