Teacher Awards
Past Recipients
Over the past two decades, Humanities Texas has presented the Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award and the Linden Heck Howell Award for Outstanding Teaching of Texas History to more than two hundred Texas teachers. Winners teach in a range of discplines and represent all parts of the state.
2012
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Michael Acuff | Brewer Middle School | White Settlement |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Dorothy Chegwidden | Flower Mound High School | Flower Mound |
| Charles Cooper | San Marcos High School | San Marcos |
| Nancy Cooper | Veribest I.S.D. | Veribest |
| Bradley Grant | Salado Intermediate School | San Antonio |
| Patricia Hofeditz | Richardson High School | Richardson |
| Pamela Krippner | Weinert and Jefferson Avenue Elementary Schools | Seguin |
| Deborah Magnon-Nolting | Randolph High School | Universal City |
| Cathryne McNamara | L. C. Anderson High School | Austin |
| Wayne R. Nichols | Middle Level Learning Center | Fort Worth |
| Camille Quaite | Bellaire High School | Bellaire |
| Wendy Warren | Hastings High School | Houston |
| Sari Wilson | IDEA Mission College Prep | Mission |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Erica Klein | Bonnette Junior High School | Deer Park |
2011
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Linda O'Neal | Akins High School | Austin |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Helen Bradley | Nimitz High School | Irving |
| Chris Cooper | San Marcos High School | San Marcos |
| William Daugherty | Dobie High School | Houston |
| Norman Goldberg | Harris Middle School | San Antonio |
| Brian Horn | Creekview High School | Carrollton |
| Leona Jones | Bastrop High School | Bastrop |
| Melissa Lamprich | Colleyville Heritage High School | Grapevine |
| Melinda Lemke | Austin High School | Austin |
| Michael Madden | Clements High School | Sugar Land |
| Melanie Mayer | Port Aransas High School | Port Aransas |
| Jennifer Rodriguez | KIPP Aspire Academy | San Antonio |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Tara Musslewhite | Atascocita Middle School | Humble |
2010
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Joanne Frimel | School of Choice | Houston |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Stephanie Bakintas | Grapevine High School | Grapevine |
| Beth A. Burau | Bishop Lynch High School | Dallas |
| Linda Cottle | Devine High School | Devine |
| Brita Donohue | KIPP Sharpstown College Prep | Houston |
| Dodie Kasper | Liberty High School | Frisco |
| Mark LaCroix | Midland Freshman High School | Midland |
| Maggie Moody | Riverside Middle School | El Paso |
| Sonia Adriana Noyola | Collegiate High School | Corpus Christi |
| Diana Schneider | Henderson Middle School | Sour Lake |
| Melanie Schulze | Austin High School | Austin |
| Bobby Slovak | A&M Consolidated High School | College Station |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Douglas Kubicek | Hallettsville Junior High School | Hallettsville |
2009
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Jay L. Clack | Breckenridge High School | Breckenridge |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Jennifer M. Bell | Glencrest Middle School | Fort Worth |
| Lilia Castillo | Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts | Laredo |
| Jana Fry | Williams High School | Plano |
| Jim Furgeson | McCallum High School | Austin |
| Ann Hale | Haltom High School | Fort Worth |
| Kathleen Hodges | Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence | Garland |
| Sally Hunter | Highland Park Elementary | Austin |
| Stacee Johnson | J. A. Vitovsky Elementary | Midlothian |
| Abigail Morton-Garland | IDEA College Prepatory | Donna |
| Kyle Olson | International High School | Austin |
| Signe Peterson | South Houston Intermediate School | South Houston |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Elizabeth Chapman | Westbrook Intermediate School | Friendswood |
2008
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Jennifer Atkinson | Metz Elementary | Austin |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Shirlene Bridgewater | Marble Falls High School | Marble Falls |
| Debra Brown | Eisenhower High School | Houston |
| Maureen Gavin | Eubanks Intermediate School | Southlake |
| Mark Hansen | Ronald Reagan High School | San Antonio |
| Tom Jaggard | Refugio Middle School | Refugio |
| Leslie Lovett | The Kinkaid School | Houston |
| Craig McKinney | Shepton High School | Plano |
| Gavin Mundy | Carpenter Middle School | Plano |
| Lindsey Perret | International School of the Americas | San Antonio |
| Karen Rose | Melissa Ridge Elementary | Melissa |
| Terry Stewart | Decatur High School | Decatur |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Sherry Cannedy | McGaha Academy | Wichita Falls |
2007
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Carolyn L. Reitz | Booker T. Washington High School | Dallas |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| John M. Arevalo | Harlandale High School | San Antonio |
| Marsha Bigham | Canyon High School | Canyon |
| Cesiah Boryczka | Earl Warren High School | San Antonio |
| Donna Britt | Ross S. Sterling High School | Baytown |
| Patty Christensen | Durham Intermediate School | Southlake |
| Kathy Day | Navasota High School | Navasota |
| Carolyn Hedgecock | North Oaks Middle School | Haltom City |
| Stacy Hricko | Melissa High School | Melissa |
| Beth Hudson | Travis Heights Elementary School | Austin |
| Keith Johnson | William B. Travis Talented and Gifted Academy | Dallas |
| Neil Loewenstern | Liberal Arts and Science Academy at Lyndon B. Johnson High School | Austin |
| Troy Mann | Spring Branch Middle School | Spring Branch |
| Samantha Melvin | Hunters Creek Elementary School | Houston |
| Leila Stearns | Redland Oaks Elementary School | San Antonio |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Melodie Cuate | Canterbury Elementary School | Edinburg |
2006
James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| James Sombathy | Fulmore Magnet School | Austin |
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Maricruz Aguayo | Liberal Arts and Science Academy at Lyndon B. Johnson High School | Austin |
| Rexanna Anderson | Hornedo Middle School | El Paso |
| Susan Carvey | Eubanks Intermediate School | Southlake |
| Lisa Gray | Boerne High School | Boerne |
| Nancy Hudson | Paris High School | Paris |
| Terry Loessin | Akins High School | Austin |
| Linda McDonald | Liberal Arts and Science Academy at Lyndon B. Johnson High School | Austin |
| Vicki Rowe | Taylor High School | Taylor |
| Pamela Ryan | Coronado High School | Lubbock |
| Leigh Spillyards | Wylie High School | Wylie |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Kathy Cheshire | Bastrop Middle School | Bastrop |
2004
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Michelle Campbell | Lubbock High School | Lubbock |
| Jennifer Easterday | Liberal Arts and Science Academy at Lyndon B. Johnson High School | Austin |
| Jeanne Everitt | Memorial Elementary School | Weslaco |
| Gabriel Fain | Clark High School | Plano |
| Cathey Hartmann | Acton Middle School | Granbury |
| Kathy Krikorian | Maurice Cain Middle School | Rockwall |
| Robert L. Long | Robert C. Neal Elementary | Bryan |
| Denise Scott | William B. Travis Middle School | McAllen |
| Celeste Smith | Crockett High School | Austin |
| Sandra Strom | Paris High School | Paris |
| Cynthia Timmons | Colleyville Heritage High School | Colleyville |
| Laila Vatamka | YES College Preparatory School Northeast | Houston |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Cynthia Humphries | Ross Middle School | El Paso |
2003
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Suzette Roberts Carona | Episcopal School of Dallas | Dallas |
| Kenneth Casarez | Cavazos Junior High School | Lubbock |
| Graciela De Anda | J. Economedes High School | Edinburg |
| Amy Harp | The Colony High School | The Colony |
| Karen E. Holcombe | Birdville High School | N. Richland Hills |
| Michael Todd Madden | Clements High School | Sugar Land |
| Patricia McFarlin | St. Agnes Academy | Houston |
| Nathan Monroe | Abilene High School | Abilene |
| Antonieta R. Prata | Wiggs Middle School | El Paso |
| Craig Rendon | Communications Arts High School | San Antonio |
| Scott Stevenson | Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities | Beaumont |
| Marty Walker | H. Grady Spruce High School | Dallas |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Rose Marie Bechtel | MacArthur Middle School | El Paso |
| David Kasinger | Jefferson Middle School | Abilene |
| Deann Lee | Crockett Middle School | Paris |
| Jeanne Williams | Joy James Elementary School | Fort Worth |
2002
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Gary Biggers | Amarillo High School | Amarillo |
| Judith Cusimano | St. Pius X High School | Houston |
| Beverly Given | Morehead Middle School | El Paso |
| Jacqueline Raye Pederson | Science Academy | Mercedes |
| Jean C. Price | St. John’s School | Houston |
| Dolores Ratcliff | Monahans High School | Monahans |
| Michael Roemer | Saint Mary’s Hall | San Antonio |
| Dennis Townsend | Abilene High School | Abilene |
| Gail Rothstein Tutino | Rocoe Wilson and Tubbs Elementary Magnet Schools | Lubbock |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Scott Bishop | Franklin Middle School | Abilene |
| Larry DeLacretaz | Dripping Springs Middle School | Dripping Springs |
| Janis Salter | Washington/Jackson Math Science Technology Magnet School | Wichita Falls |
2001
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
| Larry Arnhold | Deer Park High School | Deer Park |
| Diane Clark | Sherman High School | Sherman |
| Becky Clark | Austin Middle School | Irving |
| Laura Costa | St. Agnes Academy | Houston |
| Georgia Cox | Calellen East Elementary School | Corpus Christi |
| Michael Davis | St. Stephen's Episcopal School | Austin |
| Michael Degen | Jesuit College Preparatory School | Dallas |
| Beth Ellis | Gullett Elementary School | Austin |
| Lenn Fraraccio | Garland McMeans Junior High School | Katy |
| Cecilia Johnson | Strack Intermediate School | Klein |
| Pat Mitchell | Breckinridge Junior High | Breckinridge |
| Natalie Picquet | Travis Middle School | Irving |
| Robin Welch | Pleasant Grove Middle School | Texarkana |
| Marilyn Zwicker | Leander High School | Leander |
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
| Edwina Bagley | Smith Elementary | Austin |
| Elisa Johnson | Kirby Junior High School | Wichita Falls |
2009 award recipient Sally Hunter of Austin's Highland Park Elementary with U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith and her fourth grade class at the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
From left to right: KIPP San Antonio CEO Mark Larson, former Humanities Texas board chair Joe Krier, 2011 award recipient Jennifer Rodriguez of KIPP Aspire Academy, and Texas State Representative Mike Villarreal.
From left to right: Executive Director Michael L. Gillette, Humanities Texas board member Michael L. Klein, 2009 award recipient Kyle Olson of International High School in Austin, and U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
From left to right: U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson, 2009 award recipient Kathleen Hodges of Garland's Walnut Glen Academy, and Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette at Ms. Hodges’ award presentation during a Veteran’s Day celebration.
From left to right: Haltom High School Principal Mike Jasso, 2009 award recipient Ann Hale, U.S. Representative Kay Granger, and Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs.
From left to right: McCallum High School Principal Mike Garrison, Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette, Humanities Texas board member Venus Strawn, U.S. Congressman Michael T. McCaul, U.S. Federal Judge Royal Furgeson, and 2009 award recipient Jim Furgeson.
From left to right: Evelyn Grubbs, principal of Bishop Lynch High School; Rachel Spradley, Humanities Texas program officer; 2010 award recipient Beth A. Burau; and U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson.
From left to right: Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs; Humanities Texas board member Elinor Donnell; U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold; and 2011 recipient Melanie Mayer of Port Aransas High School.
From left to right: Eubanks Intermediate School Principal Mark Terry, U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant, 2008 award recipient Maureen Gavin, and Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette.
From left to right: U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, 2008 award recipient Tom Jaggard of Refugio Middle School, and Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs.
From left to right: Texas State Representative Jim Pitts; J. A. Vitovsky Elementary School Principal Cherie Wagoner; Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs; 2009 award recipient Stacee Johnson; and Michael Taylor, representative from U.S. Congressman Joe Barton’s office. Photo courtesy of the Waxahachie Daily Light.
U.S. Congressman Pete Olson; Gerald and Susan Chapman; Elizabeth Chapman, 2009 Howell award recipient; Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs; Robert Kruckemeyer, former Humanities Texas board member; and Ms. Chapman’s 7th grade history class at Westbrook Intermediate School in Friendswood.
From left to right: Breckenridge High School Principal Bryan D. Dieterich, U.S. Congressman Randy Neugebauer, 2009 award recipient Jay Clack, and Humanities Texas board member Ginger Dudley.
From left to right: U.S. Congressman Gene Green, 2009 award recipient Signe Peterson of South Houston Intermediate School, and Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette.
From left to right: Humanities Texas board member Paula Peters; Matt Garcia, outreach coordinator for U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions; 2011 award recipient Helen Bradley of Irving’s Nimitz High School; Texas State Representative Linda Harper-Brown; and Liz James, Humanities Texas coordinator of educational programs.
From left to right: Humanities Texas board member Leslie D. Blanton; Texas State Representative Scott Hochberg; 2010 award recipient Brita Donohue; Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette; Humanities Texas board member Monica Perales; Aaron Brenner, head of schools at KIPP SHINE; and Mike Feinberg, KIPP founder.
Debra Brown of Houston’s Eisenhower Senior High School (far left), 2008 award recipient, with her class and U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (center).
From left to right: Birdville ISD Superintendent Stephen F. Waddell, 2007 award recipient Carolyn Hedgecock of North Oaks Middle School, U.S. Representative Kay Granger, and Humanities Texas board member Kit T. Moncrief. Photo by Mark Thomas.
U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett with 2007 award recipient Neil Loewenstern of Austin’s LBJ High School.
From left to right: Marble Falls High School Principal Allen Roberts, U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway's District Director Nancy Watson, 2008 award recipient Shirlene Bridgewater, and Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette.
From left to right: International School of the Americas Principal Kathy Bieser; North East ISD Superintendent Richard Middleton; 2008 award recipient Lindsey Perret; U.S. Congressman Charles Gonzalez; Jake Perret, mother of Lindsey Perret; and Susan Galindo, North East ISD school board member.
From left to right: Humanities Texas Coordinator of Educational Programs Liz James, 2010 award recipient Dodie Kasper of Frisco’s Liberty High School, and U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson.