Del Valle High School Teacher Awarded Prestigious Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research

Del Valle High School teacher Katherine Murphy Thompson has been selected for a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research for the 2025–2026 cycle, granted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Katherine is one of only about 400 master teachers and administrators chosen to participate in Fulbright Teacher Exchanges, which foster global collaboration and innovation in education. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided opportunities for more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, building connections and tackling complex challenges across more than 160 countries.

For her Fulbright project, Katherine will spend the spring semester in the United Kingdom conducting research on best practices for supporting pregnant and parenting students. The program will allow her to dedicate time to this passion project that has impacted both her students and her younger sister. Upon returning to Del Valle next school year, Katherine plans to create resources, recommendations, and guides that can be shared statewide to help young parents reach both their educational and parenting goals.

“Our teen parenting program is already strong thanks to excellent teachers and the amazing Child Development Centers,” Katherine said. “But I’m hopeful that we can continue to improve the support we offer and become a model for other schools. This award is an incredible honor and truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Through her research, Katherine hopes to develop strategies and tools that can be directly applied in local schools, giving young parents the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed academically while raising children. “I’m thrilled to have the privilege to dedicate my time to this work,” she said. “If we can provide students in Del Valle and beyond with the right resources and support, it will strengthen families and communities for generations.”

Katherine also acknowledged the support she received from colleagues and students throughout the application process. “I am fortunate to work with amazing educators and teach phenomenal kids who have cheered me on and given me valuable feedback,” she said. “Their encouragement reminded me why this work matters, and I hope my journey inspires others in Del Valle to pursue ways they can make a difference, even when it feels daunting.”

Notable Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and 44 heads of state or government, reflecting the program’s global impact.

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org.