NEWS

Weatherford College honored 49 of the finest teachers from across the region at the annual Jack Harvey Academy of Exemplary Teachers celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center.

Celebrating its 30th year, the Harvey Academy honors exemplary teachers in memory of Professor Emeritus Jack Harvey, who taught at WC for 23 years and was considered among his peers as a "master teacher."

This year's keynote speaker was Timothy Fails, the 2026 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. He teaches geography at Flower Mound 9th Grade Campus in Flower Mound, Texas, where he has spent nearly two decades helping students understand the world and their place in it. A proud graduate of Krum High School, Fails earned his degree from the University of North Texas. He joined the inaugural Flower Mound 9th Grade Campus staff in 2014 and has served as Social Studies Department Chair ever since.

In his classroom, geography trades memorized maps for human stories. Fails challenges students to think critically, separate fact from fiction, and engage with the world around them. His daily mission is to send students back into the world a little more curious, empathetic, and optimistic.

The 2025-26 Jack Harvey Academy of Exemplary Teachers awardees are:

• Aledo ISD – Melanie Atkins
• Alvord ISD – Lezlie Barnes
• Azle Christian School – Jennifer Williams
• Azle ISD – Adela Lee
• Birdville ISD – Nick Cates
• Bluff Dale ISD – Andrea Blount
• Bowie ISD – Christina Jackson
• Boyd ISD – Kim Lambert
• Bridgeport ISD – Rebekah Stewart
• Brock ISD – Aubrey Elder
• Burleson ISD – Ashley Arnold
• Castleberry ISD – Remy McLaughlin
• Chico ISD – Amy Bounds
• Cleburne ISD – Tiffany Hill
• Community Christian School of Mineral Wells – Megan Fleenor
• Cornerstone Christian Academy – Carole Rummage
• Crosstimbers Academy Charter School – Kimi Hryniszak
• Decatur ISD – Yoelia Martinez
• Garner ISD – Scott Simpson
• Gordon ISD – Ligon West
• Graford ISD – Riley Murray
• Granbury ISD – Lauren McNeal
• Huckabay ISD – Lynn Carroll
• Jacksboro ISD – Denisa Moye
• Joshua ISD – Tanner McGaughey
• Lipan ISD – Sadie Johnson
• Millsap ISD – Nicole Jones 
• Mineral Wells ISD – Martha Buck
• Muenster ISD – Stephanie Krebs
• Palo Pinto ISD – Lauren Salter
• Paradise ISD – Charlotte Manning
• Peaster ISD – Ted Pribula
• Perrin-Whitt CISD – Jimmie Morales
• Poolville ISD – Jennifer Nelson
• Premier High School – Donna Dumas
• Santo ISD – Stephanie Jenkins
• Slidell ISD – Casey Pierce
• Springtown ISD – Heather Herring
• Stephenville Christian School – Emma Blackburn
• Stephenville ISD – Ashley McMahan
• Strawn ISD – Carol Pollock
• Tolar ISD – Crystal Tarpley
• Trinity Christian Academy – Ashley Reynoso
• Victory Baptist Academy – Holly Ringgold
• Victory Christian Academy – Russell Black
• Weatherford Christian School – Teather Powell
• Weatherford College – Dr. Lori Boyd
• Weatherford ISD – Rachael Boswell
• White Horse Christian Academy – Laura Driggers 
    
  Photos of the awardees who attended can be downloaded here.