Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence
Outstanding American History Teacher Award

Deadline for Contest – December 31

  The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence Outstanding American History Teacher Award is a national contest in which the Paul Carrington Chapter SAR selects their candidates for the Texas State Society Contest, for which there is a State Award.  The winner of the State contest is submitted for consideration at the National Society (NSSAR) level.

     The Contest aims to identify a social studies teacher who is still actively teaching, has taught for at least three (3) years, and is in their career's early or middle stages. Therefore, the teacher should have at least 15 years to continue teaching students American history. The program will feature a contest at each of the three educational levels, so there will be a winner for the elementary school level, the middle school level, and the high school level.

     Teacher candidates interested in entering the Paul Carrington Chapter Contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 1,000 words discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolution era. The essay may also describe any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher in teaching about the American Revolution.

Contest Requirements

  • All American History Teacher Award applicants must complete and include the following information and attach it with the application form:
     
    • An essay of a minimum of 1,000 words which examines the importance of teaching the American Revolution. It should also provide details of any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized in teaching 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 these summer workshops in future classes.
       
    • A 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 beneficial to the judges.
       
    • Statement of whether the applicant has students who have participated in any other SAR Youth Contests such as the Elementary School Poster Contest, the Middle School Brochure Contest, the Essay Contest, the Oration Contest, the JROTC Contest or the Eagle Scout Contest. If the applicant has encouraged students who have participated, the application should only include those participating in a contest in the current school year. The statement should include the number of students who participated and in which contests they participated.
       
    • 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.
       
    • Applicants will submit a photograph with their application, which the SAR may use to publicize the contest winner. The photograph must be at least 5" x 7" and will not be returned.
       
    • A signed and dated "Release & Discharge of Responsibility Form" must be submitted with the application.
       
    • All application materials shall be submitted on 8 ½" x 11" standard paper and submitted by mail through the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or equivalent delivery service.
       
  • Applicants in this Contest agree that the judges and the SAR's interpretation of the rules and decisions shall govern without exception.
     
  • 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, schedule 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.
     
  • This award is specifically for graduate programs in the American Revolution and not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner cannot attend an educational seminar during the year in which the award is presented, the winner may attend in a subsequent year. However, the winner must attend a seminar within 30 months after the award is announced, or the award will be forfeited.
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • An applicant must apply for this award through the Paul Carrington Cahpter SAR 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.

Submission packages shall include the following

     All materials must be typed/printed on 8½" x 11" paper and will remain the property of the NSSAR, its chapters, and state societies.

     There will only be a first-place winner for the Texas Society Contest, but there shall be one Contest at each level: elementary school, middle school, and high school.  The Texas Society will have a winner in each category.  Each category winner will receive a certificate, and one first-place winner will be selected from the three category winners.  The Texas first-place winner will have a choice in their award.  They can receive a cash award of $1,500 or elect to have a week of education experience with all expenses paid by the Texas Society. (It is estimated that this option is worth about $3,500.) In addition, the winner will receive travel expenses for attending the Texas SAR Convention not to exceed $270.*

     Each Texas Society category winner will be entered in the national Contest where National Awards are possible, and the National Committee will pick one winner for each category.  Each National category winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship to attend a seminar trip to the Freedom Foundation Graduate Workshop in Valley Forge, PA, including tuition and expenses. In addition, they will receive a $500 cash prize and a $500 reimbursement for educational supplies and materials related to the American Revolution they can buy for their classes.  In addition to this $4,000 value, one teacher will be invited to attend the Sons of the American Revolution Congress, and they will receive travel expenses up to $1,000.*

*Please note that  amounts may vary each year.

For any questions and transmission of all Contest submissions, please e-mail the Paul Carrington Chapter American History Teacher Contest Chair.

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Carrington Chapter No. 5, Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution
1415 South Voss Ste 110-425 — Houston, TX 77057-1086

President.HoustonSAR@Gmail.com

www.SARHouston.org

The Paul Carrington Chapter is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism,
preserving American history, and supporting education for our future generations.

Copyright © 2023 Paul Carrington Chapter  —  Last Modified: Saturday, November 9, 2024

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