A history teacher from Jefferson County has captured statewide recognition for her two decades of innovative instruction, with Stefanie Fuchs of Rigby High School earning the 2026 Idaho History Teacher of the Year distinction from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The award positions her as a contender for a national prize to be decided later this fall.
Fuchs teaches at Rigby High School within Jefferson School District 251, where she holds dual responsibilities as U.S. History Lead and America250 Co-Chair. Her selection brings attention to the quality of history education being delivered in East Idaho classrooms and highlights what sustained commitment to the discipline can look like over a long teaching career.
Twenty Years of Pushing History Beyond the Textbook
Fuchs has spent two full decades shaping how young people in Jefferson County understand the American past and the broader world. Rather than relying on standard instructional methods alone, she draws on immersive learning techniques — including hands-on simulations, original primary source documents, and material drawn from local history — to bring events to life for students who might otherwise see history as removed from their everyday experience.
Her contributions to the school’s academic structure have been tangible. Fuchs was instrumental in pushing World History into Rigby High School’s graduation requirements, ensuring that all students leave with exposure to global historical context. She also created a Dual Credit World History course, giving students the chance to earn college credit before they ever set foot on a university campus. Beyond curriculum development, Fuchs has invested time mentoring student teachers, extending her influence into the profession itself and helping prepare the educators who will follow in her footsteps.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has been honoring standout history educators since 2004, selecting one teacher annually from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and the nation’s territories. The program has grown into one of the most prominent recognitions available to pre-college history instructors in the country.
State Award Opens Door to National Competition
Winning the Idaho title comes with meaningful rewards. Fuchs will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a curated collection of American history books and classroom resources, and recognition at a local ceremony honoring her achievement. But the stakes extend well past Idaho’s borders.
As the state honoree, Fuchs automatically becomes one of 53 finalists — representing states, territories, and Department of Defense schools — vying for the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year Award. That competition will conclude with an announcement ceremony at the Harvard Club of New York City this coming fall, where the national winner will be awarded a $10,000 prize.
James G. Basker, president and CEO of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, described why the award matters in a statement to the institute: “History teachers play an essential role in helping students understand the past, build critical thinking skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the people and events that shaped our nation.”, as first reported by the EastIdahoNews.com
Fuchs’ recognition speaks to the depth of instructional talent present in East Idaho schools. Her curriculum work in Jefferson School District 251 has expanded what students experience before graduation — adding a global dimension through World History requirements and opening pathways to higher education through dual credit offerings. Those structural changes will benefit Rigby students for years to come, regardless of the path each individual student chooses after high school.
Teacher excellence and the broader conversation around academic standards in Idaho’s public schools remain topics of ongoing interest across the state. For additional coverage of education issues affecting communities throughout Idaho, readers can follow statewide reporting at Idaho News.
What Comes Next
Fuchs will remain in contention for the national title through the summer and into autumn 2026. The Gilder Lehrman Institute will announce the National History Teacher of the Year — selected from all 53 state and territory finalists — at a ceremony held at the Harvard Club of New York City later this year. The national honoree will take home a $10,000 award. Bonneville County News will continue reporting on Fuchs’ progress as the national selection process moves toward its conclusion.