A western New York social studies teacher is the state's Teacher of the Year.
The state education department says Gregory Ahlquist has been teaching in the Webster Central School District, near Rochester, for 12 years. He teaches high school history and is also an adjunct lecturer at the State University of New York at Geneseo, teaching humanities, history and Latin courses.
Ahlquist was recognized Wednesday for his work helping students understand how history shapes today's world and events.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press