Fort Worth’s Outstanding Educators

Tanglewood Moms and Madeworthy wanted to recognize and commend our city’s educators for all they do. Teaching is not a job for the faint of heart. There are very few phrases that are more insulting and more incorrect than the old chestnut, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

Teachers have to be a psychologist, a politician, a parent, and a cheerleader. They often have to use their own money out of their woefully inadequate salaries to supplement the supplies that are provided them by the school. They have to deal with often-contradictory requirements and Byzantine regulations and qualifications from state and national agencies. Teachers need to be able to allay the fears of their students while dealing with their own. They need to know how to react to a fire, a tornado, a flood, or an active shooter – all the while making sure that their students take threats seriously but do not become overly fearful. They need to be alert for signs of abuse, and they need to be on the lookout for bullies.

Oh, and they have to try to teach.

Why would someone be crazy enough to teach? When we interviewed the teachers that you, our readers, nominated to be honored and who are listed below, we heard over and over about the joy they feel when a student who has struggled makes a breakthrough. Almost every one of these amazing teachers talked about the “lightbulb moment” when a concept suddenly makes sense to a student who previously was unable to grasp that concept. Teachers do not teach for the money or the fame or the adulation. They teach for the love of imparting knowledge and of expanding a child’s worldview.

We of Tanglewood Moms and Madeworthy are parents. We have watched our children blossom under the guidance of good teachers. We have seen their minds expand. To see the joy on these children’s faces as they grasp a difficult concept is a gift that is utterly priceless. A gift card to Starbucks or Target, a potted plant, or a coffee mug with “World’s Best Teacher” on it is not nearly enough to express our thanks to our children’s teachers. So, thank you. Thank you for inspiring and challenging and engaging and loving our children, despite the odds that are most definitely stacked against you. Thank you for being a teacher. You have our everlasting admiration.

1. Joey Mantecon
A kindergarten teacher at Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center, Joey Mantecon says his Aunt Gracie with being his favorite teacher. “She retired after thirty-six years in the profession. Fortunately, she was an amazing teacher and a wonderful mentor. I had the privilege of teaching with her as a professional.” When asked about his teaching style, Mantecon says, “Being in an applied learning school, I endeavor to provide many authentic exploratory experiences for the children. I am blessed to be surrounded by colleagues with the same mind set. As far as my teaching style, I get personal with my families. I want to know them and make them a big part of the classroom community.”

2. Chad Meeks
As Head of Middle School and teacher of sixth and seventh grade math at Key School, Chad Meeks fell into teaching by accident. “Through a family friend, I was asked to help grade papers at Key School,” says Meeks. “I quickly fell in love with Key School, and its mission to serve students with learning disabilities… There is no greater feeling than helping a student who has struggled in school find academic success.” Meeks’ favorite thing about teaching is the light bulb moments when students connect to their learning, but I also embrace the moments of struggle and enjoy the challenge to help students find the key to their success.”

3. Rachel Wittich
The founder of Wedgwood Academy, Rachel Wittich says she became a teacher because “I always enjoyed seeing children light up when they mastered or learned something new. During high school, I spent every summer teaching swimming lessons. That was my first teaching job…” When asked about her favorite teacher, Wittich replied, “My favorite teacher would not be just one. My high school… had such an amazing staff that brought out the best of us in every subject. I learned to embrace writing courtesy of Ms. Beckman. I learned how relaxing throwing pottery [from] Ms. Boone. I mastered higher math courtesy of Mr. Marsalis…[they] taught me how important every teacher could be in the development of one student.”

4. Erin Zagotti
Erin Zagotti is a kindergarten teacher at Hill School. Erin says her favorite thing about teaching is seeing a child’s confidence grow. “Many times, students come to me with an ‘I can’t’ attitude, but with reassurance, encouragement, and praise, their confidence begins to grow.” Erin strives to make learning as fun and engaging as possible. “You can find my students working in groups with hands-on materials, singing songs, and acting out information.” Her students love her because “…through our learning time, I am able to laugh, sing, encourage, and be silly.”

5. Stacey Barringer
When asked about her teaching style, Stacey Barringer, a kindergarten teacher at Western Hills Primary School, says, “I diligently work to establish a community of mutual trust and respect amongst my students. Our classroom environment promotes the importance of each student and the contributions they bring to our learning environment.” Of her photo prop, Barringer says, “I brought a variety of books that I read and develop lessons around at the beginning of the year that help to establish our community of learners. It is extremely important to establish a trust-based classroom so that each student is aware of their importance to our class.” Barringer was selected because her students “…know that I truly respect them…They know that they are loved!”

6. Anna Carlson
Anna Carlson teaches middle school drama at Trinity Valley School. In the photo, she is holding the Comedy and Tragedy Masks. “I teach Classical Theater to the seventh-grade class and Shakespeare to the eighth graders. The stories I share help us define who we are as humans. I keep reminding my students that all the world is a stage, and it is filled with laughter and joy and tears and sorrow.” When asked what she believes her students would say her best quality as a teacher, she replied, “I hope they would share that I am a good listener, I love to laugh, and I am unconditional in my love for each of them.”

7. Danielle Ellis
Danielle Ellis teaches third grade at Fort Worth Academy. Ellis is beyond passionate about teaching. Of her teaching philosophy, Ellis says, “If one can’t find joy in the hallways of an elementary school, then learning is being taken far too seriously! I know how important it is to go with the flow, to lighten up, to laugh with the children, and I give myself permission to do just that…I love making my classroom a happy place to come,” she says. “…hearing my students laugh while they are learning… there is no greater reward in life.”

8. Diana Cabello
Diana Cabello teaches eleventh-grade English and American Literature at Trimble Tech High School. She was inspired to the teaching profession by her eight-grade English teacher, Sister Collette who “was a vivacious Irish Catholic nun with an unusual zest for teaching. She would stand on top her desk in her habit and recite the Scottish poem ‘Lochinvar’ by Sir Walter Scott… It was extraordinary. When I teach today, I try my absolute best to teach with the same passion she taught us.” Cabello believes her strength as a teacher is her genuine interest in her students. “High school students are not at all the stereotypical, belligerent kids Hollywood makes them out to be. They yearn for sincere respect, kindness, and gratitude. I conscientiously apply this toward all my students.”

9. Chuck Henson
Chuck Henson teaches Pre-A.P. Science at Mclean 6th Grade. Henson became a teacher because of his experiences as a student. “Classes were pretty boring for me, especially science. I told myself that I would be a different type of teacher, and I continually strive for that. I have a philosophy of ‘little cups’ of knowledge. I… keep the teaching of concepts and activities short and sweet but present them repeatedly in various forms. I think this keeps my lessons interesting and fast moving – keys to holding the interest of sixth graders!” Henson’s students connect with him because he demonstrates empathy and a positive attitude. “I remember what it was like to be a sixth-grade student!”

10. Renee Olvera
An accounting professor at TCU, Renee Olvera is passionate about her subject matter. “I truly love to have fun in the classroom. I like to work hard and play hard, which is why we play games to review for exams or why I run from one side of the room to explain the difference between expenditure and revenue cycles. I have often received comments… that my energy and excitement… keeps them interested in the subject, even at 8:00am!” Olvera credits her mother as her favorite teacher, saying, “She was my art teacher… through 8th grade. She has inspired me to use creativity in my teaching… Her positivity and energy in the classroom is inspirational and motivating to me and all those around her.”

11. Sherri Fuller
Sherri Fuller has been a teacher for forty-four years! The last twenty-seven of these have been teaching first grade at Fort Worth Country Day School. “Having wonderful teachers made me want to become a teacher. My favorite teacher was my high school geometry teacher. He believed in me and let me be his ‘assistant.’ To this day, one of my favorite math units in rst grade is geometry.” Fuller’s favorite aspect of teaching is “watching young children fall in love with learning. They are excited to come to school each day. I always say you can’t have a bad day in first grade!”

12. Nicole Tomme
Nicole Tomme teaches kindergarten at North Hi Mount Elementary. “My favorite aspect of teaching is seeing kids happy to come to school each day and watching them grow and mature from year to year. My rst kinder class kids [now] are freshman in college!” Tomme says of her teaching philosophy, “I teach using the ‘Whole Brain’ philosophy… with the belief that a high, rigorous level of education/ learning and fun SHOULD BE integrated at ALL times! Kids should want to come to school and learn and have fun doing it!”

13. David Gaul
David Gaul has been a sixth-grade science teacher for twenty-six years, the last eighteen of which have been at All Saints’ Episcopal School. Gaul says, “As a science teacher, I constantly work to engage as many learning styles as possible… We try many new experiments and labs each year. Some are amazing, and we cheer. Other activities are unsuccessful. I teach my students that it is acceptable to try new things and fail. Sometimes we learn more from analyzing our failures than our successes. I hope through my example that students learn to think critically and never be afraid to reach for success.”

Photography by Jeffrey Wooten Creative

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