Nominate Civic Leaders! D.J. Evans Civic Education Award
Steven Cross teaches ELA at Marysville Getchell High School and has been a member of the OSPI Social Studies Cadre since 2007. He was the Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award Coordinator in 2015, and was the Washington State Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2016–17. He has nominated some of Washington’s most outstanding, community-minded students for the D.J. Evans Civic Education Award.
Tell us about some of the students you have nominated for the D.J. Evans award?
They all stand out! In general terms, they are the kids who do well in school, and mostly because they have self-discipline. They write effective and good assessments, have a proficiency on CBAs (Classroom-based Assessments). When I nominate a student for this award, I look at their school involvement. Are they involved in the ASB (Associated Student Body)? Are they a captain on a sports team? There have been a few kids that have won who have been leaders in their music classes — they are student conductors or section leaders.
I also look at what they’ve done in their communities. Many are volunteers in the community, sometimes through their church. We have students involved in blanket drives, or helping at the local food bank, for examples. This award is about positive connections with the Marysville community and school community.
Nathan Weller was an awardee and is a junior at Marysville-Getchell High School. He was nominated for his strength with civic engagement. He was a leader in the classroom. Cecilia Watson [video below], who is also a student at Marysville-Pilchuck, volunteered at an assisted living center. There has to be a community service piece, and then there’s the assessment.
What are a lot of the assessment papers about?
A lot of my classroom assessments have either been on the McCleary Decision, asking questions about the Supreme Court and examining checks and balances. Another popular topic was the Japanese internment. Now students are submitting about Parkland and that movement.
Why should teachers nominate their students for the Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award?
It validates student efforts. It encourages involvement in the community. I think it’s a great idea, because there are a number of students who are accomplishing things and they may go unrecognized. It’s great recognition for the community and the school, to have acknowledgement about how students are involved in our world.
More about the D.J. Evans Award
Named after former Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans, this award recognizes four students, two from Western Washington and two from Eastern Washington, for their civic leadership and academic achievement in social studies. The deadline for nominations is June 30.
- Who is eligible for the Evans Award?
Any student in grades 3–12 who has successfully completed an OSPI-Developed Assessment in civics and who is a civic leader in his/her classroom, school and/or community. - How are students nominated for the Evans Award?
Teachers, principals, counselors or other school personnel may nominate students online. The deadline to nominate is June 30, 2018. - How are the winners selected?
Winners are selected by a statewide committee of social studies leaders. Two students from each side of the state receive recognition. - How are the winners recognized?
Awards are presented to the students in their home districts, often at a school board meeting or community event.
Please contact Social Studies Program Supervisor Carol Coe for more information.
Online nomination form: D.J. Evans.
