June 18, 2025
Five exceptional Texas science teachers have been awarded the 2025 Texas Medical Association (TMA) Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. TMA recognized the educators – Karissa Smith of Fort Worth; Joseph Ferrara, EdD, of Fort Worth; Jacqualine Jones of Houston; Joseph Parthemore of Colleyville; and Jeremy Lee of Stafford – at a ceremony in Austin on Saturday.
For more than 30 years, TMA has honored teachers who inspire a passion for science in their students, sparking interest that may one day lead them to careers in medicine. Long-time benefactors Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler of Austin make the awards possible.
“The future success of physicians is closely linked to the guidance they receive in their early education,” TMA President-Elect Bradford Holland, MD, told the teachers during the awards ceremony. “Your dedication, passion, and steadfast commitment to excellence in teaching science will significantly influence the future, including inspiring a new generation to pursue medical professions that enhance the health and well-being of all Texans.”
Grand Prize Winner: Karissa Smith, who teaches all core content at Lakeview Elementary School in the Northwest Independent School District in Trophy Club, north of Fort Worth. For 17 years, Mrs. Smith has built strong bonds with students and families, showing children that mistakes are a part of learning. Recognizing her beginning-of-year lessons are often a student’s first experience with science, she designs activities to excite and prepare them to learn. Last year, her classroom was even chosen as a model for the district's New Teacher Academy, allowing new teachers to observe Mrs. Smith’s engaging approach firsthand. In addition to mentoring new teachers, she shares her ideas through professional development training. She also continues to cheer for former students years after they graduate from her classroom.
Distinguished Award Honoree: Joseph Ferrara, EdD, who teaches advanced placement and honors science classes to multiple high school grade levels at All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth. Dr. Ferrara uses a notable tool – live snakes, specifically ball pythons – to help teach his students. The idea began as a class pet and has grown into a student-run breeding program. The unit teaches kids genetics, behavior, and responsibility in a real-world setting. Nominators say Dr. Ferrara helps students truly understand science, not merely memorize facts. His classroom is a place where students feel excited to learn, supported to improve, and inspired to think like a scientist.
Distinguished Award Honoree: Jacqualine Jones, who teaches seventh-grade science at Grantham Academy in the Houston area’s Aldine Independent School District. Her nominators say Mrs. Jones brings science to life with hands-on lessons. One of her favorites is a digestive system lab where students use breakfast foods like donuts and Pop-Tarts to simulate how the body breaks down foods. Students say it’s fun, memorable, and helps them truly understand the topic. Mrs. Jones feels proud when her students get excited about science, ask questions, and apply what they learn outside the classroom. She says she loves witnessing “lightbulb moments” when something “clicks” for her students.
Distinguished Award Honoree: Joseph Parthemore, who has taught third- and fourth-grade science at Glenhope Elementary School in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Mr. Parthemore believes teaching should help students think deeply and solve real-life problems. He uses project-based learning that enables students to explore projects that interest them. Mr. Parthemore designs activities in which students work together to solve challenges like saving energy and or improving traffic safety. He also brings in experts to support student projects. By constantly improving his teaching and connecting lessons to the real world, he aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem solvers. (Mr. Parthemore is moving to the district’s Heritage Elementary School in the fall.)
Rookie Award Honoree: Jeremy Lee, who teaches at Stafford STEM Magnet Academy in the Stafford Municipal School District near Houston. The Rookie Award recognizes a teacher with fewer than seven years of teaching experience. “Mr. Lee is not just preparing students for their academic futures – he is equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in the emerging field of medicine and biotechnology,” reads one of the nominee’s recommendation letters. Mr. Lee incorporates healthy competition through educational games, encourages collaborative learning, and connects students with real-world science careers through field trips. He also established a Health Occupations Students of America chapter to spark student interest in health careers, providing a unique platform for exploration beyond the classroom. Mr. Lee says he strives to inspire not only academic success but lifelong curiosity and confidence in his students.
Each honoree receives a cash award and a resource grant for her or his school.
Award namesakes Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler fund the TMA awards because of their belief in the value of public education. They established an endowment at the TMA Foundation, TMA’s philanthropic arm, in 1998 to support and expand the program. A TMAF grant funds the annual awards through the endowment and gifts from other physicians and their families.
The 2026 awards are now open for nominations by any member of the public. For more information, visit TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards page. The TMA Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations to support the awards.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 59,000 physician and medical student members. It is in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. The TMA Foundation raises funds to support the population health, science, and quality-of-care priority initiatives of TMA and the family of medicine.
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TMA Contacts: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear@texmed.org
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; cell: (408) 987-1318; email: swathi.narayanan@texmed.org
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