Dr. James J. “Jim” Sheehan devoted his professional career to preparing a new generation of social studies educators who utilize best practices in the classroom and strive to become social studies professionals engaged in the work of OCSS and NCSS. Jim brought his Miami University students to OCSS conferences each year where he assisted them in making their first professional presentations to colleagues.

Through donations of his friends and colleagues, OCSS developed a program to honor Jim’s life work by recognizing outstanding new social studies professionals. OCSS seeks to recognize outstanding new pre-service professionals from each of Ohio’s teacher training institutions. It is our intent to recognize talented students and assist them as they transition to classroom teachers.

Each teacher training institution in Ohio may select one student in their social studies education program to nominate each year. Students are selected based on leadership and scholarship exhibited as students in the education program.

Below is more information about each of the Dr. James Sheehan Pre-Service Social Studies Teacher Honorees:

Honoree: Billy Banta, University of Findlay

Nominating Instructors:  Elizabeth Raker, Ph.D., Mr. James Taylor

Biographical Statement:
My name is Billy Banta.  I am a student of the University of Findlay.  I am happily married to an intervention specialist at a nearby school district.  I am currently student teaching at Riverdale High School in world history.  I have a strong passion for the history content.  My philosophy can be summed up in one sentence:  “History is dead to those who don’t live it.”  This means that students may not be interested in something that happened well before their lifetime.   As a teacher, I have to keep the students motivated to want to learn the material.  I like to use photos, charts and other visual aids.  I believe that students have a better understanding of course material when they have images to relate with.  In other words, it is through the visual aids, dynamic personality and teaching style, etc. that history can be made “alive” and interesting.

Explanation of Student Selection:
Billy Banta has a love and passion for his content area of social studies.  During student teaching and methods field experience he has displayed a good work ethic, coupled with a positive attitude and determination.  Billy sets clear learning goals when presenting class lessons, while using a variety of teaching methods to capture the interest and attention of the students.  One of Billy's most positive attributes is his mature, professional demeanor.  He remains calm and patient during stressful classroom situations.  Billy has an excellent rapport with the students.   He maintains outstanding classroom management and student discipline.  Billy Banta has been very organized and prepared during student teaching.  He uses instructional time effectively, keeping the class focused, involved, and on task.  Billy uses proper oral and written expression.  He answers student questions in a concise and thorough fashion.  During student teaching, Billy has been creative, incorporating supplemental materials and technology in order to arouse student interest. Billy is a well-mannered, talented young man with a sincere desire to see students reach their potential.  He has all the qualities necessary to be an outstanding social studies teacher.

Honoree: Natalie A. Plunkett, University of Cincinnati

Nominating Instructor:  Dr. Scott Dewitt

Biographical statement:
Natalie A. Plunkett is a senior in the Secondary Education program at the University of Cincinnati. She currently carries a 3.94 GPA and is a member of the women’s swimming & diving team, twice qualifying for the Big East Conference Championship meet. She is the daughter of Jeff and Sharon Grove and wife of Luke Plunkett. Natalie has worked at Countryside YMCA since 2004, as both a lifeguard and a swim coach, and was the head swim coach at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy from 2006-07. For the last three years, she has been involved in community service at Reach Out Lakota, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that helps needy families with food and clothing. In her free time she enjoys writing fiction, reading books, and spending time with her family. Her goals are to become a history teacher, publish a novel, and start a family.

Nominating statement:
Natalie A. Plunkett is a very deserving winner of the James A. Sheehan award. She is a dedicated and inquisitive student with a desire to be an excellent teacher and a willingness to work toward that goal. Her ability to balance the competing demands of schooling, intercollegiate athletics, and family provide strong evidence that she will effectively navigate the demanding transition from student to teacher. Natalie is the type of student who others listen to and respect. They know when she makes a comment or raises a question that it has been well thought out and is intended to move the classroom conversation forward. Natalie is building a network of colleagues within the teacher education program, and we at the University of Cincinnati are confident that she will continue her quest for excellence and interest in collaboration. We look forward to joining her at future OCSS meetings and events.

Honoree: Emily Montvilas, Bowling Green State University

Nominating Instructors:  Mrs. Diann Brown and Mark A. Early, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Student Affairs, College of Educaiton

Biographical Statement:
My name is Emily Montvilas. At 20 years old and in my final year at Bowling Green State University, I am proudly married to an E4 in the United States Navy. I have worked very hard and will successfully graduate with my degree in just 3.5 years. Helping others has always been a passion of mine. Thus, I chose the field of education as my future career. I believe in helping others and leaving the world a better place than it was when I entered it. I fully acknowledge the fact that I don’t know everything. However, if I don’t know something, I know how to and will figure it out. A motto of mine since I was a young adult is, “If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing right.”

Nominating Statement:
It is my privilege to present Emily Montvilas as the James J. Sheehan Pre-Service Social Studies Teacher honoree from Bowling Green State university. Emily is an exemplary student in her program, and we are confident she represents the best and brightest of our pre-service social studies teachers.

Honoree: Drew Yoder, Ohio University

Nominating Instructors: Dr. Frans Doppen, Dr. Ginger Weade, Department Chair

Biographical Statement
On behalf of Dr. Renee Middleton, Dean of the College of Education, I am delighted to nominate Drew Yoder as an outstanding pre-service social studies professional and deserving recipient of the Dr. James J. Sheehan Pre-Service Social Studies Teacher Honoree recognition. 

Drew is a student in AYA Integrated Social Studies in the Department of Teacher Education at Ohio University, where he is pursuing his master’s degree with teaching licensure.  He plans to graduate in June 2009 to begin his career as a social studies teacher.  Prior to enrolling in the graduate program, Drew earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism which he hopes will further enrich his instruction.  Drew’s areas of social studies interest include twentieth century American history, modern politics and human geography.

Drew Yoder is an excellent student with a 3.8 GPA.  He is also a diligent student with a clear understanding of best practices in a social studies approach to teaching.  He has been accepted as a present for the OCSS conference on March 26-27, 209 where he will share his service learning experiences from a course on Appalachian Ohio.  Drew has a genuine desire to become involved in COSS and other professional social studies organizations so he can grow as a professional and further the profession.

Nominating Statement:
Drew Yoder is…a diligent student with a clear understanding of best practices in a social studies approach to teaching… The quality of Drew’s work is outstanding and his classmates instantly recognize that quality in him. He is an excellent example of leadership at our institution and in our community. On two separate occasions he has now been involved in leadership positions in an effort to raise funds for erecting an official State of Ohio historical marker in the historically significant community of Rendville, Ohio.