The Chairs for Teaching Excellence program was created in 1994 to honor Fort Worth ISD educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact on student achievement.

This distinguished program recognizes teachers who embody the highest standards of excellence in education and who serve as models of professionalism and dedication in their field. Your sponsorship helps sustain this important tradition and enables us to publicly recognize those whose work truly makes a difference.

Honorees are selected through a rigorous process that includes an application, principal
recommendation, review of student achievement data, a teaching demonstration, and an interview. Each recipient is awarded a $5,000 honorarium, generously sponsored by our community partners.“The Chairs for Teaching Excellence award inspires recipients to continue growing and
innovating in their classrooms while fostering a sense of connection and collaboration with fellow professionals outside the world of education. This award empowers teachers by validating their impact and encouraging ongoing excellence in education at a time where public schools are losing funding and support.”

Saskia Borjas, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Chair for Teaching Excellence in Secondary Science, 2022

Teacher Selection Process

Application Requirements:

1. Applications are screened for alignment with program criteria
2. Student data and written responses are evaluated
3. Teachers in designated subject areas are invited to apply for the Chair for Teaching Excellence by submitting a comprehensive application.
4. The process is designed to highlight exceptional teaching, leadership, and student impact.

Screening Process:

1. Letter of recommendation from a current or former principal
2. Evidence of strong student achievement and/or growth
3. Examples of teacher leadership or contributions to the profession
4. Minimum of 3 years in Fort Worth ISD

Finalist Selection:

1. Top applicants for each Chair move forward to the final stage, which includes:
2. A formal interview with the selection committee
3. A recorded teaching demonstration, reviewed as part of the evaluation

Final selections are based on a comprehensive review of the application, student impact, interview, and instructional practice. This process ensures honorees represent the highest standards of excellence in Fort Worth ISD.
 

Timeline

October

Application Window:  October 1-22, 2025 (APPLICATION WINDOW HAS NOW CLOSED)
Video Demo Lessons: Information will be shared with the applicants who reach the interview portion of the process.

November 

Candidate Interviews

December

Candidate Interviews
Winners Announced December 15-19, 2025

January

Chairs for Teaching  Excellence Luncheon: January 9, 2026 11:00 A.M.

Thank you to our Chairs for Teaching Excellence Sponsors:

• Performing Arts Fort Worth Broadway at the Bass Chair for Teaching Excellence in Dance and Theater
• Central Market Chair for Teaching Excellence in Early Childhood Education
• Cook Children's Chair for Teaching Excellence in Special Education
• Performing Arts Fort Worth Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts
• J.P. Morgan Chase Chair for Teaching Excellence in Secondary English
• Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP Chair for Teaching Excellence in Elementary Reading
• Meta Chair for Teaching Excellence in Career and Technical Education
• Sewell Lexus & Infiniti of Fort Worth Chair for Teaching Excellence in Humanities
• Tarleton State University Chair for Teaching Excellence in Math or Science
• Texas Health Chair for Teaching Excellence in Health & Physical Education

 

Click here for a look at past Chairs for Teaching Excellence winners