Rockingham County Public Schools - Virginia

Rockingham County Public Schools is proud to announce that Mr. Beau Dickenson has been named the 2025 Mel Miller Outstanding Social Studies Leader of the year by the National Social Studies Leaders Association (NSSLA). Dickenson, who serves as Social Studies Supervisor for RCPS, has dedicated his career to advancing inquiry-based instruction and mentoring social studies educators across Virginia.

This national award honors an educator whose leadership strengthens instruction in history, government, and civics, helping students grow into informed, responsible citizens. Mr. Dickenson was selected for his commitment to high academic standards, the integration of inquiry-based instruction that emphasizes primary sources, critical thinking, and civic engagement, and his ongoing support for teacher excellence in the classroom.

In recent years, Mr. Dickenson has worked with teachers to embed inquiry-based practices across grade levels. A notable example is a fourth-grade inquiry into the life and leadership of Barbara Johns, the 16-year-old Virginian who played a pivotal role in the desegregation of public schools. Designed by four RCPS teachers with Dickenson’s support, the lesson was featured on the cover of Social Studies and the Young Learner and described in an article co-authored by Dickenson and Dr. Emma Thacker of James Madison University. The project was also highlighted in NPR’s MindShift podcast, which visited RCPS classrooms to show how students are learning about courage, civic responsibility, and leadership through age-appropriate historical inquiry.

At the same time, Mr. Dickenson has helped lead a systemic shift in assessment practices across the division and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Working directly with RCPS social studies teachers, he has collaborated to design these learning experiences and implement this change in classrooms. In partnership with Dr. Kathy Swan and C3 Teachers, national leaders in inquiry-based education, he spearheaded the replacement of the traditional SOL test in middle and high school courses with a series of inquiry-based performance assessments. These assessments not only align instruction with deeper historical thinking but have also elevated student achievement — county pass rates have risen from the 70s into the mid-90s since their adoption. This groundbreaking work was published in Social Education in an article titled “Teaching to a Better Test,” co-authored with Kathy Swan and Gerry Swan, and has drawn both state and national attention as a model for assessment reform.

RCPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflett praised the recognition, noting the collective effort behind Mr. Dickenson’s work:

“This honor reflects not only Mr. Dickenson’s leadership, but also the dedication of our teachers and the strength of collaboration across RCPS. Together, they are helping students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school and in life,” said Dr. Shifflett.

Together, these efforts highlight Mr. Dickenson’s leadership in creating learning experiences that emphasize historical knowledge, the use of primary sources, and respectful classroom discussion. His vision is to prepare students to engage in civic life with a strong foundation in American government, responsibility, and respect for differing perspectives.

He will be formally honored at the NSSLA Annual Conference this fall in Washington, D.C. RCPS congratulates Mr. Dickenson on this national recognition and thanks the teachers, families, and community members who support the district’s continued focus on strong, values-driven education. 

From left to right: Haley Saunders (SHS), Dr. Kathy Swan (University of Kentucky), Kim Dove (WSPMS), Tim Van Schaick (TAHS), Beau Dickenson (RCPS), Dr. John Lee (North Carolina State University). 

From left to right: Jana Grandle (JCMES), Allison Gidari (PKVES), Beau Dickenson (RCPS), Carrie Lillard (CO), and Miranda Lyle (WSPMS)