Ashley Coons, a teacher at Oak Grove Middle School in Lexington, is among 23 teachers selected to be a prestigious Behring Teacher Ambassador for National History Day during the 2016-2017 school year.
Recipients must show outstanding creativity, commitment and inspiration in developing students' interest in history education. Candidates must be excellent classroom teachers who are past winners of the Behring Teacher Award in their state or affiliate program. Coons, in 2012, was awarded the North Carolina Behring Teacher Award for classroom excellence in National History Day's Junior Division.
"We are so fortunate to have outstanding teachers like Angela Coons in North Carolina," observes Deputy Secretary Kevin Cherry, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "Her enthusiasm and creativity feed the spark of imagination that enable students to bring history to life."
The 2016-17 National History Day theme is "Taking a Stand in History." Throughout the school year, Behring Teacher Ambassadors work with students and teachers around the country to help them better understand the theme and to expand National History Day programs in their regions. Behring Teacher Ambassadors attend a training workshop in July and collaborate with their program's affiliate coordinator to develop an annual strategy to help students discover the power of history.
"National History Day believes teachers are the best resource a student has, and Ms. Coons exemplifies what it means to be an excellent educator," says National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. "All of these teachers are a credit to their discipline and a driving force behind the success of their students and our programs."