PAINTSVILLE, Ky. – J.R. VanHoose, a social studies instructor at Johnson Central High School, is the recipient of the 2022 Dr. Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award, presented by the Kentucky Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (KYSSAR). He will be recognized at UK’s Spindletop Hall on March 12th.
VanHoose, who played college basketball at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, was nominated and applied through the Big Sandy chapter of the SAR. He is currently in his 20th year of teaching and in his 9th year at Johnson Central. He said, “I must say first of all that this is a tremendous honor for me, as it is my first state-wide teaching award. As a long-time student and teacher of American History teacher, to be named the Kentucky American History Teacher of the Year is something that I would rank at the top of any that I have ever received in my career, that includes being named Kentucky Mr. Basketball in 1998.
"My love for history began at a very young age and the study of it and love for it was encouraged by many people throughout my life, too many to try and thank individually. I am proud to represent Kentucky as the American History Teacher of the Year and look forward to the national competition.”
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the American Revolution era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The award is open to all teachers at the elementary, middle school or high school levels at a recognized institution. While the preliminary rounds of the award program begin at the local chapter level, teachers may eventually advance to the state and national levels.
The American History Teacher Award recognizes educators who distinguish themselves in teaching the history of the American Revolution. Teacher candidates interested in entering the local SAR Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 1000 words discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolution era.
The national winner from each school level will receive potential benefits worth up to $5,000.00 per winner, which includes attendance at select national seminars on the American Revolution and the SAR’s annual Congress or Leadership meeting.
* * *
Founded in 1889, the SAR is a non-profit, non-partisan lineage society dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and teaching American history to future generations. The organization and its Foundation can be found at SAR.org.
Comments