Volume 1, Issue 1 - Teach American History

Page 4
Tennessee Teacher of the Year
(continued from pg. 3)
guidance—one, Monroe County, under her direct supervision. The idea for Monroe County’s contest originated
in the Spring of 2008 when Sharon Benton, Monroe County’s Supervisor of Instruction (grades K-8),
announced that she would like the county’s middle and high school students to participate in the NHD program.
Benton relied on Freeman to oversee the planning and coordinating of the contest. “I have found [Traci] to be an
exemplary educator who willingly accepts new challenges. She is an effective problem solver and quite articulate
at verbalizing concepts and ideas,” said Benton. Freeman worked closely with numerous Monroe history
teachers to successfully plan and pull off the inaugural county contest on February 17 at Sequoyah High School.
“Greatly satisfied,” said Freeman as she evaluates the NHD program in Monroe County. “We have experience
throughout Monroe now and we are all on board together and ready to get started now on 2010.”
William E. Hardy, co-coordinator of East Tennessee History Day said, “Traci is a model teacher for the NHD
program; one who understands the need to connect students to history. Her active service in support of NHD as
a participating teacher, judge, and workshop instructor has provided a sound foundation for the growth of NHD
throughout East Tennessee and thus the state.”
As Tennessee’s History Day Teacher of the Year, Freeman is now eligible for the national Teacher of the Year
Award. Freeman has her sights set on the national award (not to mention the bonus check that comes along with
the title), noting the curriculum materials that she hopes to buy not only for her classroom, but also for fellow
colleagues if she happens to win the award in Washington. She also plans to share her winnings with a new
prize in her life—granddaughter Jasper.
Wow! Where We Are Today
By Lisa Oakley, ETHS Curator of Education and ETHD co-coordinator
East Tennessee History Day Dispatch
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has given of their time, patience, energy, and great history research
to East Tennessee History Day. Back in 2000 when the East Tennessee Historical Society first became
involved in the National History Day program we knew this program could grow into something big—it would
just take committed teachers and students to make this “their” program and to water the seeds year after year. I
am just so happy you have all tried it and liked it!
As some of you well remember, we had a lot to learn in those first years, and we have learned the ropes together.
Hopefully, we have a greater understanding of the ins and outs now and are more prepared to bring new
folks along. Your help and support in this learning process is always appreciated—we always pay attention to
your comments and do our best to address them.
Talk about being green around the gills that first year. And what a leap of faith those first teachers and students
took. But at all points, we persevered, had fun, and learned from the past to ensure a better future—isn’t that
part of the point in studying history? I certainly hope so, and I hope that you continue to find this to be your
competition, and good luck to all in the future!
The theme next year is “Innovation in History: Impact and Change.” I can’t wait to see what you all are able to
teach me through your projects, and it is never too late to start. Just email or call if you need anything from
William or me (865-215-8828 or oakley@east-tennessee-history.org). Have a great summer!