FORT WORTH, Texas (July 31, 2020) – Ernest Thomas has been named the new assistant principal of the Leadership Academy at John T. White Elementary School, one of five Fort Worth ISD campuses comprising the Leadership Academy Network. This innovative partnership between the district and Texas Wesleyan University serves to sustain and grow student academic success.

Thomas previously taught STEM to seventh- and eighth-graders at the Leadership Academy of Forest Oak. His teaching career began at Fort Worth ISD’s Meadowbrook Middle School. He then taught at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School before transferring to Forest Oak.

“Ernest has extensive teaching experience, and in this leadership role his expertise will continue to make a difference in the lives of our students,” said Priscila Dilley, senior officer of the Leadership Academy Network. “He believes partnerships with parents and community partners are essential to enriching learning at John T. White Elementary.”

Thomas served in the armed forces for 12 years before receiving his undergraduate degree from Ashford University of Canton, Iowa. He later earned his master’s degree at the University of Texas Arlington in educational leadership and policy studies.

Thomas will work closely with Academy Network officers and school leaders to develop customized, campus-level initiatives to help students excel and thrive. Leadership Academy Network schools are open-enrollment campuses that do not charge tuition or give entrance exams.

About the Leadership Academies

Fort Worth ISD designed its Leadership Academies to feature highly effective educators, a heightened focus on daily academic mastery and an extended school day, among other benefits. The Leadership Academy Network, established in 2019, maintains Fort Worth ISD’s Leadership Academy model while leveraging the institutional resources of the Texas Wesleyan School of Education. Academy administrators work closely with Leadership Academy Network officers to develop customized, campus-level initiatives to help students excel and thrive. Network schools are the Leadership Academies at Como Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Maude I. Logan Elementary, Mitchell Boulevard Elementary and Forest Oak Middle School.

About Texas Wesleyan

Dedicated to education and the community, Texas Wesleyan is a long-time partner to Fort Worth ISD. The University’s School of Education offers innovative and exceptional experience in classroom instruction, curriculum and administration. The partnership is made possible by 2017 Texas Senate Bill 1882, which enables districts to expand the diversity of school options, bring in targeted expertise and empower school leaders and partners with greater autonomy. Texas Wesleyan was selected by Fort Worth ISD to sustain and support the district’s Leadership Academy model by managing the schools in accordance with a performance contract mutually negotiated by the partners.