Congratulations to Adam Laye who has been named the 2021 Maryland History Teacher of the Year, an award sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
In 2021, parents, students, teachers, and administrators nationwide nominated a record 8,510 teachers for the History teacher of the Year Award. Amidst a very competitive field, Adam Laye rose to the top in Maryland.
Inaugurated in 2004, the History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and US Territories. In the fall 2021, the National History Teacher of the Year will be selected from the pool of state winners.
Adam teaches American History and American Government classes at Parkville High School. He is highly active in developing history resources for teachers. Adam has presented both locally and nationally at numerous conferences. Additionally, he has designed inquiry-based lessons for Maryland Public Television highlighting Maryland Vietnam War Stories. Adam has received numerous other awards including the Baltimore County History Day Teacher of the Year in 2015 and 2018. In his letter of recommendation, his county social studies supervisor said this, “I see Adam as an essential part of my team as we collaboratively focus on strengthening disciplinary literacy including historical thinking skills with an emphasis on argumentation, inquiry-based instructional opportunities, financial literacy, and social justice/civic engagement for our school system’s students.”
In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, Parkville High School will receive a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials and recognition at a ceremony in Maryland.
The 10 finalists for the National History teacher of the Year Award will be announced on Thursday, September 9, with he national winner announced later that month. As in-person ceremony for the winner will be held in late fall 2021, health and safety protocols permitting. Support for the National History Teacher of the Year Award ceremony is provided by HISTORY.
Nominations for the 2022 History Teacher of the Year awards are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors may nominate K-12 teachers for the award by visiting gilderman.org/nhtoy. The deadline for 2022 nominations is March 31, 2022.