JOSHUA BILL OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS RECEIVES
2012 NATIONAL HISTORY TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
-PRESENTED BY CAROLINE KENNEDY-
New York, NY (December 4, 2012)—Joshua Bill, a teacher at Waukegan High School in Waukegan, Illinois, has been named the 2012 National History Teacher of the Year, announced the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History today. The award, co-sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, HISTORY® and Preserve America, carries a $10,000 prize. Mr. Bill was honored at a ceremony at the Frederick Douglass Academy, a Gilder Lehrman history flagship school in New York City. The ceremony was attended by Caroline Kennedy, who made remarks about the vital importance of history education in our nation’s schools.
Ms. Kennedy said, “It’s truly my honor to recognize the excellent teaching of Joshua Bill. Great history teachers are able to bring the past to life, connecting what came before us to what’s possible. They are storytellers and guides—they teach as well as inspire.”
Mr. Bill said, “I am so grateful for this recognition, which is not just for me, but also for my school and my students. Every day, I have the opportunity to tap into the love of learning history that I know exists in every one of my students. As they enter my classroom, students are unaware that they will leave not just as historians, but with an appreciation of the fact that American history resonates with their lives.”
Mr. Bill was nominated for the award by his colleague, Ms. Alice Shultz, American Literature teacher at Waukegan High School, who said, "Through his example and clear success, he has effected lasting change in the social studies department as his colleagues have recognized that analysis of primary sources must be a component of historical learning.” She added, “When Josh’s students graduate and go on to college, they invariably return to let him know how much he changed their way of thinking. Whether it’s to stimulate a thirst for historical knowledge or a desire to be a kinder person, his success is in that he has inspired, and continues to inspire, students, colleagues, and friends alike.”
“Students are the heirs to the legacy of this great country, and good teachers are their guide. We aim to seek out the best teachers who integrate American history into their classroom and honor them for their outstanding work,” said James Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
“HISTORY® is very pleased to join with Gilder Lehrman in honoring outstanding history teachers throughout the nation,” said Dr. Libby O'Connell, Chief Historian and SVP, Corporate Outreach. “Joshua Bill exemplifies the best in history education and in teaching 21st century skills.”
“All History Teachers of the Year have been outstanding educators who connect the past with the present and make it relevant,” said Dr. Clement A. Price, Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). “Where Joshua Bill really stands out is in connecting local history to the national saga and helping people realize that their local story is part of America’s story. This helps our efforts in historic preservation because students understand the importance of place and the imperative to protect and share these special places.”
Joshua Bill has been a teacher at Waukegan High School in Waukegan, Illinois since 2004. In that time, Mr. Bill has led his students to success at the Chicago Metro History Fair and the National History Day competition; he has also formed a strong partnership with the Waukegan Historical Society, where students conduct research for the history fair and other projects. Mr. Bill also serves as a coach for Simulated Congressional Hearings Competition and is active in mentoring new and future teachers through his alma mater, Lake Forest College. He was the recipient of the 2012 Olive Foster Outstanding Teacher Award from the Illinois State Historical Society for his commitment to state and local history.
About the National History Teacher of the Year Award
Joshua Bill was selected for the National History Teacher of the Year Award from more than 1,000 nationwide nominees. Each year, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History administers the award by seeking exemplary history educators who address literacy and content beyond state standards while using primary documents, artifacts, historic sites, and other historical resources. Each state honoree receives $1,000 and an archive of books and resources from Gilder Lehrman and HISTORY®—co-sponsor of the award—for his or her school’s library. The national award winner of the $10,000 prize was selected from among the winners in each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Department of Defense Schools, and U.S. Territories. From these winners, five finalists were chosen by a panel of judges comprising educators and historians.
The panel of judges included Elaine Reed, former executive director of the National Council for History Education; Stacy Hoeflich, the 2011 National History Teacher of the Year; and Edward Ayers, President of the University of Richmond.
Nominations are open year round for grades K–12
Nominations can be made by a student, parent, colleague, supervisor, or other education professional who is familiar with the teacher’s work. To be considered for the 2013 award, elementary school teachers must be nominated by February 1, 2013. For more information about the nomination process for 2013, visit www.gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy.
About Caroline Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy is an attorney and the author / editor of ten New York Times best-selling books on constitutional law, American history, politics and poetry. She is President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Chair of the Senior Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, and is on the board of directors of New Visions for Public Schools. From 2002 – 2011, she was Vice Chair of the Fund for Public Schools, which has raised over $300 million to support public school reform and engaged a record number of New Yorkers to volunteer in New York City schools.
About Joshua Bill
Joshua Bill has been a teacher within the social studies department at Waukegan High School, Waukegan, IL, since August, 2004, teaching basic to Advanced Placement level courses in US History, United States Government and Politics, and World Civilizations. He has served as a Coach and School Coordinator for the Chicago Metro History Fair since 2005, and served on its Teachers Advisory Committee since 2011. He has also served as a Coach for the Simulated Congressional Hearings Competition (Center for Civic Education) since 2009. He is a new teacher mentor and alumni advisor for Lake Forest College, from which he graduated Cum Laude, with a B.A. in History and Secondary Education in 2004. Mr. Bill was selected as the winner of the National History Teacher of the Year award from a pool of more than 1,000 nominees nationwide.
About the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting the teaching and learning of American history through a wide range of programs and resources for students, teachers, scholars, and history enthusiasts throughout the nation. Founded in 1994 by philanthropists Richard Gilder and Lewis Lehrman, the Institute is today the nation’s leading purveyor of K-12 teacher training, classroom resources, awards, and school-based programs in the subject of American history. Among its resources is its “Home for History” website, www.gilderlehrman.org, which serves as a gateway to rich online resources for designed specifically for K–12 teachers and students, and a more than 60,000 original primary source documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection.