VIDEO | Jim Percoco describes the early years of the United States through the lens of the two major wars, the War for Independence and the War of 1812, that established and secured the American cause.
Historian, Educator

Jim Percoco at the 20th Maine Monument
Rob Shenk
James A. Percoco is a nationally recognized history educator with over 33 years of service to American education. The author of three previous books, his books A Passion for the Past: Creative Teaching of US History and Divided We Stand: Teaching About Conflict in US History are staples in collegiate social studies methods courses across the United States. Percoco has pioneered the combination of public education with public history utilizing public history opportunities throughout his curriculum. Thirty-six of his students have worked for the National Park Service, several who are currently in leadership positions. Many of his former students also became social studies/history teachers.
A prolific speaker, Percoco demonstrates how to use historic sites and museums as adjuncts to his teaching and has modeled his approach in countless in-service programs nationally.
Pulitzer Prize winning author and biographer David McCullough has called Percoco, “a national treasure” and Yohuru Williams has dubbed Percoco as “America’s History Teacher.”
Percoco is a Gilder-Lehrman Teacher of the Year (Virginia) and was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2011.
Hewas the Trust’s Teacher-in-Residence from 2014-2018.
Contributions
VIDEO | Jim Percoco explains the history behind Revolutionary War monuments in America.
VIDEO | Historian James Percoco discusses the Battle of Bunker Hill.
This article provides answers to questions about the Civil War that may be asked by children.
Students from Jim Percoco and Brad Swain's Applied History classes at West Springfield High School take a field trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield that includes the use of our Gettysburg Battle App at Little Round Top and Devil's Den.
VIDEO | Jim Percoco explains the arduous task that faced the Continental Army as they attempted to force the British out of Boston in 1776.
VIDEO | In honor of the 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington & Concord, we are releasing a new American Battlefield Trust branded version of our Lexington & Concord In4. Join Jim Percoco as he details the history behind "the shot heard 'round the world."
VIDEO | Jim Percoco details the life and legacy of Benedict Arnold.
The Civil War Trust's teacher-in-residence outlines ten effective classroom strategies for Civil War educators and calls for other ideas.
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