Bill Melega is an 18-year veteran teacher at Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was named as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Educator of the Year in 2010 for his dedication to bringing world history to life in the classroom. A strong believer in “teaching through travel,” Bill has led his students on numerous learning adventures in Europe and the United States, focusing on World War II and the Civil War. He also developed a proprietary writing program for classroom instructors and students, teaching them to use primary resources effectively in order to increase critical thinking skills. He presented this program at the National Advanced Placement College Board conference in 2011, as well as leading in-service sessions with the Durham Public Schools.