The National Society United States Daughters of 1812 presented its first national Outstanding Teacher of American History award at its annual meeting in Washington, DC on April 2024 to Josh Ridley, a Middle School history teacher in Monroe County, Georgia. Josh was sponsored by the Major Philip Cook Chapter NSUSD 1812 in Macon, Georgia. His application was judged by peer teachers and the State President, and he was selected as Georgia’s Outstanding Teacher of American History.
President National Dianne Cannestra heard Josh’s story and chose to recognize him at the National Associate Council meeting. Mr. Ridley and his wife were invited to Washington, DC to receive the award as guests of the National President and of the Georgia State Society.
Outstanding teachers are recognized for their subject matter expertise but, first and foremost, they are honored for their commitment to teaching and to the young people they teach. For Josh, making a difference in the lives of the young people he encounters every day is his number one priority.
Josh’s own experiences help form his interactions in the classroom. His family life was chaotic to the point that he entered the foster care system at the age of 12. He was fortunate that a family friend took him in; however, after two years, she passed away of cancer. Josh was then returned to the foster care system while he was in 8th grade. His life was on a downward spiral as he shuffled from foster home to foster home. He attended five different middle schools that year and went to two of them twice. In the autobiography he submitted with his application, Josh indicated that his middle school years were his most difficult and emotional years. He stayed in trouble, lost motivation to excel in school, and had no sense of belonging.
Following that year, he agreed to be moved to the Boys Ranch in Hahira, a campus of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.
There, Josh really came into his own. His house parents, Allen and Serrena Chance, treated him as their own. They, along with other adults at the Boys Ranch, really invested in him, which in turn made him want to invest in himself. They helped him begin to value education and start to visualize what he wanted for his future.
Through the support of the Youth Homes, he attended college and ultimately decided to become a teacher. He chose middle school as that had been the hardest period in his life. He noted, “I wanted to be the teacher that gave them possibly the only smile they would give or receive that day. I wanted to give them something to look forward to by letting them know someone was in their corner. I wanted to be the teacher to inspire them to believe they can one day be where I am in life.” He concluded
his autobiography by stating, “I hope that is the impact I am still making today.”
Mr. Ridley’s application was accompanied by testimonials from students who noted how he engaged them with projects and activities and stimulated an appreciation of history for them. The students noted that he was one of the best teachers they ever had and that he had made history and social studies memorable for them.
Josh shared his personal story at the luncheon where he received his award. All of those present were moved by his story of overcoming personal tragedy and making a difference in the lives of young people.
Update: Josh began a new job as an Assistant Principal at a school in Butts County in July. He expresses his gratitude for the work of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, and particularly for his relationship with Allen and Serrena Chance, who had such a powerful impact on his life. “I am very proud and honored to have my story of success told,” he says. “I hope it helps inspire others to give.”