Schaumburg High School Social Studies teacher Mary Lopez has won the state of Illinois Outstanding Teacher of American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She will be honored in Bloomington, IL on April 24.

Lopez was first honored Feb. 4 as the Eli Skinner Outstanding Teacher by the local DAR chapter at a special awards presentation at the Palatine Public Library.

Each year, DAR chapters across the country select a local American history teacher to honor, and then nominate for the award at the state level. Each state winner's dossier is sent to the Historian General and the national winner is ultimately selected.

This award honored Mrs. Lopez as a full-time teacher of American history (and related fields such as social studies, government and citizenship education) in public, private and parochial schools in grades 6 through 12, and recognized her for her ability to foster the spirit of American patriotism. It also recognizes her for her ability to relate subject matter of modern life and events, as well as her commitment to her students.

After the state awards, Lopez's materials will be forwarded for consideration in the national competition later this spring.