Humanities Texas, December 2020
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OTA winner Patsy Hall with students in her Richland Springs High School classroom.
Editor's Note: For this paper, only one of the awarded teachers is highlighted in this partial article - Patsy Hall of Richland Springs.
As this semester draws to a close, we at Humanities Texas once again want to applaud all classroom teachers across the state. We have always admired the dedication, professionalism, and creativity of Texas educators, and that admiration has only increased in light of the unforeseen challenges of the last nine months. This December, we are pleased to feature three more 2020 Outstanding Teaching Award recipients. Each teacher received $5,000, with an additional $1,000 for their school to support further excellence in the instruction of the humanities.
• Patsy Hall, Richland Springs High School, Richland Springs:
Humanities Texas awarded Patsy Hall of Richland Springs High School a 2020 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award, which recognizes exemplary K–12 humanities teachers. Her classroom career spans forty-one years, and she has spent the last twelve years at Richland Springs High School teaching English language arts and theatre.
"I use literature and theatre to teach not only the human condition but life skills as well," she commented. "My goal is for students to become successful, contributing citizens with a command of the language, an ability to learn from and enjoy reading, an understanding and appreciation for literature and history, and the possession of the skills they need to think for themselves."
Outside of teaching English language arts, Hall has directed plays, pageants, and Reader's Theatre in her community. She has also raised funds for and sponsored trips to New York City for her students to visit museums, theaters, and historical sites.
"Patsy Hall's current and former students are good examples of the great teaching knowledge she instills in those fortunate enough to share her vision of the humanities," said Richland Springs ISD Superintendent Don Fowler. "I have seen her devote countless hours helping students achieve success by sharing her knowledge of ELA, all genres of reading, writing, and One-Act Play activities."