June 21, 2024 by Hannah Sammut
MANSFIELD – As part of Mansfield Public Schools’ Educator Spotlight series, Superintendent Teresa Murphy would like to recognize Mansfield High School Social Studies teacher Julia Atwood for her years of service to Mansfield Public Schools.
Educator Spotlights highlight the important work that Mansfield Public Schools employees perform daily, as well as their unique backgrounds.
Atwood lives in Plainville and has been working in the Mansfield Public Schools for 19 years. She teaches World History, Asian Studies and Making History; advises the National History Day program; and coaches the Mansfield High School Mock Trial team. She was the advisor for the Class of 2013, and worked to recruit seniors to suit up and act as the school mascot until 2020. She has also previously been the advisor for the GSA, the Young Democrats Club and the History Club. She grew up in Foxborough. She is married, has a daughter who is finishing 4th grade and a dog named Izzy who is a year old and was rescued through the Great Dog Rescue New England.
In May, she was nominated for the 2024 Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year from the National History Day Foundation in the high school division. Educators from each state were nominated for the award by demonstrating a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through using primary sources, implementing active learning strategies to foster critical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.
A highlight during Atwood’s career has been helping her students excel in the National History Day program and through Mock Trial. She shared the success of one of her students who submitted a documentary for entry in the National History Day project and won first place in the country for his submission. She was also proud to share the success of another student who was given the honor of presenting a documentary that they had made for National History Day, which was shown in the Oprah Winfrey Auditorium in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
She also shared the story of a student who worked consistently to improve his cross-examination skills and excelled at delivering the closing argument for his team at a moment’s notice. This student did so well that he has been permanently assigned to deliver closing arguments. In the following competition, he earned a perfect score.
“My greatest accomplishment is helping guide my students so they can achieve their goals,” Atwood said.
Her favorite things about teaching at Mansfield High School are working with students, watching their skills grow and seeing students’ passions for history ignite.
“There’s nothing like seeing that lightbulb moment when it clicks for the student, or when students run into your room super pumped because they just got an interview with Hedy Lamarr’s daughter whom they were researching for their National History Day project,” she said.
Next year, Atwood will be teaching AP Psychology and looks forward to instructing students on a new topic.
“We are excited to highlight and congratulate Mansfield High School Social Studies teacher Julia Atwood,” said Superintendent Murphy. “She has dedicated years of hard work to supporting our students and her efforts are greatly appreciated.”