Reymundo Cervantes-Guajardo
Principal at Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy – Dallas ISD
M.Ed. Southern Methodist University
B.S. Universidad Regiomontana
B.S. Institute de Formation Internationale
"Education is the cornerstone of all professions. As a school leader in this rapidly changing world, I believe in the power of school communities to transform public education by empowering adults and children to collaborate, use innovative thinking, and become globally competent role models in our society."
Crystal Bush
Assistant Principal, Crandall Middle School - Crandall ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M University
B.S., Texas A&M University-Commerce
"As educators we have an obligation to prepare students for jobs not yet known or created to further perpetuate our global economy, and impart traits of good character, and citizenship. Education is providing the finest possible holistic education to all students of all backgrounds so they become responsible, well informed citizens in a competitive market place."
Jennifer Madding
Assistant Principal, Rosemont Lower - Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Southern Methodist University
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University
“A strong leader creates a postive atmosphere that cultivates the talents and passions of those around them, inspires others to lead change, and provides the encouragement and feedback needed to make the greatest impact. I believe the strongest leaders do this without needing to take the credit and with a heart that serves others over self.”
Mason Mason
K-12 Education Leadership Executive, Apple Education
M.Ed., Southern Methodist University
B.A., The Ohio State University
"As an Education Leadership Executive with Apple Education, I am a trusted advisor to school and district leaders who are looking to Apple for guidance on driving meaningful change and transformation in their learning environment. I provide education expertise and mentorship to leaders and other educators to ensure the effective implementation of technology into teaching and learning."
Valerie Nelson
Director, Mesquite ISD Disciplinary Alternative Education Program
M.Ed., Grambling State University
B.S., Grambling State University
“Empowering the next generation to reach their full potential is what motivates me in the work I do with teachers and students alike. Helping every child in my care to appreciate their uniqueness, build on their strengths and chase their dream is my WHY for all that I do now and in the future.”
Donna Trevino-Jones
Principal, Academic and Behavior School East- Harris County Department of Education
M.Ed., Texas A&M University- Commerce
B.A., Southern Methodist University
"The purpose of an education is to open minds to new learning that would give options in life so that others could be helped, individuals could find their passion and compete globally."
Michele Broughton
Executive Director, Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Texas Woman's University
B.A., Clemson University
“The role of the leader is to cultivate, as stated by Vergerius, an "education which calls forth, trains and develops those highest gifts of body and of mind which ennoble men, and which are rightly judged to rank next in dignity to virtue only." This is our ethical responsibility and the crux of our work as people builders.”
Nidia Cedillo
Principal, Weatherford Elementary, Plano ISD
M.Ed., University of North Texas
B.S., Texas Woman's University
“My educational purpose is deeply rooted with changing lives. I believe each learner has inherent worth and value. As leaders it is our responsibility to infuse learning with new life and perspective.”
Cynite Cooke
Principal in Residence, IDEA Public Schools - Tarrant County
M.S.Ed, The Johns Hopkins University
MAT, The Johns Hopkins University
BBA, Texas State University - San Marcos
“Every child deserves a high quality education. Although paths and pace may be different, getting students to and through college continues to be the single best option for them to lead choice-filled lives. To this end, parents, educators, and policy-makers must work collaboratively to provide an equitable and excellent education to all students as it cannot be accomplished by one person or group in isolation”
Lourdes Garduno
Principal, Winnetka Elementary- Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Texas Woman's University
B.S., Texas Woman's University
Charlene Goss
Principal, Smith Elementary- Mesquite ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M- Commerce
B.S., Texas State University- San Marcos
“I believe that great leaders are always focused on developing people; purposefully awakening their innate interests, abilities, and untapped potential, to the extent that our entire nation is better because of our efforts.”
Holly Grubbs
Principal, Rutherford ES- Mesquite ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M-Commerce
B.S., Abilene Christian University
“The gift of education is an opportunity for all people to be contributing members of our communities so as we move forward let us impact the heart of people, inspire hope for tomorrow, and ignite a desire of service to those who cross our path.”
Catherine Kelly
Principal, Mark Twain Elementary- Richardson ISD
M.Ed., University of Texas at Arlington
B.A., Austin College
“Strong educators change the lives of students. It is important to create a supportive and enriching learning environment for educators so that they can make the greatest impact possible in the lives of their students. When we promote educator growth, we, in turn, support student growth.”
Robert McLaurin
Executive Director, Community Academies of New Orleans
M.Ed., University of St. Thomas
B.A., Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
“The purpose of education is to ensure our future generations look out from a higher plateau than the previous generation and are able to excel in our progressive global society. To achieve this, educators must commit to empowering all students to reach their full social, emotional, intellectual, civic, and cultural potential. My mission is to inspire innovation and empower educators to develop the well educated global citizens needed to enrich the communities of tomorrow."
Cheryl Nevels
Executive Director, P-TECH & Early College Programs- Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M University- Commerce
B.A., Texas A&M University- Commerce
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”- Rita Pierson As a champion for children, I want to continually advocate for educational equity and access to high quality educational programs, as there is no higher charge, no precedence more important than a quality education for all."
Agueda Paredes
Principal, R.E. Good Elementary - Farmers Branch ISD
M.P.A., University of Texas at Dallas
B.A., Austin College
“Education is vital to the development of humanity and the growth of democracy. As educational leaders, is crucial we provide support to those involved in the education of our children so that every child receives a high quality education that fosters the growth of the whole child."
Denise Patton
Founder/Lead Developer, North Texas College Prep
M.A., Hardin-Simmons University
B.A., Hardin-Simmons University
“I am passionate about strengthening students’ learning by increasing the involvement of their community’s stakeholders in their education. My mission is to engage those stakeholders in discovering what they have to offer students and to empower them in putting those offerings to use."
Phillip Potter
Principal, Walnut Hill Elementary- Dallas ISD
M.Ed., University of North Texas
M.M., Depaul University
B.M., University of Cincinnati
“The purpose of education is to aspire to the highest form of human art, the shaping of lives, to expose our children to beauty, curiosity, and wonder that creates the richest human experience."
Olga Romero Quiles
Principal, L.K. Hall Elementary Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Southern Methodist University
B.A., University of Puerto Rico
“It is imperative we understand that the work we do today as educational leaders will take us closer to our dream of social justice. As we profess education as the means to an end, we must be clear that it is not the final destination. Providing our scholars a life of choice and self-efficacy through meaningful learning is the ultimate goal."
Tanya Shelton
Executive Director, School Leadership Dallas ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M University- Commerce
B.S., Paul Quinn College
“As Instructional Leaders, we have the moral responsibility of ensuring that all children receive the quality education they deserve. Having the belief that all students truly can and want to learn—drives my passion to continuously work towards improving my craft as a leader in order to have a positive impact on student outcomes."
Ellen Alexandrakis
English Teacher, Dallas International School
M.A., Columbia University
B.A., Southwestern University
"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation."
Jameile Choice
Principal, New Technology High School- Dallas ISD
M.Ed., University of North Texas
B.A., Letourneau University
"Education is the most powerful weapon used to change the world.” Nelson Mandela. As a leader, it is my charge to promote equity amongst all learners and advocate for undeserved populations so that they develop the passion and courage to become innovators and change makers. I believe that the goal of education is to empower generations exponentially to utilize their gifts and acquire the skills necessary to live out their dreams and make remarkable contributions to the world around them."
Erin O. Crosby
Director of Women's Empowerment and Racial Justice, YWCA Greenwich
M.S., Boston University
B.A., Southern Methodist University
Co-Presenter: Partnering to Support Learning. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Atlanta. February 29, 2020.
Publication: Implementing Professional Learning Communities in the Social Sector to Improve Students’ Educational Outcomes. American Educational Research Association (AERA). July 2020.
Recipient: Faculty-Staff Volunteer of the Year Award, Hilltop Excellence Awards. SMU. May 2020.
"As a community development practitioner within PK-12 education, my mission is to equip cross-sector partners to collaboratively “reimagine, reform, resist and recreate” systems that have produced poverty, achievement gaps and disempowerment. By creating an equitable education system, we fulfill a promise to our children and we offer society hope for liberation."
Janine Fields
Chief of Staff, Cedar Hill ISD
M.A., City University
B.A., Western Washington University
"A high-quality education for all is essential for individual development, equity of opportunity, and the advancement of a global society that supports democratic principles. It is our moral imperative to question education’s status quo, strive for continuous improvement, and seek effective solutions on behalf of students, ultimately improving the future for all.”
Tiffany Gilmore
Director of Guidance and Counseling, Garland ISD
M.Ed., Texas A&M University- Commerce
M.S., Texas Woman's University
B.A., University of North Texas
"As educators, we are responsible for helping students cultivate the life of their dreams. My mission is to facilitate learning opportunities that challenge student thinking, leverage resources to ignite student interest, create partnerships and programming to support the needs of families, and engage students in activities that foster creativity.”
Justin James
House Principal, McKinney High School - McKinney ISD
M.Ed., University of North Texas
B.A., Southwestern Assemblies of God University
"The investments leaders make in education today will create great rewards in the lives of the next generation. That is why it is my mission to foster opportunities that create leaders, learners, and lovers of life to ensure empowerment and hope for all through their educational experience.”
Tomika Johnson
Principal, Walter Wilkinson Middle School - Mesquite ISD
M.Ed., Prairie View A&M University
B.S., Jarvis Christian College
"Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education." -Martin Luther King Jr.....It is my mission to foster a never ending LOVE for learning in students and teachers that empowers them to continuously strive for excellence in everything they do. Being a servant leader allows me the opportunity to grow students and teachers, as well as, model for them the character traits that will allow them to impact themselves and others.”
Jamie Lakey
Principal, Cobb Middle School- Frisco ISD
M.Ed., Middle Tennessee University
B.B.A., Middle Tennessee University
"My passion is improving the practice of teaching through systematic and strategic professional learning practices. I believe that the educator is not only our greatest resource in the classroom, but also our greatest resource for system-wide improvement.”
Derek Little
Deputy Chief Academic Officer for Programs - Dallas ISD
M.Ed., The Broad Center
Ed.S., Northwestern State University
B.S., Tulane University
"Working in education connects deeply to my personal desire to help others transform their lives. That transformation can lead to greater opportunity and equity for all. In the end, my hope is the students I served have not only transformed their life and elevated their potential, but also deepened their desire to serve others in the process."
Lisa Lovato
Personalized Learning & Innovation Specialist - Mesquite ISD
M.Ed., University of Texas at Arlington
B.A., University of North Texas
"The purpose of education is to remove barriers in order to create a true opportunity for our youth to realize how their passions and aptitudes impact their ability to contribute to a global society. By investing in individualized, academic and non-academic student plans and developing leadership attributes along with a growth mindset, districts have the opportunity to help each and every student identify their pathway of learning. When we empower our learners to work in a space that is meaningful and maximizes their authentic potential, opportunities are endless."
Sarah Petelik
Assistant Principal, Furlough Middle School - Terrell ISD
M.Ed., Southern Methodist University
B.A., Elon University
"The purpose of education is to enable youth to be college ready, career ready, or future ready through rigorous academics, character development, and social/emotional flourishing. It is important to empower and build the capacity of educators in order for them to make the greatest impact on our youth.”
Cloris Rangel
Executive Director of Bilingual ESL Department - Fort Worth ISD
M.B.E., Southern Methodist University
B.S., Texas Woman's University
"The purpose of education is to provide equitable access and opportunities for all children to become empowered and productive citizens. As educators and leaders, it is our duty to advocate, educate, and collaborate for all of our students to have the best education possible every single day. It is the responsibility of our school system to include high standards in academics, human flourishing, and character development. It takes hope, love, and ganas to stay true to the purpose and goals of education for all students.”
Danielle Riddick
Principal, Lister Elementary- Garland ISD
M.Ed.,University of North Texas
B.S., University of Texas at El Paso
"As leaders in education, we must pave the way in ensuring that we have the right people at all levels of the education system strategically advocating, creating access, making accommodations, and implementing the means necessary so that all children can learn, grow, and blossom into the best version of themselves.”
Alexandra Sabater
Elementary Director, Spanish World School
M.B.E., Southern Methodist University
B.A., Tulane University
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." John F. Kennedy. With historic roots in our own community, this quote captures the immense responsibilities and profound joys of leading schools for learning, for we too arrive on campus ready to grow through authentic, critical challenges and intentional, principled reflection every day. School leaders create cultures of meaningful learning by modeling the values we seek to grow in our students and our teachers: curiosity, creativity, and humility.”
Emmanuel Trevino
Assistant Principal, R. E. Good Elementary - Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
M.B.E., Southern Methodist University
B.S., University of North Texas
"Every moment as an educator is an opportunity to teach and cultivate respectful, mindful, and groundbreaking global citizens; those who question, challenge, and advocate for our world. With that comes great responsibility to provide an equitable education through research-based instructional practices, continuously grow our cultural competence, and also teach emotional intelligence. Each child deserves our very best and it is our duty to ensure we support them all to their highest excellence possible.”