High school Social Studies teacher Greg Kester of Potosi, Missouri, has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Missouri NEA

Many outstanding classroom teachers have garnered recognition for their work with young people. One of these is Greg Kester, a high school Social Studies teacher from Missouri. He has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Greg teaches at Potosi High School located in Potosi, Missouri. There he instructs courses in American History, Western Civilizations, American Political Systems, Psychology, and Sociology. He also serves as the Social Studies Department Chair. In addition, he serves as the faculty sponsor of Future Teachers of America, coaches the Scholar Bowl, and is the cadet teaching coordinator.

In addition to the work at the high school, each semester Greg teaches a college-level course in Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society, as well as an accompanying course in field experience.

Greg’s honor as the 2024 Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition Greg has earned. In 2023, the Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars named him the Missouri High School Teacher of the Year. That same year, the Missouri State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution named him Missouri’s Outstanding Teacher of American History. In addition to these awards, Greg is a member of the Missouri National Education Association and past president of the association’s Potosi chapter.

“Relationships are my greatest accomplishments as an educator,” declares Greg. “Students aren’t data points,” he continues. “Standardized test scores are not always reflections of what was taught; they are sometimes the reflection of what a young person had to overcome and still succeed. That is what I have learned in almost three decades of teaching public school in rural Missouri,” he concludes.

Greg earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education at Southeast Missouri State University in 1995. He earned a Master’s degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University in 2001, and he completed graduate courses in school and community counseling at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, from 2010-2013 so he could qualify to teach psychology, sociology, and education classes. His career as an educator spans 28 years.

Middle school social studies teacher Raul Pedraza has been named the 2024 Middle School Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Idaho Humanities Council. Photo Credit: YouTube

Fortunately for our students, there are many outstanding social studies teachers working in our nation’s schools. Occasionally one of them earns recognition for their outstanding work in the classroom. One of these is Raul Pedraza, a middle school social studies teacher from Caldwell, Idaho. He has been named the 2024 Middle School Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Idaho Humanities Council.

Raul teaches eighth grade Social Studies at Vallivue Middle School in Caldwell, Idaho. In his classroom, he strives to make history relevant to all of his students. But he also works hard to help his Latino students discover their cultural heritage by emphasizing ancient Mesoamerican cultures in his curriculum. For example, he highlights such accomplishments as the Incas’ building of Machu Picchu in Peru and the Mayas’ invention of the number zero.

“We must find ways to relate what we’re teaching to our students’ experiences and interests so as to make what seems like a distant concept that students can connect with and hopefully want to learn more about,” declares Raul.

Raul was born in McAllen, Texas, but he was raised in Wilder, Idaho. He graduated from Wilder High School in 2012 as the class valedictorian. He earned his Bachelor’s degree with a major in History and a minor in education from The College of Idaho in 2016.

The Idaho Humanities Council (IHC) selects three teachers from the state each year to receive their annual Humanities Teacher of the Year award—one at the elementary level, one at the middle grade, and one at the high school level. Each winner is awarded a cash prize of $1,500. To learn more, click on this link to the IHC.

Crystal Bozigian is one of two educators who have been recognized as a 2024 Civic Education Teacher of the Year in Rhode Island. Photo Credit: Crystal Bozigian

Congratulations to Crystal Bozigian. She has been recognized as one of two educators in the state of Rhode Island who have been named a 2024 Civics Education Teacher of the Year. The other is Shannon Gormley, a teacher at Central High School in Providence.

Crystal teaches at North Providence High School, her own alma mater. She has taught at the school for the past 17 years. There she instructs courses in American history, civics, American studies, psychology, and Hollywood history. She also serves as the Chair of the Social Studies Department, a position she has held since 2017.

Crystal plays an instrumental role in civics curriculum development and integration in her school’s educational program. She has organized Student Government Day activities on her campus, and Project Close Up in Washington, DC, where students are given opportunities to voice their opinions, share their ideas, and witness democracy in action.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport, and our students must understand their role to be informed, responsible, and actively engaged citizens,” declares Crystal. “Our students are our future, and I am honored to lead and learn with my students daily in the classroom and throughout the community at large,” she continues.

Crystal earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education at Providence College in 2007. She earned a Master’s degree in American Media and Popular Culture from Arizona State University in 2015. She earned a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and administration from Providence College in 2022.

The Civics Education Teacher of the Year award honors outstanding teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to and expertise in teaching civics or American government. In selecting the winners, special consideration is given to teachers who employ innovative teaching practices and experiential learning.

Educator Shannon Gormley has been named 2024 Rhode Island Civics Education Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Rhode Island

Congratulations to Shannon Gormley. She has been recognized as one of two educators in the state of Rhode Island who have been named a 2024 Civics Education Teacher of the Year. The other is Crystal Bozigian, a teacher at Rhode Island’s North Providence High School.

Shannon was nominated for the honor by one of her students. The student says that her teacher “always goes above and beyond to make sure every student feels valued, heard, and seen.” The student continued, “I learned lifelong lessons (from the teacher) that I’ll never forget,” the student continued.

Shannon has served in the classroom for more than 14 years. Currently she teaches at Central High School in Providence. There she instructs courses in civics, United States history, community development, and African American studies. She also serves as the Chair of her school’s History Department and as the Student Council Advisor on her campus.

“Civics matters to me because it is the foundation of our democracy. It teaches us the importance of being informed and engaged citizens, advocating for social justice, and standing up for what is right,” declares Shannon. “By understanding how our government works and how policies are made, we can actively participate in shaping the future of our country,” she says.

Shannon earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Sociology from Rhode Island College in 2010. She is currently pursuing a certification from the ExcEL Leadership Academy, a national program based on best practices for serving English language learners.

The Civics Education Teacher of the Year award honors outstanding teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to and expertise in teaching civics or American government. In selecting the winners, special consideration is given to teachers who employ innovative teaching practices and experiential learning.