Casper History Teacher Honored

June 10, 2003 -- Kim Ibach, a teacher at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, is one of eight finalists for the Richard T. Farrell Teacher of Merit award recognizing outstanding success in teaching history.

Ibach will be recognized June 15 during the National History Day contest at the University of Maryland Nyumburu Amphitheater, says Rick Ewig, associate director of the University of Wyoming American Heritage Center (AHC) which coordinates the annual Wyoming History Day competition. The winner will be announced June 19 at the National History Day awards ceremony that can be watched live via Webcast at www.nationalhistoryday.org.

The Richard T. Farrell Award is presented each year to a teacher who employs innovative teaching methods in and out of the classroom. The teacher must participate in the National History Day program, develop and use creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past, and show exemplary commitment to helping students develop their interests in history.

Ibach is being recognized for her dedication to the National History Day program. William H. Moore, professor in the UW Department of History, recommended Ibach.

"Through her personal involvement in their projects and through her hand-on instruction, Kim has certainly helped Wyoming students comprehend the broader world," he said. Moore described Ibach as "a vital link between National History Day and teachers in Wyoming."

Ibach seeks to link her high school students to professors with similar subject interests. To complete the mentoring program, Ibach then connects her high school students with middle school students participating in History Day. This innovative program connects educators, schools, and students in their research and project development.

Ibach and students visit area middle schools to recruit students into the National History Day program, with high success rates. Their enthusiasm for the program has spread the "history bug," more quickly than recruiting efforts by the district committee, says Casper Superintendent of Schools Jim Lowham.

Wyoming History Day is affiliated with National History Day. The AHC coordinates the Wyoming portion of the contest, co-sponsored by the Wyoming State Historical Society and the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Students annually create documentaries, performances, exhibits, and papers. Participants qualify for the national event after competing in a series of local and state competitions, which draw more than a half million entrants annually. For more information go to www.nationalhistoryday.org or call (301) 314-9739.

Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2003