National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Immediate Past President Peggy Jackson was honored at Moriarty High School in Moriarty Edgewood School District, New Mexico, at a surprise ceremony that announced that she is one of five teachers to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2018 on June 22 in Emporia, Kansas. Jackson will meet her fellow inductees in May when the National Education Association (NEA) will honor them at a special meeting with their Executive Board at NEA headquarters in Washington DC. An appearance on National Public Radio and meetings with political and government officials will also take place. 

"I am overwhelmed and deeply honored to know that my teaching career, doing what I love to do, will be recognized in this manner. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I am proud to say that quality and relevant civic learning have been a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy throughout my career. I carry social studies with me always and proudly represent NCSS," said Jackson.

Jackson, an Adolescence and Young Adulthood (AYA) Social Studies National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), served on the Moriarty High School faculty as an AP Government and U.S. History teacher for 13 years and retired in 2012. A mentor to new teachers, Jackson also nurtured the career growth of seasoned teachers both in her state and across the country. As New Mexico State Teacher of the Year, she has been a tireless advocate for social studies with elected leaders in New Mexico’s state legislature, as well as on Capitol Hill. A longtime education leader, she has served in various leadership roles at NCSS, the New Mexico State Council for the Social Studies (NMCSS), and other education groups at the local, state and national levels.

NCSS President Terry Cherry said: “What a well deserved honor for NCSS Immediate Past President Peggy Jackson! The proud daughter of a Texas Rancher, she has had a lifelong passion for civil rights and the genuine desire to support, cheer on, and advocate for others. She has taken the opportunity to educate students to be lifelong learners and changed the lives of many of her students. That is the recipe for a National Hall of Fame teacher like Peggy Jackson.”

Larry Paska, Executive Director of NCSS said: “This incredible honor is a testament to Peggy Jackson’s education leadership and lifelong service. NCSS is extremely proud to have such as esteemed educator as our immediate past-president.”

National Teachers Hall of Fame recognizes and honors exceptional career teachers, encourages excellence in teaching, and preserves the rich heritage of the teaching profession in the United States. The Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of exceptional career teachers, preserves their careers in museum and virtual formats, and utilizes their skills and experiences to elevate teacher quality and student learning through integrated programming. Each year, the teachers selected must have a minimum of twenty years of full-time teaching in pre-K-12 classrooms and are required to submit a rigorous nomination packet and video. A national selection committee with representatives from education organizations and NTHF corporate partners meets to select the inductees. Inductees who have been announced so far are: Connie Bagley of Crockett Elementary School in San Marcos, Texas and Bradley Upshaw of Vanalden Elementary in Tarzana, California. Two additional inductees will be announced in the coming days.