Vermont Humanities recently presented the 2025 Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award to West Rutland teacher and longtime Humanities Camp director Wendi Dowst-McNaughton at an all-school ceremony.
The award honors an outstanding humanities educator in grades 6-12, and is named for the first executive director of Vermont Humanities. The award comes with a $1,000 gift to use in any manner the recipient chooses.
Principal Jay Slenker wrote in his nomination letter, “Wendi is a wonderful Middle School educator and brings her classroom alive.” He highlighted the importance to students of our Humanities Camps, noting that each camp is an “outstanding opportunity for our students to become fully engaged in a Humanities program covering a different theme each year.”
Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award
Swenson Award
With this award, Vermont Humanities recognizes an educator in grades 6 through 12 who:
- Inspires his or her students and encourages in them intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning
- Possesses extraordinary knowledge, ability, and accomplishment in the teaching of language, literature, history, social studies, or other humanities fields
- Exhibits infectious enthusiasm for his/her subject and learning in general
- Embodies a commitment to the highest standards of achievement, for him/herself and students
The award and $1,000 prize are presented in the fall. To learn more about the award, call Ryan Newswanger at (802) 262-1354 or email [email protected].
Vermont Humanities Council https://www.vermonthumanities.org/
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