Helen Rose Named 2023 DoDEA History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute Celebrates 20 Years of the National History Teacher of the Year Award

Helen Rose, a teacher at SHAPE High School in Belgium, has been named the 2023 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) History Teacher of the Year, an award presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to K–12 American history education.

The History Teacher of the Year award, inaugurated in 2004 and now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K–12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and US Territories. 

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, Rose receives a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials and recognition at a local ceremony in her honor, and becomes one of 53 finalists for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year Award.

Helen Rose began teaching in 2014, and has taught for DoDEA since 2020. She serves as the SHAPE High School department chair for Social Studies; has taught AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP European History, Anthropology, Sociology, Government, and Economics; and has been the Model United Nations Director for the last three years. 

Ms. Rose earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of North Florida; a Master's degree in History from Texas Tech University; and Master's Certificate in Second Language instruction from Sam Houston State University.

“Helen is an outstanding teacher,” said Mr. Shawn Rodman, principal of SHAPE High School. “She designs lessons that engage all her students, conveying a wide range of critical information while also challenging those students who already have an extensive knowledge of history. She is an excellent example of what a History and Social Studies teacher can be.”

This year’s National History Teacher of the Year will be announced in fall 2023 and celebrated at a ceremony in New York City. The ceremony will feature Peabody and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent Deborah Roberts as its presenter. Roberts, a contributing anchor for 20/20, was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in May. She is also the author of the New York Times recent bestselling book Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life. 

Past presenters of the award include the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, First Lady Laura Bush, former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education. The Institute is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education while also serving the general public. Its mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources.