When Woodland High School social studies teacher Shari Conditt was called down to the floor during a Tuesday, Sept. 10, assembly, she believed she would lead the school’s cheer. Instead, she was presented with a crystal trophy and a $5,000 check.
Conditt was shocked to learn she had become The Bill of Rights Institute’s Civics Teacher of the Year.
The Bill of Rights Institute is a Virginia-based nonprofit focused on uplifting education in American civics. The National Civics Teacher of the Year is chosen annually for their exemplary performance in engaging students on the topic. Last July, Conditt was chosen as one of 10 candidates nationwide for the award following an anonymous nomination.
When Asha Riley, Woodland School District’s superintendent, learned Conditt was chosen as the winner, she wanted to make the moment special. Riley organized a surprise assembly under the pretense of introducing herself to the students, with the true purpose of surprising Conditt with the trophy and check presented from The Bill of Rights Institute.
When The Bill of Rights Institute Vice President Kevin Hart announced Conditt as the winner, thunderous applause and cheers filled the auditorium, highlighting her influence on the students. Conditt explained she was floored by the surprise as she was told the winner would be chosen next week.
“I’m still struggling with putting into words how I feel, but it was a total shock, and I was thinking to myself, oh, please don’t drop this beautiful award,” Conditt said. “... I’m a social studies teacher, I’m not a woman who oftentimes struggles with words, and I still continue to struggle to put into words my feelings and my emotions about what happened yesterday.”
Conditt has taught social studies in Woodland for 23 years and believes no job better suits her. Her passion for teaching civics stems from witnessing the power of her students’ ability to influence local decision-making.
“I find civics to be a really engaging topic because it’s real life. It benefits our community. Regardless of what industry or job you might have or be in, it’s something that you can engage with…” Conditt said. “Whether you’re a farmer, in the timber industry [or] a banker, civics touches on your life. And so it’s important that we teach the skills that are needed to engage in a democratic society because we all engage in a democratic society …There’s just no better job.”
Every year, Conditt encourages her students to participate in local politics and the community through various opportunities. Last year, in October, her class organized a mayoral debate between incumbent Will Finn and challenger Todd Dinehart. The students managed the entire event, from developing questions sourced from Facebook to arranging the venue and providing snacks.
“I think what’s really important about all of this is, one, the debate was meant to help our community make a decision, and two, it showed our students about the value of engaging in your local community by participating in a civic way. … They had the power and they had the ability to to put an event like this together, and it taught them about local political issues at the same time so it was really fantastic,” Conditt explained.
In the classroom, Conditt does not shy away from discussing controversial topics in class with students. She even has her students create and follow their own guidelines to ensure discussions on challenging issues remain calm and productive.
Conditt expressed pride in keeping Woodland’s community engaged in local and regional politics for over two decades.
“I think that is the most rewarding component, is that I know that community members in this town are people I’ve taught. I’ve built that level of trust with them. … They feel like sending their student into my classroom [as] a place of learning and excitement. And there’s just that sense of trust is, is fantastic. I’m so thankful to be able to work in this town and to work with the students and families of this community,” Conditt said.
Last week’s award adds to a long list of Conditt’s achievements. Conditt was chosen as Washington State History Teacher of the Year in 2016 and is a national board certified teacher. In 2009, Conditt was chosen for the James Madison Fellowship, of which one Washington teacher is sent annually. The fellowship, awarded by Congress, includes an intensive study of the U.S. Constitution and its application in civics teaching. Of her accomplishments, however, her favorite is having been chosen as the speaker of several Woodland High School graduation ceremonies.
“I’ve been given that honor by graduating classes several times, and so I don’t take that lightly,” Conditt said. “It means to me that the students wanted to hear some final words from me in those last moments as a Woodland High School student. That, to me, is just one of the greatest honors of my entire career, and I’ve been fortunate enough to do it a few times.”
Conditt highlighted that her method of teaching would not be possible without the support of Woodland High School’s office and administrative staff. Conditt noted two of the school’s civics teachers are recipients of the James Madison Fellowship and have supported her in brainstorming fun and engaging student activities.
“In this [award] I’m being called out as an individual, but, truth be told, this is a team award,” Conditt said. “This is an award for our social studies department. It’s an award for Woodland High School. It’s … an award for Woodland School District. ... I just feel fortunate that I get to be the person to accept it.”
Conditt plans to continue highlighting current political events throughout the school year. After her award ceremony Tuesday, Conditt said her students would discuss the presidential debate, which took place just hours after she received her award last week.
