Oasis Academy teacher Kelly Smith‑Nott has been named Nevada’s middle-school nominee for the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year Award, placing her among 78 educators nationwide recognized for excellence in history education.
National History Day is one of the country’s largest student history organizations, encouraging students to conduct original research and present their work through papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances, and websites. The Teacher of the Year Award honors educators who help students build historical thinking skills and make deeper connections to the past through classroom projects and research.
Two national winners — one in the junior division and one in the senior division — will be selected from the nominees. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
According to National History Day, nominees are chosen based on classroom instruction, use of primary sources, and participation in the National History Day Contest. Teachers may nominate themselves or be nominated by members of their community.
“Teachers play a fundamental, and often undervalued, role in guiding the next generation of civic‑minded leaders and change‑makers,” said Cathy Gorn, executive director of National History Day. “We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of these 78 outstanding educators and their impact on students, their local communities, and history education.”
The national winners will be selected by a committee of teachers and historians and announced on June 18 during the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony in College Park. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the organization’s website.
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