Home News DENT MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER NAMED BEST IN THE STATE

DENT MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER NAMED BEST IN THE STATE

8/17/2020

Dr. Timothy E. Hicks, a teacher at Dent Middle School, has been named the 2020 State History Teacher of the Year. This award is presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to K-12 American history education.

Nationally-board certified, Dr. Hicks teaches in The Learning Collaborative (TLC) magnet program at Dent, where he has taught for 26 years. His classroom instruction emphasizes the analysis of primary sources and off-campus/virtual field studies.

“The study of history should be an active rather than passive investigation of the past and help students develop into empathetic citizens ready for democratic leadership,” said Dr. Hicks. “I am honored to receive this award and honored to work with great students, teachers and district leaders because no award is truly individual.”

“Dr. Hicks is a premier educator and valued member of the team who has had a tremendous impact on our students, parents and the greater Dentsville community,” said Dent Middle School Principal Tamala Ashford.

Dr. Hicks enjoys being a teacher and judge in National History Day, a mock trial coach for 20 years, and a mentor for pre-service and new teachers. He has presented at both the state and national levels and is a primary author of The South Carolina Journey, an eighth grade textbook used in many districts across the state. Dr. Hicks is a graduate of Furman University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History degree. At the University of South Carolina, he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching History and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, Dr. Hicks will receive a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials and recognition at a local ceremony. He is also one of 53 finalists for the $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award. Ten finalists will be announced in late summer and the winner of the national competition will be announced in early fall.