BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) - Scott Fowler didn’t consider himself a history buff when he was in high school.
That all changed when he started teaching fifth grade at Swasey Central School eight years ago. Since then, Fowler has embraced teaching the American Revolution, complete with bringing historical reenactors to the school and having students take on an actual role in the Revolution.
His passion for teaching this period of history has gotten notice in recent months. Last April, he received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Exeter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). And most recently, he was notified that the statewide DAR will recognize him as New Hampshire’s top history teacher.
“Which was unexpected but really awesome. It is really special, the DAR have been around since 1891. To get the recognition from that group has been amazing,” Fowler said. “When she said congratulations to me over the phone I had to sit down, take a deep breath.”
Carol Welch, the Chapter Regent for the Exeter DAR, has observed a number of history teachers around the state when she travels as a historical reenactor and was impressed by Fowler.
“Scott is outstanding and the way the children respond to him is just wonderful,” Welch said. “Every single reenactor that has come into contact with him and his school programs are just amazed at it.”
After the state recognition, his name will be sent on to the national DAR competition.
Fowler has also been recognized by the Trey Whitfield Foundation for his teaching. That organization was founded after Whitfield’s death with a mission to carry on Whitfield’s dream that everyone, regardless of their ethnic background gets a fair chance at an education.
Fowler is a graduate of the Exeter school system, who first became interested in a career as a teacher when he began instructing Taekwondo at age 14 to a group of adult men. At the end of the class, one of the men came up and asked Fowler how old he was. The man told him he was surprised at his age given how comfortable he was teaching and asked if he’d ever thought of becoming a teacher. The idea stuck and he went on to earn a degree in Elementary Education from Plymouth State University. After student teaching at Lincoln Street School in Exeter under now retired teacher Charlotte Small, Fowler was hired as a full-time teacher in Brentwood 15 years ago.
“The kids,” he said in response to the best part of his job. “I love not only when they finally get something, I love when they invite me to their soccer games or they tell me about their birthday parties. It’s them that make it fun.”
Fowler’s lessons about the American Revolution start at the Colonial Era and include well-known figures like Paul Revere, George Washington, and Benedict Arnold. Fowler is as engaged as the students in the time period.
“It was just so interesting,” he said. “All the battles were always so interesting to me.”
The segment concludes with a visit from the local Dearborn Regiment of Reenactors, from the Epping area, who are now annual guests at the school.
“Each teacher gets to fire the cannon,” Fowler said of the day the reenactors come to the school. “Once they packed it double for me and didn’t tell me.”
Fowler’s enthusiasm for teaching history caught the attention of the reenactors, including Welch, who brought his name forward as a candidate for the Exeter chapter’s history teaching award. Others from the Dearborn Regiment wrote letters about him.
“Scott Fowler is not just that guy we see at several revolutionary events or at the school every year,” Gregory Morin, of the Dearborn Regiment wrote. “He is that guy that is the engaging teacher that we wished we had as a kid during those long and boring, fall asleep history classes.”
Fowler has truly helped bring history to life for his students. In the spring, students in fifth grade are split into two groups, Red Coats or Patriots. They march between classes and once a week wear their uniforms around school. They learn each battle from their character’s perspective, how to march, and how to vote for a general.
“It is a full blown simulation,” Fowler explained. “If they do it, they’ll remember. It’s hands on. After every battle, they fill out a battle report.”
Each student wears an arm band with their character name. When students write about something like the Battle of Bunker Hill, they do so from the point of view of their character.
“The depth of the study is what interests the students, whether it be the cannon that is brought to our school grounds to be fired, or the marching that the students do from class to class,” Principal Row Kew said. “It is a special tradition that Swasey staff and families look forward to year after year. Scott helps to keep this event alive and well with his expertise and energy.”
Fellow fifth-grade teacher Amy Cantone has worked with Fowler for more than five years.
“Working with Scott is one of the best parts of my job. He’s a phenomenal team member,” Cantone said. “During our Revolutionary War studies is an especially great time to work with Scott. He has so much background knowledge on the topics, we often get into history conversations that take over our planning periods.”
Welch, who takes part in the reenacting day at Swasey Central School each spring, said it’s not only the students who enjoy the event.
“It’s just a great day for everybody,” she said.
Morin added, “As a reenactor of this time frame, I cannot tell you how many different people I have met that know and are interested in this time. Scott not only stands out because of his interest but how he is so very passionate about sharing it with all of his students in a way unlike no other. His students are very fortunate to have him at the head of the class.”
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Information from: Portsmouth Herald, https://www.seacoastonline.com
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