The New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance was founded to encourage the teaching of New Jersey studies and to help teachers to more efficiently and thoroughly present the study of the state to their students. In the spring of 1999, the Alliance initiated awards to recognize innovation and creativity in teaching New Jersey studies on the elementary, middle, secondary, and college levels.
Nominations for the award may come from anyone who has knowledge of the candidate’s work, or a candidate may self-nominate. In either case, the submission should include a letter of support from a supervisor or teaching colleague. An MS Word attachment should be submitted that addresses the criteria listed below.
Nominations must be submitted via email attachment to Dr. Michele Rotunda, Chair of the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Teaching Award Committee at michele.rotunda@ucc.edu. If you have any questions about the award, please contact the Chair.
The deadline for applications is April 1. The awards will be presented at the New Jersey History Forum in November. Recipients will have their honors publicized for recognition within the teaching community and beyond.
Nominees for this award should meet the following criteria:
- The nominee should be teaching in a New Jersey school at the time of nomination
- If K-12, show how the project addresses the state’s Core Curriculum Standards
- Submit a written description of the plan showing objectives, materials, and evidence of how student performances were assessed
- Provide evidence of creative use of materials or methods in the classroom
Note: Eligible submissions must deal with some aspect of New Jersey studies. All disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Nominees must be willing to share the plan with other teachers. (The New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance may distribute the winning project through printed or electronic media – award recipients will receive full credit).
Some examples are listed below, but the nominations are not limited to these:
- oral history projects
- use of primary sources by students (including: historic sites, artifacts, written or printed
sources, etc.)
- three dimensional projects
- projects which study the diversity of the state
- studies focused on NJ’s environment or geography
- interdisciplinary programs, especially those which go beyond social studies (these may be
collaborative efforts between disciplines or beyond the school environment).
- development of technology programs for the classroom.
For more information: https://sites.google.com/site/njstudiesacademicalliance/awards/njsaa-teaching-award