A vote for Mrs. Hartley is a vote for every student, teacher, and staff member at Travis High School — and for everything our community can achieve together.
⏰ Group voting ends Thursday, April 23 at 7 PM PDT — Vote every single day!
🏆 Currently ranked #1 in her group — let's keep her there. Every vote is free. Every vote counts.
Meet the Teacher
Mrs. Amy Hartley is an English Language Arts teacher at William B. Travis High School in Fort Bend ISD — one of the most racially diverse public high schools in the state of Texas. She didn't simply fall into teaching; she was drawn to it by a genuine love for working with young people and a belief in what they are capable of becoming.
"I became a teacher because I truly love working with kids. Once I stepped into the classroom, I realized teaching is about building confidence, helping students find their voice, and walking alongside them as they grow into who they're becoming."
Every day she shows up for students who are still discovering who they are, helping them believe in themselves — sometimes when no one else has.
One of her most powerful moments? Watching a quiet student who said she "wasn't good at English" deliver a thesis so powerful it silenced the entire room. By year's end, that same student was leading class discussions. Mrs. Hartley attributes moments like these to the warm, welcoming classroom environment she works hard to build. She wants every student who walks through her door to feel at home — to be part of a learning community where it's safe to take risks and make mistakes. That's Mrs. Hartley's impact.
The Prize
When Mrs. Hartley wins, every student, family, and staff member at Travis High School wins. Here is what is on the line for our community:
Amazing Things Happening at Travis — This is our opportunity to show the world
Let's show off our school community that is already thriving in remarkable ways — in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and beyond.
Travis High School boasts a 96.9% on-time graduation rate — a testament to the dedication of students and staff alike. With more than 3,100 students enrolled, that achievement reflects the entire community's commitment to seeing every Tiger cross the finish line.
Travis is recognized as one of the most racially and culturally diverse public high schools in Texas — with a student body that is 29% African American, 29% Asian, 19% Hispanic, and 18% White. That diversity is not just a statistic; it is one of Travis's greatest strengths.
Travis FFA has made history in recent years. In 2024, graduate Gabrielle Ridings received $46,000 in FFA scholarships — including a $20,000 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Scholarship — becoming the highest-ranking FBISD FFA member in district history. The Travis FFA spirit is reflected on this very website: Mrs. Hartley was nominated as a Travis FFA Grand Champion Teacher.
In 2025, Travis High School placed a student on the prestigious FBISD All-State Musicians list — Amantio Racelis represented Travis among the best student musicians in the entire region. The fine arts program at Travis continues to produce talented, dedicated performers year after year.
Travis is home to a highly competitive Marine Corps JROTC program with both Armed and Unarmed Drill Teams. The Travis MCJROTC Honor Guard has been featured at prominent public events, including Houston Dynamo games — representing the school and community with pride and precision.
Travis hosts two of FBISD's signature high school academies: the Global Studies Academy (GSA) and the International Business and Marketing Academy (IBMA) — giving students access to specialized, rigorous programming that prepares them for college and careers on a global stage.
As Seen on KHOU 11
KHOU 11 News featured Mrs. Hartley's story after students rallied behind her in an extraordinary show of community support. Inside her classroom, handmade posters read "We Heart Hartley," and students left handwritten notes — "You're the sweetest teacher ever" and "Thankful for you" — alongside the encouraging messages she posts for them every day: "I believe in you."
📺 Watch the full KHOU 11 feature on Mrs. Hartley and the Travis community
"She almost didn't enter. Now she's one of the top teachers in America, and her school could win big."
Watch on KHOU.com →Take Action Now
Go to Mrs. Hartley's official America's Favorite Teacher page. No account is needed to cast a free daily vote.
One free vote per day, every day. You can also donate to the Planetary Society for extra votes — 100% tax-deductible.
Text your family, post on social media, and tell every Travis Tiger you know. Each share brings in more votes for our community.
Voting resets daily — set a reminder and vote every single day until April 23rd. Every vote adds up.
⏰ Group voting closes Thursday, April 23 at 7 PM PDT
To every student, parent, teacher, and community member who has voted, shared, and cheered — thank you. Whether we bring home the grand prize or not, watching this entire community come together the way it has is, without question, a win in itself. Travis, you have shown the whole country what we already knew: this is one extraordinary place to belong.