Kari Slaten, a teacher at Central Gwinnett High School, received the honor, which is presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, an organization dedicated to K-12 American history education. This award honors exceptional American history teachers, selecting one K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, and U.S. territories. Ms. Slaten was selected through a process that involved both the Institute and the Georgia Department of Education.
Slaten explains her passion for teaching history, saying, “Current U.S. History students are the citizens and leaders of the future. It is imperative to make sure they are going out into the world understanding the past, and how to be an engaged citizen to help shape the future.”
Slaten creates a classroom atmosphere in which history is directly connected to students’ lives through problem-based learning scenarios and the analysis of primary sources. When students leave her class, they have not only learned valuable information–they have become engaged and informed citizens.
Slaten holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University and a master’s degree in secondary social studies education from Nova Southeastern University.
Nominations for the 2021 History Teacher of the Year awards are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors may nominate K-12 teachers for the award by visiting gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy. The deadline is March 31, 2021.
