
Pennington
Traditional
School
Social
Studies
Teacher
Erin
Merrill
is
the
recipient
of
the
2020
American
Civic
Education
Teacher
Awards
(ACETA).
This
national
award
recognizes
civic
teachers
for
their
exemplary
work
preparing
young
people
to
become
informed
and
engaged
citizens.
Merrill
is
one
of
three
educators
in
the
nation
being
recognized
for
this
award.
Charles
Quigley,
executive
director
of
the
Center
for
Civic
Education,
praised
the
three
distinguished
educators,
including
Merrill,
for
their
dedication
in
helping
young
people
learn
the
information
and
skills
needed
to
participate
as
effective
and
responsible
citizens.
"We
are
grateful
for
all
these
teachers
do
to
ensure
that
each
succeeding
generation
understands
the
principles
and
values
of
our
democracy,"
Quigley
said.
Merrill
shared
her
passion
for
explaining
democracy
and
the
inner
workings
of
government
at
the
federal,
state,
and
local
level
to
her
students,
"As
a
civics
teacher,
I
am
preparing
the
next
group
of
citizens
who
will
not
only
support
our
country
as
adults,
but
will
lead
it.
To
reach
this
goal,
it
is
important
that
students
learn
our
history,
our
Constitution,
and
the
workings
of
our
government.
And
not
just
a
memorization
of
facts;
students
need
to
understand
why.
In
my
classroom,
my
biggest
priority
is
to
go
above
and
beyond
the
curriculum
with
as
many
experiences
as
possible."
One
of
Merrill's
colleagues
highlighted
the
following
in
their
recommendation,
"Watching
students
wrestle
with
traditional
voting,
caucus-style
voting,
and
ranked
choice
is
a
sight
to
behold.
Seeing
them
participate
in
the
various
styles
of
democracy
showed
me
that
Merrill
is
preparing
them
to
be
active
participants
in
American
politics.
Teaching
them
civics
is
one
thing,
but
preparing
them
to
be
active,
civically
minded
citizens
is
a
rare
thing."
Merrill
has
worked
diligently
to
help
young
people
make
the
connection
that
being
an
active
and
engaged
citizen
on
the
local,
state
and
federal
level
has
a
significant
impact
on
their
personal
lives.
To
be
considered
for
the
award,
the
candidate
must
be
a
full-time
classroom
teacher
in
grades
K-eight.
Applicants
must
submit
a
two-page
self-portrait
essay,
their
resume
and
two
letters
of
recommendation.
To
win
the
award,
teachers
of
civics,
government
or
related
subject
areas
must
have
demonstrated
exceptional
expertise,
enthusiasm,
and
creativity
to
help
students
to
learn
about
the
Constitution,
the
U.S.
government
at
the
federal,
state,
and
local
levels,
and
public
policy.
The
ACETA
awards
are
sponsored
by
the
Center
for
Civic
Education,
the
Center
on
Representative
Government
at
Indiana
University,
and
the
National
Education
Association.
The
Center
for
Civic
Education
is
a
nonprofit,
nonpartisan
educational
organization
dedicated
to
fostering
the
development
of
informed,
responsible
participation
in
civic
life
by
citizens
committed
to
values
and
principles
fundamental
to
American
constitutional
democracy.
Find
more
details
on
the
award
on
the
Center
for
Civic
Education
website.