Teach For America, Making a Difference in Fort Worth ISD
With only 34% of third-graders reading on grade level during the 2016-17 school year, Teach for America has partnered with leaders across Fort Worth to provide educational equity and excellence for students in Fort Worth ISD.
Since launching in 2011, in Fort Worth, the program has placed over 200 teachers in 30 FWISD schools. The teachers provide high-quality instruction in high-need campuses, mostly located in East Fort Worth.
Teach For America member Albert Briones, 5th grade teacher at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard
Four struggling elementary schools and one middle school in FWISD have been reconstituted as “leadership academies”:
- Como Elementary School
- Mitchell Boulevard Elementary School
- Maude Logan Elementary School
- John T. White Elementary School
- Forest Oak Middle School
Teach For America has a strong presence in these schools, where their members focus on a strong culture of high expectations. In addition, they provide opportunities for rigorous and culturally relevant instruction.
Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard
Teach For America corps members and alumni are supporting the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard. They are charged with providing a safe, brave and equitable environment to a student body that is comprised of over 60% African American and a growing Hispanic population.
The unique needs of the students at the Leadership Academies are a perfect match for the Teach For America educators, focusing on transforming the lives of students in FWISD.
It is worth to mention that 87% of Teach For America Alumni in Fort Worth continue their work in education, including:
- Vanessa Cuarenta (DFW ’12), assistant principal, Leadership Academy at Mitchel Boulevard
- Juan Jimenez (DFW ’12), who began his teaching career at Maude Logan Elementary
- Miranda Tacoranti (DFW ’12), 2016 Elementary District Teacher of the Year
- And Erika Beltran (Houston ’01), who represents District 13 on the Texas State Board of Education
Schools in Fort Worth ISD working with Teach For America
Elementary Schools
C.C. Moss
Como
Diamond Hill
Daggett
East Handley
Eastern Hills
Greenbriar
John T. White
Luella Merrett
Meadowbrook
Milton L. Kirkpatrick
Mitchell Boulevard
M.M. Walton
Natha Howell
Rosemont
Rufino Mendoza Sr.
S.S. Dillow
Sagamore Hill
Sunrise McMillan
T.A. Sims
Westcreek
West Handley
Western Hills
Middle Schools
Forest Oak
Leonard
Morningside
Riverside
W.A. Meacham
High Schools
International Newcomer Academy
South Hills
Vanessa Cuarenta, assistant principal and Aileen Martina, principal at the Leadership Academy at Maude Logan