ROGERS — A social studies teacher at Heritage High School will receive the state honor for American history from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
This month Wayne Levering was notified he's Arkansas' candidate for the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History contest. Levering will be honored during the state meeting in March, said Gretchen Magee, regent of the Lovely Purchase chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
At A Glance
The Award
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History contest honors teachers of American history and related fields in public, private and parochial schools, grades 6-12, at the chapter, state and national levels. To receive the award teachers must foster a spirit of American patriotism, relate historical topics to modern life and events and support their students. For more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution, visit www.dar.org.
Source: Staff Report
Levering was a good candidate because of his military connection, continued interest in learning and projects he’s done with students, Magee said. Documentation on a classroom constitution, sidewalk timeline, legislative internship program and flag painting projects completed while a teacher in 2008-10 at Arkansas School for the Deaf were part of his application. Levering began teaching at Heritage in fall 2010. He teaches English as a second language American government, American history and human relations, and is chairman of the arts and communication academy at the school, according to his application.
Before he became a teacher six years ago, Levering was a civilian contractor working in accounting with the Department of Defense.
It was the chapter’s first nomination for this particular award. The Bella Vista chapter voted in September to accept Levering’s application
“It’s a great honor in our chapter,” Magee said.
Because it is based in Bella Vista, the Lovely Purchase chapter doesn't have a school district that falls exclusively within the boundaries of its chapter, but coordinated with the Ozark Mountains chapter in Rogers and the James Bright chapter in Bentonville on the nomination.
To join the Daughters of the American Revolution candidates must show descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Members are willing to help with the required genealogy, Magee said. This year the Lovely Purchase chapter is making a renewed effort for community involvement, she said.
“We are a group that is very dedicated to honoring family history and preserving the past, but also being a force in the community and supporting education,” Magee said.
Extensive documentation was required for the teacher award, Magee said. Levering submitted a 20-page document. Not every candidate is up for that challenge.
History, in Levering’s case, was a strong motivation to finish the application, Magee said.
He grew up in Philadelphia visiting Independence Hall. His father’s family came to the United States with William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
Becoming a history teacher, although it wasn't his first career, was a natural fit, Levering said.
The people who live in history books are just like everyone else, he says.
“It just so happens that their story is in a book,” he said.
His favorite period of history is the Revolutionary War, but his students relate to the stories of the Civil Rights era, Levering said.
The challenge as a teacher for students learning English as a second language is that there are varying degrees of background in American history. Some may not know who George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln are, Levering said. He hopes to help students make a personal connection with the stories of the past because they will shape the future.
“History really is just a story. It’s a collection of stories,” he said. “Their part of the story is added to it.”