Bryant Middle School teacher Sayre Posey has been named the 2026 Utah History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The recognition, announced on August 11, 2026, honors exceptional K-12 educators for their work in teaching American history.
Posey serves as a U.S. History and Pre-AP Geography & World History teacher at Bryant Middle School, a Title I school in Salt Lake City. Her academic work includes a Master's thesis titled The Impact of Project-Based Learning on Student Attitudes Towards History, and she has contributed to Utah’s C3 Inquiry hub.
Michelle N. Amiot, Ph.D., Principal of Bryant Middle School, stated that Posey brings an extraordinary depth of learning to students, helping them think like historians by examining evidence and constructing well-supported arguments. Amiot noted that the rigor Posey introduces prepares students for advanced coursework and helps them become informed young people.
As the 2026 Utah History Teacher of the Year, Posey will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a curated collection of American history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. She will also be recognized at a local ceremony and will join 52 other honorees as a finalist for the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year Award.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute, a leading nonprofit for K-12 American history education, presents this annual recognition to one outstanding teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories. Nominees are recommended by students, colleagues, or school leaders and are selected by state committees of historians and educators.
James G. Basker, president and CEO of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, said that history teachers play an essential role in helping students understand the past and develop critical thinking skills. He stated the institute is proud to recognize educators who make history engaging and relevant in their classrooms.
Posey's previous accolades include being named the 2025 Utah Teacher of the Year and the 2025 Salt Lake City School District Teacher of the Year. She also received a Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence from the National Education Association Foundation.
The national winner for the History Teacher of the Year award will be announced this fall at a ceremony at the Harvard Club of New York City and will receive a $10,000 grand prize.
