Westfield teacher honored by Daughters of the American Revolution
Westfield teacher honored by Daughters of the American Revolution
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WESTFIELD – The New York State DAR Outstanding Teacher of American History for New York is Gregory Birner of Westfield Academy and Central School, nominated by the Jamestown Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
Birner has dedicated 28 years to teaching American history and related subjects, including criminal justice, economics, military history, and AP U.S. government and politics.
Throughout his career, Birner has worked to make American history and the Constitution accessible and meaningful to his students. As a project-based educator, he believes students should immerse themselves in history to understand not how the nation was formed and how students can help shape its future.
Birner has worked with We the People, a curriculum focused on the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States. The program gives students an authentic opportunity to engage with the Constitution through research, public speaking, civil discourse, analytical thinking, and simulated congressional hearings. His teams have repeatedly earned top honors at the state competition, including second place and an invitation to the national competition.
Birner engages with the community through ongoing public speaking engagements about the importance of American history and government and previously received a fellowship with the Robert H. Jackson Center, where he helped develop lesson plans about Jackson and his career.