Get to Know the 2017 History Teachers of the Year: Elise Cuevas, Mississippi

This year, the Gilder Lehrman Institute recognized 52 State History Teachers of the Year for their tireless and innovative efforts to make history come alive for their students.

But who are they, really? We asked these talented teachers to answer a few questions about themselves and to reflect on the challenges and joys of teaching. We will feature a state winner every Tuesday and Thursday, so keep checking back to learn more about these outstanding educators!

This week, meet Elise Cuevas:

Elise Cuevas, Our Lady Academy
2017 Mississippi History Teacher of the Year 

What is the last great history book you read?
Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza, the story of the Rwandan genocide. While the genocide was not that long ago, nonetheless, it is historical. l read her story of determination, courage, and strength in one sitting.

What is your favorite historical site or museum?
My favorite historical site is the FDR memorial in Washington DC, but a place I love to visit is the Supreme Court. I am enamored with the work of the Supreme Court and wish I could be there for every decision day and every session of oral arguments.

If you could travel back in time and meet any historical figure who would it be and why?
Queen Elizabeth I or Anne Boleyn, because that time period has always intrigued me. They were both strong women who influenced government and politics. They had a voice in world dominated by men.

Who is your favorite historian?
Elie Wiesel is my favorite historian because I am inspired by his ability to turn an absolutely horrific event into an opportunity to inform people. To me, he is our greatest source of information about the Holocaust. He has spent his life re-living his near death experience, in hopes that it is never forgotten or ignored. Most people would have done everything to forget and move on.

Do you have a favorite historical topic or era?
I have many favorite topics. Some include the time of the founding fathers and the writing of the Constitution, the influence of the Supreme Court and its monumental decisions, and the Cold War.

Do your students have a favorite historical topic or era?
My students tend to be very interested in WWII and the Holocaust. That interest inspired a field trip to Europe with WWII and the Holocaust as the focus. We were able to visit key places integral to the war (the Berlin Wall, the diary of Anne Frank, and Auschwitz to name a few). Five students accompanied me on this trip. My students are also interested in things that affect them today, such as the Electoral College, Supreme Court decisions that impact the interpretation of the Bill of Rights, and elections. However, they generally perk up when I share stories of historical figures that you do not read in a normal history texts such as that Ruth Bader Ginsberg graduated top of her class but could not get a job because she was a woman or the fact that Lyndon B. Johnson held meetings with people while he was on the toilet. I spend a whole day sharing stories of pork-barrel projects in Congress. The students love those kinds of facts.