History Teacher Award

Introduction to the SAR

Click on an emblem to visit their external website

Latest Newsletter

Tennessee Valley Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Application and Instructions

Deadline to Tennessee Valley Chapter 20 December 2019

POC: Robert Anderson, 256-682-2486, rldad1@yahoo.com

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the American revolution era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The award is open to all teachers at the elementary, middle or high school levels at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution. A teacher who teaches at a home school is not eligible. A teacher who is selected as a winner at the chapter level will compete for the state contest and the winner of the state contest will be a finalist for the national award. The award consists of three separate contests designed to select a teacher at the elementary school, middle school and high school level. The national winner at each level will be entitled to the benefits described below.

The American History Teacher Award recognizes educators who distinguish themselves in teaching the history of the American Revolution. The award winner will receive a professional educational opportunity at a national seminar and bring back to their classroom and students a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm for the American Revolutionary era.

Teacher candidates interested in entering the local SAR Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 1000 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, has taught for at least three years, and who is in the early or middle stages of his or her career, therefore having at least fifteen years of productive classroom teaching remaining. The award is therefore not intended as an honor to a deserving teacher who is nearing retirement and thus not able to impart the knowledge gained at attendance at a seminar to many future students. 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 so long as the teacher has as their primary duty the teaching of American history. However, teachers who teach music, physical education, 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 are required. One must be from the teacher’s immediate supervisor and the other must be from the teacher’s principal. These letters need to state why the applicant is an outstanding teacher of American history. In addition to the application and written essay, the applicant must submit a biography or curriculum vitae highlighting their educational background and achievements. All application materials must be typed or printed on 8 1⁄ 2" x 11" standard paper and submitted through the mail, which is defined as the USPS, UPS, FEDEX, or similar delivery services. All original materials will remain the property of SAR. Applications may not be submitted by e-mail. Also, where the application is handwritten, please make sure the writing is legible, particularly phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

The award is intended to be used for graduate-level educational programs in the American Revolution and is not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner is unable to attend an educational seminar during the year in which the award is presented, the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within 24 months after the award is announced or the award will be forfeited. In addition to providing tuition for a seminar the award will include a cash prize, a reimbursable credit for purchasing educational supplies and, for one winner, an invitation to attend an SAR National Congress to speak at the Youth Awards Luncheon. At the discretion of the SAR a winning teacher who was not invited to Congress may be invited to attend a Leadership Meeting in Louisville, KY. For a teacher invited to either Congress or a Leadership Meeting, their expenses will be paid up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,000.00. Only a winning teacher who has attended a seminar is eligible to be invited to attend the National Congress or a Leadership Meeting.

Attendance at an American Revolution teacher seminar is a condition to receiving any other awards provided to a winner. Once the seminar is completed the winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize, which is taxable. The winner will also receive a $500.00 credit to purchase American Revolution educational supplies for the classroom and may be invited to attend the SAR National Congress to speak at the Youth Awards Luncheon, or a Leadership Meeting with expenses paid up to $1,000.00 as part of the award.

The SAR Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award will select a winning teacher at the elementary school level, a winning teacher at the middle school level and a winning teacher at the high school level. All three winners will receive an award that could be worth up to $5,000.00. This includes a benefit of up to $3,000.00 to attend teacher seminars, including tuition paid directly to the seminar and reimbursement of travel expenses and room and board where it is not included as part of the tuition. It also includes a $500.00 cash prize for which the SAR will issue an IRS Form 1099. It will include a reimbursable credit of $500.00 for the teacher to buy American Revolution educational supplies for the classroom. Finally, if the teacher is invited to attend an SAR National Congress or Leadership Meeting, he or she will be reimbursed up to $1,000.00 for expenses related to the trip.

In any contest year, the SAR reserves the right not to select a winner in a particular school level if, in the opinion of the judges, the applicants do not meet the selection criteria.

Completed applications should be submitted to the local SAR Chapter and the Chapter winners submitted to the State Society. Each State Society may determine its own deadlines, but the applications from State Society winners for a contest year must be received by the SAR Director of Education no later than February 10 of the year immediately subsequent to the contest year for which the award is presented. For example, teachers who are selected by the state society as winners for the 2019 contest year must have their applications received by the SAR Director of Education by February 10, 2020.

1) All American History Teacher Award applicants must complete and include the following information and attach it with the application form:

a) An essay of a minimum of 1000 words, discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolution and providing details of any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized to teach the American Revolution. The essay should also discuss why the applicant wants to attend the Freedoms Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg, Jefferson Seminar, or the SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution, and how the teacher would use what is learned at this summer workshop in future classes.

b) Curriculum vitae highlighting the applicant’s educational and professional background. This should include any education-related awards or recognition received. The applicant may also include any community organizations in which he or she is involved, and any awards or recognition received from those organizations. Activities in which the applicant has participated since he or she began his or her professional career will be particularly useful to the judges.

c) Include signed letters of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor and principal stating why the applicant is qualified for this award. Additionally, other letters of recommendation from those who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s teaching techniques may also be submitted.

d) Applicants will submit a photograph with their application, which may be used by the SAR to publicize the contest winner. The photograph will not be returned.

e) A signed and dated “Release & Discharge of Responsibility Form” must be submitted with the application.

f) All application materials shall be submitted on 81⁄ 2” x 11” standard paper and submitted by mail through the U.S. Postal Service, Fed Ex, UPS, or equivalent delivery service.

2) Applicants in this contest agree that the interpretation of the rules and decisions by the judges and the SAR shall govern without exception.

3) Applicants agree that they will submit a report of their attendance at a workshop/seminar to the SAR no later than 30 days following the completion, discussing their experience and how they will utilize that in their classroom. The winning applicant also agrees he or she will be available, scheduling permitting, to attend an annual SAR Congress or Leadership Meeting to report on his or her experience. It is understood that if the SAR extends an invitation to the winner to attend, that the winner’s travel and lodging expenses will be paid by SAR, subject to the reimbursement guidelines of this award.

4) 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 in which the award is presented, the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within 24 months after the award is announced, or the award will be forfeited.

5) All winners will be sent a form explaining the expense reimbursement rules along with an expense claim form. It will also include information about contacting the approved seminars. Additionally, it will include reimbursement guidelines as to acceptable classroom supplies and educational materials.

6) Any winner is not eligible to participate in subsequent contests. Although no teacher may win a second award, unsuccessful applicants may continue to apply for subsequent contests.

7) An applicant must submit an application for this award through the SAR Chapter and State Society in which the school campus is located and where the teacher is employed. The teacher may live in an adjoining state, but the application must be submitted through the State Society where the school campus is located.

Tom & Betty Lawrence

American History Teacher Award