2007 Paul Gagnon
Prize Recipient
Philip Nicolosi from
West Morris Central High School in Chester, NJ
New Jersey teacher Philip Nicolosi has won
the first Paul Gagnon Prize for a K-12 Teacher
Exhibiting Exceptional Historical Scholarship.
Nicolosi, who teaches history and social studies at the
West Morris Central High School in Chester, NJ,
demonstrated high scholarship in researching primary
documents and implementing that research in classroom
applications.
The Paul Gagnon Prize is named for the NCHE Trustee,
historian, educator and outspoken advocate for promoting
history in primary through university-level curricula. An
NCHE co-founder and Professor at the University of
Massachusetts in Boston, Gagnon died in 2005.
Nicolosi was selected from a pool of eight finalists in a
difficult decision by a committee composed of a historian,
history teachers, and a history curriculum expert. Recently
retired NCHE Executive Director Elaine Reed, noted that
Nicolosi's ability to apply the skills and talents of a
historian to the field of education helped to make his
application stand out.
"Phil's experiences as both scholar and teacher epitomize
Gagnon's vision of teachers as continuing scholars and his
belief that learning must be a lifetime dedication and also
be a source of continuing joy," Reed said. She noted that
"Nicolosi's model for disseminating research to students is
quite exemplary."
Nicolosi will receive a $1,500 cash award, a plaque and an
expenses and registration paid trip to attend the NCHE
national conference in April 2007 in Williamsburg,
Virginia. The award will be presented to Nicolosi in a
special ceremony on Friday, April 13 at the NCHE
Conference. He will also have a place on the conference
program where he will speak on John Brown and
Other Historical Topics: From Research to
Classroom.
Nicolosi joined the West Morris Central teaching staff in
1995 after receiving his B.A. and M.A. from Villanova
University. He is currently working toward his doctorate
degree in history. He remains current in historical
research and theories through study, regular communications
with university-level teachers and authors of historical
works, visits to historical sites and participation in
NCHE, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and U.S.
Department of Education grant activities.
Nicolosi is a member of the West Morris Curriculum Advisory
Board and Freshman Experience. With a personal interest in
studying historical events through the analysis of primary
source documents, the designated "master teacher" has
played a significant role in changing the district's
freshman history, political science and AP American
government curriculum.
Under his tutelage, the curriculum at West Morris has been
transformed from a passive learning experience into a
highly interactive experience that challenges students to
become active, critical thinkers. Nicolosi's document-rich
lesson plans have appeared in several educational resources
and been emulated in lessons taught by history teachers
nationwide.
The National Council for History Education is a non-profit
corporation dedicated to promoting the importance of
history in schools and in society. NCHE links history in
schools with many activities sponsored by state and local
organizations and provides a communications network for all
advocates of history education, whether in schools,
colleges, museums, historical councils, or community
groups.
The West Morris Regional High School District includes West
Morris Central High School in Chester, NJ, and the West
Morris Mendham High School in Mendham, NJ. More than 2,000
students are in the district encompassing Chester Borough,
Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and
Washington Township. West Morris Central High School and
Mendham High School are Gilder Lehrman history schools.
There are 41 Gilder Lehrman history schools nationwide.