River City Academy history and English teacher Donica Nash was recently awarded $5,000 by the Jack Miller Center through the organization’s TeachingAmerica250 program. Nash will use the funds to take a group of students to Juneau to sit in on a legislative session in April. The award was announced on Jan. 14.
The Jack Miller Center is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit committed to teaching students about America’s history and founding principles. The organization has donated thousands of dollars to classrooms around the country over the past twenty years. This year’s awards program chose 51 teachers — one from each state and Washington, D.C. — who developed educational projects focused on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“The Teaching America250 Award winners are introducing the next generation to the essential ideas, stories, and documents of America’s civic tradition,” Hans Zeiger, president of the Jack Miller Center, wrote in a press release. “Through their projects, these amazing educators will make America’s 250th birthday a memorable experience for thousands of students across the country.”
Nash, who has taught at River City Academy for five years, said many of her students feel discouraged by the current political climate. She believes taking a group to the Capitol to sit in on a legislative session could inspire hope by showing students that their voices matter.
“I want them to see that these are representatives who are bringing concerns from people who have actually talked to them, who’ve actually sent in their concerns, and they’re going and holding sessions on behalf of the people,” Nash said. “Seeing how civil dialog can actually happen and how things get done — I hope it gives them a little bit more hope to know that their voices can be heard by these people and it will be shared and have a meaningful impact.”
Nash hopes to take six students to Juneau for around four days. Although the award will cover the bulk of the trip’s expenses, she said that due to the total cost after airfare, food and lodging, the students may have to fundraise some additional money.
Mirroring the process she completed in order to receive the award, Nash said she’ll have students complete their own application processes when it’s time to select who will participate in the trip.
Shea Nash, principal at River City Academy and Donica’s husband, said Donica’s enthusiasm for teaching stems from her drive to make a meaningful impact on others.
“Donica has a lot of energy for having a robust discussion of how history impacts students and how they can learn from it,” he said. “She’s excited to dive into all the things that have happened that have shaped our country and our world and how kids can grow from that.”
He added that students wouldn’t have this opportunity without the award.
“Our population here, they don’t all have the best opportunities ahead of them,” Donica Nash said. “One, because we’re such a small school, we don’t have a lot to offer for them. And two, there’s not a lot of opportunity to get down to Juneau and meet with legislators or see our civic duty in action.”
Shea Nash said he’s seen his wife encourage many students to find meaningful paths in their lives, and he looks forward to seeing her do it again through this award.
To view the full list of award recipients and information on each teacher’s project, visit the Jack Miller Center’s website.
