Outstanding Teaching Awards

Each year, Humanities Texas presents monetary awards recognizing the achievements of teachers across Texas.


Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Awards

The Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Awards recognize exemplary K–12 humanities teachers. Each year, twelve teachers are selected to receive a $5,000 cash award and an additional $1,000 for their respective schools to purchase humanities-based instructional materials. From among the twelve winners, the top candidate will receive the James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of Humanities Award, an award established to honor James F. Veninga, Humanities Texas executive director emeritus, for his twenty-three years of extraordinary contributions to the state council and to the public humanities. 

Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award

The Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award was established in memory of Linden Heck Howell, former chair of our Board of Directors, as a lasting tribute to her service to the organization and her commitment to the study of Texas history. The winning teacher receives a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $1,000 for their school to purchase instructional materials supporting Texas history.

Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching

The Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching recognizes exemplary contributions of early-career humanities teachers who have completed three or fewer years of teaching. Teachers of English, language arts, foreign languages, history, and social studies are eligible for this award, as are teachers of art, drama, and music if they emphasize the history, criticism, and theory of the arts. Two teachers are typically selected to receive this $5,000 cash award, with an additional $1,000 for their schools to purchase humanities-based instructional materials.

Julius Glickman Educational Leadership Award

Humanities Texas will select one of the winners who demonstrates exceptional leadership in the educational field to receive the Julius Glickman Educational Leadership Award. The award honors former Humanities Texas board member Julius Glickman for his extraordinary leadership of our organization and many others. 

Eligibility

Nominees must be full-time teachers in Texas public or private schools. Teachers of English and language arts, foreign languages, history, and social studies are eligible for the Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Awards and the Awards for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching. Teachers of art, drama, and music are eligible if they emphasize the history, criticism, and theory of the arts. Only teachers of Texas history courses are eligible for the Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award. Nominees should be skillful and dedicated teachers who possess an expansive and profound knowledge of the humanities subject(s) they teach. Nominees should also have a record of active involvement in community activities and professional organizations, particularly those that promote the humanities. Previous award winners are ineligible to apply.  

2023 Outstanding Teaching Award Winners

James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award

Scott FrankIDEA Frontier College PrepBrownsville

Julius Glickman Educational Leadership Award

Caitlin BaumgartenA&M Consolidated Middle SchoolCollege Station

Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
 

Alicia AdkinsKempner High SchoolSugar Land
Graciela CanoHarwell Elementary SchoolLubbock
Taylor KratzMayde Creek High SchoolKaty
Emily RamserGrapevine High SchoolGrapevine
Whitney ReardonJohnston-McQueen Elementary SchoolLongview
Coralei RodriguezSpring High SchoolSpring
Cristina RubioEl Paso High SchoolEl Paso
Melissa ShelleyGruver High SchoolGruver
Wendy SierraEast View High SchoolGeorgetown
Jennifer SigerKleb Intermediate SchoolKlein

Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award

Julie LaCombeLubbock-Cooper Bush Middle SchoolLubbock

Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching

Moses HetfieldIDEA San Juan College PrepSan Juan
Katy RobersonKIPP Pleasant Grove Leadership AcademyBalch Springs

Past recipients

A list of Texas teachers who have received Outstanding Teaching Awards from Humanities Texas.

Questions about Teaching Awards

Call 512.440.1991 or email ota@humanitiestexas.org.

Texas State Senator Donna Campbell and OTA winner Lisa Barry (right).

(From l to r:) Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric Lupfer, Humanities Texas board member Ginni Mithoff, U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, OTA winner Ashley Gibson, Galena Park ISD Board Trustee Linda Clark Sherrard, and Galena Park High School Principal Kimberly Martin.

(From l to r:) State Representative Gina Hinojosa, Academy of Global Studies Director Nicole Griffith, Humanities Texas Director of Education Liz James, Austin High School Principal Amy Taylor, and OTA winner Stacy Webster with her husband and daughter.

(From l to r:) State Representative Charles Perry, OTA winner Jamie Wormsbaker, Humanities Texas board member Sean Cunningham, Lubbock-Cooper ISD Superintendent Keith Bryant, and Lubbock-Cooper High School Principal Angie Inklebarger.

OTA winner Anthony Gonzales (left) and U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro.