Honoring and celebrating Elizabeth Taylor, 10th and 11th-grade social studies teacher at Masterman High School and recipient of the 2024 David McCullough Teacher Prize for excellence in American Public History.
WHEREAS, Elizabeth “Liz” Taylor has been a Philadelphia School District teacher for nineteen years. Over the course of her accomplished career, Taylor has demonstrated a passion for making history both engaging and accessible for rising generations; and
WHEREAS, Taylor grew up in Wichita, Kansas. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Taylor went on to complete both a Master of Arts in teaching Social Studies from Columbia University and a Master of Arts in History from Temple University; and
WHEREAS, Taylor began teaching in 2001 in the West Contra Costa Unified School District in California and later joined the School District of Philadelphia in 2005. Taylor spent her first three years at Roberto Clemente Middle School as a seventh-grade World Cultures and Geography and eighth-grade US History teacher, and later took her current position at Masterman; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her regular teaching duties, Taylor is the Social Studies department facilitator, sponsor of the school’s National History Day program, and supports student-run voter registration and education initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Taylor is a member of the National Council of Social Studies, National History Day Philly Teacher Advisory Group, Organization of American Historians, and Association for the Study of African American Life and History. She is also co-author of A Guide to Student Research and Historical Argumentation, a book that serves as a resource for educators teaching argumentative writing; and
WHEREAS, Outside of school, Taylor is married with three children, and enjoys long walks, jogging, reading, and spending time with her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Taylor’s passion and talent for teaching have been recognized on numerous occasions including the 2016 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2020 National History Day in Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, 2020 and 2014 National History Day Philly Teacher of the Year, a finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year in 2023, and delegate to the Young People’s Continental Congress 2024; and
WHEREAS, This year, Taylor has been awarded the David McCullough Teacher Prize for Excellence in American Public History, which recognizes individuals whose work has significantly impacted the public’s understanding of American history; and
WHEREAS, As she continues her twenty-fourth year teaching, Taylor’s impact on American Public History has been lasting. Many of her former students have gone on to major in history, publish about topics in Social Studies, and even become Social Studies teachers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize Elizabeth “Liz” Taylor, social studies teacher and recipient of the 2024 David McCullough Teacher Prize for Excellence in American Public History, recognizing her significant contributions to education, history, and the School District of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Elizabeth Taylor as a symbol of the profound respect and admiration felt by this legislative body and the citizens of Philadelphia for her extraordinary life and work.