Barbara Hatch was recognied by Superintendent Huppenthal as the 2012 “Arizona History Teacher of the Year” at the State Board meeting. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History annually recognizes outstanding K–12 American history teachers across the country, and they have named Barbara Hatch their 2012 Arizona History Teacher of the Year. Ms. Hatch will receive a $1,000 award, a certificate of recognition and an archive of books and historical resources that will be presented in her name to her school’s library.
“Barbara Hatch has bridged generations by connecting our students to our veterans in a very relevant way,” said Superintendent John Huppenthal. “We are all indebted to her for her dedication and great work with our students.”
Ms. Hatch is the founder of the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) and a history teacher at Cactus Shadows High School in the Cave Creek Unified District. VHP creates opportunities for high school students to interview veterans and captures in writing their patriotic stories of service to America. These essays are then compiled by VHP student members into a published volume of stories and sent to the Library of Congress to be preserved in history. An annual reception and book signing attended by veterans, local dignitaries, students and their families is held every year to honor those who have served our country.
“I am really honored to be receiving this award,” stated Ms. Hatch. “As a history teacher, I see the light in the students’ eyes as they get to hear a story first-hand from a person who lived events they normally just read about in their textbooks. It thrills me to see the lessons these kids pick up from the men and women whom they feel privileged to meet.”
Ms. Hatch has been recognized by other state and national organizations, such as the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AZVHOF), which presented her with their Copper Sword in February. This is the highest honor the group awards to a civilian who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help further the initiatives of veterans, patriotism and humanitarianism. Additionally, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) also recognized Hatch in 2011 when it awarded her the Mary Smith Lockwood Founders’ Medal for Education during the National Defense Night celebration at its 120th annual Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.