Parr Prize Winners - Parr Shakespeare

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to share the success of the inaugural year of the Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize.

The 2025 prizes were announced in November, and we were honored to host the first Awards Weekend on January 17-18, 2026, celebrating exceptional teachers who bring Shakespeare to life in their classrooms.

From more than 150 nominations representing 37 states, an outstanding field of educators emerged.

After careful review by our distinguished panel of judges Eric Rasmussen, Zachary Lesser, Sarah Stewart, and David Kastan, three teachers were selected to receive the Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize, each awarded $10,000 and an all expenses paid trip to the Awards Weekend in Florida.

2025 Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize Winners

• Margaret Moran – Falls Church High School, Virginia

• Morgan Tarleton – Bronx School of Law and Finance, New York

• Linda Wallenberg – Eden Prairie High School, Minnesota

Rising Star Award

Amara Stroud – Muhlenberg County High School, Kentucky

Legends of Teaching Awards

• Rebecca Donovan-Bain – Palm Beach Lakes High School, Florida

• Linda Wallenberg – Eden Prairie High School, Minnesot.

The judges were deeply impressed by the passion, creativity, and dedication demonstrated by teachers across the country. The strength of this inaugural group of nominees confirmed something many of us already believe: great Shakespeare teaching is thriving in American classrooms.

We are pleased to announce that applications and nominations are open again for the 2026 prizes. As in our inaugural year, three teachers will each receive a $10,000 prize and be invited to an all expenses paid Awards Weekend.

Anyone may nominate a teacher, and previous applicants are warmly encouraged to apply again.Full details about the prize, the judges, and the application process can be found at ParrShakespeare.org.

We also invite you to follow the Prize on Instagram: @ParrShakespeare.

Thank you for helping us celebrate and support the remarkable teachers who inspire students through Shakespeare.