Nick Baker, president of the Delaware Council for the Social Studies, presented Ed Freel, IPA policy scientist, with the Council's Distinguished Service Award at its annual dinner on April 30, 2009, in Dover.
Freel, a former Delaware Secretary of State, is director of the Democracy Project, a teacher-development program within IPA. The program, also supported by the Delaware Department of State, works to boost civic engagement by helping Delaware teachers improve the teaching of civics.
In his remarks, Baker noted, "Many of us…have been fortunate to participate in one of the best professional-development programs—the Democracy Project summer Institute. The program has helped Delaware teachers to better understand the civics standards and learn strategies on how to implement them." Baker closed by thanking Freel for all he has done to promote social studies for countless teachers and students.
In accepting the award, Freel acknowledged his colleagues Fran O'Malley, Democracy Project curriculum director, and Lisa Moreland, IPA assistant policy scientist, for their hard work and Dr. Jerome Lewis, IPA director, for his support.
The goals of the Council, which comprises Delaware social studies teachers, are improving the teaching of social studies, stimulating professional development, and enhancing and expanding social studies programs in Delaware schools.
Twenty teachers are currently participating in this summer’s Democracy Project Institute for Teachers. Over the Democracy Project's 11-year history, approximately 175 Delaware social studies teachers have participated.
