Historically great
Courtesy photo This photo wass taken in House 3 of the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site, in Boise. Pictured with Angie Colburn are students Jazmin Estes, Sierra Keele, Julia Palmer and Zoey Baker.
Kellogg Middle School teacher Angie Colburn was nominated for the Harris History Teacher Award by the Idaho State Historical Society, administrator of the National History Day program in Idaho.
The Harris History Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by James F. Harris and is awarded to one middle and high school teacher annually.
Dr. James F. Harris sponsors the awards in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students.
Kellogg Middle School principal Jan Bayer discussed how having a teacher of Colburn’s ilk is a tremendous boon to the school and that KMS students may not have an opportunity like History Day if it wasn’t for her efforts.
“Kellogg Middle School is blessed to have Mrs. Colburn on staff,” Bayer said. “She is willing to spend countless hours beyond the school day to provide extra learning opportunities for our students. She deserves to be honored at the state level. Our students would not be able to compete at the regional and state level without her efforts.”
Each of the 57 National History Day affiliates may nominate one middle and high school teacher for this award.
Colburn is the middle school nominee from Idaho.
“This award and nomination confirms my belief in the Spence Rogers saying that ‘our kids are worth whatever it takes.’” Colburn said.
“This season, there were eight students who worked on projects and competed in the regional competition at Eastern Washington University. Four of them moved on to the state competition at the College of Idaho. They spent countless hours working on their projects, all of it after school and on weekends. With me, they would usually work three nights, staying until 7 p.m. (or later) at least one night a week. From October until this past weekend, they put in over 130 hours. And, this is the third year in a row with three of these girls. This award is just frosting on the cake for the last five years of doing this, as well as running the concession stand so we have money to pay for the competitions.”
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.
The two national winners will be announced on National History Day, June 14.
“Teachers are one of the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to be successful in both college and their careers,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn.
“The nominees for the Harris History Teacher Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom. I congratulate Mrs. Colburn on her nomination.”
The two national winners will be chosen by a team of teachers and historians. NHD is a nonprofit education organization headquartered in College Park, Md.
Established in 1974, NHD promotes an appreciation for historical research among middle and high school students through multiple annual programs.
More than half a million students participate in the annual National History Day Contest.
These research-based projects are entered into contests at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD provides professional development opportunities and curriculum materials for educators of all levels.