MEET OUR TEXAS FELLOWS

School: McCool Academy
 District: Lubbock ISD
 Launch Year: 2020-2021
 Model: STEAM/PBL

School: Hall Success Academy
 District: Aldine ISD
 Launch Year: 2020-2021
 Model: Blended Learning

School: PTECH Healthcare
 District: Victoria ISD
 Launch Year: 2020-2021
 Model: PTECH/Healthcare

School: Smith STEM
 District: Victoria
 Launch Year: 21-22
 Model: STEM

School: STEM MS
 District: Victoria
 Launch Year: 21-22
 Model: STEM

School: YWLA
 District: Aldine 
 Launch Year: 21-22
 Model: College Prep

School: A.C. Harrison
 District: Lubbock
 Launch Year: 21-22
 Model: STEM

School: Lyles Coll. 
Intermediate School
 District: Garland
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: College Prep

School: Coyle Tech C.
for Math & Science
 District: Garland
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Manor Rise 
Academy
 District: Manor 
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Impact 
Leadership Academy
 District: Aldine
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: Single Gender

School: Club Hill 
STEM Elementary
 District: Garland
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Premont
Montessori Academy
 District: Premont
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: Montessori

School: PSJA
Collegiate
 District: PSJA
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: College Prep

School: Roosevelt
Elementary School
 District: Edgewood
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: Dual Language

School: Edna 
Primary School
 District: Edna
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Brown 
Elementary
 District: Lubbock
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Couch 
Collegiate Prep 
 District: Garland
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: College Prep

School: Handley STEM 
Elementary
 District: Garland
 Launch Year: 22-23
 Model: STEM

School: Sidney H.
Poynter Elementary

 District: Crowley ISD         
 Launch Year: 2023-2024
 Model: College Prep    

School: Hoffman 
College Prep
District: Aldine 
Launch Year: 2023-2024
 Model: College Prep

School: Moreno 
Montessori 
District: El Paso   
Launch Year: 24-25
 Model: Montessori 

Cecilia G. Perez, with 24 years in education, started as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher. She later served as an Instructional Technologist, co-teacher, and earned a Master’s in Educational Administration. Cecilia worked as a Campus IT until 2011, when she became an Assistant Principal. She piloted the Blended Learning Approach at Ysleta El and in 2021, became Principal of Ysleta Elementary, also taking on the role of YISD RTI District Coordinator.

School: Dr. Green 
Montessori 
District: El Paso   
Launch Year: 24-25 
Model: Montessori

Isabel Justo, an El Paso educator for 29 years, has worked at various levels and capacities, from bilingual teacher to administrator, in both EPISD and Socorro ISD. After serving as an assistant principal for five years and a principal for nine, she spent 24 years at Socorro’s Adult Education program before returning to EPISD. Inspired by Maria Montessori, Isabel now leads the development of El Paso ISD’s inaugural Montessori school model.

School: W. Hills MS
 District: Judson
  Launch Year: 24-25
 Model: College Prep  

John Griffin, interim principal at Woodlake Hills Middle School in Judson ISD, has 19 years of public education experience. A graduate of Wayland Baptist and Texas A&M Universities, he taught at Wagner HS for six years and became an assistant principal in 2013. Griffin is dedicated to supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional needs for success in high school, college, and careers. He is also a retired Air Force veteran with 25 years of service.

School: Candlewood ES
 District: Judson   
Launch Year: 24-25 
Model: STEM/STEAM 

Rachelle Diaz, an educator since 1997, started in East Central ISD before joining Judson ISD in 1999. For 20 years, she taught 3rd grade and worked as an RTI Teacher. In 2019, she became Assistant Principal at Escondido ES, and in 2021, she took on the role of Principal at Candlewood ES. Now in her third year, she aims to rebrand the campus as a STEM academy, combining her love of nature and service with science, technology, engineering, and math.

School: Spring M. ES
   District: Judson        
Launch Year: 24-25
Model: TBD

Sharon Balderas boasts 25 years of educational expertise, with 21 dedicated to Judson ISD and 6 as a principal. Ms. Balderas has led in various roles, including as an Early Childhood Specialist. Her diverse background includes work at Judson High School and Judson Early College Academy. Now, as principal at Spring Meadows Elementary, she’s excited to guide a College Prep campus, creating pathways for all students to pursue higher education.

School: Davis C. Prep
District: San Antonio
Launch Year: 24-25 
Model: College Prep 

Joaquín Soliz, with 20 years in education and a recent tenure as Assistant Principal at Sam Houston High School, is devoted to fostering student potential and character growth. Holding degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word and Concordia University, his journey from teacher to administrator reflects his commitment to educational excellence. Soliz now looks forward to leading Davis College Prep Middle School, aiming to impact the Eastside community positively.

School: Dudley Elementary
 District: Victoria   
Launch Year: 25-26 
Model: College Prep 

Leigh Ann brings a wealth of experience in both campus and district leadership. Her career in education spans over two decades and includes roles as a classroom teacher, campus administrator, district curriculum coordinator, and district director. In each position, Lynch has focused on increasing student achievement, supporting instructional excellence, and building meaningful relationships with families and staff.

Her expertise in curriculum and instruction, coupled with her passion for coaching and mentoring educators, uniquely positions her to lead Dudley Elementary into its next chapter.

Lynch holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria.

School: Horn Elementary
   District: Alief        
Launch Year: 25-26
Model: STEM

 Mary Starling brings 32 years of educational experience, with 27 in Alief ISD, and has served as an administrator for 19 years, including 12 as principal of Horn Elementary. With a Master’s degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (2007), she has taught 2nd and 3rd grades and worked as a reading interventionist. Mary is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential, driven by the belief that all kids can DREAM BIG. She is excited to lead the STEM Rebuild, drawing on Horn’s involvement in Alief’s STEM Academy program.

School: Del Valle Elementary
District: Del Valle
Launch Year: 25-26 
Model: STEM 

Maegen is a dedicated and passionate educational leader with a strong commitment to creating nurturing, inclusive, and high-performing school environments. She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas State University. Her journey in education began as an elementary teacher, where she spent five years cultivating a love of learning in young students. She then served as an Academic Dean for three years and an Assistant Principal for two, before stepping into her current role as Principal.

School: Valor CP Middle 
District: East Central   
Launch Year: 25-26
 Model: College Prep 

Kasey Beckett has 27 years in education, including 11 in East Central ISD as a K-12 administrator. She previously worked at Southwest ISD as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Academic Coordinator. Kasey holds a Principal Certification from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and an M.Ed. from Houston Baptist University. As a first-generation college graduate, she believes in education’s transformative power and is committed to helping students achieve their potential. She looks forward to collaborating with the community to launch Valor College Prep Middle School.

School: Parks Elementary  
District: Texarkana   
Launch Year: 25-26 
Model: College Prep

Audrey Shumate has 15 years in education, with 7 years as a teacher and 7 as an elementary principal, plus experience in curriculum and EdTech. She holds degrees from Southern Arkansas University and Letourneau University and currently leads Spring Lake Park and Highland Park Elementary, overseeing the new Parks Elementary construction. A mother of four, married for 20 years, Audrey is passionate about the College and Career Prep initiative and is committed to preparing students for future success while fostering community collaboration at Parks Elementary.

School: Bowie Elementary
 District: Abilene   
Launch Year: 26-27 
Model: STEM 

Janaye Wideman is a seasoned educator and administrator with a significant history of service within the Abilene Independent School District (AISD). With a career spanning over 17 years in the district, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and educational leadership.

School: Purcell Elementary
   District: Abilene        
Launch Year: 26-27
Model: STEM

Justin Rosenquist is an accomplished educator and campus leader with over a decade of experience with a strong foundation in science instruction. He began his career as a science teacher at Snyder Junior High and later at Mann Middle School in Abilene, where he was named science department head. In that role, he led professional development and instructional alignment of teaching strategies across the 8th-grade team.

School: Victory Elementary
District: East Central
Launch Year: 26-27 
Model: STEM 

Mrs. Lozano began her career in education as a paraprofessional and library aide in Pearsall ISD. After earning her degree from Texas A&M University–San Antonio in 2013, she became a classroom teacher and quickly advanced into educational leadership. She earned her Master’s in Educational Administration from Concordia University in 2016.  After relocating to San Antonio five years ago, Mrs. Lozano has been instrumental in leading Oak Crest to become one of the top-performing elementary schools in East Central ISD. Her leadership has been marked by a strong commitment to student achievement, staff development, and fostering a welcoming, inclusive school culture.

School: Rhodes Middle School
 District: San Antonio   
Launch Year: 26-27 
Model: STEM 

Felismina Martinez is a transformational school leader with a deep commitment to equity, opportunity, and community-rooted innovation. A proud first-generation college graduate, Felismina’s path to education leadership began with her service in the U.S. Army, where she gained the grit and discipline that continue to shape her leadership today. After ten years with the Department of Defense, she leveraged the GI Bill to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and later completed a master’s in School Leadership at Trinity University. In 2019, she advanced her expertise through the Relay Graduate School of Education’s leadership institute.

School: Ogden Elementary
   District: San Antonio        
Launch Year: 26-27
Model: STEM

Mrs. Nicanora Martinez is the proud Principal of Ogden Elementary, where she has led with heart and vision for the past seven years. With 20 years of experience in education, she has served as a bilingual educator, curriculum coordinator, and administrator across various school models and grade levels, from PK through 12th grade.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Education, graduating cum laude from Our Lady of the Lake University, where she also completed a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Business Administration. She is a graduate of the RELAY National Principals Academy Fellowship, completed with honors, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio.