Award of Recognition for Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities

Since 1985, Humanities Tennessee has awarded $379,500 to 138 teachers in Tennessee. Full-time public or private 3rd–12th grade school teachers in Tennessee are eligible for this annual award. Contact us at paul@humanitiestennessee.org to request a nomination packet.

Previous award winners are ineligible to apply for the award again.

This award is available for up to six full-time 3rd–12th grade Tennessee teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching the humanities, thus making the humanities an important part of their students' lives.

Recipients of the award will receive a $2,000 fellowship to further their professional development in the humanities. The award recipient's school will also receive a $1,500 grant to be used for the purchase of humanities instructional materials or for student humanities projects.Teachers of English, foreign language, history and social studies are eligible, as are teachers of art, drama and music, provided they employ a solid humanities approach to these subjects (i.e. as long as they emphasize the history and criticism of the arts).

In addition to being skillful and dedicated teachers who possess an expansive and in-depth knowledge of the humanities subject they teach, nominees should have the respect of students, parents and co-workers, as well as a record of active involvement in community activities and professional organizations, particularly those activities and organizations which involve promoting an understanding of the humanities.

Deadlines for Nominations

The deadline for nominating a teacher has passed for the 2008 awards. Please let us know that you are interested, and we will mail new information to you as it becomes available. Otherwise, please check back later this year for new deadlines and updated information about this program.

Please check the list of the most recent recipients.

You may also view a list of past recipients.

Additional Teacher Resources

A list of useful websites for Tennessee teachers can be found here.

Sample of a Recent Teacher Award

An East Tennessee high school teacher used her fellowship to travel to Europe, where she studied and compared five Basilicas to explore the narratives in the mosaics of San Marco, Euphrasius, St. George Greek Orthodox and others in Ravenna and Croatia. The teacher states that her study and documentation of these sights allowed her to see "the great monuments of art and architecture … as living and not merely as a tourist stop."

She plans to have her students research and compare basilicas using her documentation. She also describes her study's impact upon her "personal and professional growth," particularly that "it was important to live the ebb and flow of" Mediterranean life. Visiting the area she learned much about the people and culture, which informs her ability to bring Byzantine mosaic work to life for her students.

The teacher used the school award funds to purchase materials that students use to study English, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, Music and Art. These materials include videos about historical periods, cinema, composers, and painters; books, slides and music purchased by the teacher abroad in Italy; and finally, assorted books related to art history and architectural history.

For further information or to request a nomination packet, please write or call:

Humanities Tennessee
306 Gay Street, Suite 306
Nashville, TN 37201
phone: 615-770-0006, ext. 17
email: paul@humanitiestennessee.org

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