Educators

​Why participate in National History Day in Missouri?
Empower your students with real-world skills and activate their creativity through National History Day in Missouri. This educational program lets your students shine while meeting Missouri Learning Standards.

National History Day in Missouri is a unique opportunity to explore the past in a creative, hands-on way. While producing a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website, students will become experts on the topic they choose as they examine the 2025 contest theme: Rights & Responsibilities.
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​The National History Day experience offers educators several professional development opportunities: webinars, workshops, and online graduate classes.
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​Share NHDMO with students, parents, and administrators. 
Check out the NEW Teaching with NHD Pinterest board.
Who can be a teacher/sponsor for a National History Day project?
Any adult willing to sponsor an eligible student (grades 6 to 12) is invited to help that student cultivate their love of history. Teachers from any public, private, or home school can serve as sponsors for National History Day in Missouri projects. Parents, guardians, or mentors are also invited to be NHD sponsors for students who are interested in participating.

​Let's get started! Download the NHD Teacher Packet and guide students through the NHD process. 
​Documentary
  • Watch Harper's documentary
  • Watch Michaela's documentary
  • ​Watch Ingrid's documentary
  • Watch Dylan, Jaden, and Shawna's documentary

Exhibit
  • See Hannah's gold medal exhibit
  • Read Emily & Renae's exhibit "how to" guide
  • See the research behind Molly & Matthew's award-winning exhibit

Paper
  • Read Sawyer's paper

Performance​
  • See Erin's gold medal performance
  • Read about Zoe's performance experience
  • Watch Jay's gold medal performance
  • Watch Erin's award-winning performance
  • Watch Paying the Bill: A Turning Point for Women's Suffrage
  • Watch Power, The Press, The Post
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Website
  • See Jackson, Amren, Dani, and Ryker's website
  • See Brandon, Taylor, and Jason's website
  • ​See Alexandria and Ruth's website
  • See Destiny and Adriana's website
  • See Kayln's website
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​Ready to begin? Make sure to check out these great resources:
Want more info? Check out other teacher resources.

Questions? Contact us!
What educators have to say about NHD
"My students learn more from their NHD projects than from any other project we do." -Maureen Funk
​"It is such a joy to see young people loving history and having fun before they even realize they are learning about primary and secondary sources and MLA format." -BH
​"I love to see the excitement when a student makes a breakthrough on research while working on their project" -Paul Arnold
​"This has been an adventure of a first year: the benefits for our students are so clear" -Sarah P.
​"NHD was such a great growth opportunity for my students. They all felt great about their interviews" -Charlene Free
Benefits of NHD
A national evaluation of National History Day found:
  • NHD students outperform their peers on state standardized tests, not only in social studies but in reading, science, and math. 
  • NHD students are better writers who write with a purpose and a real voice while marshaling solid evidence to support their point of view. 
  • NHD students are critical thinkers who digest, analyze, and synthesize information. 
  • NHD students gain 21st century skills, learning how to collaborate with team members, talk to experts, manage their time, and persevere. 
  • NHD has a positive impact on students, creating a meaningful educational experience.
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Share the benefits of NHD with your school. See how NHD Works!

Teacher Awards

NHD student giving thumbs up

National History Day teacher awards recognize outstanding educators.  








Congratulations to the 2023 Missouri nominees for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award
  • Kathy Laffoon, Liberty Middle School, Liberty
  • Paul Arnold, Richland High, Essex
Congratulations to the 2023 Missouri nominees for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award
  • Beth Winton, John Warner Middle School, Columbia
  • Phillip Reed, Northwest High School, Cedar Hill

Congratulations to the 2022 Missouri nominees for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award
  • Brian Wiedmer, North Andrew Middle School R-VII, Rosendale
  • Kimberly Brownlee, Liberty North High School, Liberty

Congratulations to 2020 Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Finalist
  • Rebecca Arnold, Richland Elementary School, Essex

Congratulations to the 2019 Missouri nominees for the Hannah E. (Liz) MacGregor Teacher Award
  • Jesse Derber, Westview Middle School, St. Louis—junior division nominee
  • Kimberly Brownlee, Liberty North High School, Liberty—senior division nominee

Congratulations to the 2018 Missouri nominees for the Harris Award
  • Gretchen Trower, Gentry Middle School, Columbia—junior division nominee
  • Derek Frieling, Lafayette High School, St. Joseph—senior division nominee

Read more about Gretchen and Derek.

Congratulations to these outstanding educators and past award winners:
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2016 Teacher Award Winners
  • Jesse Derber, Westview Middle School, St. Louis—Joseph Webber Teacher of Merit Award
  • Kelly Patterson, Risco R2 Schools—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Senior Division)
  • Charlene Free, Hollister Middle School—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Junior Division)

2015 Teacher Award Winners
  • Sara Reineke, North Middle School, Joplin—Joseph Webber Teacher of Merit Award
  • Kelly Simon Matney, Nixa High School—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Senior Division)
  • Charlene Burns, George Caleb Bingham Middle School, Independence—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Junior Division)

2014 Teacher Award Winners Are
  • Amy Martin, Kirksville Middle School—Joseph Webber Teacher of Merit Award
  • Paul Arnold, Malden High School—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Senior Division)
  • Maureen Funk, Princeton R-5 School—Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award (Junior Division)

Visiting Columbia 

Where to Stay?


Make your hotel reservations EARLY . . . Columbia hotels are busy in the spring!  

Featured Hotels:
Stoney Creek Inn 
573.442.6400
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Drury Plaza Hotel Columbia East
573.441.0090

Drury Inn & Suites Columbia
573.445.1800

 
Where to Park?
Head to the MU parking garages on Hitt, University, Virginia, Conley, and Turner Avenues. These are FREE on Saturdays!

Parking Tips:
  • You may also park on campus lots on Saturdays, except at residence halls.
  • Please note that Columbia does enforce metered parking on Saturday, so if you want to park in a metered zone, bring quarters!
Where to Eat?
There are numerous restaurant choices close to the University of Missouri campus. Explore the options in the District here.

Additionally, there are some on-campus dining options at the MU Student Center and Memorial Student Union. Check their Saturday hours for availability.