Earlier this semester, Andrea Fairchild was recognized as the Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Daughters of the American Revolution in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton in Jackson.

Fairchild has taught in the Vicksburg Warren School District for 18 years, and she teaches AP Government, government, geography and honors geography.

After being recognized for the state level, Fairchild’s application was submitted for the national award, which will be announced this summer.

“They’re trying to honor women in the social studies arena who further American history in general,” she said. “I had to write some background information, and there were several smaller essays about teaching philosophy and how we can improve not only American History teaching, but women’s roles in American History because often time that gets briefly touched on or left out.”

Fairchild said even though women weren’t allowed to participate in politics, they were still very active in this nation’s history.

When teaching it’s important to remember every student is an individual and they all see the world in different ways, Fairchild said.

“We struggle here in Mississippi, in my opinion, with exposing kids to things beyond our borders,” she said.

“A lot of times they have limited means, and so do the schools. If a kid thinks going to Jackson is a major travel event, it’s hard to get them to understand coming over from Britain and making a new life.”

Fairchild said it’s important to hook the students on the subject and she tries to do so by being an entertainer.

“I tell bad jokes and draw horrible stick people,” she said.

“You just have to find a hook.”

Fairchild said she can remember as far back as the fourth grade, when her father, a teacher, would let her grade papers.

“My dad was a teacher and an administrator and the kids just loved him,” she said.

“They loved how he taught and kids would talk about how he inspired them, and I wanted that for myself. I wanted something I could do to honor my family, but also to have an impact.”

To supplement her existing knowledge, Fairchild takes an international trip every two years.

“I’ve been to five continents, and I’ll go to my sixth one next summer, Australia,” she said.

Fairchild said she has a separate savings account set aside for a trip to Antarctica, the last continent.

Some of her favorite trips have been to Peru, China and Egypt.

“That is truly my passion, to travel and to learn,” she said.

“It lends a lot to the classroom. I can say ‘when I was there,’ and I have slideshows to show the kids.”