LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Leo Vaughns Jr was nominated by Rich Claypool, a member of his community.

Mr. Vaughns is in his 31st year as an educator at Kirkpatrick Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. During his early years at Kirkpatrick Middle School, he served as music director before transitioning to English Language Arts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Vaughns was featured as a “homegrown hero” on the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex news. During the many months when students were unable to attend school because of the pandemic, Mr. Vaughns assisted with serving daily meals to the community students each day. To this day, he continues to create fliers, update the school Facebook page, create advertisements, change the school marquee,  and assist with serving prepackaged meal distributions throughout the community.

Starting on April 26th, 2020, and continuing up until the present moment, Mr. Vaughns plays his keyboard and sings music every Sunday morning on his residential street corner while his current church services are closed because of the pandemic. You will often hear him singing, "This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine” This is one of Mr. Vaughns’ theme songs, as he spreads love, not only on the Kirkpatrick Middle School campus, but throughout the community.

During Thanksgiving, Mr. Vaughns dressed in a turkey costume and made public appearances as Minister Gospel Gobble Gobble while serving meals throughout the Northside community. He was also an active participant in the Redemption Rose Turkey Bowl, which served 3,500 Jason Deli’s meals.

Mr. Vaughns created a rap entitled “Do Your Part,” which involved the school principal and was featured on Channel 8 News: A Reason to Smile. The rap encouraged students to stay safe, wear their masks, sanitize their hands, walk socially distanced and in a line in the halls.

"I have been blessed to get to know Mr. Vaughns," said Claypool. "He is a pillar at Kirkpatrick and in his community. He is the poster child for what Life Changer of the Year is all about."

Mr. Vaughns is the founder of the Wildcat Brothers class, which started during the 2014-2015 school year. These English Language Arts classes consisted of all seventh and eighth grade boys. In class, the young men discuss life challenges and work on content, comprehension strategies, and morals. Mr. Vaughns is a mentor and role model, and many of the boys call him “pop,” which he is called throughout the community. Before the pandemic, Mr. Vaughns invited guest speakers to speak with his class, including:

• Fort Worth Independent School District board members Cinto Ramos Jr and Quintin Phillips
• Ramon Romero, State Representative
• Sergio DeLeon, Justice of the Peace for Tarrant County Precinct 5
• Coach Joseph Turner, Northside High School, and
• Pastor Charles Johnson, Pastor for Texas Children.

Mr. Vaughns is a strong believer in the importance of building positive relationships, not only within the classroom and school, but throughout the community. Mr. Vaughns believes that “it takes a village to raise our children.” For this reason,
within the last two years, My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) has been an active participant with these young men. The MBK movement helps young men of color transition from one life stage to another. Because of Mr. Vaughns’ influence on the young men in his community, after an observation of one of his Wildcat Brothers classes, he was named the FWISD Secondary English Teaching Chair.

Outside of the classroom, you will find him serving as Master of Ceremony for pep rallies, organizing talent shows, and deejaying school dances. He's also a Blue Zone project summit participant and an active participant in all school events. For 30 years, he has changed the school marquee, presented positive messages for the community, and served as the Wildcat mascot.

During Thanksgiving break, Mr. Vaughns set up a Google Meet class for students to join, unite, and have group discussions. Mr. Vaughns was filmed in an on-campus short movie entitled the Den of Artists, which focused on the importance of seeking an adult when confronted with peer-pressure. This production was filmed at Kirkpatrick Middle School, received first place, and was presented throughout the state of Texas. Additionally, he has made a series of presentations for fifth grade teachers called Let's Go Fishing, which consisted of full day workshops to motivate teachers and cultivate an atmosphere of learning. Mr. Vaughns was a session presenter during the Model School Conferences presented in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

At Kirkpatrick Middle School, Mr. Vaughns illuminates the importance of building relationships with students, colleagues, families, and the community. Even during the pandemic, when he’s not masked up and serving meals throughout the community, you can find him dressed in costumes, meeting the social and emotional needs of in-person and virtual students. On May 23, 2019, the Kirkpatrick Middle School Auditorium was named in his honor.

Outside of his teaching role, Mr. Vaughns serves as a minister of music, associate minister, male chorus president, and vice chairperson of the youth department at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Throughout his life, he has been blessed to
receive numerous awards:

Fort Worth Independent School District:

• ELA Curriculum Writing Award - 2018
• Teaching Chair of Excellence Finalist (Secondary English) - 2018-2019 and 2017-2018
• Teacher of the Year - 2013-2014, 2006-2007, and 2002-2003
• Outstanding Teacher of the Month - November 2011, January 2009, October 2007, May 2007, October 2005, February 2000
• Kirkpatrick Middle School Choir Recognition Award - 2008
• Outstanding Teacher of the Year - 2002
• Leadership ISD Alumni

Other Recognitions

• 2007 - Walmart Teacher of the Year Recognition
• 1986 - Gospel Singer of the Year Recognition, Southwest High School, 
• Award of Recognition (Golden Age Committee – April 27, 1996)
• Award of Recognition and Dedication (St. Mark Cumberland Presbyterian Church (July 18, 1999)
• Musician Banquet Award - (Greater New Hope Baptist Church – November 4, 2000)
• Certificate of Appreciation – Wesley Chapel AME Church (July 22, 2001)
• Ministerial License and Ordination (Oct. 6, 2003)
• Certificate of Copyright for CD Project: God Is Still in Control (2004)
• Rites of Passage Mentorship Recognition – Dallas, Texas (August 1, 2004)
• Model School Conferences and Presentations (Orlando, Florida)
• Model School Presentations (Atlanta, Georgia) 2009
• Laymen of the Year Recognition Fellowship Baptist Church 2010
• Minister of Music Appreciation Award (July 2014)
• Youth Teacher of the Year Recognition Fellowship Baptist Church 2017
• Teen Video Fest Award for Den of Artist Video (Character: Mr. McVaughn)
• Presenter for Edu Con – Fort Worth ISD