Shotwell MS Teacher Monica Blackshire Nominated for Patricia Behring Teacher of Year Award

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Monica Blackshire loves teaching social studies.

Shotwell Middle School teacher Monica Blackshire has been nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by the National History Day (NHD).

And now she’s being recognized at the national level for her love of teaching history to her students at Shotwell Middle School.

Blackshire has been nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by the National History Day (NHD) National Contest.

Blackshire was nominated in the junior division. The award is named after Patricia Behring in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of their students.

She said she was honored to be nominated for such a prestigious award.

“You often forget that you’re working when you are doing what you love to do,” Blackshire said. “National History Day has been a vital part of my teaching for the past 11 years. It has been an honor to push my students to their potential, and it has been a blessing that both my students and myself have thoroughly enjoyed research over the years. I’ve built lifelong relationships with lots of parents and students. Being nominated for this award is a blessing, and I’m beyond grateful, but I must say the journey has been the most rewarding part.”

Each of the 58 NHD affiliates may nominate one middle school teacher for this award. Blackshire is the junior division nominee from Texas. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the NHD Contest. All nominees will receive $500 for being nominated.

“The nominees for the Behring Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Cathy Gorn, NHD Executive Director. “These educators are leading examples for their peers and invaluable resources for their students. I congratulate Mrs. Blackshire on her well-deserved nomination.”

The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians and announced on Saturday, June 19, at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony to be held virtually due to COVID-19. Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that engage students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.

While Blackshire has been nominated at the national level, she has been named the David DeBoe Texas History Day (THD) Teacher of the Year in Texas. The DeBoe THD Teacher of the Year Award is based on outstanding sponsorship in providing guidance and support to Texas History Day students. Award winners are based on the number of years they have been involved in THD and how their students have fared at THD and NHD.