Oration Contest

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 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 General Richard Montgomery Chapter Award Winner will receive an award of $200. The winner of the Chapter Award will be entered in the Alabama Society Contest and the Alabama Society winner will be entered into the National Society Contest.

The National Society winner of the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award 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 NSSAR invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the 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 (see below) and submitting the completed application through a local SAR Chapter. The Application form can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the page.

Deadlines:

Applicant Entry Deadline to the General Richard Montgomery Chapters:  18 December.

Rules:

Teacher candidates interested in entering the General Richard Montgomery 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:

Although individual chapters and state societies may set their own deadlines it is recommended that the following deadlines be followed. The General Richard Montgomery Chapter will distribute and accept award applications until 18 December.

Contact:

Tom Smith
tomsmith12@charter.net

Additional information and rules can be found at -
http://www.alssar.org/american-history-teacher-award.html

General Richard Montgomery Chapter - P.O. Box 230995 - Montgomery, AL 36123-0995
Email - grm.sar@gmail.com

General Richard Montgomery Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution

Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award

Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award

General Richard Montgomery Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Montgomery, Alabama