J. P. Fugler received the Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award  November 5. The award is presented annually by Humanities Texas, an educational success institution that seeks to improve the quality of local schools.  

“I was honored to receive the award because it recognized that a lot of the work that I do to further the humanities was recognized not just by my own students. . . but also by my school district and those around the state as being exemplary and deserving,” speech and debate teacher J.P.  Fugler said.

Fugler was one of twelve recipients to receive the humanities award from three hundred nominees. These nominees are taken from across the state from teachers who teach subjects relating to the humanities. Fugler was nominated for his work as a debate teacher and his civic engagement.

“I’m really proud of Mr. Fugler,” head debate coach Rory McKenzie said. “He’s probably one of the best teachers I know. He’s always so well prepared and he really analyzes  what his students need to know because of how passionate he is about his subject.”

Fugler’s application was largely based off of his and his students’ academic success at Van High School. He was recently presented the award for his success by Texas Senator Bob Hall as well as Sam Moore, a representative from Texas Humanities.

“I think it was very obvious that Mr. Fugler should have won this award,” sophomore Ashlyn Elgass said. “He’s staying after school every day until five or six in order to help students with whatever they need because he is so involved.”

The Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award consists of $5,000 given to the recipients as well as a $500 donation to the the winner’s school. Fugler’s $500 donation will go to Van High school where he was employed  at the time of his nomination.

“This organization saw that through his time in Van  he had done so much with his students and was really able to take a small group of students, and turn them into some of the best in their field,”  McKenzie said. “He took a group of kids who frankly wasn’t expected to do very well, but then did something great with them and that is what makes a good teacher.”