MONTICELLO - Monticello high school and middle school teacher Amanda Jacobson wasn't sure why a group that included the district superintendent and school principal walked into her classroom Wednesday.
"Is this an intervention," she said, jokingly, "or did I win the lottery."
It wasn't the lottery, but Jacobson was definitely a winner.
The social studies teacher was one of 50 in the country to be named recipients of the Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship.
"I'm flabbergasted," she said.
The award is given to history and social studies teachers to help them apply historical information to their curriculum. It will help her explain to students how primary and secondary sources can be used for research.
The award also allows Jacobson to spend one week at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., learning about the life, career and importance of the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. The 50 winners are divided into two groups.
She will visit Springfield in July, along with 24 other fellowship winners.
"I might make this a family vacation," she said, with a smile.
Jacobson applied for the fellowship before Christmas, she said. She submitted an essay about Washington D.C. for the contest, but she knew there were a lot of teachers who enter the contest.
It's an honor to be selected for the award, Horace Mann Senior Account Executive Steven Craven said. Craven presented the award to Jacobson.
"She'll be one of only 50 teachers in the United States to take part in this week of intense study," he said. "She can bring the information about Lincoln back to her students. She'll be the local expert."
Monticello Principal Allen Brokopp said he was happy for Jacobson and said it was good news for the entire district.
"Is this an intervention," she said, jokingly, "or did I win the lottery."
It wasn't the lottery, but Jacobson was definitely a winner.
The social studies teacher was one of 50 in the country to be named recipients of the Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship.
"I'm flabbergasted," she said.
The award is given to history and social studies teachers to help them apply historical information to their curriculum. It will help her explain to students how primary and secondary sources can be used for research.
The award also allows Jacobson to spend one week at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., learning about the life, career and importance of the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. The 50 winners are divided into two groups.
She will visit Springfield in July, along with 24 other fellowship winners.
"I might make this a family vacation," she said, with a smile.
Jacobson applied for the fellowship before Christmas, she said. She submitted an essay about Washington D.C. for the contest, but she knew there were a lot of teachers who enter the contest.
It's an honor to be selected for the award, Horace Mann Senior Account Executive Steven Craven said. Craven presented the award to Jacobson.
"She'll be one of only 50 teachers in the United States to take part in this week of intense study," he said. "She can bring the information about Lincoln back to her students. She'll be the local expert."
Monticello Principal Allen Brokopp said he was happy for Jacobson and said it was good news for the entire district.