James LeGrand, a teacher at Altus High School in Altus, has been named the 2014 Oklahoma History Teacher of the Year. The award is co-sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, HISTORY®, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on behalf of its Preserve America program, and the Oklahoma History Center.
In 1994, LeGrand received his bachelor’s degree in history at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Before teaching social studies at Altus High School starting in 2004, LeGrand taught at Mountain View-Gotebo Public Schools, Burns Flat-Dill City Public Schools, and Erick Public Schools. LeGrand shares his passion for history with his students through highly creative, hands-on classroom activities and instruction. LeGrand has received several awards over his career, including selection as one of 10 educators nationwide to advise the Ford’s Theatre on a digital project titled “Remembering Lincoln.”
James LeGrand will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be in the running to be named the 2014 National History Teacher of the Year this fall. The Altus High School library will receive a core archive of history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and HISTORY®. LeGrand will also be invited to a 2014 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar and Altus High School will be named a Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School.