On Tuesday, October 6th, Dayton Regional STEM School Social Studies Teacher, Meghan Durkee, was honored by the Ohio Council for the Social Studies (OCSS) with the "Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year" award. This honor is bestowed upon two Ohio social studies teachers every year to recognize social studies teachers who "demonstrate outstanding dedication, skill, intelligence, and caring in the practice of their art." The recipients are nominated by their colleagues and the state OCSS Executive Board members select the recipients from these nominations.
 |
| Meghan Durkee, DRSS Teacher and 2015 Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year, receiving her award in Columbus. |
Meghan was nominated for the award by her colleagues at The Dayton Regional STEM School, particularly for her work on
Matthew's Bill, a class project she began with Intervention Specialist Jennifer Helton, whose son has multiple handicaps. With Jennifer's help, Meghan utilized Project-Based Learning techniques to turn her government class into an effective lobbying organization that is currently pushing for state-wide adoption of SB112, a bill that would mandate that public restrooms include adult changing stations for Ohioans like Matthew. Currently, the students have a sponsor for this bill in the Senate in Senator Peggy Lehner of Kettering, OH. You can read more about their efforts in this
story from Wright State.
In describing her feelings about the award, Meghan describes the experience as "strange," given that she "work[s] with so many awesome educators that awesomeness is kind of norm around here, so it feels kind of bizarre to be singled out that way for an award like this."
She is very grateful, however, and according to OCSS, the nominees for the award must be Ohio classroom educators
currently teaching social studies who "exemplify excellence
in the teaching of social studies skills and content." Additionally, their
colleagues should "recognize them as exceptional social studies
practitioners." As part of her recognition, Meghan was able to travel to Columbus during OCSS's annual state-wide conference on Tuesday to attend the conference, be recognized, receive a framed certificate and a
year’s membership in OCSS, and $100.00 cash award.
Congratulations Mrs. Durkee!
