HUDSON’S BAY – Fourth-grade teacher Ann Kirkendall has made a career out of getting her students excited about the history of the United States. She doesn’t rely on doing so through textbooks, but rather by getting kids involved in hands-on projects, which challenges them to experience history and explore the consequences of decisions made by our ancestors.
Kirkendall’s devotion to experiential learning earned her this year’s Southwest Washington History Teacher of The Year Award, presented by the Fort Vancouver chapter of the Sons of The American Revolution. Kirkendall’s honor was presented June 7 at VITA School’s final student assembly of the year. The day also marked her retirement following more than two decades as an educator.
“SAR continually strives to recognize teachers who go the extra mile and are innovative in how they engage their students,” said Paul Winter, Fort Vancouver chapter president. “They are, after all, the key to perpetuating our nation’s history to the next generation. She’s also attended numerous programs for educators, such as the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge or Colonial Williamsburg Summer Teachers Institute, to expand her knowledge and benefit her students.”
Throughout the school year, Kirkendall led her students through a journey of discovery—– from studying subjects such as the Jamestown, indentured servitude and introduction of slavery to America. In exploring the American Revolution, her students re-created colonial characters and responded to notable events as they occurred throughout the fight for independence. The year concluded with a museum display, student performance in costume and a formal tea.
