The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, whose mission and objectives are patriotic, historical, and educational, wish to identify, recognize, and commend Outstanding Social Studies Teachers.  These extraordinary educators at private, public, and parochial institutions, who teach our children in a middle or high school setting, will be recognized for actively addressing the history of the American Revolutionary era.  The Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will represent a teacher whose instruction on the Revolutionary War era from 1750 - 1800 demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current, accepted, curriculum requirements.

The Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will receive a trip to Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This award, valued at $1,400.00, will include tuition, room, and board provided through the Freedoms Foundation.  Transportation expenses will be limited to $400.00.  The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will provide this professional educational opportunity to an educator who will bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm to their students of the American Revolutionary era.

The NSSAR invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award.  The educator must be a teacher at the middle or high school level at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution.

The award program will be conducted in three (3) phases:  Local Chapter, State Society, and National Society.  The applicant must begin the entry process by obtaining an application form and submitting the completed application through a local SAR Chapter.  To locate Local Chapters, applicants can go to www.sar.org and click on their state website.

Applicant Entry Deadline to Local Chapters:  12 December, 2009

Chapter Entry Deadline to State Societies:  4 January, 2010

State Societies Candidate Deadline to National Society:  12 February, 2010

Teacher candidates interested in entering the Local Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 500 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 and who is in the early stages of their career, therefore having many years of productive classroom teaching remaining. 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 as long as the teacher has as their primary duty the teaching of American History. Teachers who teach music, JROTC, or other subjects as their primary subject are not eligible.   The essay should also discuss why the teacher wants to attend the Valley Forge Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop and how the teacher would use what is learned at the Workshop in the future.

Two signed letters of recommendation, one from the Supervisor and one from the Principal whose signature endorsing the applicant appears on the application, should also be among the application materials.  These letters need to state why the applicant is an outstanding teacher of American history.

In addition to the application and written essay NSSAR requests from the applicant a one-page biography highlighting their educational background and achievements. All application materials must be typed/printed on 8.5" x 11" standard paper and submitted through the mail. No handwritten or copied material will be accepted. All original materials will remain the property of NSSAR.

This award is specifically for the graduate programs in the American Revolution and not redeemable for its monetary value.  If the award winner is unable to attend the 2009 Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop due to scheduling conflicts, the award will be held over till the following summer.

Following the established deadlines as outlined, the Local Chapters will distribute and accept award applications until 12 December 2009.  The deadline for Local Chapters to submit their winner to the State Society will be 4 January 2010.   State Societies in turn will receive, evaluate and judge the Local Chapter finalist applications and submit the one state finalist to the executive Director of the NSSAR by 12 February 2010.  The National Society will judge the state finalists at the Spring leadership Meeting and announce the winner by March 31, 2010. All state finalists will receive a certificate of appreciation for their participation.