More from the State Superintendent of Education

Student Opportunities

National World War II Museum Essay Contest Open to Grades 5-12

The National World War II Museum in New Orleans is asking middle school and high school students from across the country to answer the question "Why should we remember Pearl Harbor?" The question is the theme of this year's essay contestsMiddle school students (grades 5-8) will compete for a $250 prize awarded to the top essay for each grade. Three honorable mentions will also be given. The winning essays will be posted on The National World War II Museum's website. High school students will compete for first ($1,000), second ($750) and third ($500) overall. Another 50 essayists from across the country will receive honorable mention.

 

Go to http://nationalww2museum.org/essaycontests for thematic guidelines, formatting requirements and submission instructions. The deadline for submissions via the website is 5 p.m. March 31, although only the first 500 properly formatted entries will be accepted. The website will indicate when 500 essays have been submitted.

For questions, contact Kenneth Hoffman at educator@nationalww2museun.org.

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FYI from the State Superintendent of Education

Curriculum and Instruction

History Teacher of the Year Award Nominations Sought

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the annual $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award, given to the best American history teacher in the United States. The National History Teacher of the Year is chosen from outstanding history teachers in each state, district and U.S. territory.  

The award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute, Preserve America and the History Channel.  

Nominations for the National History Teacher of the Year can be made by a student, parent, colleague, supervisor (including department head, principal, superintendent or curriculum director) or other education professional familiar with the teacher's work. State winners receive $1,000 and an archive of books and other resources for their school. Each winner is honored in a ceremony in his or her home state.

In 2011, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will honor an elementary teacher of grades K-6. Middle and high school teachers are honored every other year.

To nominate a teacher and learn more about the award, visit http://www.gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy or contact the Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year coordinator at nhtoy@gilderlehrman.org or 646-366-9666. You can also contact your state coordinator, Mike Hatfill of the Illinois State Board of Education, at 217-557-7323 or dhatfill@isbe.net.

The nomination deadline is Feb. 1, 2011.
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