Auburn Teacher Wins Parr Shakespeare Prize
Longtime Auburn High School English teacher Davis Thompson receives a prestigious national award for his work.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Auburn High School English teacher Davis Thompson has been awarded the 2026 Parr Shakespeare Prize. The honor recognizes his dedication to teaching Shakespeare's works in the classroom.
Why it matters
The prize highlights the impact of educators who foster deep appreciation for classic literature through innovative techniques. It underscores the value of extracurricular engagement in cultivating student interest.
The Parr Shakespeare Prize includes a $10,000 cash award for the recipient. Davis Thompson has dedicated 28 years to his teaching career.
The players
Davis Thompson
An English teacher at Auburn High School who previously taught at Montgomery Academy and served as his school's English department chairman.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
A professional theater organization that hosts productions used by Thompson to educate his students.
The details
Thompson emphasizes vocal performance, requiring his students to speak Shakespeare's lines aloud to grasp the complexity of the language. He also facilitates student attendance and critiques at productions by the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Timeline
1987: Thompson attended his first Shakespeare play.
2026: Thompson received the Parr Shakespeare Prize.
January 2027: Thompson is scheduled to be honored in Palm Beach, Florida.
Culture Shift
Thompson integrates established initiatives like the Poetry Out Loud program to modernize the delivery of classical curriculum. This reflects a broader shift toward experiential learning that prioritizes student performance over rote memorization of texts.
Students at Auburn High School benefit from Thompson’s curriculum through direct exposure to professional theater and intensive vocal training. The recognition brings prestige to the local school district's humanities program.
The takeaway
The success of educators like Thompson demonstrates that deep student engagement often comes from combining academic rigor with real-world performance experiences. Teachers looking to boost student interest in complex literature can adopt his method of encouraging students to perform texts aloud.
What happens next
Davis Thompson is scheduled to attend the official award ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local teaching initiatives in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika Observer.
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