The annual Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award honors two winners each year who represent the best in teaching. This year, two Mississippi teachers are included in the nominees from middle and high schools all over the globe.
The nonprofit National History Day, based in Maryland, was established in 1974 as a way to expand the teaching and learning of history. Each year, NHD hosts a national contest in Maryland in which students can come present original research projects.
For the past 14 years, NHD has also sponsored the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award and choses one middle school teacher and one high school teacher out of a list of candidates from throughout the nation and some international schools.
More in local news:Campaign launches in Jackson Metro to curtail illegal gun purchases. See details here
The candidates
The 2024 Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year candidates include Abigail Myers from Simpson Central School in Pinola and Alexandria Drake from Jackson Public Schools Tougaloo Early College High School in Tougaloo.
Myers represents Mississippi's middle school nominee, as each NHD affiliate can nominate one middle school teacher and one high school teacher.
Myers teaches seventh- and eighth-grade social studies and is finishing up her 11th year teaching at Simpson Central.
Myers said she is honored to be nominated alongside other prestigious teachers throughout the nation.
"I am also grateful to be involved in the National History Day program," Myers said. "My students have thoroughly enjoyed delving into various time periods of history and learning valuable historical research skills."
Jackson Public Schools established the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School in 2018. The school operates on the Tougaloo College campus and offers dual high school and college credits to its students.
Drake began working at JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School in fall 2019. She has taught in the Jackson Public School District for eight years total.
Drake, a graduate of Jackson State University, currently teaches 10th-grade U.S. history and economics. For Drake, teaching in Jackson public schools feels like a natural fit because of her "heart for teaching in Mississippi."
Drake's involvement with NHD started two years ago when she attended a training with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Last year, she recruited some of her history club students to produce a Civil Rights documentary for NHD. The documentary was featured at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
"I teach U.S. history, which is a state-tested subject, and that can be intense," Drake said. "I like that we get to take a break from that and focus on project-based learning, and I think it's a great experience for students. So, to see that effort be honored by the National History Day Committee with this award is definitely something that I appreciate."
A story of faith and service:St. Dominic's renames clinic to honor Jackson nun. Read her story here
The award
The Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award began in 2010 as a way to recognize teachers who utilize innovative teaching and learning strategies.
If Drake or Myers receives the award, the win would mark the first time in the award's history that Mississippi takes home the prize.
NHD affiliates represent all 50 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam and some international schools in Europe and Asia. The Mississippi NHD affiliate is the Mississippi Department of Archives and History located in the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
Nominations are not strictly limited to history teachers, but each nominee must use NHD programs in their classroom or lead an extracurricular in which students participate in the national NHD contest.
Nominees are from public, private, charter schools and homeschools.
The 2024 nominees total 102 teachers. In addition to the United States, the 2024 nominees, include teachers from international NHD affiliates including schools in China and Korea.
The two winning teachers will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Each nominee will receive a $500 prize regardless of winning.
A committee of teachers will select the two winners and announce the results at 7 a.m. CT on June 13. NHD will live stream the event on its website.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0