Mrs. Amanda West , sixth-grade social studies teacher at Thomas County Middle School,was recently nominated for the Hannah E. (Liz) MacGregor Teacher of the Year History Teacher Award. The MacGregor Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by James F. Harris in honor of his sister and is awarded to one middle and one high school teacher annually.

Each of the 57 National History Day affiliates may nominate one middle and high school teacher each for this award. Mrs. West is the junior division nominee from Georgia . The two $5,000 awards are presented to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

“Teachers are one of the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to become critical thinkers,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The nominees for the MacGregor Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom. I congratulate Mrs. West on her nomination.”

Dr. James F. Harris sponsors the awards in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students. The two national winners will be announced on #NationalHistoryDay, June 13, 2019.

The two national winners will be chosen by a team of teachers and historians. Nominees’ 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.