Teaching Award Named in Konig's Honor

The Saint Louis Public School District has named an award in honor of Professor David T. Konig, recognizing his exemplary achievements in the areas of teaching American history and Constitutional law issues. The David Thomas Konig Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding educator at a ceremony at the St. Louis Mercantile Library on October 27, 2009. 

The award will be given to a middle or secondary school social studies teacher who has distinguished himself or herself through talent and commitment. The award notes that Konig, himself, is “a brilliant scholar, an outstanding teacher, and a nurturing colleague.”

Konig, who holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a PhD in history from Harvard, joined the Washington University faculty in 1973. He became the first non-lawyer to teach American legal history at the law school; he currently holds a joint appointment in the law school and in the Department of History in Arts & Sciences. Konig’s focus in teaching is directed towards Early American legal history, including Constitutional topics, such as rights under the Second Amendment, states’ rights, and slavery and freedom. One of his current projects involves the study of Thomas Jefferson and his historical contributions to early American law.

Though Konig has accomplished a great deal within the university, the award is meant to shine light on his achievements in the community. Among these, he serves as director of the “With Liberty and Justice for All” Teaching American History Project for the Saint Louis Public Schools’ middle and high schools. The program is a collaborative effort among numerous educational institutions around St. Louis, including Washington University. It provides intensive professional development seminars to American history teachers.

Konig has taught this program at both the middle- and high-school levels, all the while demonstrating a great deal of respect for the teachers he was aiding. Linda Riekes, a program administrator, said that by naming the award after Konig, the Teaching American History Project intended to honor his hard work and collegiality, as well as bring attention to how the project has helped to improve the St. Louis teaching community. Teachers who are selected for the honor will receive a small cash award in addition to a grant to go toward their continued professional development and class supplies.

Although the award is new, this year is not the first occasion in which Konig will be recognized for his hard work in the field of teaching. His numerous other honors include the Interfraternity Council’s Performance in Teaching Award; the Council of Students in Arts and Sciences Teaching Award; and the Graduate Student Council in Mentoring Award.

By Brent Mueller