Mt. Spokane teacher receives governor’s award for excellence in teaching history

Luke Thomas loves history, and he enjoys sharing that passion with his students at Mt. Spokane High School.

His enjoyment of the subject often proves contagious.

“Mr. Thomas focuses on how we can make it applicable to our lives,” said Caleb Marll, 18. “His approach allows students to understand how important these events still are today. He’s led me to a passion for history.”

In September, Thomas, who teaches AP European History and AP Human Geography, earned the Washington State Historical Society’s Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching History. The award includes $750 and a Gold Star of recognition.

Marll nominated his teacher for the honor.

“He challenges us to think outside the box, to understand why these things happened,” Marll said.

Principal Darren Nelson believes the honor is well-deserved.

“Luke has this awesome combination of being completely passionate about both history and his students. He invests a lot of himself in them,” Nelson said. “His knowledge base is so deep – it creates a wonderful opportunity for our students.”

Nelson noted that Thomas serves as chairman of the Professional Educator Standards Board for the state, and was instrumental in getting Mt. Spokane involved in National History Day – an annual project-based contest for students in grades 6-12.

This year, Marll, Myranda Wilsey and Brianna Goodhue created a Historical Exhibit on the Heliocentric Model of the Universe and qualified for nationals in College Park, Maryland.

“Washington is one of three or four states that perform highly at nationals,” Thomas said.

Student Ali Jones also qualified for nationals and won the Niels Bohr award for her essay “Galileo Galilei: A Conflict of Faiths.”

“She interviewed Galileo’s biographer’s daughter,” Thomas said. “I get chills thinking about a 15-year-old excited enough about what she read, to go to the source.”

Thomas grew up in a household immersed in history.

“My dad is a theologian,” he said. “We always had conversations about history around the house.”

Of all the subjects, Thomas feels history is most contingent on the instructor, as far as student enjoyment of the class.

“Math is awesome,” he said. “But it teaches itself.”

And unlike basic mathematic principles, history is always evolving, which keeps Thomas on his toes.

For instance, in his human geography class, they talked about how Japan recently had 33,000 people turn 100. The class discussed the impact of such longevity on a nation and a culture.

“Facts and figures are less important to me than kids learning how to think critically,” Thomas said.

That’s what Marll most appreciates about his teacher.

“So much of history is looking back, but he teaches us to look forward, as well,” said Marll.

Thomas’s favorite era to study and to teach is 16th century Europe.

“I’m in the middle of teaching about the Reformation right now,” he said. “We talk about its broader impact on society. The separation of church and state is so relevant.”

Marll agreed.

“People were polarized back then, too,” he said. “Can we learn from them how not to make the same mistakes – how to make the world a better place?”

Seeing the light go on for students as they discuss the impact of 16th century events on the 21st century is a thrill that never gets old for Thomas.

“At the end of the day, it’s the relationship with these kids and the opportunity to put them in the position to be successful that gets me up in the morning,” Thomas said. “It’s a calling I’m proud and happy to step into.”