Dawson teacher Ginny Wenger receives Texas Outstanding Teaching Award from Humanities Texas

Chalk up another teaching award to deck the halls of Carroll ISD.

Humanities Texas has awarded Dawson Middle School teacher Ginny Wenger the 2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.

Wenger, who teaches English at Dawson, was chosen from 600 teachers nominated across the state of Texas from K-12 English and Language Arts, Foreign Languages, History, and Social Studies programs. She is one of only 12 teachers statewide to receive the honor for 2022 which recognizes teachers’ contributions in the classroom as well as to their local communities with an emphasis on literature, art, history, and philosophy.

Humanities Texas is a nonprofit, educational organization that promotes humanities programs for all Texans through initiatives like grants to museums and libraries, promotion of public lectures, family reading programs, and opportunities for teachers around the state of Texas, including this awards program. Founded in 1973 as a state affiliate of the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities, Humanities Texas strengthens Texas communities by supporting programs that cultivate the knowledge and judgment representative democracy demands of its citizens.

“The strongest applicants are not only outstanding teachers who show a commitment to the profession, but also mentor new teachers, show real innovation, and many advance humanities initiatives in their communities,” said Eric Lupfer, Executive Director for Humanities Texas.

Lupfer said Wenger is clearly an outstanding teacher, but that as an English teacher she developed a new course, helped with the current strategic plan, and has shown real leadership in the district and in the community alike. He said a touching letter from a student shared just how much impact she has had, which influenced her selection for the award.

Wenger was previously named 2016 Teacher of the Year at Dawson.

“Not even a global pandemic stopped Mrs. Wenger’s class,” the student wrote. ”While many of my other teachers were limitedly involved, Mrs. Wenger was still constantly encouraging my avid reading, giving me recommendations and helping to revise my essays, and I know she was doing this for all her other students as well. It is not only myself impacted by this incredible teacher, but many of her other students have fond memories as well. I represent only one of the many, many grateful students of hers.”

Wenger was presented the award at a Dawson pep rally on December 9 by Humanities Texas Board Member Tom DiPiero. She was awarded a $5,000 cash prize, in addition to $1,000 to be used for the purchase of humanities-based instructional materials for Dawson teachers and students.