Austin, TX—Humanities Texas has honored Anderson High School humanities teacher Cathryne McNamara with its prestigious Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities award, which recognizes exemplary K-12 language arts, foreign language, history and social studies teachers with expansive knowledge of the humanities subjects they teach. McNamara is the only teacher in Central Texas to be honored by the statewide organization.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul presented McNamara with her award during a special reception at Anderson this week. The award honors McNamara’s outstanding work and dedication and provides $500 to Anderson High School to purchase humanities-based instruction materials.

“Mrs. McNamara is a phenomenal educator who helps her students develop a passion for learning,” Anderson Principal Donna Houser said. “We are fortunate that her 13 years of teaching have all been at Anderson.”

McNamara teaches psychology and Theory of Knowledge courses at the International Baccalaureate level. She is the co-chair of the Campus Advisory Council and a member of the District Advisory Council, National Honor Society faculty and the Anti-defamation League. She also is the campus facilitator for the No Place for Hate program. McNamara is a Board Certified Teacher and mentor and has served as a citizen scholar for the University of Texas at Austin’s Humanities Institute series: Teaching our Teenagers about Violence and Peace.

"I'm continually impressed with the appreciation that our students, teachers, staff, and administration have for inquiry, imagination and ideas from the many different people and places in this wide world,” McNamara said. “Every day I am inspired and hope to inspire in return."

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