Montana History Teacher of the Year to be honored on Nov. 9 at State Capitol

HELENA — Eric Chaon of Nice Falls can be honored as Montana Historical past Trainer of the 12 months for 2021-2022 on Wednesday, November 9 at 10 a.m.close to the Statehood Centennial Bell within the State Capitol in Helena.

Chosen by a panel of Montana historical past advocates from submissions by the trainer’s friends and college students, Chaon is the thirty third winner of the Montana Statehood Centennial Bell Award.

“Mr. Chaon is deserving of this prestigious award due to the connection he makes together with his college students, the participating approach during which he teaches, and his love for bettering the expansion of his college students,” Nice Falls Excessive Faculty Senior Cale Gundlach wrote in a letter of assist.

“I immerse college students in analyzing photographs, letters, broadsides, and different main sources from Montana historical past,” Chaon stated. “I additionally use class competitions, on-line challenges, and video games to encourage pupil curiosity and engagement.”

Chaon will obtain a plaque and $4,500 from three sponsors: the Montana Tv Community, the Montana Historical past Basis, and the Sons & Daughters of Montana Pioneers. Different companions are the Montana Historic Society and the 1889 Espresso Home in Helena.

Extra presents of $100 in gold Sacajawea cash from Judy Wohlfrom of Woodland, Calif., are given to the coed who writes the letter of assist for the profitable trainer. One other gold Sacajawea greenback is given from Mike Collins, president of the Sons and Daughter of Montana Pioneers, and his spouse Connie, to every pupil who accompanies the profitable trainer to the Helena awards ceremony.

A Nice Falls Native, Chaon is at present the Social Research Division head at Nice Falls Excessive Faculty. He’s a 2006 graduate of Nice Falls Excessive Faculty and a 2010 graduate from Montana State College in Bozeman. He holds a Bachelor of Science diploma in secondary schooling, and a Grasp of Schooling diploma in curriculum and instruction. Chaon taught center faculty and highschool social research in Augusta, Montana, from 2011-2013, and world historical past and Montana historical past at Nice Falls Excessive Faculty since 2013.

“I used to be in a position to absolutely see the dedication Eric brings to not solely his classroom but additionally to the relationships he builds together with his college students,” stated GFHS Librarian Jerry Hopkins, who wrote a letter of assist for Chaon. “Mr. Chaon’s classroom persona is loud, animated, and humorous. This mixture of ardour for schooling makes his college students wish to attend his class and sit up for what every lesson will convey.”