Articles
Each year, Humanities Texas presents statewide awards to recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development, and extracurricular programming. We are pleased to feature three 2024 Outstanding Teaching Award winners and their award presentations. Each recipient received $5,000, with an additional $1,000 for their schools to support further excellence in the instruction of the humanities.
Read more about these amazing Texas teachers, and stay tuned for upcoming newsletter features on our other winners!
Christopher Vasquez-Wright, Frenship High School, Wolfforth
On January 31, 2025, Sean P. Cunningham, Humanities Texas board member and professor of history at Texas Tech University, presented Christopher Vasquez-Wright with an Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching during a presentation at Frenship High School.
Wright, a high school world geography and world history teacher, prioritizes arts-integrated learning whenever possible. In his dual language world history class, for example, students analyzed documentaries before writing personal narrative campfire stories in Spanish. The students then peer-edited each other’s papers and produced final copies on crumpled brown paper with charcoal drawings to simulate ancient cave art.
"These experiences and Mr. Vasquez-Wright’s commitment to building relationships with his students inspire them to grow in their love of learning about social studies," said Malli Travis, Frenship ISD coordinator for social studies. "[His] commitment and mastery as a teacher make him a leader in social studies education and a model to his students and colleagues."
"An education in the humanities is crucial for developing well-rounded, educated citizens," Wright shared. "Students learn cultural diversity as they gain confidence in their transferable soft skills for lifelong learning—such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration."
Charlene Bader, Peet Junior High School, Conroe
Charlene Bader was awarded the 2024 Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History. Bader, who previously taught history at Peet Junior High School, currently teaches world history at Conroe High School.
Bader is a second-career educator who is passionate about encouraging others to pursue teaching, even later in life. She believes the key to unlocking students' inner historian is through experience-driven instruction, and in her classroom, experiential learning occurs through many methods—including an on-site Texas History Museum, investigation of uncommon primary sources in a study of local Black history, and classroom seminars with community leaders.
"I've seen firsthand how a strong humanities-based education empowers students to overcome the most pressing challenges for their generation," said Bader. "Every day in history class is an opportunity to chase our curiosity, analyze data, evaluate sources, consider perspectives, track trends, query and debate peers, and explore complex issues."
"I have visited Ms. Bader's classroom as a guest speaker and witnessed her desire to connect students with community leaders," said Conroe City Mayor Jody Czajkoski. "I was highly impressed with the involvement of the class and how [Bader] strives to build positive relationships with the students, leading a classroom of mutual respect and dialogue among a very diverse student population."
William Lee, Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio
William Lee was awarded an Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Lee, who previously taught Latin at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, now works for the nonprofit Hands Up Education as an education consultant and teacher trainer.
Lee taught Latin for twenty-four years. By utilizing active and collaborative learning activities, Lee generated excitement in his classroom and helped his students develop problem solving skills.
"Language education is the vehicle by which we provoke our kids to think critically, assert their opinions persuasively, act judiciously and reasonably, and participate and collaborate with everyone as part of this global community," Lee said.
"I cannot imagine a better recipient or representation for Humanities Texas," said Jennifer Luongo, president of the American Classical League. "[Lee] is an outstanding teacher and innovator."