WASHINGTON, D.C. – National History Day announced a teacher nominated to receive the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award. Nominees have shown outstanding creativity, commitment, and inspiration in developing student interest in history. Each state winner is awarded $500, and is eligible for the National Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award. Two national winners, announced on June 18, 2015, will receive $10,000 in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

Erica Swenson, a teacher at Bruce M. Whittier Middle School in Poland, is one of only two winners from the state.

Middle and high school teachers are nominated by their administrators, peers, or themselves for the award. Each participating state is allowed to select one high school and one middle school teacher to receive the state award and consideration for the national award.

Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award winners are NHD participating teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Their work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past; award winning teachers also demonstrate a commitment to helping students develop their interest in history and recognize their acheivements.