Dysart Teacher Named History Teacher of Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 11/12/2020

Social Studies teacher Christopher Raso, from Canyon Ridge School, was named the 2020 Outstanding History Teacher of the Year. The award honors full-time 5-12 grade teachers of American history and related fields and is given out by the Arizona State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (AZDAR).

Mary Lou Fellman, Honorary State Regent of AZDAR, presented the award to Mr. Raso at a Dysart Unified School District Governing Meeting in October, stating “one of the signs of an excellent teacher is someone who can spark a flame in a student’s mind and heart to learn and treasure our American history, and to become a responsible citizen. Mr. Raso, you’re that teacher... your innovative approach to education ensures that no child is left behind when it comes to American history.”

Christopher Raso has twenty-five years of experience teaching middle school Social Studies, and has taught in the Dysart Unified School District for fifteen years. Currently, Raso teaches seventh grade at Canyon Ridge School. He was previously named Arizona History Teacher of the Year in 2018 by the Arizona Department of Education and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. He is also the recipient of the 2019 National American History Teacher Award, presented by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR).

Mr. Raso was nominated for this current recognition by the Agua Fria chapter of the Arizona State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. AZDAR is a state chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, which is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women's service organization founded in 1890 by a small group of patriotic American women. Today, the NSDAR is one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country. The DAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.