USC history teacher named outstanding educator

Ben Edwards doesn’t think he’s done anything that particularly sets him apart from his fellow educators at Upper St. Clair High School.
“I don’t think I do anything special,” he admits.
His students, however, have been so impacted by his teachings he has received the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago twice. The Office of College Admissions grants the honor to one teacher each year that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the education and personal development of their students. Incoming first-year students are invited to nominate a teacher that has helped them grow.
Edwards, a high school social studies teacher, said receiving the award twice now has been very humbling. Just knowing that throughout his career, he was memorable to some of his students is the best indicator that he’s done a good job.
“The reality of teaching is that we do the best we can and then let life take over,” Edwards said. “For someone to remember us after that transition is truly humbling.”
There are stellar teachers out there that never have the opportunity to be recognized, so he is grateful for the chance.
His aim in his history and economics courses is to instruct students to acknowledge their biases, stripping away those immediate inclinations to find what is real. That’s what social studies teachers are for. If a student were to approach him years down the road and said that they had voted in every election they were able to, and were informed about the issues and candidates, nothing would make him happier.
“I want to help kids think for themselves and find the truth,” Edwards said. “I just love what I teach and I’m teaching students and material that are perfect for me.”
Edwards was nominated by Spencer Miller, a 2018 USC graduate and student in his International Baccalaureate History of the Americas class.
“He always had a unique, philisophical view of the world,” Edwards said of Miller. “He read really fascinating books for fun and brought a unique element to class.”
Fellow peers were fascinated to hear what Miller had to say and Edwards said it was “one of my favorite classes I’ve ever taught.” The students had a great dynamic and worked together well. He could group any of them together for a project and knew they would excel.
“I’ll remember them fondly for the rest of my career.”
Edwards last received the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago in 2014.
“It’s a great staff, a great group of kids and an amazing opportunity every day,” Edwards said.
Edwards has been a social studies teacher at Upper St. Clair since 2011 and began coaching the forensics team in 2001. Edwards lives in Bethel Park with his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Lily.