A history teacher at St. Joseph High School in Harrison is one of two nominees in Pennsylvania for a national teaching award.

Rosanne Pucciarelli is nominated for the Hannah E. (Liz) MacGregor Teacher of the Year History Teacher Award.

The award is sponsored by James F. Harris, past president of the board of trustees of National History Day, in honor of his sister. It is awarded annually to one middle school teacher and one high school teacher.

Harris, a retired history professor at the University of Maryland, sponsored the award for the first time in 2018, and asked that it be named for his late sister this year.

Nominees could be full-time teachers or librarians at public, private, parochial or charter schools or ones in home-school settings.

Pucciarelli is the senior division nominee from Pennsylvania. The junior nominee is Christine Zeglen from Holy Name of Jesus School in Harrisburg.

Pucciarelli is retiring this year after 45 years at St. Joseph High School, admissions Director Shane Palumbo said. A Mass and social in her honor is planned for June 4.

Two $5,000 awards are presented to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

“Teachers are one of the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to become critical thinkers,” said Cathy Gorn, National History Day executive director. “The nominees for the MacGregor Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom. I congratulate Ms. Pucciarelli on her nomination.”

A team of teachers and historians will choose the two national winners. The winners will be announced on June 13, which is National History Day.

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