FWISD Council of PTAs Earn Prestigious Statewide Honor

The Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs has now secured both of the Texas PTA’s top honors, earning the 2025 Family and Student Engagement Impact Award after winning the Advocacy Impact Award last summer. The statewide recognition highlights councils that go above and beyond to strengthen family and student engagement.

The FWISD council submitted an impressive portfolio for its efforts in increasing inclusion in PTAs across the district. The statewide recognition rewards councils that foster meaningful connections, remove barriers to participation, and prioritize mission-driven work.

“The Fort Worth ISD Council focused on increasing access to leadership development, particularly in communities less likely to have active or sustained PTA presence,” the Texas PTA said in the recognition. “They offered monthly coffee chats and virtual workshops that brought leaders together across the district.”

“One statement that stood out in their application read, ‘Starting new PTAs isn’t enough — we believe it’s just as important to continue supporting and nurturing parent leaders in these communities so they can thrive,’” Texas PTA went on to say about FWISD. “Their efforts led to stronger connections, greater attendance, and a noticeable rise in PTA involvement and membership.”

PTAs can only win each impact award from Texas PTA once, now FWISD has both. FWISD won the other, the Texas PTA Advocacy Impact Award, last summer. This year, the council also won the Outstanding Council Platform Award, which recognizes overall excellence in advancing and supporting local PTA chapters. Winning both impact awards was a major goal for President Marisol Herrera.

“I worked diligently to achieve these goals, and feel incredibly proud of what we achieved,” Herrera said. “I am grateful and humbled by the work of the Council executive board and all the local PTA units that made it possible. There are wonderful things happening in our district, and we are excited to bring awareness and recognition to our district and our community.”

In recent years, the FWISD Council of PTAs expanded representation across all areas of the district, and Herrera said chapters continue to strive to amplify the voices of historically underrepresented communities.

“I am thankful for all the support the FWISD has extended to our organization, and encourage everyone to continue to get involved and spread the word about the important work we do, ” Herrera said. “It’s not just parents and teachers, all community members play an important role in advancing our mission to make every child’s potential a reality.”