The SAR Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award
Purpose
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, whose mission and objectives are patriotic, historical, and educational, wish to identify, recognize, and commend Outstanding Social Studies Teachers. These extraordinary educators at private, public, and parochial institutions, who teach our children in a middle or high school setting, will be recognized for actively addressing the history of the American Revolutionary era. The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will represent a teacher whose instruction on the Revolutionary War era from 1750 – 1800 demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current, accepted, curriculum requirements.
Award Description
The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will be able to choose a trip to one of the following seminars:
- Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop at Valley Forge, PA,
- Colonial Williamsburg Summer Teacher Workshop in Williamsburg, VA,
- Jefferson Symposium at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, or,
- SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution.
This award, valued at $1,400.00, will reimburse the winner for expenses including tuition, room and board, and transportation. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will provide this professional educational opportunity to an educator who will bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm to their students of the American Revolutionary era.
How to Enter
The North Carolina SAR invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The educator must be a teacher at the middle or high school level at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution.
The award program will be conducted in three (3) phases: Local Chapter, State Society, and National Society. The applicant must begin the entry process by obtaining an application form and submitting the completed application to the Local North Carolina SAR Chapter.
- Click here to find your local North Carolina SAR Local Chapter
- Download the SAR American History Teacher Award Application here.
Deadlines
Applicant entry deadline to the local chapter will be prior to the state deadline and established by the local chapter.
- Applicant Entry Deadline to the Local chapter: ~ November (varies by Chapter)
- Chapter Entry Deadline to State Societies: December 31st (Mandatory)
- State Societies Candidate Deadline to National Society: February 10th (Mandatory)
Rules
Teacher candidates interested in entering the Local Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 500 words discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolutionary era. The essay may also describe any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher to teach the American Revolution. The contest is aimed at identifying a teacher who is still actively teaching and who is in the early stages of their career, therefore having many years of productive classroom teaching remaining. It is recognized that school districts may have different job titles for teachers of American history such as Social Studies teachers. The actual job title of the teacher is not important as long as the teacher has as their primary duty the teaching of American History. Teachers who teach music, JROTC, or other subjects as their primary subject are not eligible. The essay should also discuss why the teacher wants to attend the educational seminar and how the teacher would use what is learned at the seminar in the future.
Two signed letters of recommendation, one from the Supervisor and one from the Principal whose signature endorsing the applicant appears on the application, should also be among the application materials. These letters need to state why the applicant is an outstanding teacher of American history. In addition to the application and written essay NSSAR requests from the applicant a one-page biography highlighting their educational background and achievements. All application materials must be typed/printed on 8.5″ x 11″ standard paper and submitted through the mail. No handwritten or copied material will be accepted. All original materials will remain the property of NSSAR.
This award is specifically for graduate programs in the American Revolution and not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner is unable to attend an educational seminar during the year the award is presented then the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within thirty six months after the award is announced or the award will be forfeited.
Judging & Awards
The local chapter will distribute and accept award applications until their established deadline date. The deadline for local chapter to submit their winner to the NC Society will be December 31st. The North Carolina SAR will receive, evaluate and judge the local chapter finalist. Once selected, the NCSSAR will submit the one state finalist to the Executive Director of the SAR by February 10th. The deadline for states to submit their entries to the Executive Director is mandatory and entries submitted after the deadline may not be accepted. The National Society American History Teacher Committee will judge the state finalists at the Spring leadership Meeting and announce the winner by March 31. All state finalists will receive a certificate of appreciation for their participation.
North Carolina SAR Awards
- $500 cash prize
- Bronze Good Citizenship Medal & Certificate
- NC SAR pays for recipient and one guest to attend youth luncheon at North Carolina annual meeting
- Advancement to National Contest
Forms to Download
- American History Teacher Award Application
- Teacher Release Form (must be signed by each applicant)