A Jefferson County classroom teacher who has spent 20 years making American history tangible for students has been recognized as the finest history educator in Idaho — and now finds herself competing against 52 peers for a national title.
Stefanie Fuchs, a teacher at Rigby High School in Jefferson School District 251, received the 2026 Idaho History Teacher of the Year award from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Along with the recognition comes a $1,000 honorarium and a spot among finalists vying for the national award, worth $10,000, to be announced this fall at the Harvard Club of New York City.
Teaching Methods That Set Her Apart
Fuchs’s classroom philosophy centers on active engagement rather than passive instruction. She structures lessons around hands-on simulations, direct engagement with original historical documents, and local history that gives students a personal connection to what they are studying. Two decades in education have shaped an approach that treats history as something students participate in, not merely absorb.
“History isn’t just a list of dates to memorize — it’s a vibrant, ongoing conversation that comes alive when students roll up their sleeves and work directly with original sources,” Fuchs told the EastIdahoNews.com.
Her contributions at Rigby High School extend well past her own lesson plans. She serves as U.S. History Lead and America250 Co-Chair at the school, helped secure World History as a formal graduation requirement for district students, and created a Dual Credit World History course allowing high schoolers to earn college credits before they graduate. She has also taken an active role in shaping the next generation of educators by mentoring student teachers throughout her career.
How the Award Works
The Gilder Lehrman Institute launched its History Teacher of the Year program in 2004. Each year, the program designates one honoree per state, plus the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. territories. Nominations arrive from students, colleagues, and school administrators, and panels composed of historians and education professionals review candidates before selecting each state’s winner.
James G. Basker of the Gilder Lehrman Institute underscored why the program matters, telling East Idaho News that “History teachers play an essential role in helping students understand the past, build critical thinking skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the people and events that shaped our nation.”
All state and territory winners automatically become finalists for the national prize, putting Fuchs among 52 educators from across the country in contention for the top recognition in K-12 history teaching.
What Comes Next
Fuchs will continue teaching at Rigby High School while the national selection process runs its course ahead of a fall announcement in New York City. Her advancement as a national finalist puts a spotlight on Jefferson School District 251 and demonstrates that high-caliber instruction is thriving in Idaho’s smaller communities, not just its larger urban districts.
For southeast Idaho families and students, Fuchs’s achievement is a reminder of the strong academic foundation available in the region’s public schools. Additional coverage of local education news across the area is available at Idaho News.