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Jared Shoup, ’18, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, a high school social studies teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), was recently named a recipient of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission Excellence in Teaching Diversity Award. Shoup was recognized at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Writing and Multimedia Contest award ceremony in Columbus with many of his current and former students in attendance.

The Excellence in Teaching Diversity Award is given to an Ohio teacher (grades 6-12) who demonstrates exemplary dedication to diversity and teaching the lessons of civil rights in the classroom. Shoup was nominated for the award by OHVA’s Diversity and Inclusion Analyst, Geonavin Hernandez, who recognized Shoup’s work toward promoting diversity within his economics class through his curriculum and in his work for the school’s clubs.

Shoup began his teaching career at OHVA in fall 2018. In addition, he serves as an advisor to the school’s History Geeks Club and acts as its primary field trip coordinator. He graduated from 91²Ö¿â with a bachelor’s degree in integrated social studies in 2018.