Aditi Mehta Doshi named 2026 National History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has selected Aditi Mehta Doshi of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Reseda, California, as its 2026 National History Teacher of the Year. Doshi will receive a $10,000 prize at a November 9 ceremony in New York City, recognizing her classroom work and long record in history education.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights a California teacher whose classroom work centers primary sources, creativity, and deeper student engagement with American history. - The honor includes a $10,000 grand prize and national recognition from a leading history education nonprofit. - The selection reinforces the importance of history instruction as schools look for ways to connect curriculum to civic understanding.

What happened: - The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History named Aditi Mehta Doshi the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year. - Doshi teaches at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES) Magnet in Reseda, California. - She will receive the award at a ceremony on November 9, 2026, at the Yale Club of New York City. - Doshi was earlier selected as California History Teacher of the Year and advanced to the national competition. - The national field included teachers representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. territories.

The details: - Doshi has more than two decades of teaching experience in Los Angeles. - She currently teaches African American Studies, AP World History, and AP U.S. History. - Doshi earned 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. - She has worked as a National History Day coordinator and judge. - Doshi has built programs at multiple schools and advised hundreds of students. - She serves as an AP Reader and as a UCLA AP Readiness Instructor for AP African American Studies. - Doshi is the inaugural Teacher Trustee on the National History Day Board of Trustees. - Her prior honors include the 2024 National History Day Patricia Behring Senior Division Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Los Angeles Unified School District Champion. - The Gilder Lehrman Institute established the History Teacher of the Year program in 2004 to recognize exceptional K–12 American history educators. - Teachers are nominated by students, parents, colleagues, or administrators and must have at least three years of classroom experience. - A panel of historians, professors, teachers, and the previous national winner evaluates 53 state winners using specialized rubrics before naming the national winner. - The list of 2026 State History Teachers of the Year is available here.

Between the lines: - The award favors teachers who use primary sources and classroom creativity to make history feel relevant and rigorous. - Doshi’s background shows a mix of classroom teaching, educator training, and leadership roles in history programs beyond her own school. - The Institute is using the award to elevate both teaching excellence and the broader public value of history education.

What's next: - Doshi will be honored at the November 9 ceremony in New York City. - The Gilder Lehrman Institute will continue recognizing state winners through its annual national selection process. - Teachers and the public can review the full 2026 state list on the Institute’s website.

The bottom line: - Aditi Mehta Doshi’s selection puts a veteran California educator at the center of a national spotlight on strong history teaching and civic learning.