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 social studies 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:  14 December, 2007

Chapter Entry Deadline to State Societies:  2 January, 2008

State Societies Candidate Deadline to National Society:  4 February, 2008

Teacher candidates interested in entering the Local Chapter award contest must complete the required application and submit a written 500 essay discussing the importance to teaching the American Revolutionary era and any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher to teach the Revolutionary War.  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 autobiography highlighting their educational background and achievements.   All application materials must be typed/printed on 8.5" x 11" standard paper and submitted either electronically or 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 program and not redeemable for its monetary value.  If the award winner is unable to attend the 2008 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 14 December 2007.  The deadline for Local Chapters to submit their winner to the State Society will be 2 January 2008.   State Societies in turn will receive, evaluate and judge the Local Chapter finalist applications and submit the one state finalist to the National Society by 4 February 2008.  The National Society will announce the winner from the state finalists by 10 March 2008.  All state nominees will receive a certificate of appreciation for their participation and be notified through United States mail of the contest results at the address indicated on the award application by 1 April 2008.