The teacher is an advisor, a coach, and a facilitator. These roles can be as much or as little as the teacher chooses to make them. Even if you cannot commit a great deal of time to the program, just getting students involved in it is worthwhile. The contest process itself is instructive. Judges at regional, state and national contests make valuable suggestions to contestants on how to improve their entries.
Students learn from each other and from one another's projects.
As the students do their research, librarians, archivists, and museum people give them guidance. You may be able to recruit community volunteers to help you with your program. Parents of History Day students are sometimes willing to donate time and energy. If you feel you need help with your program, members of the History Day steering committees are eager to help. Just call the state coordinator and he will arrange to have someone work with you.