News

In October MCCHE Coordinator, Dr. Marcie Taylor-Thoma was honored with an Annie Award. Dr. Taylor-Thoma was recognized for her contributions to the understanding of cultural and historical resources in Maryland and specifically Anne Arundel County. We congratulate Marcie for this achievement!

We are proud to announce that the 2025 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year Award winner is James Baker of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute seeks out the finest history teachers in the United States so we can acknowledge the important work they do. Since 2004, we have recognized 1,000+ outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers in each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and US Territories. Each state convenes a committee of history teachers, professors, and other education
professionals to review the nominated teachers in their state. Each state winner is awarded $1,000 and becomes a nominee in the national contest. The national panel of eminent historians, former winners, and master teachers selects one national winner for the $10,000 award. James will be honored at an award ceremony later this year. Details of the event will be
forthcoming.

MCCHE was well represented at Maryland’s Civil Rights Journey: Then & Now conference on Saturday sponsored by the Maryland Council for Social Studies. Project Citizen mentor & AP educator, Samantha Fowler, presented on the Intersection of Project Citizen & Civil Rights Policy. Executive Director, Dr Marcie Taylor-Thoma, sat on the keynote panel discussing the state of social studies education. Kelly Reichardt presented the Center’s Civic Inquiries for Foundations of Democracy learning suite facilitating educators to ignite elementary learners’ civic education competencies. JMLPE 24-25 participant & 8th grade educator, Mitchell Agate, was honored as Maryland’s Promising New Social Studies Teacher of the Year. A grand day for civic education in MD!

Christian Pensiero, of Veterans Elementary School in Howard County, was recognized for her exemplary work preparing young people to become informed and engaged citizens. The awards are given to teachers of civics, government and related subjects who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, U.S. government at the federal, state and local levels, and public policy. ACETA is sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, the Center on Representative Government at Indiana University, and the National Education Association.

Pensiero, who also serves as a MCCHE mentor teacher, was selected for her dedication to explaining democracy and citizenship in an engaging way and helping young people see that local, state and federal government is relevant to their lives. Congratulations, Christian!