Teachers of the Year

Krista Harris

Mrs. Harris was born in Fort Worth, TX, but spent her youth in Crowley ISD. Mrs. Harris is a proud Texas Wesleyan University graduate, earning her B.Ed. (2012) and M.Ed. in early childhood education (2013). Recently, Mrs. Harris also obtained her principal certification from The University of Texas at Arlington (2022).

Mrs. Harris has dedicated 10 years of her life, thus far, to educating scholars in grades 4-6. The first five years of her career were spent in Crowley ISD, before migrating to Fort Worth ISD to teach at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard Elementary. 

Aside from being an educator, Mrs. Harris is also a mother to three children (12, 7, and 2). In Mrs. Harris' spare time she enjoys engaging in DIY projects, traveling to different states, and binge-watching reality TV shows.

Karina Al Rashdan

Mrs. Al Rashdan is excited to be part of the  Leadership Academy at Mitchell Blvd.  She has lived all over the United States and has taught in both Arizona and Texas. She has a Master's in Educational Administration from Stephen F. Austin. She has been teaching for more than 20 years. She was the Teacher of the Year in May 2022, here at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard. She won the Teaching Chair of Excellence in Early Childhood in November 2022. Most of her time has been in the wonderful world of Kindergarten.

Mrs. Al Rashdan has a teenager, husband, mother, two cats, and dog at home that she loves dearly. When she is not teaching, she spends time with her family, traveling, and playing games. She believes that all children are successful from the very beginning and wants to support your child as they reach the success they deserve.

Anna Hughes

Anna Hughes is a third grade at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard and member of the Ignosi (Knowledge) House. She is a graduate of Texas Woman's University where she earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as Concordia University where she earned the degree of Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Ms. Hughes started working for FWISD as a paraprofessional in 2009 in a unit for students with autism, and began teaching in 2012. She is excited to start her 2nd year teaching at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard and 7th year as a classroom teacher. 

She has three boys Jaydon 15, VonDerrick 11, and Matthias 10 who all attend school in FWISD. Her youngest is a Mustang at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard and member of the Ignosi House, as well. When she is not teaching, attending meetings about teaching, or planning for teaching she enjoys reading, going to the movies, and spending time with her boys.

Ms. Hughes is dedicated to serving the children in our community and helping them develop a passion for becoming success lifelong learners.  

Julie Rowe

Mrs. Rowe was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She graduated in 2002 from the University of Oklahoma. She began her teaching career at Alice D. Contreras Elementary. Then she was proud to be a teacher at Rosemont Elementary the first year it opened. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade there for six years. She then accepted a position at the Leadership Academy at Mitchell Boulevard. She currently teaches 4th grade literacy there. Mrs. Rowe is married and has three children. Two of her children attend a FWISD school. Her youngest is still in daycare. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, watching football, and spending time outdoors.