Petition to Renew Marissa Wetzel’s Contract Under the new combined ISD

We, the undersigned students, parents, staff and community members of Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, respectfully urge the FWAFA administration, TCA+A Administration and Board to reconsider the decision not to renew the teaching contract of Marissa Wetzel, who has made an extraordinary impact on our school community.

Ms. Wetzel has transformed the science classroom into a place of curiosity, creativity, and genuine joy for learning. Her ability to make complex subjects engaging has reignited students’ interest in science and inspired many to explore it beyond the classroom.

Beyond academics, Ms. Wetzel is a model of kindness, patience, and inclusivity. She consistently goes above and beyond — offering help to students in other subjects, fostering collaboration and respect, and ensuring every student feels valued and capable. In a room full of preteens often navigating social and emotional challenges, she has managed to build a calm, safe, and supportive environment where learning truly thrives.

Many students have faced difficult life changes and anxiety, and Marissa Wetzel has been a constant source of reassurance and encouragement. Her empathy and commitment extend far beyond her job description — she embodies what great teaching should be.

We believe losing a teacher of her caliber would be a profound loss for our school community. We ask that the administration reevaluate this decision and recognize the remarkable contributions Ms. Wetzel continues to make in the lives of her students.

What her students have to say-

“Ms. Wetzel has been nothing but nice and fair to us this year. Ms.

Wetzel has always helped us out with anything, and if she can't she tries to give us good advice which always works! She always brightens up my day with her jokes and makes our days better. Everyday I come home I have a new story to tell about her. The way she is being treated is not acceptable.”

“Ms.Wetzel has always been nothing but nice to us. She is the person that we can count on for anything. Ms.Wetzel is the person that I can TRUST. When we need her for a problem she has a solution. There has NEVER been a dull moment in her class, If anything Ms.Wetzel Is the person that makes me want to go to school

and have a good day. Every time talk to her she always makes me laugh, and that just makes me feel better about my day at school.

Every time I come home I think about the funniest moments that happened with her. This is not okay!” 

What her students parents have to say-

“Marissa Wetzel, better known by her students and many parents as Mrs. Wetzel, is one of the rare gems in today’s educational system. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing her understands that her kindness has no limits.
As a teacher, she has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the students lucky enough to have her in their classroom. She makes her students one of her top priorities, and they know it. No matter what they may be struggling with—whether academic or personal—they know she is someone who will listen without judgment and go out of her way to help them.
She is also the kind of teacher who supports her students beyond the classroom, showing up to many of their performances and events. It’s heartwarming to see the students searching for her in the audience and the joy on their faces when they spot her there with her daughter.
Mrs. Wetzel is one of those special teachers our children will remember forever. Her enthusiasm, her positivity during even the toughest school days, her passion for teaching, and her dedication to her students’ growth are truly immeasurable. There is never a dull moment in her classroom.
Those of us who have also had the privilege of knowing her outside the classroom can testify to her strong faith in God and the deep love, commitment, and appreciation she has for her family and community. Even after the personal hardships she has faced over the past few years, she has continued to give nothing but her very best to everyone around her.“