Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2008 Paul Gagnon Prize
May/08/2007 13:04
The Paul
Gagnon Prize
Established in 2005 by the Board of Trustees of the National Council for History Education, the Gagnon Prize honors the memory of Paul A. Gagnon, co-founder of the NCHE and long-time trustee and eloquent advocate for history and excellence in history teaching at the K-12 level.
Paul served as the chief of staff, editor, and principal investigator for the Bradley Commission on History in the Schools and edited its groundbreaking 1988 report, Building a History Curriculum: Guidelines for Teaching History in the Schools. The Bradley Commission was a precursor of the NCHE. Paul subsequently served as the first Executive Director of the NCHE and devoted his energies to promoting and improving the study of history in grades K-12.
A champion of history standards and frameworks, Paul was realistic in supporting an essential core of historical study that could be taught in the allotted 180-day school year. Beyond that, he was convinced that knowledge of history is essential for citizenship, that it is an indispensable tool for teaching students to think and think well, and that it is an embracing discipline, which can give meaning and connection to all the other subjects.
Paul emphasized that in a people's democracy knowledge of the nation's political system and history are essential for all citizens. He wrote, “As the years pass, we become an increasingly diverse people, drawn from many racial, national, linguistic, and religious origins. Our cultural heritage as Americans is as diverse as we are, with multiple sources of vitality and pride. But our political heritage is one--the vision of a common life in liberty, justice, and equality as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution two centuries ago.”
The Gagnon Prize rewards and celebrates excellence in historical scholarship, the teaching of history, and the promotion of historical study at the K-12 level. The Gagnon Prize is given (in alternate years beginning in 2008) to an individual or group exhibiting exceptional accomplishment in history teaching, or the promotion and protection of historical study at the K-12 level.
Criteria for the 2008 Gagnon Prize
Presented to an Individual or Group Exhibiting Exceptional History Teaching and/or Significant Accomplishment in the Promotion and Protection of K-12 History Education
* Commitment to the idea that history education is an essential part of every citizen's education, and that every student, regardless of ability track is owed the opportunity to learn U.S. and World history;
* Consistent commitment to the study of history, and teaching of it to students at the pre-collegiate level;
* Published work, presentations, or other work that argues for the importance of history education and significantly promotes and/or protects history education in schools;
* Continuing dedication to the advancement of history education as demonstrated through outstanding teaching performance, curriculum development, presentations at historical seminars, workshops, and conferences, or any other endeavors that promote K-12 history education.
Submission of Application Materials for the 2008 Prize
Applicants should submit one signed original and five copies, or a signed original and scans of all items on a CD, of each of the following to the Paul A. Gagnon Prize Committee:
* A cover letter of not more than two pages indicating why the individual or group deserves the award (either self-nomination or nominating another).
* A curriculum vitae (including institution and teaching assignment, addresses, phone numbers, and email) of the individual or head of the group nominated.
* A narrative description of the program or project and how it advanced the study of history at the pre-collegiate level.
• Three letters of support written by individuals familiar with the nominee's work (not more than two pages for each letter).
Significant Dates for the 2008 Prize
* Completed applications and supporting materials must be received at the NCHE Office by November 1, 2007.
* Applications received will be acknowledged no later than November 15, 2007.
* The 2008 Gagnon Prize winner will be notified by the NCHE Office by February 1, 2008.
* The 2008 Gagnon Prize will be officially awarded to an Individual or Group for Outstanding Promotion of K-12 History Education at the NCHE Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, during April of 2008.
The Prize
The 2008 Gagnon Prize winner will receive:
* a plaque
* a $1,500 cash prize
* complimentary registration for the individual, or one representative of the group, to the NCHE Conference
* travel/hotel/meal expense reimbursement of up to $750, and
* a presentation spot on the program for the NCHE Conference.
Established in 2005 by the Board of Trustees of the National Council for History Education, the Gagnon Prize honors the memory of Paul A. Gagnon, co-founder of the NCHE and long-time trustee and eloquent advocate for history and excellence in history teaching at the K-12 level.
Paul served as the chief of staff, editor, and principal investigator for the Bradley Commission on History in the Schools and edited its groundbreaking 1988 report, Building a History Curriculum: Guidelines for Teaching History in the Schools. The Bradley Commission was a precursor of the NCHE. Paul subsequently served as the first Executive Director of the NCHE and devoted his energies to promoting and improving the study of history in grades K-12.
A champion of history standards and frameworks, Paul was realistic in supporting an essential core of historical study that could be taught in the allotted 180-day school year. Beyond that, he was convinced that knowledge of history is essential for citizenship, that it is an indispensable tool for teaching students to think and think well, and that it is an embracing discipline, which can give meaning and connection to all the other subjects.
Paul emphasized that in a people's democracy knowledge of the nation's political system and history are essential for all citizens. He wrote, “As the years pass, we become an increasingly diverse people, drawn from many racial, national, linguistic, and religious origins. Our cultural heritage as Americans is as diverse as we are, with multiple sources of vitality and pride. But our political heritage is one--the vision of a common life in liberty, justice, and equality as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution two centuries ago.”
The Gagnon Prize rewards and celebrates excellence in historical scholarship, the teaching of history, and the promotion of historical study at the K-12 level. The Gagnon Prize is given (in alternate years beginning in 2008) to an individual or group exhibiting exceptional accomplishment in history teaching, or the promotion and protection of historical study at the K-12 level.
Criteria for the 2008 Gagnon Prize
Presented to an Individual or Group Exhibiting Exceptional History Teaching and/or Significant Accomplishment in the Promotion and Protection of K-12 History Education
* Commitment to the idea that history education is an essential part of every citizen's education, and that every student, regardless of ability track is owed the opportunity to learn U.S. and World history;
* Consistent commitment to the study of history, and teaching of it to students at the pre-collegiate level;
* Published work, presentations, or other work that argues for the importance of history education and significantly promotes and/or protects history education in schools;
* Continuing dedication to the advancement of history education as demonstrated through outstanding teaching performance, curriculum development, presentations at historical seminars, workshops, and conferences, or any other endeavors that promote K-12 history education.
Submission of Application Materials for the 2008 Prize
Applicants should submit one signed original and five copies, or a signed original and scans of all items on a CD, of each of the following to the Paul A. Gagnon Prize Committee:
* A cover letter of not more than two pages indicating why the individual or group deserves the award (either self-nomination or nominating another).
* A curriculum vitae (including institution and teaching assignment, addresses, phone numbers, and email) of the individual or head of the group nominated.
* A narrative description of the program or project and how it advanced the study of history at the pre-collegiate level.
• Three letters of support written by individuals familiar with the nominee's work (not more than two pages for each letter).
Significant Dates for the 2008 Prize
* Completed applications and supporting materials must be received at the NCHE Office by November 1, 2007.
* Applications received will be acknowledged no later than November 15, 2007.
* The 2008 Gagnon Prize winner will be notified by the NCHE Office by February 1, 2008.
* The 2008 Gagnon Prize will be officially awarded to an Individual or Group for Outstanding Promotion of K-12 History Education at the NCHE Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, during April of 2008.
The Prize
The 2008 Gagnon Prize winner will receive:
* a plaque
* a $1,500 cash prize
* complimentary registration for the individual, or one representative of the group, to the NCHE Conference
* travel/hotel/meal expense reimbursement of up to $750, and
* a presentation spot on the program for the NCHE Conference.