Phebe and Zephaniah Swift Moore Teaching Award
Law, American history and government teacher
Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn, New York
William Kahn began his career in a courtroom and later retired from law to work in the classroom. At Brooklyn Technical High School, Kahn teaches law, American history and government while also coaching the school’s mock trial and moot court teams. Servet Bayimli ’16, who nominated Kahn for a Swift Moore Award, credits him for imparting skills useful in presenting a case as well as preparing for life.“He pushed our thinking in different and uncomfortable ways by constantly challenging our arguments,” Bayimli wrote. “Mr. Kahn always demanded more from his students and pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves as we entered our most critical identity-forming years.” Known for dedicating countless additional hours to his students and team members after school and on weekends, Kahn operates “under the spirit of giving,” Bayimli wrote. As an only child born to immigrant parents, Bayimli said he recognized the unique effects of Kahn’s generosity. “He went beyond a teacher and a coach for each of his students to not only make them feel like they were part of a broader community on campus but also that they were being looked out for in a very empowering way.”