Gilder Lehrman names Aditi Mehta Doshi 2026 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 Nov. 9 ceremony in New York City, recognizing her classroom work and leadership in history education.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights a California teacher whose classroom work reached the top of a national competition for K-12 history educators. - The honor comes with a $10,000 grand prize and a public ceremony in New York City. - The recognition can boost visibility for history education programs that rely on primary sources, teacher leadership and student engagement.

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. - The Institute will present the award on Nov. 9, 2026, at the Yale Club of New York City. - Doshi previously was selected as California History Teacher of the Year and then advanced to the national competition. - Teachers from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. territories were eligible for the national pool.

The details: - Doshi teaches African American Studies, AP World History and AP U.S. History at SOCES Magnet. - She has more than two decades of teaching experience in Los Angeles. - 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 also serves as an AP Reader and 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’s president and CEO, James G. Basker, said Doshi represents the dedication and skill that exceptional history teachers bring to their classrooms. - Basker said Doshi uses primary sources and creativity to push students to engage more deeply with American history. - Doshi said the award recognizes teachers and students who do rigorous, creative and humanizing historical scholarship. - Doshi said history education is vital to upholding democracy. - The Institute’s History Teacher of the Year program began in 2004. - Nominations can come from students, parents, colleagues or administrators. - Eligible teachers must have at least three years of classroom experience. - A panel of historians, professors, teachers and the previous national winner evaluates the 53 state winners using specialized rubrics. - The Institute lists the 2026 State History Teachers of the Year at the state winners page.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a broader push to elevate teachers who combine content knowledge with active learning strategies. - Doshi’s background in AP courses, National History Day and teacher training suggests the Institute values educators who influence both classroom instruction and broader history programming. - The national competition is designed to compare teachers across states and territories with a common rubric, which gives the award a standardized selection process.

What's next: - Doshi is set to receive the prize at the Nov. 9 ceremony in New York City. - The Institute will continue highlighting its 2026 state winners through its teacher-of-the-year program. - Doshi’s recognition may bring additional attention to history instruction in Los Angeles schools and to National History Day programming.

The bottom line: - The Gilder Lehrman Institute chose a veteran California educator with deep ties to history scholarship, AP teaching and student mentoring as its top national history teacher for 2026.