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.
2024 Outstanding Teaching Award Winners
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Lindsay Johnston | Imagine International Academy of North Texas | McKinney |
Julius Glickman Educational Leadership Award
| Melina Recio | McAllen High School | McAllen |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Monica Alvarez Suárez | PSJA Memorial Early College High School | Alamo |
| Caitlin Bailey-Garafola | Jasper High School | Plano |
| Tyler Clements | Spring Branch Middle School | Spring Branch |
| Jennifer Fey | Hill Country College Prep High School | New Braunfels |
| Erika Garza-Silva | Flour Bluff Junior High School | Corpus Christi |
| Sarah Holzbauer | Whitehouse High School | Whitehouse |
| William Lee | Alamo Heights High School | San Antonio |
| Rebecca Smart | Dripping Springs High School | Dripping Springs |
| Renee Trejo | Del Valle High School | El Paso |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Charlene Bader | Peet Junior High School | Conroe |
| Lorenzo Ventura | Jones Middle School | San Antonio |
Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching
| Julia Mixon | Aldine Middle School | Houston |
| Christopher Vasquez-Wright | Frenship High School | Wolfforth |
Past recipients
A list of Texas teachers who have received Outstanding Teaching Awards from Humanities Texas.
If you have been nominated for a 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award, please complete the application by Monday, February 3, 2025.Nominated Teachers: How to Apply
Questions about Teaching Awards
Call 512.440.1991 (press 2) or email ota@humanitiestexas.org.