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Humanities Texas is now accepting nominations for our 2027 Outstanding Teaching Awards! We are immensely thankful for the hard work and dedication of teachers across Texas. We look forward to continuing our tradition of recognizing outstanding K–12 teachers with this next round of teaching awards. Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

Each year, Humanities Texas recognizes the achievements of fifteen exemplary classroom teachers with monetary awards.

Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award

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. (12 recipients)

Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas
History Award

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the teaching of Texas history at the primary and secondary levels. This award was established in memory of Linden Heck Howell, former chair of the Humanities Texas Board of Directors, as a lasting tribute to her service to the organization and her commitment to the study of Texas history.
(1 recipient)

Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching

This award recognizes exemplary contributions of early-career humanities teachers in Texas who have completed three or fewer years of teaching. (2 recipients)

Humanities Texas will name three of the fifteen winners across award categories with the following designations:

James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the 
Humanities Award

From among the twelve Outstanding Teaching Award winners, the top candidate will receive the James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of the 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. 

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.

Jay Taylor Moore Outstanding Teaching of U.S. History Award

The Jay Taylor Moore Outstanding Teaching of U.S. History Award recognizes one of the winners who has shown outstanding achievement in the teaching of U.S. history and civic literacy. The award recognizes Jay Moore, former Humanities Texas board member and winner of the 2013 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.

For more information on the awards, including eligibility and a list of past recipients, please visit the Teaching Awards section of our website or email ota@humanitiestexas.org.

To nominate a teacher, please complete the online nomination form on or before Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini (left) and 2025 OTA winner Kari Johnston.
(From l to r:) Former Llano Junior High School Assistant Principal Clint Easley, Llano Junior High School Principal Neda Bauman, OTA winner Nichole Ritchie, U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, and Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric Lupfer.
Humanities Texas Board Member Kerry Reyna presents 2025 OTA winner Gilbert Flores with his award.
(From l to r:) Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric Lupfer, U.S. Congressman John Carter, OTA winner Jessica Blevins, Jarrell Middle School Principal Charlotte Mendoza, and Jarrell ISD Superintendent Toni M. Hicks.