Get to Know the 2017 History Teachers of the Year: Nicole Bishop, South Carolina

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 Nicole Bishop: 

Nicole Bishop, Irmo Elementary School
2017 South Carolina History Teacher of the Year 

Do you have a favorite/funny memory from teaching? 
My most cherished, stand-out memory from last school year happened during a whole-class socratic-seminar-style conversation. We were discussing the many ways to define a family, and our definition of love as it related to our home and school family. I posed the question, "What does love look like or sound like to you?" One of my students responded, "I now know that love is real because of you." This student had previously expressed many times in the year that she did not feel loved by her family. She demonstrated a lot of anger and frustration throughout the school day. Seeing the joyful learning and social and emotional progress expressed in the smile she shared with the class was one of the highlights of my year. I made it my mission to build an even stronger relationship with her family and find ways to highlight that she was indeed very loved, in both her home and school family. 

State one fun historical fact about the town you live in or grew up in.  
I teach in a beautiful school that was built in 1935. My school, a K-5 elementary school, Irmo Elementary, was originally the Irmo School, housing first through eleventh grades. The funding for our grand, red-brick school came from the great Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, which allowed federal funds for public works  The community took such pride in and felt gratitude toward our government; countless unemployed workers and community members worked with shovels and rakes to level the large back ballfield area behind our school. This history of my school leaves me in awe of our nation’s rich history, but also compels me to keep the story of a thankful and hard-working country alive.

What is the last great history book you read? 
Among many other texts, I am currently reading Eric Foner’s The Fiery Trial. Although there are about 1,000 other texts on Lincoln, this one has a fascinating and important lens for viewing our 16th president, and it is critical we share Foner’s viewpoint as history teachers. Often our students think historical figures moved from point A to point B and in Lincoln’s case point A might be his presidency and point B might be emancipation of slavery. Foner illustrates that while Lincoln was always an admirable and praiseworthy man, he grew and changed over time in his understanding and actionable stance to end slavery.

What is your favorite historical site or museum?
The National Mall in Washington DC, from the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and every single facet of the Smithsonian in between. Specifically, I visited the National Museum of African American History December of 2016 and was forever changed by the experience. I look forward to naking another visit with my husband and daughters to this solemn yet inspiring place of reverence, growth, and change built on the democratic principles of equality and freedom for all.

What advice would you give to young people, in high school or college, who may be considering a career in education but are unsure?  
I am brutally honest when asked this question by our university interns. It does us no good to sugarcoat this answer; we must include the truth of teaching or we will continue to lose teachers before their 5th year in the classroom. Like parenting, our profession is incredibly challenging and often excruciating physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, teaching is also one of life’s greatest joys, honors, and gifts. As educators, we must seek to maintain balance between our own beloved families and our personal lives and the children of the families we serve. Above all, teaching is a profession of great importance as we are shaping our present and our future. 

If you could travel back in time and meet any historical figure who would it be and why? 
Frederick Douglass. I am most compelled by those on the outside of democracy looking in, yet still willing to sacrifice everything to ensure the rights of and freedom for all. We talk so much in education today about grit and growth-mindset. We need to look no farther than Frederick Douglass to examine the finest example of both.

Who is your favorite historian?
Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite past historian and Eric Foner is my current favorite historian. I enjoy and learn best while reading Eric Foner’s work and viewing his videos, to aid in my understanding and synthesis.

What is your favorite historical film or series?
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by Ken Burns America on PBS, the John Adams miniseries on HBO, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down.

Do you have a favorite historical topic or era?
It’s difficult to narrow it down: the European Enlightenment, the Civil War/Reconstruction, the Great Depression/World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Do your students have a favorite historical topic or era?
The Founding Era, African American emancipation, and civil rights.