Frazer Teacher Receives State Honor

Frazer School history teacher Mary Zuchowski has been selected the Senior Division Montana National History Day Teacher of the Year nominee.

“Mary is always advocating for our students,” Frazer Superintendent of Schools Sarah Ruff said. “She works hard to bring academic opportunities to our students.”

This year’s National History Day theme, “Rights & Responsibilities in History,” invites students to examine essential questions: Who decides who has rights? What events have established certain rights? How are those decisions justified?

National History Day selects one middle school teacher and one high school teacher from each state affiliate to represent their state for the national teaching honor. The national award winner receives a $500 cash prize.

Following the self-nomination process, National History Day staff worked with local program staff to select up to one middle school teacher and one high school teacher to represent each affiliate for this prestigious award.

National History Day is a nationally recognized academic enrichment program that promotes the study of history in schools. Modeled after science fairs, it encourages students to take a creative approach to studying history, fostering critical thinking and research skills.

“National History Day’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Award nominees are outstanding history educators,” said Dr. Cathy Gorn, executive director of National History Day, in a press release. “At a time when history education programs are facing funding cuts and increased scrutiny, these teachers are in the trenches - teaching students about important historical events and engaging them with primary sources from local libraries and archives. I couldn’t be more proud of this year’s nominees.”

Winners will be announced on June 12 at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony in College Park, Md.