Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Roanoke teacher gets group's honor
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You've probably heard of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a nationwide group of women who can trace their lineage back to the Revolutionary War. You may not have heard about the male counterpart, however, the Sons of the American Revolution.
Its membership is a fraction of DAR's, but its founding, in 1889, predates the women's group by a year.
"Any of the daughters give me any stuff, I say we're a year older," joked Wayne Rouse, president of the Col. Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Rouse, of Stafford, was in town Monday to present the group's Teacher of the Year award to Alexander Sheffield, a sixth-grade history teacher at Roanoke's Stonewall Jackson Middle School and a member (or "compatriot," as they call one another) of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Most years, the organization asks schools to select a teacher who has worked to teach revolutionary history to students. This year, it just so happens the recipient of the award happens to be a compatriot.
"It's an honor, there's no question about that," said Sheffield, who has been teaching in Roanoke since 1997, with the exception of two years he spent in private schools. "I've been doing my job for all these years and didn't think so much of it."
Sheffield said he can trace "at least three different lines that go back" to the Revolutionary War.
To win the award, Sheffield had to write an essay and collect recommendations. Over his teaching career, he has tried to make early American history relevant to students by introducing concepts in game form. Students sometimes make up rhymes to remember history.
"It seems to be very catchy with the kids," said Sheffield, who has produced a series of music CDs to help teach history.
On Monday, Rouse walked into Sheffield's class to present him with the award in front of his students. Copies of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution were on one wall.
"If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be getting this award," Rouse told the students. "This award is for you guys, too."
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Lucy Addison Middle School will host a special ceremony Friday to honor Roanoke teachers who taught in all-black schools. Students will offer a musical program, and Superintendent Rita Bishop will present awards. The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium.
Like many school systems in Virginia, Roanoke's school desegregation unfolded over several years during the 1960s, culminating in a court-ordered busing plan in 1971. That busing pattern is still in place today.
