River Bluff High School Social Studies Teacher Michael Burgess, in Lexington County School District One, has been named the 2023 South Carolina History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. This prestigious award recognizes Burgess’s outstanding contributions to American history education and celebrates his unwavering commitment to his students’ intellectual growth and development.
Selected by a distinguished panel of South Carolina teachers, administrators, and scholars, Burgess’s innovative teaching methods, deep subject knowledge and infectious enthusiasm have impacted countless students, inspiring a love for history and critical thinking.
Burgess received a $1,000 grant, a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate this special achievement, and an archive of books and historical resources, enhancing his students’ educational experience.
Burgess is now a finalist for the National History Teacher of the Year Award. A national panel of judges will review his submission, and the ten finalists will be announced in September 2023, with the National Teacher of the Year being named in October 2023.