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    

Falicia Tate is the proud leader of Crowley College Prep Elementary. Mrs. Tate has a wealth of experience and an extensive college and career readiness background. She has twenty-one years in education and has experience on all K-12 levels. Mrs. Tate thoroughly understands academic readiness at the elementary, middle, and high school levels to guide students to excel in their postsecondary journey. 

School: Hoffman 
College Prep

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

Jeana Adams-Morrison has been an educator for 23 years. She served as the principal of Reed Academy for Engineering before becoming the principal at Hoffman Middle School. Her goal as the instructional leader of Hoffman is to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for all students. Jeana earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the same university.

School: Rogers College 
Prep

 District: San Antonio 
 Launch Year: 2023-2024
 Model: College Prep  

Julie May is the Principal of Harry H. Rogers Middle School. She has been an educator since 2000 and has served as a teacher, Math specialist, assistant principal, and head of school. She brings a well-versed background in special education, mathematics, and data analysis. Julie graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio, earning a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in Educational Psychology and Special Education.

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School: Boulter MS
District: Tyler       
 Launch Year: 24-25
Model: College Prep    

Justin Simmons, a proud Tyler ISD alum, brings ten years of diverse educational experience within the district, spanning roles from teacher to principal. Beginning with a love for coaching, he evolved into an educational leader. Justin’s approach centers on servant leadership, prioritizing close connections with faculty, staff, and students. His mission is to give back to the community that shaped him from adolescence to adulthood.

School: Orr ES
District: Tyler  
Launch Year: 24-25 
Model: College Prep 

Nathan Harbour most recently served as Dean of Instruction at Tyler High School from 2022 to the present and as assistant principal from 2020 to 2022. He has also been a facilitator of students at Moore Middle School, an algebra teacher at Moore Middle School, and a math teacher at Kissam Elementary School in Chapel Hill ISD. Mr. Harbour has nine years of experience in education. 

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

Holly Birmingham has 20 years in education, 18 with Victoria ISD. She holds a bachelor’s (1997) and a master’s (2020) from the University of Houston, Victoria. Now in her second year as principal of Dudley Elementary, she previously worked as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. Holly is dedicated to preparing students for success and fostering academic, social, and emotional growth with support from the community.

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

Jay Maines has 25 years of public school education experience, including 11 years in Del Valle ISD, with the last 5 as Principal Teacher of Del Valle Elementary School. His career spans teaching students from Pre-K to 12th grade in Florida and Texas, starting as a health and math teacher before moving into campus leadership in 2013. Mr. Maines is committed to providing educational opportunities that help students reach their full potential and believes schools should foster growth for all stakeholders alongside students.

School: Valor 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: TBD 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.