Toll Gate teacher Michael Sollitto is one of two Rhode Island  teachers to be nominated in for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award in  the National History Day (NHD) National Contest for the . The award is sponsored by Patricia Behring in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students.

Each of the 58 National History Day affiliates may nominate one high school and one middle school teacher for this award, Sollitto and Mrs. Christine Costa, a teacher at Tiverton Middle School in Tiverton are this year’s nominees from Rhode Island. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

All nominees will receive $500 as a result of their nominations.

“This award recognizes the very best educators from across the nation and beyond,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “These educators are leaders and innovators in the teaching of history, and we are all the more impressed because of the extended difficult teaching circumstances due to the pandemic during the last year. I wish to congratulate both Mrs. Costa and Mr. Sollitto on their well-deserved nominations.”

The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians, and announced on Saturday, June 18 at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony to be held virtually due to COVID-19. Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that engage students in history, and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.