Recognized for their unwavering commitment to students and efforts to better Fort Worth ISD schools, the district honored the 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Partner of the Year at the annual FWISD Awards.

The District Teachers of the Year were selected from a pool of 10 finalists from the Campus Teachers of the Year. Each school nominates a teacher, and a committee chooses the finalists and winners.

The Elementary Teacher of the Year is Alondra De Leon Trejo, who is a fourth grade Dual Language teacher at Alice Contreras Elementary School.

Aside from her expert knowledge in content and instruction, De Leon Trejo is a true collaborator. It’s not just her work with students that made her a standout District Teacher of Year, but her work with other teachers. She mentors new educators, willingly collaborates with her colleagues, and fosters a true professional learning community on the campus. 

In the secondary category, Katelynn York won Secondary Teacher of the Year. York teaches English Language Arts Reading at the Leadership Academy at Leonard Middle School.

A superb teacher invests in their own growth to help their students grow, and that is what York does. Not only does she constantly push her students to grow academically, she holds herself to a high standard of growth as well. She is always looking for better ways to teach her students. 

For Volunteer of the Year, the nomination of Heather Smith at Clifford Davis Elementary School stood out from thousands of volunteers. 

Smith knows the challenges refugee families face in a new country and new schools, and she does everything she can to help them succeed. Through her volunteer work at Clifford Davis, refugee and native students all are improving their literacy, parents are supported, and teachers are uplifted.

The final award, Partner of the Year, went to Trinity Metro for its efforts in improving student transportation and providing needed resources to schools.

Now, FWISD students can ride a Trinity Metro bus for free — expanding access to after school programs, job opportunities, and improving attendance. Trinity Metro also adopted three campuses, providing students and staff with additional support.