After being named the 2019 Washington state History Teacher of the Year, Vancouver iTech Preparatory’s John Zingale is now 1 of 10 finalists for the national title. The award from the nonprofit Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History honors exceptional K-12 American history teachers from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. territories.

Zingale’s passion for history/social studies, technology and project-based learning have enabled iTech’s students to experience hands-on, individualized, project-based history. Projects such as the Fort Vancouver Virtual Reality tour and museum, How It Works (civics game creation) and Spare Parts: This is U.S. (immigration history) bring history to life for his students. Students also participate in National History Day competitions; write letters to their senators and representatives; analyze community-based issues; hear from Holocaust and American concentration camp survivors; and learn to research, read, interpret and cite primary source documents.

Zingale has taught at iTech Preparatory since 2012. He has a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Portland.

The Washington state Teacher of the Year distinction carries a $1,000 honorarium and recognition at an in-state ceremony. In addition, iTech will receive American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will announce the National History Teacher of the Year in September. The recipient will receive a $10,000 prize and recognition at a special ceremony in New York City in October.