Kentucky Historical Society
Paducah Teacher Named 2010 Kentucky Preserve America History Teacher of the Year

Paducah Teacher Named 2010 Kentucky Preserve America History Teacher of the Year

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2010) -- Ashley Adkins, a teacher at Paducah Tilghman High School has been named the 2010 Kentucky Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. The award was presented today by the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) during a ceremony at the Paducah Independent Schools monthly board meeting.

Adkins has been teaching U.S. history at Paducah Tilghman High School for the past eight years, including five years as an advanced placement instructor with a 65 percent or better pass rate. A Georgetown College graduate, Adkins completed her master’s degree in school administration at Murray State University and currently serves as social studies department head at Paducah Tilghman. Known for her technology integration and use of primary sources and inquiry-based activities, Adkins also leads a school committee on assessment and will conduct school-wide professional development on the topic in the 2010-11 school year.

A Paducah resident, Adkins will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be in the running to be named the national Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. Paducah-Tilghman’s library will also receive a core archive of history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and HISTORY™. The Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award is co-sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Preserve America and HISTORY™. 

“Ashley’s integration of primary sources and hands-on activities very obviously sparked her students’ enthusiasm for history,” said Rebecca Hanly, coordinator of the award for KHS. “While there were many worthy candidates, Ashley’s carefully planned projects and lessons made her stand out.”

The award is designed to promote and celebrate the teaching of American history in classrooms across the U.S. It honors one exceptional K-12 teacher of American history from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. Territories.  The 2010 award honors middle and high school teachers of grades seven through 12.  The selection of the state winner is based upon several criteria, including: at least three years of classroom experience in teaching American history; a deep career commitment to teaching American history, which includes local and state history; creativity and imagination in the classroom that addresses literacy and content beyond state standards close attention to primary documents, artifacts, historic sites and other primary materials of history, including oral history; and evidence of thoughtful assessment of student achievement.

The national 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year will be honored in a fall ceremony. The winner, together with the nominator and two of the winner’s students, will travel to the national recognition ceremony with expenses paid by the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

-30-
An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history. The KHS history campus includes The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Old State Capitol and Kentucky Military History Museum at the Old State Arsenal.  For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the website at www.history.ky.gov.