Arkansas History Teacher of the Year Works at Little Rock's Hall High
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 6, 2012
A woman who works in front of the classroom at Little Rock's Hall High School has been named the 2012 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year.
Sonja Williams who teaches American history, has received the honor from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America.
Williams will receive a $1,000 honorarium and have the opportunity to further her studies at a summer teaching institute. In her honor, a collection of history books and educational materials will be presented to Hall's library.
"We're thrilled to share this news," said Commissioner of Education Dr. Tom Kimbrell. "Bringing history to life for students is a remarkable talent, and Sonja Williams has clearly demonstrated she is a gifted educator."
Williams is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been active in the Little Rock School District Teaching American History Academy. Her philosophy for getting students to think critically about history is to give them frequent opportunities for discussion, and writing to practice the art of interpretation and to see the implications of their own analyses.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis Lehrman, is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education. Preserve America, a federal partnership program started in 2003, is led by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and encourages community efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the United States, as well as associated natural resources.
Sonja Williams who teaches American history, has received the honor from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America.
Williams will receive a $1,000 honorarium and have the opportunity to further her studies at a summer teaching institute. In her honor, a collection of history books and educational materials will be presented to Hall's library.
"We're thrilled to share this news," said Commissioner of Education Dr. Tom Kimbrell. "Bringing history to life for students is a remarkable talent, and Sonja Williams has clearly demonstrated she is a gifted educator."
Williams is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been active in the Little Rock School District Teaching American History Academy. Her philosophy for getting students to think critically about history is to give them frequent opportunities for discussion, and writing to practice the art of interpretation and to see the implications of their own analyses.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis Lehrman, is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education. Preserve America, a federal partnership program started in 2003, is led by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and encourages community efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the United States, as well as associated natural resources.
