Kenneth Amos wants his students to find their color in life.
Monique Gillaspy wants to instill in her kindergarteners a lifelong love of learning.
Marie Vinson wants a strong literacy foundation for her students so they have the tools to understand the world and advocate for themselves.
They are three of the 10 educators Fort Worth ISD recognized Friday as Chairs of Teaching Excellence, the district’s top honor. Through tears and strained voices, the teachers shared classroom joys and love of students.
“I am grateful to educate our students, to be in front of these many different souls every day and to hopefully provide an environment where self-discovery can happen, where they can realize their inner genius,” said Amos, a Polytechnic High School teacher.
The event at Ridglea Country Club marked the recognition’s return after a previous superintendent eliminated the honor two years ago. Superintendent Karen Molinar credited the business community and Pat Linares, a former longtime FWISD leader, for restarting the award that was created in 1994.
Who are FWISD’s 2025 Chairs of Teaching Excellence?
The Chairs of Teaching Excellence honors Fort Worth ISD teachers for their commitment to excellence and impact on student learning.
Each teacher was selected after submitting an application, a review of their student outcomes, a teaching demonstration and an interview. Each recipient receives $5,000.
The honorees were:
- KaCee Dobbins of Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School, Broadway at the Bass Chair for Teaching Excellence in Dance and Theater
- Monique Gillaspy of Ridglea Hills Elementary School, Central Market Chair for Teaching Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- Briana Welch of Seminary Hills Park Elementary School, Cook Children’s Chair for Teaching Excellence in Special Education
- Christa Martien Chanthavongsy of W.P. McLean Middle School, Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts
- Kenneth Amos of Polytechnic High School, JP Morgan Chase Chair for Teaching Excellence in Secondary English
- Matthew Rose of Arlington Heights High School – FWISD, Meta Chair for Teaching Excellence in Career and Technical Education
- Jerrett Lyday of I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, Sewell Lexus & Infinity of Fort Worth Chair for Teaching Excellence in Humanities
- Erica Del Rio of Glen Park Elementary School, Tarleton State University Chair for Teaching Excellence in Science or Math
- Joe Gonzales III of Rufino Mendoza Elementary School, Texas Health Chair for Teaching Excellence in Health and Physical Education
- Marie Vinson of Seminary Hills Park Elementary School, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP Chair for Teaching Excellence in Elementary Reading
“But, more importantly, they wanted to bring it back because they believed in public education and teachers,” Molinar said.
Gillaspy has spent all 13 years of her career as a kindergarten teacher at Ridglea Hills Elementary. Her job sets the tone for the next 12 years of school for students, she said.
“ If students do not feel seen or heard when they walk through our hallways and our classrooms, then we have not fully done our job,” Gillaspy said. “We, as teachers, should pride ourselves in the impact that we can make in just one single child and a whole community.”
In May, Gillaspy will reach a milestone in her career: Her first kindergarteners graduate high school.
Vinson, a reading teacher at Seminary Hills Elementary, deeply inhaled and slowly released her breath as she took the stage. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. Before she spoke, she channeled a lesson she uses with her students to help center themselves.
“I think I need to do a little wiggle,” Vinson said, with a chuckle.
The recognition was overwhelming, she said, because of the importance of reading. Her status as the elementary reading teaching chair helps ensure students and families across Fort Worth ISD’s communities have access to meaningful literacy experiences, she said.
Teacher Marie Vinson holds back tears during the Chairs of Teaching Excellence event Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Fort Worth. As the first to graduate high school, college and soon graduate with her masters, she said literacy is more than learning how to read, but it is access to opportunity and voice. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Although it wasn’t specifically mentioned, Texas’ takeover of the district loomed over the event. Arlington Heights High School teacher Matthew Rose said Fort Worth ISD has gone through tough times before and preserved.
“We’re going to be OK. We’re going to be fine,” Rose said, looking directly at Molinar.
“Coach Rose, you’re right,” the superintendent said later in the event. “We’re going to be fine because of the people in this room.”
Joe Gonzales III is a teacher at Rufino Mendoza Elementary. Gonzales was named the Texas Health Chair for Teaching Excellence in Health and Physical Education. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Kenneth Amos is a teacher at Polytechnic High School. Amos was named the J.P. Morgan Chase Chair for Teaching Excellence in Secondary English. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Marie Vinson is a teacher at Seminary Hills Park Elementary. Vinson was named the Linebarger, Groggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP Chair for Teaching Excellence in Elementary Reading. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Matthew Rose is a teacher at Arlington Heights High. Rose was named the Meta Chair for Teaching Excellence in Career and Technical Education. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Monique Gillaspy is a teacher at Ridglea Hills Elementary. Gillaspy was named the Central Market Chair for Teaching Excellence in Early Childhood Education. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Erica Del Rio is a teacher at Glen Park Elementary. Rio was named the Tarleton State University Chair for Teaching Excellence in Science or Math. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Christa Martien Chanthavongsy is a teacher at McLean Middle School. Chanthavongsy was named the Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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