Massapequa Educator Wins Teacher of the Year Award From History Group

Teacher Dana Robins has been named New York State Teacher of the Year by an organization dedicated to the study of American history.

Robbins who has taught American History in the district for 12 years, was given a a personal award of $1,000 and an archive of books and historical resources by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History.

The New York City based firm founded by Brokerage firm founder Richard Gilder and former New York gubernatorial candidate Lew Lehrman also gives out a national award, which Robbins will eligible for in the fall.

“It is particularly flattering to receive this award from such a prestigious organization as the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, whose purpose is to improve history education," Robbins said  " I was equally flattered to learn that I was nominated by my colleague, Nicole Albanese. It means so much for a fellow teacher, who knows the work I do inside and outside of the classroom, to recognize my efforts to educate my students.”

Robbins teaches  11th grade Advanced Placement  U.S. History, Regents U.S. History & Government, Civil Law and Criminal Law. 

She's also the co-adviser for the National History Day program at Berner Middle School and also volunteers with the National History Day program in the High School as well. 

She as also served as a judge history competitions, written curriculum for some courses and led professional development programs. 

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In 2010, she was named Outstanding High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year from the Long Island Council for Social Studies and received the National History Day, Long Island Region Teacher Service Award.

But she said one of her best moments  was when she received a college essay from a former student.

“This young man was a special education student in my seventh grade U.S. history course the first year I taught in Massapequa,” she said.  “He recalled in his essay how I made a great impression on him, encouraging him to push himself and excel in my course, which he did … Just recently, the young man wrote me to tell me he secured a full-time position teaching social studies in Connecticut and credits me with making it happen.  Of this, I couldn’t be prouder.”