FCPS Teacher Receives 2021 History Teacher of the Year Award from George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Sean Miller, a teacher at South County High School, has been chosen as the 2021 History Teacher of the Year by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The award is given each year to one teacher in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area who brings creativity and passion to their teaching, generates a love of learning, and deepens their students’ understanding and appreciation of history. 

“I love teaching History because it gives me an opportunity to introduce students to the idea that they are active participants in history,” Miller said. “In my classes, I get to see students realizing the potential they have to be change agents in unique ways that they enjoy.”

Miller, who is in his eighth year teaching at South County, focuses on teaching lessons in an interactive way that students can connect to. He even gives them the opportunity to create Hip-Hop music as a way to express themselves in his class.

“I don't want to teach at them, but to put them in situations where they engage in ways they never have before,” Miller added. “The moments may last forever in their minds.”

Miller helped design FCPS’ new African American History elective and was part of the team that developed the FCPS African American History and Culture for Educators professional development course. FCPS Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Specialist Deborah March has worked alongside Miller for three years and commends his empowering and welcoming approach to learners of all ages. 

“Mr. Miller’s expertise as a culturally responsive social studies educator, scholar of history, and unwavering advocate for students’ needs has fostered important and overdue change in our system, within and well beyond his classroom,” March said. 

The Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year receives a cash award of $5,000 and a fully funded field trip to Mount Vernon for their students. 

“I was floored when I was notified about the honor,” Miller said. “The award affirms my belief that being true to myself is essential to my teaching, and that it resonates with students.” He went on to say, “Learning lessons from the past allows them to identify how they can make history themselves. I have the honor of teaching future legends."

You can read more about George Washington's Mount Vernon on their website.