Northshore Teacher Nominated for National History Day Teacher of the Year

Bothell High School social studies teacher Kim Matthews was recently recognized as one of two nominees from Washington state for the National History Day Teacher of the Year award.

“Receiving this recognition means a great deal to me because the nomination comes from my colleagues across the state of Washington,” Matthews said. “I am so fortunate to be in the company of the best teachers in Washington state, and this recognition is a true honor.”

According to the non-profit National History Day organization, every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest. All nominees will receive $500 as a result of their nominations. 

Matthews said National History Day has been part of her students’ learning experiences since 2010, when she taught at Timbercrest (then Junior High). During the 2010-11 school year, Matthews had four students participate in the competition, and she shared that attending the regional contest her first year was overwhelming, in a good way.

“To see middle and high school students stand before a panel of judges and present their research was, and still is, the most amazing thing to see,” Matthews said. “Confidence and pride are evident on each student’s face as they present their body of work.”

Matthews has gone on to coach many more students from Timbercrest, Woodinville High School, and Bothell High School for National History Day.

National History Day offers students the opportunity to explore a topic of interest and build skills in the social sciences, including primary and secondary source research, communication, reading, writing, speaking, editing, revising, higher-order critical thinking, and problem-solving, to name a few, Matthews said.

“Regardless of a student’s desire to enter his or her project in the contest, the rigor, project-management, and follow-through needed to complete a project of this magnitude are 21st century skills necessary for college and careers,” Matthews said. “It has been my immense pleasure acting in the role of ‘coach,’ watching students learn and grow each year.”