Lyseth Teachers Win State History Award
Two third grade teachers at Lyseth Elementary School have been named Maine winners of Preserve America’s American History Teacher of the Year award. The Maine Historical Society chose Barbara Judge and Marilyn Philbrook for the honor because of their dedication to teaching local history.
The award will be presented at a school assembly in September. Judge and Philbrook will split a $1,000 prize. In addition, Lyseth’s library will receive a collection of books and primary historical materials in their names.
Judge and Philbrook will be Maine’s nominees for the national American History Teacher of the Year award, funded through the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America.
Judge began teaching at Lyseth in 1973. Philbrook has taught at the school since 1989. The two work closely together.
“Judge and Philbrook make history engaging, participatory, and meaningful for their students,” said Steve Bromage, assistant director of the Maine Historical Society and coordinator of the program in Maine. “They make creative and extensive use of the community—including people, stories, landmarks, documents, and organizations. Their approach inspires an appreciation of history, and fosters students’ connection to the community.”
The Preserve America American History Teacher of the Year Award was created in 2004 to recognize outstanding K-12 American history teachers across the country.
Preserve America is a White House initiative established with the cooperation of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Commerce to help support the preservation of America’s heritage. The Gilder Lehrman Institute, based in New York City, maintains an important historical archive on deposit at the New-York Historical Society and offers extensive professional development opportunities for teachers.
