Heritage High School history teacher Holly Frazier was one of two teachers in the state of Virginia to be selected for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award.
National History Day, a non-profit educational organization, selects two history teachers for each state. Each state winner is awarded $500 and is eligible for the national award, which will be announced on June 19th. Two national winners will be selected and each winner will receive $10,000.
According to National History Day, teachers selected have shown outstanding creativity, commitment, and inspiration in developing student interest in history. Middle and high school teachers are nominated by their administrators, peers, or self for the award. Each participating state is allowed to select one high school and one middle school teacher to receive the state award and consideration for the national award.
“National History Day firmly believes that quality teachers are the best educational tools that students have,” said National History Day Executive Director Cathy Gorn. “The history teachers selected as Behring award recipients are a credit to their discipline, and exemplify what it takes to truly be a quality educator.”
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award winners are NHD participating teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Their work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past, and a commitment to helping students develop their interest in history and recognize their achievements.