Aditi Mehta Doshi has spent more than two decades teaching students in Los Angeles to look beyond textbook accounts of history. Now, the California educator has been named the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year in the United States, earning a $10,000 grand prize for her work in the classroom.Doshi teaches African American Studies, AP World History and AP US History at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Magnet in Reseda, California. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History announced her selection on November 3. She will receive the award at a ceremony at the Yale Club of New York City on November 9.
How does she make history engaging for students?
Doshi’s teaching approach places emphasis on primary sources and creative classroom learning. Rather than relying only on textbook narratives, she encourages students to examine historical evidence and engage more closely with the people, events and debates that have shaped American history.Her work extends beyond regular classroom teaching. She has served as a National History Day coordinator and judge, helping establish successful programmes at multiple schools and advising hundreds of students. She also works as an AP Reader and UCLA AP Readiness Instructor for AP African American Studies.The Gilder Lehrman Institute’s president and CEO, James G. Basker, said Doshi uses primary sources and creativity to encourage deeper engagement with American history.
"I am so grateful and honored by this recognition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. This award recognizes all of us, teachers and students alike, who engage in the rigorous, creative, and humanizing work of historical scholarship. History education is vital to upholding our democracy."
Aditi Mehta Doshi
From Harvard and UCLA to a national teaching honour
Doshi’s academic background includes an A.B. in History from Harvard College, an M.Ed. from UCLA’s Teacher Education Program and an M.A. in American History from Gettysburg College.Her previous recognitions include the 2024 National History Day Patricia Behring Senior Division Teacher of the Year award and the 2024 Los Angeles Unified School District Champion honour. She is also the inaugural Teacher Trustee on the National History Day Board of Trustees.Reacting to the national recognition, Doshi said she was grateful for the honour and described it as recognition of the work undertaken by both teachers and students.She also highlighted the importance of historical scholarship, describing history education as vital to upholding democracy.
A Harvard history graduate who spent over two decades in classrooms; Aditi Mehta Doshi wins $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year award
How is the National History Teacher of the Year selected?
Established in 2004, the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Teacher of the Year programme recognises outstanding K-12 American history educators. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents, colleagues or school administrators, provided they have at least three years of classroom experience.For the national award, a panel of historians, professors, teachers and the previous year’s winner evaluates 53 state-level winners. The selection also includes representatives from the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and US territories.The annual recognition is intended to highlight the role of history teachers in helping students understand the past through evidence, research and discussion. Doshi’s selection places her among the educators recognised for making that work central to their classrooms.
