Mountain Home Teacher Receives VFW’s Top Award

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 7, 2020) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is pleased to announce Matthew Bundy, a 12th grade American government teacher at Mountain Home High School in Mountain Home, Idaho, has been selected for its 2020 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the high school level.

Bundy, sponsored by VFW Post 5423 in Mountain Home, Idaho, was chosen to represent the high school level for the innovation and passion he brings to his classroom, and for going above and beyond to encourage civic responsibility and activism in his students.

A Lieutenant Colonel who served 20 years in the Air Force, Bundy’s military service offers invaluable insight when teaching his students about the attacks on 9/11, the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, and the importance of their civic and community involvement.

“If the current pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that our nation depends on having strong and resilient leaders, and teachers like Matthew play a vital role in shaping today’s youth into the leaders we need for a successful future,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “The VFW is honored to recognize these teachers, and the teachers and instructors like them across our nation who help promote the importance of patriotism and civic responsibility.”

Co-sponsored by past VFW National Commander John Smart and retired VFW Quartermaster General Larry Maher, the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award was established in 1999 to recognize three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students.

Each of the three national recipients will receive a $1,000 award for professional development and $1,000 for their school.