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| Left to right: Bess Clements Abell, Archivist of the United States David Ferriero, award recipient Timothy Peterson |
The National Archives, in conjunction with the University of
Kentucky Libraries Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center, presented the
inaugural Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award for Civics and
History Teachers on July 8. The recipient of the Clements Award is Timothy A.
Peterson, who teaches social studies at Taylor County High School in
Campbellsville, Kentucky. Peterson graduated from UK College of Education
twice: with a bachelor’s degree in 1988, and again with a master’s degree in
1996.
Peterson began teaching in 1989 at Jessamine County High
School. He also taught at Marion County High School before moving to Taylor
County High School in 2010. He is certified to teach advanced placement courses
in European history, world history, U.S. history, and human geography. In July
2014, Taylor County Schools selected Peterson as one of six advisors for the
Taylor County High School Cardinal Academy.
Roger D. Cook, superintendent of Taylor County Schools,
nominated Peterson for the Clements Award.
"Peterson daily demonstrates outstanding leadership in
and out of the classroom by promoting and strengthening high-quality civics
education…he seeks to improve not only students, but himself through rigorous
exploration of information and continuing education," Cook said.
"Timothy Peterson, or as we call him, 'Coach P.,' was
my social studies teacher each year of high school," said Kassie Miller, a
recent student of Peterson at Taylor County High School.
"In addition to learning about American history,
ancient civilizations and world geography, Coach P. taught me what it means to
be a globally minded citizen. Throughout his classes, he incorporated practical
applications about how our actions affect our next-door neighbors, fellow
Kentuckians, and even those living across the ocean. His courses developed in
me a hard work ethic and a service-oriented heart," Miller said.
Peterson received the award in a presentation at Margaret I.
King Library Building on the UK campus, home to the Ford Public Policy Research
Center as well as the UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center. David
S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States, presented the award to Peterson.
UK Provost Tim Tracy also spoke, along with Deirdre Scaggs, associate dean of
UK Libraries for the Special Collections Research Center and co-director of the
Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center, and Bess Clements Abell,
daughter of Earle C. Clements and a member of the UK Libraries National
Advisory Board.
"This partnership between UK Libraries and the National
Archives represents our shared commitment to fostering education on public
policy and civics for the next generation of Kentuckians. We are pleased to
honor an outstanding Kentucky teacher, Mr. Timothy Peterson, with the inaugural
Clements Award," Scaggs said.
"Mr. Peterson represents the very best in teaching. His
students are well-prepared academically and with the life skills to be
successful. They leave his classroom with a real sense of civic responsibility,
a greater understanding of diversity, and the confidence in their own abilities
to analyze and help solve critical issues in their local and global
communities," said Mary John O’Hair, dean of the UK College of Education.
The Clements Award honors the life and career of the late
Earle C. Clements and his lifelong commitment to education and public service.
Clements’s political career included service as a county sheriff, clerk, and
judge; in the state senate and as governor; and in the U.S. House of
Representatives and U.S. Senate, where he was a close colleague to Lyndon
Baines Johnson. Bess Clements Abell, Clements’s daughter, is a board member of
the National Archives Foundation, a member of the UK Libraries National
Advisory Board, and a UK alumna.
"We are pleased to partner with the University of Kentucky
Libraries to recognize Kentucky’s finest educators," said Archivist of the
United States David S. Ferriero. "We are grateful to the National Archives
Foundation and especially to longtime supporter Bess Clements Abell and her
family for making these awards possible."
Nominations for the Clements Award come from throughout
Kentucky. An independent review panel selects up to three teachers per year to
receive the Clements Award and $1,000 each. The award criteria include the
following:
Teacher’s knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the subject and
commitment to increasing student awareness of the importance of public service.
• Demonstrates expertise in civics and history content and
the ability to share it with students
• Conveys enthusiasm for teaching civics and history and
motivates students to learn and achieve
• Employs active learning techniques and inspires students
to be informed and active citizens
Impact on student success
• Motivates students
to achieve high standards
• Initiates critical
thinking and fosters informed student discussion
• Promotes academic
success and cultivates a love of learning in students of all abilities and
backgrounds
Evidence of creativity and innovation
• Improves learning
by using creative, original and effective teaching methods
• Uses technology in
innovative ways to improve learning outcomes
• Incorporates
primary sources in innovative lessons that improve student achievement
For more information on the Clements Award, see the call for
nominations or email Deirdre Scaggs, associate dean of UK Libraries for the
Special Collections Research Center, at deirdre@uky.edu (put Clements Award in
the subject line).
Reprinted with permission from UKnow.
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