Dr. James Sheehan Pre-Service Social Studies Teacher Award

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 the Ohio Council for the Social Studies 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.

The winner receives a plaque, one day paid registration for the annual conference (the day the award is presented), $100.00 cash award, and publicity in their hometown newspaper. All other nominees will receive a certificate and recognition at the conference.

Nominations for 2024 are now closed.

Please contact Sarah Kaka at sjkaka@owu.edu for questions about the OCSS Award Program.