The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the annual Michigan History Teacher of the Year Award. The Michigan winner will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be in the running for the National History Teacher of the Year award to be selected this fall. His or her school library will receive a core archive of history books and materials.

The History Teacher of the Year Award is designed to promote and celebrate the teaching of American history in classrooms across the United States. It honors one outstanding teacher of American history from each state and U.S. territory and the Department of Defense schools. This year, only elementary teachers are eligible for nomination.

The selection of the state winner is based upon several criteria, including: experience in teaching American history for at least three years; a deep career commitment to teaching American history; evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom; and close attention to documents, artifacts, historic sites, and the other primary materials of history.

The application deadline is May 20, 2009.  To nominate a teacher or for more information, contact Gordon Andrews, state coordinator for the award, at gandrews@portageps.org or 269.323.5000 x5247. Learn more at www.gilderlehrman.org