NJ Social Studies Teacher Wins $25K Educator Award

RAMSEY, NJ — Daniel Willever wants his students to unfold the map of history to see that it is still being written. He helps students view history and the world they inhabit in a way that helps them to see the world they will help create someday.

Willever's approach to teaching Advanced Placement Human Geography was awarded Friday as he received a Milken Educator Award in a surprise ceremony at Ramsey High School. The award comes with a $25,000 prize.

"Every day when we come to work, we don't expect recognition, at least not recognition like this. We do it because we care about our students. We do it because we're professionals. We do it because we want to see a better future for our society and our country," Willever said, addressing the crowd after it was announced he received the award. "Every day I strive to be better, and I know that the same could be said of every single teacher in this room. It's a tremendous honor, one that I'll never forget."

Willever's classes cover a wide range of topics and disciplines, including comparative religions, technological innovations, veterans' oral history, refugee studies, and the civil rights movement.

"Dan Willever's classroom has no walls," Ramsey High School Principal Michael Thumm said in a statement. "His approach allows students to connect with what they are studying, whether it be history, law, world and national affairs, or simply citizenship."

District Superintendent Matthew Murphy called Willever is "an innovative, energetic, action-oriented, and charismatic educator."

"Mr. Willever is a teacher who harnesses student interests, the curriculum, technology, community members, and anything else at his disposal that brings about student engagement," Murphy said.

Every December, Willever takes his classes to a local synagogue, a Hindu temple, a Zoroastrian temple, and a mosque to meet faith leaders and parishioners. He also brings in guest speakers, including people who lived through historic events, like World War II and Korean and Vietnam War veterans and Koko Kondo, an international peace advocate who survived the atomic bomb detonation at Hiroshima during World War II.

He is also advisor to the high school's History Club and coaches students in National History Bee and Bowl competitions.

Willever introduced AP Human Geography at Ramsey High School. The class has grown from 25 to 60 students, who earn an average score of 3.5 on the Advanced Placement exam.

Willever he also embraces technology, and has helped pilot blended learning. He arranged to test virtual reality headsets in social studies classes, and helped implement the district's one-to-one iPad initiative. He is a Google Level 1 certified teacher and serves on the technology integration teacher leadership team.

The Milken Family Foundation started its awards program more than 30 years ago. They have been called "the Oscars of teaching," by Teacher magazine.

"A great teacher like Daniel Willever empowers his students with the skills needed to make sense of our complex society through high-technology and, more importantly, critical thinking," said Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards. "His energetic and creative teaching style is the kind of inspirational leadership we seek in our Milken educators."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com