Chairs for Teaching Excellence Program

Background

The Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence program recognizes outstanding classroom teachers by conferring upon them the honorary titles of Chairs for Teaching Excellence for one year and a $5,000 honorarium. Modeled after the university-level Chair program the Fort Worth ISD program is unique in two respects:

1.     its role in a public secondary school setting, and

2.     its rigorous selection process.

Selection Process

Teachers in the designated subject area submit an extensive application that requires three recommendations. If selected to interview with the selection committee, the candidate must not only answer questions, but give a teaching demonstration. The selection committee selects the Chair based upon the application, recommendations, interview and teaching demonstration.

The Honorarium

The $5,000 honoraria are presented to the Chairs at an awards luncheon at the conclusion of the selection process. Teachers selected as Chairs are encouraged to pursue further education and training and share knowledge and expertise with colleagues.

Sponsors of the 2008-2009 Chairs for Teaching Excellence

• RadioShack Chair for Teaching Excellence in Science est. 1994
  Sponsor: RadioShack
• Pier 1 Imports Chair for Teaching Excellence in the Acquisition of Language est. 1995
  Sponsor: Pier 1 Imports
• J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Chair for Teaching Excellence in English est. 1995
  Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
• Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts est. 1999
  Sponsors: Performing Arts Fort Worth
• Lockheed Martin Chairs for Teaching Excellence in Elementary Math & Science est. 2000
  Sponsor: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
• XTO Energy Inc. Chair for Teaching Excellence in Early Childhood est. 2001
  Sponsor: XTO Energy Inc.
• Molyneaux Foundation Chair for Teaching Excellence in Special Education est. 2001
  Sponsor: Molyneaux Foundation
• Outreach Communications Chair for Teaching Excellence in Elementary Reading est. 2002
  Sponsor: Outreach Communications
• Angela D. Paulos Chair for Teaching Excellence in Visual Arts est. 2004
  Sponsor: Fort Worth Arts Education Partnership
• Crescent Real Estate Chair for Teaching Excellence in Business & Technology est. 2005
  Sponsor: Crescent Real Estate
• Perdue, Brackett, Flores, Utt & Burns Chair for Teaching Excellence in Health & Physical Fitness est. 2005
  Sponsor: Perdue, Brackett, Flores, Utt & Burns, Attorneys At Law, A Joint Venture
• OmniAmerican Bank Chair for Teaching Excellence in Math est. 2007
  Sponsor: OmniAmerican Bank
• Sewell Lexus of Fort Worth Chair for Teaching Excellence in Humanities est. 2008
  Sponsor: Sewell Lexus Fort Worth
• Zelma and J.T. Luther, Jr. Chair for Teaching Excellence in Library information Science est. 2008
  Sponsor: Patsy Luther Cantrell and Jan Luther Johnson