The National Council for History Education Selects New Jersey Teacher as Nation's Most Outstanding Scholar
Feb/07/2007 11:30
Media contacts
National Council for History Education
Danice Toyias
440-835-1776
drtoyias@nche.net
West Morris Regional High School District
Barbara McClurken
908 -879-6404 x 1283
bmcclurken@wmhsd.org
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2007
Gagnon Prize Winner, Phil Nicolosi
WESTLAKE, OHIO AND CHESTER, NEW JERSEY -- The National Council for History Education (NCHE) has awarded New Jersey teacher Philip Nicolosi the first Paul Gagnon Prize for a K - 12 Teacher Exhibiting Exceptional Historical Scholarship. Nicolosi teaches history and social studies at the West Morris Central High School in Chester, NJ.
The Paul Gagnon Prize is named for the 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's in Boston, Gagnon died in 2005.
Nicolosi was selected from a pool of eight finalists by a committee of acclaimed historians, history teachers, and history curriculum experts representing some of the nation's leading universities and historical institutions. According to outgoing NCHE Executive Director Elaine Reed, Nicolosi's ability to apply the skills and talents of a historian to the field of education helped to make his application a standout.
"Phil Nicolosi's experiences as both scholar and teacher epitomizes Gagnon's vision of teachers as continuing scholars and his belief that learning must be a lifetime dedication and source of continuing joy," Reed said. She noted that "Nicolosi's model for disseminating research to students is quite exemplary."
Nicolosi joined the West Morris Central teaching staff in 1995 after receiving his B.A. and M.A. from Villanova University. He since has remained 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, the 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.
Nicolosi will receive a $1,500 cash award, a plaque and up to $750 in addition to his registration fees to attend the NCHE national conference in April 2007 in Colonial Williamsburg. He will speak on advancing historical education and scholarship in U.S. public schools.
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.
###
National Council for History Education
Danice Toyias
440-835-1776
drtoyias@nche.net
West Morris Regional High School District
Barbara McClurken
908 -879-6404 x 1283
bmcclurken@wmhsd.org
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2007
Gagnon Prize Winner, Phil Nicolosi
WESTLAKE, OHIO AND CHESTER, NEW JERSEY -- The National Council for History Education (NCHE) has awarded New Jersey teacher Philip Nicolosi the first Paul Gagnon Prize for a K - 12 Teacher Exhibiting Exceptional Historical Scholarship. Nicolosi teaches history and social studies at the West Morris Central High School in Chester, NJ.
The Paul Gagnon Prize is named for the 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's in Boston, Gagnon died in 2005.
Nicolosi was selected from a pool of eight finalists by a committee of acclaimed historians, history teachers, and history curriculum experts representing some of the nation's leading universities and historical institutions. According to outgoing NCHE Executive Director Elaine Reed, Nicolosi's ability to apply the skills and talents of a historian to the field of education helped to make his application a standout.
"Phil Nicolosi's experiences as both scholar and teacher epitomizes Gagnon's vision of teachers as continuing scholars and his belief that learning must be a lifetime dedication and source of continuing joy," Reed said. She noted that "Nicolosi's model for disseminating research to students is quite exemplary."
Nicolosi joined the West Morris Central teaching staff in 1995 after receiving his B.A. and M.A. from Villanova University. He since has remained 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, the 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.
Nicolosi will receive a $1,500 cash award, a plaque and up to $750 in addition to his registration fees to attend the NCHE national conference in April 2007 in Colonial Williamsburg. He will speak on advancing historical education and scholarship in U.S. public schools.
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.
###