Victoria Zuleger Straughn, La Follette High School
Kohl Teacher Fellowship Grant Recipient

The quintessential high school teacher is one who inspires and motivates; who trusts and expects her students to be the young adults they are.

La Follette High School's Victoria Straughn is that teacher. Recently named Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Organization of American Historians, her approach to education is grounded in her faith in democratic principals.

From day one in her classroom students experience the power of their ideas, their voices and their obligation to use them. Primary source materials such as an online diary of a 18th Century midwife and field trips to historic Pullman in Chicago engage students in history with all of their senses.

In a groundbreaking project that grew from students' interests Victoria created the La Follette High School Archives and History Museum, the first of its kind in the nation. The project lit a fire under students who began to view history in the context of their own school. Together they wrote grants, and enlisted alumni to secure the museum's future. The project received the Governor's Award in 2007.

Victoria's passion for history is reflected every facet of her life; community service, professional associations and her personal belief in the connectedness of all people.

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