Brian Rodriguez, a history teacher at Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) in Alameda, California, has been named the 2016 California History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Rodriguez was recognized for his innovative history curricula that fosters inquiry and critical thinking skills. He taught for 19 years at Encinal High School before joining ASTI in 2014. As the state winner, Rodriguez will receive a $1,000 honorarium and ASTI's library will receive educational materials.

1. News
ASTI's Brian Rodriguez Wins California History Teacher of the Year
Award (05/27/2016)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alameda,
Calif. — May 27, 2016 — The Gilder Lehrman Institute of
American History last week announced that Brian Rodriguez –
a history teacher at AUSD's Alameda Science and Technology
Institute (ASTI) – has been chosen as its 2016 California
History Teacher of the Year.
A panel of teachers, administrators, and scholars from across
the state chose Rodriguez based on his "innovative history
curricula, which fosters a spirit of inquiry while emphasizing
critical skills in U.S. history, Modern World History, Humanities,
and Economics," the institute announced in a press release.
Rodriguez taught history at Encinal High School for 19 years
before joining the ASTI faculty in 2014. He received his
undergraduate degree in rhetoric from the University of
California, Berkeley, a law degree from University of Southern
California, and a teaching credential from Holy Names College
in Oakland. He was named AUSD's Teacher of the Year in
2008.
"I am thrilled and honored to receive this award," Rodriguez
said. "My father was a poor Mexican-American kid whose life
was radically changed for the better by the kindness and care
of a school nurse and a teacher. That made a tremendous
difference to my family. I have never forgotten that, and I try
to fulfill that role every day for Alameda students."
Recognizing the "Crucial Importance of History
Education"
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a New
York–based national nonprofit devoted to the teaching and
learning of American history. The Institute’s programs have
been recognized by awards from the White House, the
National Endowment of the Humanities, and the Organization
of American Historians. The History Teacher of the Year Award
highlights the crucial importance of history education by
honoring an exceptional American history teacher from each
state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools,
and US Territories. A "National History Teacher of the Year"
will be selected from this list of state winners and honored at a
ceremony in New York City next fall.
As part of his recognition, Mr. Rodriguez will receive a $1,000
honorarium from the institute, and ASTI's library will receive a
core archive of history books and educational materials. ASTI
also becomes a "Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School," which gives
its teachers access to regional forums with noted historians
and extensive resources to use in the classroom.
Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer nominated Mr. Rodriguez for the
award. He submitted two lessons with his application: one in
which students trace their family history through US history
and one on the September 11, 2001 attacks. (You can read
our community bulletin about that lesson here.)

2. "Democracy is Not Passive"
For Rodriguez, history isn't about a dusty past; it's about an
engaged present and better future. "I teach my students that
democracy is not passive," he says. "This year my students
were inspired to be advocates for social justice. After a lesson
on the school to prison pipeline, they started a tutoring
program at a local elementary school, and after learning about
immigration, they made a school-wide video inviting a young
Syrian refugee to our school. Other students travelled with a
Congressional delegation to South Carolina with the MLK
Freedom Center and started soccer programs for the
disabled. There is no more exciting place than a vibrant
history classroom."
ASTI is AUSD's Early College High School, which means
students can earn college credits in addition to a high school
diploma. It is supported by Measure A, a parcel tax approved
by Alameda voters in 2011.
"Brian Rodriguez is an innovative teacher at an innovative high
school," Superintendent Sean McPhetridge said. "Our students
are so fortunate to have the opportunity to go to this school
and to benefit from the experience and creativity of passionate
teachers like Brian. ASTI and AUSD are lucky to benefit from
his service in the classroom!"
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