Maeve Kennedy Receives Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year Award
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)— The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education, has announced that Maeve Kennedy, a Social Studies teacher at Ponagansett High School, is the recipient of the Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year.
Kennedy teaches World History and U.S. History to 9th and 10th graders. Prior to this, she taught at George Washington High School in San Francisco, CA. She received a master’s degree in US History from Providence College and an undergraduate degree in History and Secondary Education from Northeastern University. She is passionate about incorporating primary source voices into her classroom to help make history come alive for her students. Through this, she strives to cultivate important critical thinking skills in the next generation.
The National History Teacher of the Year Award program serves as a significant platform, providing an invaluable opportunity to recognize and celebrate educators from diverse backgrounds, who passionately support students from all walks of life and communities, fostering a richer and more inclusive understanding of history. The national winner, selected from the pool of state winners, will be awarded a $10,000 grand prize at a special award ceremony in New York City.
Founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education while also serving the general public. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. Drawing on the 85,000 documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection and an extensive network of eminent historians, the Institute provides teachers, students, and the general public with access to unique primary source materials.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only state-wide historical organization, welcomes everyone to engage with Rhode Island’s complex and significant past through its collections, museums, and educational initiatives. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org.
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