NHD in Missouri |
About the Program Frequently Asked Questions 2009 Program Report Contact NHDMO
Contest Info |
2010 Contest Info & NHD Material MO Regional Programs 2010 MO Topics List Special Prizes Teacher of Merit Award 2009 State Contest Winners 2009 National Contest Results
Curriculum & Research Resources |
Curriculum & Research Resources 2010 MO Topics List Teacher Workshops
Volunteers & NHDMO Alumni
NHDMO Alumni Volunteering
Click to go to National History Day site.
nhd slogan

The History Channel is one of National History Day's major sponsors and is the sponsor of online registration.
Search NHDMO site:

Joseph Webber Teacher Prize

Missouri nominee for the NHD Richard Farrell Teacher of Merit Award

Eligibility/Criteria:

Missouri's Webber prize [$350] is awarded every April at the National History Day in Missouri state contest. To be eligible, a teacher must be a participant in the NHDMO program. Interested teachers should contact their regional coordinator (see Missouri regions on the NHDMO main page) by November 1, providing him/her with three letters of recommendation supporting the nomination and addressing the following NHD criteria:

  1. Development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. Examples could include, but are not limited to, such things as:
    • active learning projects within and outside the classroom, such as mock debates with the students assuming the roles of real people, or oral history projects within their communities;
    • innovative use of primary sources in the classroom;
    • the use of communications technology in history research and classroom learning;
    • the practice of teaching methods which link history to students' broader interests, for example, by using interdisciplinary approaches to historical topics or by developing projects which link history to current events and debates;
    • the use of teaching methods which build a range of skills in students as they study history.

  2. Exemplary commitment to helping students develop their interest in history and recognizing their achievements. Examples could include, but are not limited to, such things as:
    • exemplary support and guidance for students working on History Day projects;
    • assistance in helping students showcase their history projects within the community and/or publish their material;
    • overall commitment to the intellectual development of individual students;
    • encouragement of students to use their understanding of history to become engaged, informed citizens in their community and beyond.
Top

2009 Joseph Webber Teaching Award Winner

This is the 15th year for the Joseph Webber Teaching Award to be presented in Missouri, and again the Webber Award winner will be Missouri's nominee for the national prize in June. This year's award winner is a very successful and dedicated teacher.

Paul Arnold began the National History Day program At Bloomfield Middle School when he was hired about three years ago. In that time, the program has grown enormously, and his students have been successful at the regional and state contests. According to his principal, Mr. Arnold has so inspired his students that even after moving on to high school, some have come back to work on National History Day projects for no credit, just the joy of the process. He uses a variety of methods in the classroom and extra-curricular activities to help students learn, succeed, and participate. Mr. Arnold is an expert in southeast Missouri's history, maintains ties with local history professionals and encourages his students to develop connections with them also, and is involved in other history-related community events.

One anecdote that illustrates Mr. Arnold's great commitment to his students and to National History Day in Missouri comes from the Cape Girardeau area regional coordinator: “During the 2008 regional contest—in which heavy snows prevented nearly two-thirds of our schools from participating—not only did Bloomfield arrive on time and in force, but Paul Arnold slept in his office the night before so that he could coordinate the parent-led caravan that navigated the roughly one hour trip to Cape Girardeau.”

Congratulations to Mr. Paul Arnold, National History Day in Missouri’s Teacher of the Year!

Top

Previous Winners of the Missouri Teacher of Merit Award

1992-Brenda Campbell, Richland High School, Essex, MO (Region 9)
1993-Keith Kirk, Carl Junction Junior High, Carl Junction, MO (Region 6)
1994-Luge Hardman, Waynesville High School, Waynesville, MO (Region 8)
1995-Maryann Shephard, Brentwood High School, Brentwood, MO (Region 5)
1996-Michael Murphy, Risco High School, Risco, MO (Region 9)
1997-Mitchell Froman, Greenville High School, Greenville, MO (Region 9)
1998-Pam Babbitt, Carl Junction Junior High, Carl Junction, MO (Region 6)
1999-Kay Johnson, Monett Intermediate School, Monett, MO (Region 6)
2000-Rolla Team: Helen Branson (English), Scott Randall (History), Mary Meuller (Information sciences), Leah Prewitt (Speech/drama), Rolla Junior High (Region 8)
2001-Carol Bohl, Harrisonville Christian School, Harrisonville, MO (Region 3)
2002-Kathleen Swift, Carthage Junior High, Carthage, MO (Region 6)
2003-Christy Connor, St. Raphael the Archangel School, St. Louis (Region 5)
2004-Derek Frieling, Lafayette High School, St. Joseph, MO (Region 1)
2005-Karen Grimmett, Iva E. Wells Middle School, Senecea, MO (Region 6)
2006-Karen Ellison, Hollister Middle School, Hollister, MO (Region 7)
2007-Michael Murphy, Risco R-2 Schools, Risco, MO (Region 9)
2008-Dacia Rzchowski, Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs, MO (Region 3)

Top