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| Recipients | Project Name | Award Category |
| Rafael Giraldo Weston, FL |
Ride for the Republic | Teacher/Educator |
| Rafael Giraldo began the Ride for the Republic on June 14, 2010. He would cycle 2,760 miles over sixty-three days on a Tour of Discovery Inspiring Young Minds. The cycling journey began in Bar Harbor, Maine, took him through the original thirteen states of the Union, and concluded in Key West, Florida, in August. Mr. Giraldo is an eighth grade teacher of US history at a Tequesta Trace Middle School in Weston, Florida. However, this teacher is employing today’s technology in ways that go the equivalent of to the moon in its reach beyond the normal text book. |
 Rafael Giraldo award presentation with Patricia McDougle. |
 Route Map 2010 |
On his web site, Tour of Discovery, he posted a daily video blog of his journey, the places he visited and its history. For example, when he crossed the Delaware River, his camera panned the landscape and the viewer sees a lovely body of water and green trees. Along with the visual, Mr. Giraldo talks about the Delaware in the winter and George Washington’s crossing thereof. His students were able to keep track of his progress through GPS and his daily blog. Back home on his school’s web page, more can be learned about Mr. Giraldo as a teacher. In an open letter to parents and students he says: “Studying our history makes us understand our present and in a magical way allows us to glimpse at our future. By learning what has taken place in the past, we forge for our families, our community and ourselves a better tomorrow . . . I look forward to a year full of marvelous discovery and intellectual adventure!” Is there any doubt that this teacher goes far, far above and beyond in his quest to inspire and educate his eight grade students? Mr. Giraldo is an exceptional talent, devoted to the acquisition of knowledge and imparting it to his students, and he is innovative in his approach — and for all he is doing on behalf of his students, Freedoms Foundation selected him to receive a National Award. |
| To ride along with Mr. Giraldo on the Ride for the Republic, visit his web site. |
| Tour of Discovery Web Site |
| Click here to return to 2010 National Awards Recipients page. |