Silver Spring, Md. - Oct. 24, 2005 - The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) named Nancy Muller, of St. Peter Catholic School, Kirkwood, Mo., Outstanding Middle Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Muller will be honored with an award of $2,500 at the 85th NCSS Annual Conference in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 18. The conference is the largest gathering of social studies educators in the nation.

Muller will present a session at the conference demonstrating her teaching methods, 'Primary Sources and Community Resources - The Heart of the Lesson,' which will show delegates how to engage students through the use of primary sources. The session will be held at 1:45-2:45 p.m, Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Scholastic Inc. is the sponsor of the monetary award and the Social Studies Teacher of the Year Awards Reception, which will be held in the Kansas City Marriot Downtown, Nov. 18, at 6.30 p.m. As part of the award sponsorship, Scholastic will provide Muller a classroom subscription to Junior Scholastic Teachers Magazine(r) and will feature an article about her.

The NCSS Social Studies Middle Level Teacher of the Year Award is presented annually, recognizing exceptional social studies teachers. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional ability in developing or using instructional materials creatively and effectively; incorporating innovative instructional strategies and techniques; and demonstrating the ability to foster the development of democratic beliefs, values, and skills needed to be effective citizens.

Muller's classes are about much more than just observing, her instruction is designed to help children recognize that they can make a difference, encouraging them to get involved as citizens. During the 2004 presidential campaign her classes prepared letters to their senators, sharing their three wishes for America. After the election she forwarded their letters to their senators and to President Bush.

She encourages students to find newspaper articles that address citizen's rights and to bring them to class, prepared to discuss how these rights are protected in the Constitution. This experience connects what they are learning about the Constitution to real life situations.

Muller has taught for 32 years, and has never stopped learning or implementing new teaching methods. Daniel Bauer, principal of St. Peter Catholic School says, "She makes American history interesting, alive, and enjoyable." For Muller's students, history is a hands on activity, whether that means looking at primary sources, using literature, plays, skits, or going on field trips.

Muller's teaching often extends beyond the classroom and into the community. One of her favorite projects is "Everyone has a story to tell." Students interview someone who is at least two generations older. They create the questions, conduct the interview, and present their stories to the class. She said, "It enables students to connect with someone who they otherwise may simply consider an 'old person.' It enables the students to see that history is about ordinary people."

As social studies coordinator for her school, Muller is always trying to organize faculty outings to museums and workshops, but she doesn't just attend these events, she becomes a part of them. She was a member of the Missouri Historical Society's curriculum committee helping to develop the national exhibit for the anniversary of Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition. Muller created a thematic unit on Women for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Exhibition. Muller is also a founding member of the Missouri Council for History Education.

Muller has a B.A. from St. Louis University and received the 2005 Missouri Council for the Social Studies Middle School Teacher of the Year Award.

Nearly 4,000 social studies professionals are expected to attend the 2005 NCSS conference in November. The theme of this year's conference is Social Studies: The Heart of the Curriculum. For further information visit the NCSS website at http://www.socialstudies.org.

Founded in 1921, the National Council for Social Studies has grown into the largest association in the country for social studies professionals, with 26,000 members in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 69 foreign countries. Membership includes K-16 classroom teachers, curriculum supervisors and specialists, curriculum writers and designers, and teacher educators. The NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for K-16 teachers of civics, history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and law-related education. Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Visit the NCSS website at http://www.socialstudies.org.