News

We are proud to announce that the 2026 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year Award winner is Jennifer Davidson.

Jennifer Davidson is an accomplished educator with 28 years of experience in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, including 22 years at Southern High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History/Secondary Education from Salisbury University and a Master of Education in History/Secondary Education from Bowie State University in 2005. Davidson teaches a variety of U.S. History courses, most recently AP African American Studies, Honors African American History, and U.S. History. She also enjoys incorporating U.S. History into her World History courses whenever possible, helping students make meaningful connections between events, people, and cultures across time and place.

In the past, Davidson has been recognized for her innovative approach to teaching history through oral history. From 2014 to 2018, in collaboration with Maryland Humanities and Dr. Barry Lanman of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), she guided her students in exploring the importance of oral history as a tool for understanding and preserving the past. Through her project, A Journey Through Vietnam, students conducted more than 50 interviews with local Vietnam veterans, documenting their experiences and perspectives. These oral histories were subsequently donated to the Maryland State Archives, preserving these firsthand accounts for future generations of researchers, educators, and students. The project earned Davidson numerous honors and citations, including a Citation from the Maryland Senate, a Four Rivers Heritage Area Award, and recognition as an Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Month. She also developed a digital lesson based on the project for the National Endowment for the Humanities, extending the project’s impact beyond the classroom. The resource is available through NEH for All.

Davidson has shared her work with educators nationally, presenting A Journey Through Vietnam at the 2017 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference in San Francisco. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to helping students understand history through diverse perspectives, firsthand accounts, and meaningful connections to their communities. Her teaching reflects a passion for bringing history to life and demonstrating the lasting value of preserving and learning from the stories of those who experienced it.

Running Brook Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Beth Rosas has been named Maryland’s 2026 Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Council for Social Studies (MDCSS). Rosas, who has been teaching in Howard County for 20 years and holds National Board Certification, was recognized for her innovation in the classroom and leadership in the field.

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!