Nadine Davis named 2025 DoDEA History Teacher of the Year

Nadine Davis, a teacher at SHAPE American Middle School in Belgium, has been named the 2025 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Established in 2004, this prestigious award honors outstanding elementary through high school teachers for their exceptional contributions to American history education.

Presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 American history education, the award recognizes one teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, DoDEA schools, and U.S. Territories for their creativity, dedication, and effective use of primary sources in the classroom.

“History teachers play an essential role in helping students understand the past, build critical thinking skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the people and events that shaped our nation,” said James G. Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. “We are proud to recognize educators who go above and beyond to make history engaging, meaningful, and relevant in their classrooms.”

Nadine Davis began teaching for DoDEA in 2002 and has taught at SHAPE American Middle School since 2014. She has taught a variety of courses, including Gifted Education, Language Arts, and U.S. History, and is known for her innovative lessons, commitment to student engagement, and integration of primary source documents to enrich historical understanding.

Ms. Davis earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in secondary education from the University of New Mexico. 

“Nadine Davis is a remarkable educator whose passion for history and dedication to her students truly set her apart,” said Dr. Gloria Hajat, Principal of SHAPE Middle School. “Her thoughtful approach to instruction fosters curiosity, deepens historical understanding, and cultivates a classroom environment where all students feel empowered to learn. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and grateful for her contributions to our school community.”

As the 2025 DoDEA History Teacher of the Year, Nadine Davis will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a curated archive of American history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute, and recognition at a local ceremony. She will also join 52 other state and jurisdiction honorees as a finalist for the 2025 National History Teacher of the Year Award.

The national award winner will be announced later this fall and will receive a $10,000 grand prize at a special ceremony at the Harvard Club of New York City. To view the full list of 2025 state honorees, visit https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-teacher-year/state-winners.