DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — June 20, 2005 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) proudly announces that Martha S. Drane has been selected as the DoDEA candidate for the 2005 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award.

The Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and honors outstanding teachers of American History across the country. The Institute, founded in 1994, promotes the study and love of American History. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve America's cultural and natural heritage.

The History Teacher of the Year Award, under the rubric of Preserve America, recognizes outstanding American history teachers from elementary school through high school, and the crucial importance of American history education. Finalists are selected from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, and U.S. territories. From these local winners a national honoree is recognized as the national Preserve America History Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Drane currently teaches Social Studies and English at Patch American High School in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany and has had over sixteen years of success teaching middle school and high school students, leading them into young adulthood by serving as a positive role model and mentor both in the classroom and through life experiences. "I have always believed that a teacher's duty is to light a fire that will guide young men and women into tomorrow" says Drane of her educational philosophy, "I know, without a doubt, that every child can achieve great things."

Before teaching at Patch American High School, Mrs. Drane taught Social Studies and English in Baumholder, Germany, was a tutor of English Literature in San Antonio Texas, and worked as an Assistant Teacher in Fairfax, Virginia. She earned a Master of Education degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Curriculum, and Instruction from the National Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Library Sciences, with a minor in History, from Delta State University.

"Her enthusiasm for Social Studies is her earmark" says John Provinsal, Principal of Patch American High School, "Mrs. Drane's Social Studies classroom is an animated chamber that ignites the love of the past and the meaningful relationship for the future."

Mrs. Drane will receive $1000.00 cash award from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and will be honored with a "History Teacher of the Year" plaque at a DoDEA ceremony. The institute will also present Patch American High School with an archive of primary historical materials, named in honor of Mrs. Drane, for use in the school library or resource center. "We are so proud of Martha," says Dr. Joe Tafoya, DoDEA Director, "she exemplifies DoDEA's commitment to providing the best possible education to the children and dependents of military families."