Auburn High Teacher Wins National Shakespeare Prize
Local English teacher Davis Thompson receives a $10,000 award for his 28-year career and innovative classroom methods.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Auburn High School English teacher Davis Thompson has won the 2026 Parr Shakespeare Prize. This national recognition celebrates his 28-year teaching career and his innovative approach to literature in the classroom.
Why it matters
The prize highlights how veteran educators shape secondary learning through immersive, real-world experiences. For local families, it reflects the quality of English instruction students receive at Auburn High School.
The Parr Shakespeare Prize includes a $10,000 cash award for the recipient. Davis Thompson has dedicated 28 years to the teaching profession, including his tenure as the English department chairman at Auburn High School.
The players
Davis Thompson
An English teacher at Auburn High School with 28 years of experience who previously taught at Montgomery Academy.
The details
Thompson fosters student engagement by requiring them to speak Shakespeare’s words aloud to master the complex language. He also bridges classroom study with the stage by coordinating student attendance and critical analysis of professional plays at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Timeline
1987: Thompson saw his first Shakespeare play.
2026: Thompson won the Parr Shakespeare Prize.
January 2027: Thompson will be honored at an award ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Home Front
Thompson’s teaching style follows a pattern set by the Poetry Out Loud program by emphasizing the performative nature of language. This focus on active engagement remains a critical differentiator in how secondary English curricula are delivered in modern public schools.
Families with students at Auburn High School can encourage the same literary engagement at home by discussing upcoming plays or assigned reading in the context of performance. Consider checking the Alabama Shakespeare Festival schedule to plan a family outing that aligns with the curriculum.
The takeaway
Recognizing master teachers reinforces the value of community-based educational excellence. Parents can support this standard by maintaining open communication with department chairs about how literature study is integrated into the home learning environment.
What happens next
Davis Thompson will receive his formal award recognition at a ceremony scheduled for January 2027 in Palm Beach, Florida.
Further reading
For more on local academic achievement, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika Observer.
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