This award seeks 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 winner of this award will receive a trip to the Freedoms Foundation Summer Graduate Teacher Workshop in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

By identifying an exceptional teacher and providing that teacher with the opportunity to attend the highly acclaimed Freedoms Foundations Summer Workshop, we will allow that well qualified teacher to become even more enthused and knowledgeable about the American Revolution.  This will result in an exponential increase in the understanding and appreciation of the American Revolution being imparted to the students who find themselves in that teacher's classroom.  The purpose is to imbue teachers with even more excitement and enthusiasm for teaching the principles and goals of our patriot ancestors to affect thousands of those teachers' future students.  One of the goals of the Sons of the American Revolution is to teach our youth to understand and admire those patriots who sacrificed so much to create our great country.  By teaching the teachers we intend to "Pay It Forward," to invest in our youth so that our descendants may continue to have the freedoms we so enjoy today.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Tom and Betty Lawrence of Meridian, Mississippi.   Tom and Betty were lovers of American history, were active in the SAR and DAR, and worked tirelessly to preserve our heritage.  One of their lifelong projects was to restore an old Civil War cemetery and to identify the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers who were buried there.  Before his death, Dr. Lawrence established a committee in Meridian called the "Need to Know History Committee."  He founded a history-oriented speakers program at Meridian Community College and met with many schools and district officials to encourage them to teach more about the American Revolution in Meridian schools.   This award can be considered a continuation of their efforts.  They are both remembered fondly for their friendly dispositions and their strong desire to preserve our heritage.  The award is made possible by a gift from the Honorable Thomas E. Lawrence, son of Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence.

The award will consider middle and high school teachers of history and social studies.  Teachers must be responsible for the instruction of the American Revolutionary era.  Nominees may be employed in private, public, or parochial school institutions.  Applications and nominations must be submitted through a SAR local Chapter.  Local SAR Chapter winners will be submitted to the State Society for further consideration.  Winners of the various State Societies will be advanced to the final consideration of the NSSAR Americanism Committee, which will make the final award determination.

Interested applicants may visit the following website for information on local SAR Chapters and contacts.

The winner receives a trip to Valley Forge to attend one of the Summer Workshops, from which there are several to choose, and a travel stipend of up to $400.00.

The 2006-07 schedule for the Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award is: