2004 Joseph Webber Teaching Award Winner

This is the 10th 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.

Derek Frieling came to the attention of the state coordinator 2 years ago when his regional coordinator suggested that he take a position on the NHDMO state advisory committee. He's exactly the kind of person we need on the committee. His enthusiasm and creativity are evident in our meetings and that's exactly what the recommendations sent in by students, colleagues and administrators all noted, too. One teacher mentioned how popular his “history day” units are at the school. Themed to a particular time-period, students participate in several period-related activities, like being arrested for Communist activities in the 1950s history day.

Lafayette High School had no History Day program before Derek Frieling began to teach there. As an undergraduate student at Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, he helped with the regional History Day contest and was impressed by the accomplishments of the youngsters. He decided then that he would encourage participation in History Day wherever he would end up teaching. Although Mr. Frieling has not had any of his students advance to nationals yet, they consistently do very well at the regional contest and usually average about 6 or 7 entries consisting of 10-15 students here at state. Most of his 10th and 11th grade students had never heard of History Day before entering his class. As he says himself, “The vast majority of my students have never participated in an academic contest. Many do not see their own potential. [Of those who go to state] almost all have never been to Columbia, participated in an intense competition, or even given up a Saturday to be involved in academic pursuits.” Everyone seems to agree that these students still would not have done so had it not been for Mr. Frieling.

Congratulations to Mr. Derek Frieling, National History Day in Missouri's Teacher of the Year!