Middle school Social Studies teacher Erin McCarthy just named Wisconsin’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I enjoy sharing stories of exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work. One of these is Erin McCarthy, a junior high school social studies teacher from Wisconsin. She was named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Erin teaches eighth grade Social Studies at Greendale Middle School in Greendale, Wisconsin. The honored educator says her mission as an educator is “to connect students to their place in history so they take action to impact their local and global community.”

Erin reveals that she is able to spark her students’ curiosity for American history by connecting them to diverse historical figures, especially those whose voices have been left out of the American story. To add these missing voices into the curriculum, the innovative teacher asks her students to rewrite a chapter from their own textbook. Their goal is to make the story more complete. Erin says this unique project is particularly engaging for reluctant learners.

In addition to classroom responsibilities, Erin serves on her school district’s committees for diversity and equity. She is involved in training teachers to provide students with disabilities opportunities to grow and succeed. Erin is a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, and she participates in numerous professional development opportunities throughout the country.

Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Roosevelt University. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Public History from Loyola University at Chicago.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, check out this link to CCSSO.