Sandy Creek High social studies teacher William Harris has been nominated to represent Georgia in the National History Day Teacher of the Year competition. Nominees are selected by each state’s National History Day affiliate.
Harris is the social studies department chair at Sandy Creek High where he teaches economics, world history, Advanced Placement world history, and American government. He is also the head volleyball coach and sponsors the school’s ambassador program, ethics bowl, reading bowl, National History Day contest, and Loose Change to Loosen Chains campaign.
The $10,000 award is presented to one teacher annually who demonstrates 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. All nominees receive $500 each as a result of their nominations.
The winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians and will be announced on June 18 at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.
