DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs High School social studies teacher Rebecca Smart has been named a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award, which recognizes exemplary kindergarten through 12th grade humanities teachers.
More than 700 teachers from across the state were nominated for the 2024 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Awards. Fifteen teachers, including Smart, were selected as recipients. During the 2024–25 school year, each winning teacher will receive $5,000 and an additional $1,000 for their school to purchase humanities-based instructional materials.
“Humanities Texas is pleased to recognize the achievements of Rebecca Smart and Dripping Springs High School,” said Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric Lupfer. “Smart inspires and motivates her students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Nominees must be full-time teachers in Texas public or private schools. Teachers of English and language arts, foreign languages, history and social studies are eligible for the award. Nominees should also have a record of active involvement in community activities and professional organizations, particularly those that promote the humanities.
Humanities Texas Senior Education Program Officer Laura Willis presented Smart her award during a presentation at Dripping Springs High School on Dec. 16. Smart also received a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $1,000 for the school to purchase instructional materials.
Smart, who is in her 20th year of teaching, makes a conscious effort to integrate real-world examples and current events into her lessons, according to a Humanities Texas news release. “Scholar Visits” with Constitutional scholars from the National Constitution Center, for example, enrich Smart’s students’ learning experience by connecting theoretical concepts with practical applications of the humanities.
“Humanities classes allow students to take everything they know and think critically about how it all impacts our nation,” Smart sai. “Ensuring students see the importance of their participation in the American story is incredibly humbling and rewarding.”
“[Smart] is one of the few educators who will never settle on status quo and pushes herself to do better every day,” said Dripping Spring High School principal Angela Gamez.
In addition to this recognition, Smart was named Sycamore Springs Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2020-21 school year. She was also recognized as one of seven Master Teachers for the 2024 White House History Teacher Institute, where she led her own sessions, served as a mentor to participants, and shared insights and strategies during the development program.
For a complete list of 2024 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award recipients, visit www.humanitiestexas.org/education/teacher-awards.
