Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.
The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Each year, a classroom elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics — for at least half of the school day in a classroom environment — can be nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Winners receive:
- A $1,000 award for professional development expenses.
- A $1,000 award for his/her school.
- Two award plaques: one for the teacher, the other for his/her school.
- An all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive their award.
Before submitting the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award nomination form, please review the rules and eligibility requirements.
Looking to share updated information and materials on VFW's Voice of Democracy, Patriot's Pen and Teacher Award programs? Share our National Scholarship Brochure with the students and educators in your community.
And the 2017-18 Teacher of the Year winners are ...
Emily Cowan Ezell, a third-grade teacher at Cowan Elementary School in Cowan, Tenn., has been selected for its 2018 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the elementary level. Ezell was selected for fostering students’ patriotism through an annual production of her self-written and designed patriotic play, This Is Our Country, planning annual field trips to military museums, inviting local veterans to visit her classroom, and for showcasing veterans’ pictures and stories to help ensure patriotism lives year round in her school. She was sponsored by VFW Post 10904 in Manchester, Tenn.
Sara Gibson, a seventh-grade history teacher at Caroline Middle School in Milford, Va., has been selected for its 2018 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the middle school level. Gibson was selected from entries submitted by VFW Posts across the U.S. and overseas. From spearheading her History Club’s creation of a Korean War Memorial in Caroline County, and portraying important historical figures from every era, to leading field trips to local war and military museums, Gibson’s unique ability to bring history to life while helping her students understand the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans made her a standout among this year’s submissions. She was sponsored by VFW Post 8529 in Sandston, Va.
Michael Rauenhorst, an Air Force veteran and aerospace science teacher at North Pole High School in North Pole, Alaska, has been selected for its 2018 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the high school level. He was selected for encouraging community volunteerism, his leadership of the school’s Air Force JROTC, and his Curriculum in Action tours which reinforces not only science in the classroom, but encourages citizenship and strengthens students’ perspective of aviation and America’s military past, present and future. Rauenhorst is a Life member of North Pole, Alaska, VFW Post 10029. Rauenhorst was sponsored by VFW Post 10029 and its Auxiliary in North Pole, Alaska.