MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During his previous career, he published a book and was praised for being an award-winning public relations/sports journalist. Now he’s an award winning teacher.
Phil Caskey, University High School social studies teacher, has been named the 2016 Civil War Trust National Teacher of the Year.
Caskey spoke about the recognition.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, for our school, the community, and for West Virginia really. Especially for the Civil War flair as we are a state that came from the Civil War. I’m very proud to share this moment with the people who got me to this point. It’s very, very cool.”
Eleven years after using his WVU bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in sports management, Caskey went back to school where he earned his master’s in secondary education, with an emphasis in the social studies, in December, 2012
“I fell like as a teacher you’re kind of a public servant and making the switch is way for me to pay it forward to the next generation.”
In his third year at University High, Caskey also teaches Civics and Advanced Placement Research, along with his Civil War course which has been taught to nearly 100 students in just two years.
Caskey described what he does with his curriculum.
“A lot of it is higher level thinking skills. They want to analyze and synthesize our course’s standards and objectives. And, I try to do at it through a ‘what if’ perspective you know. What if, Stonewall Jackson didn’t get killed by friendly fire in Chancellorsville, does the South win at Gettysburg and change the complexion of the war? ”
Caskey is expecting a full house for his Civil War course this upcoming school year.
The Civil War Trust is a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.