A Fargo social studies teacher has been named North Dakota's History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America.
Carl Oberholtzer, who teaches at North High School, will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be eligible for the National History Teacher of the Year award to be announced this fall. North High will also receive books and materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute.
"It's very nice. There's some wonderful things going on with history in our region," Oberholtzer said Wednesday.
"We work really hard in the Fargo schools to try to make history important to the kids," the Detroit Lakes, Minn., resident said. "Hopefully, we've shown the kids that history is exciting and it's a very valuable tool for understanding what's going on around them in this world."
Oberholtzer has taught at Fargo North since 1990 and has been chairman of the social studies department since 1995.
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The annual awards were started in 2004. The awards go to one exceptional K-12 teacher in each state and U.S. territory.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was founded in 1994 and promotes the study and love of American history.
Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages the study of history and preserving the nation's culture and heritage.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
