Richard Houston Receives American Battlefield Trust’s 2019 Teacher of the Year Award

Originally published September 2019 · p. 17

Attendees at the American Battlefield Trust’s 2019 National Teacher Institute view a video created as part of the Trust’s “Brothers In Valor” project, featuring Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris discussing the role of fellow Medal of Honor recipient William Carney and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry at Battery Wagner.

RALEIGH, N.C.—On July 13, the American Battlefield Trust named Richard Houston, a history teacher at Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich, Mass., the recipient of its 2019 Teacher of the Year Award. Garry Adelman, the Trust’s chief historian, presented Houston with the award during the organization’s 19th National Teacher Institute in Raleigh, N.C. “We look for passionate educators who creatively go above and beyond the call of duty,” Adelman said. “We received nominations for many qualified men and women this year as we do every year. In the end, our decision was made easier because Richard’s nomination, submitted by a colleague, was among the best, if not the best, the Trust has ever received. Richard is precisely the type of teacher who will help to perpetuate American history and therefore our democracy.” Kevin Bates, who also teaches history at Monomoy Regional High School, made a compelling case for Houston as the author of his nomination. “From my classroom next door, it has been my privilege to observe my nominee share his love of American history with hundreds of students since 2001,” Bates wrote. Bates emphasized that Houston’s dedication to teaching does not end with the school day, noting, for instance, that Houston successfully secured the attendance of more than 90 percent of Monomoy’s Advanced Placement U.S. History students at non-mandatory, after-school study sessions rooted in history, which he personally launched and led. “My nominee doesn’t just teach history, he lives it,” Bates stated. “In my 25 years of teaching history, my nominee is easily the most dedicated teacher with whom I have been associated and is clearly deserving of this honor.” Houston has previously been recognized for his teaching by the National Society of High School Scholars, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as by others. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

2019 American Battlefield Trust Teacher of the Year awardee Richard Houston (pictured at center with award plate), surrounded by fellow award-winning educators Shirley Mae Snyder, Tyler Madison, Phil Caskey, Bob Rinehart, Jim Percoco, Dave Wege, Carolyn Ivanoff and Dave Niekum.