250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War Committee
The 250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War Committee members work with the U.S. federal government to promote the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. It designs commemorative merchandise and SAR member insignia for the anniversary. This committee publicizes the anniversary using media, education, and government contacts. The 250th Anniversary Committee helps develop educational programs and booklets relating to the American Revolution, encourages the internationally-focused SAR societies (including the Canada SAR, France SAR, Germany SAR, International SAR, Mexico SAR, Spain SAR, Switzerland SAR, and United Kingdom SAR) to plan special Congresses during the celebrations, and works with other SAR committees to coordinate celebration of the 250th anniversary.
If you are interested in serving on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War Committee, please contact the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War Committee Chairman Clifford C. Olsen II.
American History Teacher Award Committee
Purpose:
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), whose mission and objectives are patriotic, historical, and educational, wish to identify, recognize, and commend Outstanding Social Studies Teachers. These extraordinary educators at private, public, and parochial institutions, who teach our children in a middle or high school setting, will be recognized for actively addressing the history of the American Revolutionary era. The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will represent a teacher whose instruction on the Revolutionary War era, from 1750 to 1800, demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current, accepted, curriculum requirements.
Award Description:
The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will be able to choose a trip to one of the following seminars:
1) Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania;
2) Colonial Williamsburg Summer Teacher Workshop in Williamsburg, Virginia;
3) Jefferson Symposium at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia; or
4) SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution.
This award, valued at $1,400.00, will reimburse the winner for expenses including tuition, room and board, and transportation. The SAR will provide this professional educational opportunity to an educator who will bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm to their students of the American Revolutionary era.
How to Enter:
The SAR invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The award is open to all teachers at the middle or high school levels at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution.
The award program will be conducted in three (3) phases: Local Chapter, State-level Society, and National Society. The applicant must begin the entry process by obtaining an application form (see below) and submitting the completed application through a local SAR chapter. The application form can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. To locate local SAR chapters, applicants can visit the contacts page or visit the society website list.
Deadlines:
Applicant Entry Deadline to Local Chapter: December 15 (Suggested)
Chapter Entry Deadline to State-level Society: January 15 (Suggested)
State-level Society Candidate Deadline to National Society: February 10 (Mandatory)
Rules:
Teacher candidates interested in entering the local SAR Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 500 words discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolutionary era. The essay may also describe any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher to teach the American Revolution. The contest is aimed at identifying a teacher who is still actively teaching and who is in the early stages of his or her career, therefore having many years of productive classroom teaching remaining. It is recognized that school districts may have different job titles for teachers of American history, such as Social Studies teachers. The actual job title of the teacher is not important as long as the teacher has as their primary duty the teaching of American History. Teachers who teach music, JROTC, or other subjects as their primary subject are not eligible. The essay should also discuss why the teacher wants to attend the educational seminar and how the teacher would use what is learned at the seminar in the future.
Two signed letters of recommendation, one from the Supervisor and one from the Principal whose signature endorsing the applicant appears on the application, should also be among the application materials. These letters need to state why the applicant is an outstanding teacher of American history. In addition to the application and written essay, SAR requests the applicant submit a one-page biography highlighting their educational background and achievements. All application materials must be typed or printed on 8½” x 11″ standard paper and submitted through the mail. No handwritten or copied material will be accepted. All original materials will remain the property of SAR.
The award is specifically for graduate programs in the American Revolution and not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner is unable to attend an educational seminar during the year the award is presented then the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within thirty six months after the award is announced or the award will be forfeited.
Judging & Awards:
Although individual chapters and state-level societies may set their own deadlines, it is recommended that the following deadlines be followed. Completed applications shall be submitted to the local SAR chapter no later than December 15 of each year. Please confirm this date with the SAR Chapter Chairman of the American History Teacher Award, as the local chapter may adjust their deadline yearly.
After the SAR chapter has chosen its Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner, the chapter must then email or mail a copy of the form below (including the applicant’s form) to the State-level Society American History Teacher Award Chairman. All of the required forms must be received by the Society American History Teacher Award Chairman no later than January 15 of each year. Please confirm this deadline date with the Society American History Teacher Award Chairman.
After the SAR state-level society has chosen its Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner, the society must then email or mail a copy of this form (including the one winning finalist’s form) to the SAR American History Teacher Award Chairman and SAR Education Director. All of the required forms must be sent to the SAR American History Teacher Award Chairman with a copy to the SAR Education Director no later than February 10. Please note that this is a mandatory deadline. The national-level American History Teacher Committee will judge the state-level finalists at the Spring Leadership Meeting and announce the winner by March 31. All state-level finalists will receive a certificate of appreciation for their participation.
See the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award Page for more information.
