PRESS RELEASE
RIGGS SELECTED AS STATE 9-12 TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Oklahoma Department, has selected Heavener history teacher Terry Riggs as the state Grades 9 through 12 Teacher of the Year! Mr. Riggs will be recognized and honored with the award at the State Mid-Winter Conference in Oklahoma City held in February 2012.
Heavener VFW Post 8403 sponsored him as their local Teacher of the Year under the VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award in November 2011. Terry then competed at the District level where he was selected and forwarded to the state level competition. Mr. Riggs package will now be forwarded to the national and final level of competition.
Each year three exceptional teachers are recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics and promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively.
The VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teacher Awards (Teacher of the Year) include the following items:
• A $1,000 award to the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade teachers for professional development.
• A $1,000 award for each winning teacher’s school.
• Plaques for both the winning teacher and school.
• An all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference and receive their award.
Post Commander Donald Bosley explained, “Mr. Riggs projects with students have included field trips to hear once in a lifetime speakers such as, Mikhail Gorbachev at East Central University, General Colin Powell at Oklahoma City University, and former U.S. President William Clinton at University of Oklahoma.”
“He is a very dedicated history teacher that goes above and beyond in his efforts for students, helping many over the years receive educational scholarships. Mr. Riggs is most deserving of this recognition and we wish him continued success in the National competition,” said Post Quartermaster Mike Kennerson
For more information on this annual program, contact Committee Chairman Mike Kennerson at 918-658-5790 or visit the national website at www.vfw.org/Community/Teacher-of-the-Year/