Joe Karb, Robert H. Jackson Center education director, was named the national 2012 Outstanding Middle Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the National Council for the Social Studies.
Karb was presented with the award at the 92nd annual conference of the NCSS in Seattle on Nov. 16.
"This is a singular honor. Joe Karb brings a great credit upon himself, the teaching profession, and the Robert H. Jackson Center. On behalf of the Center and its board of directors, I congratulate Joe on this achievement. We are proud to have Joe as part of the Jackson Center team," said James C. Johnson, president and chief executive officer.
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Pictured, from left to right, are: Leisa Martin, awards committee member; Randy Rice, executive director of educational programs, Farmers Insurance Group; Joseph Karb, Robert H. Jackson Center director of teacher initiatives, and J.D. Bowers, awards committee chair.
A portion of the criteria for award includes the ability to foster a spirit of inquiry and the development of skills related to acquiring, organizing, processing, and using information and making decisions related to both domestic and international matters; the ability to foster the development of democratic beliefs and values, and the skills needed for citizen participation appropriate to students' grade level in classroom, school, and community settings.
The Education Initiative for the Robert H. Jackson Center was created in 2011, by Karb and fellow colleague Andrew Beiter. Some of their activities over the past year include:
The creation and presentation of the Annual Robert H. Jackson Center Award for Teaching Justice. Piloted and offered only to educators in Western New York in 2012, the center will partner with NCSS to add a national award in 2013.
Solidification of a working relationship with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.
Establishment of a partnership with the Exploring Humanitarian Law Office of the Red Cross for conferences, workshops and other activities.
Creation and implementation of the Annual Robert H. Jackson Center Conference for Educators on Justice and Human Rights.