P-H-M Discovery teacher James Howard nominated for national history teacher award
James Howard said he was blessed with great teachers. He knew that he wanted to follow in their footsteps and teach. He initially thought of signing up for the armed services to serve others. Teaching was another choice.
Good choice.
James is a teacher at Discovery Middle School in Granger, and he has been doing that teaching thing for 25 years in the Penn-Harris-Madison schools. He was recently nominated by the Indiana Historical Society in the junior division for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award.
Namely News: South Bend's Manhole Murders loosely inspired Katherine Higgs-Coulthard's 'Junkyard Dogs'
The award is part of the National History Day (NHD) National Contest.
Patricia Behring is the sponsor and the widow of the late Kenneth E. Behring, who did a lot for the National History Contest. He was a developer and former owner of the Seattle Seahawks and gave a big chunk of money to the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian fans love history in general.
Each NHD affiliate may nominate one high school and one middle school teacher for this award. This year, 47 affiliates submitted nominations. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills and participation in the NHD Contest. All nominees receive $500.Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that engage students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.
Outdoor Adventures: Want beautiful trees like in the forest? Stop doing these things, Michigan expert says.
Both James and senior division nominee Jason ElRite, a teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind., were recognized on April 22 at the Indiana history contest at Marian University. The national winner will be selected by a committee of more history fans. The award will be given in June at the national contest ceremony in College Park, Md.
In addition to Discover Middle School students, students from John Young Middle School, St. Anthony de Padua School, Clay Middle School, Purdue Polytechnic, Penn High School and Culver Academies were recognized for their work.
James traveled around as a child while being a U.S. Navy brat. His father was stationed mostly on the East Coast and then in San Diego. After retirement, the family came to Indiana to be near the family. He graduated from Jimtown High School and Indiana University South Bend.
He shares an enthusiasm for history and social studies. “I model for them by showing my interests. You can hook them into the subject.” Some students are gifted learners and are enthusiastic. In seventh grade, it all depends on their interests. “Students are individuals. They bring to class their own motivations.” James channels those interests.
James mentioned that age-appropriate studies of Egyptians and mummification can be enough to keep them interested. “Families play a big role in getting students excited” with trips to historical sites, reading and general interest. “They enjoy the experiences. Then they become lifetime learners.”
The history projects get the students excited. They are interested and curious. The topic, the medium, team members are all part of the project. There is a value in teams. Some work better as individuals. The internet has made research possible in many cases. Less drive time for parents. The projects are developed into “posters, documentaries, websites, presentations, drama or papers. This year’s theme was frontiers and history.”
Coming soon: What's being built at South Bend's Seitz Park? Portions of it should reopen this summer.
The frontier theme is wide open and can be developed in numerous directions, research and critical thinking. The Discovery students took the theme and studied Abraham Lincoln, the labor movement in agriculture and a military operation known as Highjump in the Antarctic. Thirty projects from Discovery will be going to the national competition.
Every student learned to think like a historian.
James loves to share his enthusiasm with the classes. Do you have a favorite era? “It floats, like a favorite food, it changes. It is where I get attracted to at the moment,” he said. He had been digging into podcasts on different subjects. He recently delved into the Holocaust.
In conversation, there were several other eras that sparked enthusiasm, such as post-Civil War, pre-World War I and the 1950s. History is exciting. Never doubt that.
He frequently used the word “passion” when speaking of teaching history. Digging into a subject, sharing an idea and starting conversations. What makes it great? His colleagues and the administration share his love of teaching, and that makes it easier to come to work. “I enjoy teaching. I can’t believe I’ve done it for 25 years.”
Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: P-H-M history teacher nominated for national Patrician Behring award
