Tag Archives: History Teachers

Alaskan teacher Dan Seavey was instrumental in organizing the Iditarod Race

Posted on by
Reply

Alaskan Social Studies teacher Dan Seavey was instrumental in organizing the modern-day Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Photo credit: Seward Community Foundation

Many outstanding educators have the most unusual personal projects. One of these is Dan Seavey, a high school teacher who is a self-described “hard-core Iditarod junkie.” In fact, he was instrumental in reviving the sport of dog mushing and establishing the modern-day Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Dan Seavey was born and raised in Hamlet Lake, Minnesota. But even as a young boy in his one-room rural school, he read Jack London’s stories which triggered a fascination for the far-off Alaskan Territory.

When he grew to become a young man, Dan enrolled in St. Cloud Teacher’s College (now St. Cloud State University). Once he earned his Bachelor’s degree, he accepted his first position as a social studies teacher and volunteer wrestling coach at the Red Wing Reformatory for Boys in Red Wing, Minnesota. That was in 1962. “I soon came to consider one-on-one rapport with students to be of greater importance than assigned academic duties,” recalled Dan. But even though he enjoyed his job in Red Wing, he never let go of his fascination for The Last Frontier.

Dan’s stint in Red Wing lasted about a year and half. Then he got the news that he’d been offered a teaching job in the newly-formed 49th state. With great excitement, he accepted the position. In 1963, Dan and he wife, Shirley, traveled with their three young children north on the 3,500-mile Alaska Highway—and some of that highway was nothing more than dirt road! They landed in Seward, where the couple established a homestead. There he continued his career in education as a social studies teacher at Seward High School. Dan spent the next 20 years there before he retired. During those years, he established the first outdoor education program on the Kenai Peninsula. He developed the program for his high school students to teach them the skills they needed to survive in the wilderness without the conveniences of home. His program was so successful that one year the senior trip was camping in Denali for a week.

But Dan is probably best known for his involvement with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. “My interest in the historic trail began in 1963 when I was assigned to teach Alaska History.” explained Dan. “I was taken with the trail’s importance to Alaska’s early development and Seward’s vital role in that development,” he continued. As a result, he launched himself into an active role in all aspects of the Itidarod Trail, including helping to inaugurate the first modern-day Itidarod Race in 1973. The tradition continues to this day. He details his experience in his book The First Great Race: Alaska’s 1973 Iditarod available on amazon. With his sons and grandsons, Dan also leads Alaska dogsled tours for tourists, which you can explore on his website at Ididaride Dogsled Tours.

In 2016, Dan was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame for his tireless work as a pioneer and a preservationist for the Iditarod. In addition, he is one of the founders of the Iditarod Trail Blazers, a local nonprofit dedicated to establishing a physical trail from Seward into the Interior.

Texas teacher Sue King: One of the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma

Posted on by
Reply

High school History teacher Sue King helped colleagues become better educators through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma. Photo credit: DKG

Many talented classroom teachers are also devoted to assisting their colleagues to become better educators. One of these was Sue King, a high school  history teacher from Texas. Sue worked to provide professional training and support to fellow women teachers through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG).

Sue was born January 8, 1886, in Pilot Point, Texas. After she graduated from high school, she enrolled at North Texas State Normal School in Denton. There she earned a reputation for a proficiency in languages and history.

After completing her courses at Denton, the novice educator taught history in high schools in Denton and Mineral Wells. Later she taught history in Fort Worth. By all accounts, her students found her inspiring.

During vacation periods Sue read widely for her own pleasure as well as to select supplementary materials for the school library. At one point in her career she served as the Chair of the History Department at the University of California in Berkeley.

In 1929, Sue was one of 12 educators who founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG) in Texas. Because of a long-standing custom in those days, women were prohibited from meeting together professionally. Nevertheless, the group of women believed there was a need for an organization in which women educators could assist each other in their efforts to become better teachers. The 12 co-founders extended membership in their newly-formed organization to rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; and school administrators. Today, DKG members still work together to improve professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships to those who need support to improve their professional skills.

Sadly, Sue King passed away May 4, 1930. To read more about this amazing educator, see this biography on the website of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. To read more about the organization, click on this link: DKG.

SC History teacher Sarah Kelly garners prestigious awards

Posted on by
Reply

South Carolina History teacher Sarah Kelly has garnered a prestigious 2024 National History Teacher of the Year Award from the Gilder Lehman Institute of American History. Photo Credit: Gilder Lehman Institute

There are many outstanding educators in American schools who have been honored for their work with young people. One of these is Sarah Kelly, a middle school teacher from South Carolina. She has garnered a prestigious 2024 National History Teacher of the Year Award from the Gilder Lehman Institute of American History.

Sarah teaches at Carolina Springs Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina. In a career that has spanned 12 years, she has taught grades five through eight. Sarah has a reputation for creating a classroom atmosphere that develops critical thinking skills, hands-on activities, analyzing diverse texts, and engaging in creative projects.

Established in 2004, this prestigious award recognizes exceptional elementary through high school teachers for their outstanding contributions to American history education. As part of her recognition, Sarah will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and a collection of classroom resources, including an archive of American history books and educational materials curated by the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Additionally, she will be recognized at a local ceremony and join the group of 53 finalists who are contending for the 2024 National History Teacher of the Year Award. For a complete list of the 2024 state winners, visit this link.

“In times like these, history teachers play a critical role in shaping students’ understanding of the past and inspiring hope for the future,” says James G. Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. “Their unwavering dedication to educating our youth is commendable, and we take great pride in honoring the most exceptional educators across the country.”

In June, 2024, Sarah was also honored as the South Carolina History Teacher of the Year by the South Carolina State General Assembly for her contributions to the teaching profession.

MI educator Matthew Vriesman honored as 2023 History Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Congratulations are due to Matthew Vriesman, a high school History teacher from Michigan. He has been honored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History as their 2023 National History Teacher of the Year.

Matthew teaches at East Kentwood High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he instructs courses in AP (Advanced Placement) United States History, AP African American Studies, and AP World History. He also serves as the Model United Nations Director on his campus.

In naming Matthew as their winner, the selection committee specifically cited his exceptional ability to tell the story of American history within the context of his very diverse local community. His efforts include working with the Grand Rapids Museum to tell the story of the Great Migration through the experiences of Black migrants to the city of Grand Rapids. They were also impressed by Matthew’s lead in having his students use historical archives and primary source documents to build a historic virtual tour of western Michigan.

Lindsay Kimbrough, Assistant Principal at East Kentwood High, cannot heap enough praise on the outstanding educator. “While Mr. Vriesman’s knowledge of content is superior, he can forge relationships with all students that truly mold their passion for learning and understanding history. His passion for the students and his dedication to making content relevant for all students sets him apart,” Kimbrough asserts.

Now in its 20th year, the National History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers at the elementary and high school levels. The annual award honors one K–12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and US territories and names one of the state winners the National History Teacher of the Year. As part of his recognition, Matthew received a check for $10,000.

Acclaimed author William H. Armstrong was also a distinguished educator

Posted on by

Distinguished educator William H. Armstrong earned acclaim as an author of novels for young adults, including the novel Sounder, and numerous study guides and self-help books. Photo credit: Godine Publishing

Many teachers are familiar with the classic young adult novel Sounder, and William H. Armstrong, the author of this long-time favorite. But did you know that he also had a long and distinguished career as a teacher?

William was born on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley in Lexington, Virginia, on Sept. 14, 1911. He had a difficult time in school as a youngster, since he was small for his age, wore glasses, stuttered, and suffered from asthma. As a teenager, he attended Augusta Military Academy in Fort Defiance, Virginia. After his high school graduation in 1932, William enrolled at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, where he wrote for the school newspaper and edited the literary magazine. He graduated cum laude in 1936, and then completed graduate courses at the University of Virginia.

Once his education was complete, William moved to Kent, Connecticut, where he established himself as a farmer, carpenter, and stonemason. In 1945 he accepted a position as a teacher at the prestigious Kent School, a private, co-ed, college prep boarding school. There he taught courses in the classics, ancient history, and general studies to high school freshmen. His career as an educator spanned 52 years.

William inaugurated his career as an author in 1956 when he published his first study guides. In the years that followed, he published numerous self-help books for students. His books were so highly regarded, that in 1963 he garnered the National School Bell Award from the National Association of School Administrators for his distinguished service in the interpretation of education. In 1986, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from his alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College.

In 1969, William published his first young adult novel, Sounder, a story about an African-American family of sharecroppers. Praised by critics, Sounder won the John Newberry Medal and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1970, and was adapted into a major motion picture in 1972 starring Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield. Over the course of his writing career, he published 14 more novels for adult and young adult audiences.

Sadly, William Armstrong passed away on April 11, 1999, at his home in Kent. He was 87 years old.