Articles

In this ongoing feature, we profile our Humanities Texas board members—this month, Shirlene Bridgewater, a high school teacher with twenty years of experience. Ms. Bridgewater currently teaches AP English 3 and humanities at Marble Falls High School, where she also sponsors the school's Sticks & Stones literary magazine. She introduced the humanities course, which was the first of its kind at Marble Falls High, in 2003. Students in the course explore multidisciplinary activities in art, literature, music, and film. For example, students once held an opening at a local museum to present a photo essay they produced while studying music and philosophy. The essay project used a variety of disciplines to help the students reflect upon their own principles and values.

Ms. Bridgewater’s many awards include the Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award (2008), the Highland Lakes Legacy Foundation Teacher of the Year (2010, 2008, and 2007), and the Region 13 Secondary Teacher of the Year (2008). She has presented at several conferences and seminars, including the Marble Falls ISD Gifted and Talented Summer Academy. She has attended the UT Harry Ransom Research Center Summer Teacher Institute and the University of Houston/National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar. Ms. Bridgewater's professional experience also includes public affairs, editing, and radio hosting.

Shirlene Bridgewater.