South Texas Independent School District issued the following announcement on March 11.
Monica Avila of South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito has been selected by Humanities Texas as one of ten recipients of the 2019 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.
Representative Eddie Lucio III presented Avila with her award during a ceremony at her school on Monday, March 2. Avila received a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $500 for the school to purchase instructional materials.
Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming. The organization received over 700 nominations for the 2019 awards.
Avila, whose career spans 15 years, has spent the last four years teaching U.S. history, government and economics at the South Texas ISD Medical Professions.
“With my classes, I have always strived towards relevancy as my method of teaching history,” said Avila. “I challenge my students to become local historians and utilize local historical sites, events and people to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for Brownsville’s role in shaping American history.”
After attending a Humanities Texas institute in 2012, Avila was inspired to become more involved with her local historical organizations, including the Brownsville Historical Association. She collaborates with the BHA to create place-based learning opportunities for her students, which include walking tours and scavenger hunts.
“Ms. Avila has provided outstanding leadership by sharing with our community her love for social studies and the history of the Rio Grande Valley,” commented Harry Goette, principal of South Texas ISD Medical Professions.
“Humanities Texas is proud to recognize Ms. Avila’s accomplishments,” said Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric Lupfer. “We especially admire her commitment to tying local events to state, national, and international history.”
Humanities Texas is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its mission is to advance education through programs that improve the quality of classroom teaching, support libraries and museums and create opportunities for lifelong learning for all Texans.
Original source can be found here.
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