South Carolina Educator Named 2015 National History Teacher of the Year

Columbia, SC – State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman issued the following statement, congratulating Mary Huffman, a fifth grade teacher at Charles Pinckney Elementary in Mount Pleasant, for being named the 2015 National History Teacher of the Year.  She is the first South Carolina teacher to win this national distinction.

“We are thrilled that the first teacher from a Southeastern state to ever win this prestigious award is from South Carolina,” said Spearman.  “This is not only a tremendous honor for Ms. Huffman, but also a testament to the creative, enthusiastic teachers who challenge our students to learn history in new ways every day,” said Spearman.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History developed the criteria for the National History Teacher of the Year, which recognizes the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary through high school.

“My classroom stands out from the rest because I integrate social studies across all curricular areas and make learning fun by dressing up every week based on a historical figure we are studying, to spark discussion using historical items and replicas,” said Huffman.  “By stimulating learning through the use of a variety of learning styles, all students attain success.”

Huffman will travel to New York City in October to receive a $10,000 award and attend a ceremony in her honor at the Yale Club, hosted by Good Morning America anchor, Robin Roberts.  She is currently studying for a Doctoral degree in Education and previously earned a Master’s of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2008, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education with a Middle School Endorsement at Western Illinois University in 2001. She is also a past Charles Pinckney Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education.  Each year, the Institute offers support and resources to tens of thousands of teachers, and through them enhances the education of more than a million students.  To learn more about the award and to find a list of previous national and state winners, click here.

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