Adams County Teacher Named Ohio Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year

Emily Young, a longtime teacher at North Adams Elementary, was named the Ohio Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year on November 20, 2025. The award recognizes her two decades of classroom work and was associated with the 69th Annual Ohio Council for the Social Studies Conference, which took place Oct. 13 to 14, according to a profile in the People’s Defender by Ryan Applegate.

Young has built a classroom approach that anchors social studies in local history and community connections, using hands on experiences to make lessons tangible for students. The People’s Defender profile described her two decades of work bringing history, culture and civic understanding into the classroom and highlighted her teaching philosophy to 'make social studies come alive by connecting it to students’ everyday lives'. The profile also noted she offers advice to new teachers that emphasizes enthusiasm and engagement.

For Adams County, the award is more than a personal honor. It serves as a public validation of instructional practices that prioritize local context and experiential learning. School leaders and parents who seek stronger civic education will point to Young’s methods as an example for curriculum planning, professional development and partnerships with local historical societies and community groups.

Institutionally, the recognition could influence district priorities. Awards at the state level tend to raise visibility for particular pedagogical approaches, and schools often respond by allocating time and resources to replicate successful models. For Adams County, that may mean expanded support for project based units, field based learning and teacher collaboration across grades to build continuous civic learning from elementary through middle school.

There are longer term civic implications as well. Research on civic education shows that early, hands on engagement with history and community institutions increases later civic participation. While one award will not by itself change voting patterns, a sustained emphasis on civic understanding and local connections in classrooms can contribute to a more informed and engaged electorate over time.

Young’s selection was covered in the People’s Defender profile by Ryan Applegate, which cataloged her classroom practices and career trajectory. For families and educators in Adams County, the award provides a concrete example of how local history and community life can be incorporated into daily instruction, and it presents an opportunity for the district to reflect on how to scale successful approaches across schools.