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Mary Huffman has been recognized as the National History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (New York, NY). Huffman earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the WIU Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2001 and 2008, respectively. She will receive $10,000 for the honor and an award at a ceremony in New York next week. Robin Roberts, one of the co-hosts of "Good Morning America," will present Huffman with the award, and the recorded award presentation will be aired on the Tuesday, Oct. 20 "Good Morning America" program. Huffman teaches fifth grade at Charles Pinckney Elementary in Mount Pleasant (SC).
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WIU Alumna Honored as National History Teacher of the Year

October 13, 2015

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MACOMB, IL — A Western Illinois University alumna has been recognized as the National History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (New York, NY). Mary (Petrus) Huffman, who earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the WIU Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2001 and 2008, respectively, will receive $10,000 for the honor and an award at a ceremony in New York next week. Robin Roberts, one of the co-hosts of "Good Morning America," will present Huffman with the award, and the recorded award presentation will be aired on the Tuesday, Oct. 20 "Good Morning America" program.

Huffman teaches fifth grade at Charles Pinckney Elementary in Mount Pleasant (SC). According to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History website, "Huffman uses hands-on lessons to help her students 'become active American citizens who make positive changes in the future.'" Examples of the lessons include having her students create care packages, write letters to U.S. troops and participate in veteran's week celebrations by inviting soldiers into the classroom. She also designed an interactive unit that includes a WWII draft simulation. In addition, each week, Huffman dresses up in clothing from the era being studied, which enables her students to see and interact with historic artifacts.

"It is essential the past is not forgotten, and teachers hold the tools to pry open old hope chests to uncover dusty photo albums from the past," Huffman noted.

Huffman credits WIU Department of Curriculum and Instruction Interim Chair Sara Simonson as her role model for excellence in teaching.

"I have used every one of her teaching strategies throughout my 15 years of teaching. She was an inspiration for me," Huffman said.

Huffman was also named South Carolina History Teacher of the Year in June, and Teacher of the Year for Pinckney Elementary, a public school that employs 70 teachers.

Huffman plans to complete her doctorate in education next May, with a focus on college teaching and learning. Her dissertation topic is about the need for differentiated instruction in adult learning.

"I want to be like Dr. Simonson and teach methods education classes or recertification courses to teachers. I've been teaching 15 years now, and I think this will be a great transition in my life, but it will remain in the field of education, which I love," Huffman added.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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