Kalama High School social studies teacher Ken White has been named the 2025 Washington State American History Teacher of the Year by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He also placed third in the organization’s nationwide competition for American History Teacher of the Year.
White was nominated by a member of the Mayflower Society, a lineage-based organization that celebrates and preserves the legacy of the Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. The nomination followed a public history presentation White gave last fall, which left a strong impression.
That connection led to a formal application process, during which White submitted recommendations from former students, parents, and fellow educators – people who have experienced his engaging, student-centered approach to teaching history.
“I believe history becomes more meaningful when you can connect it to your own story,” said White. “That’s why we also integrate genealogy studies into my classes. With the help of an ancestry grant, students get to research their roots and discover their place in history.”
Whether through family history projects, debates on constitutional issues, or leading student groups on annual trips to Washington D.C., White’s goal is to make history come alive and inspire students to become informed citizens.
Last month, White served as keynote speaker at a national SAR event, where he shared his teaching philosophy, highlighted his students’ work, and walked attendees through the D.C. trip experience. His message centered on making history personal and engaging, just as he does in the classroom.
“I want students to think critically and see multiple sides of an issue,” he said. “In my political science class, for example, students write about both perspectives on a topic before forming their own conclusions. It’s about building understanding and thoughtful engagement, not pushing a viewpoint.”
White said the Teacher of the Year recognition is deeply meaningful because it honors work that he genuinely enjoys.
“My job is what I want to do. Getting an award for doing what I love, and from an organization I deeply respect, is incredibly rewarding,” he said.