I am honored to serve the University of Texas at Austin as Associate Professor of Practice, Director for the Texas Principal Leadership Academy and Special Assistant for District Partnerships in the College of Education. It is an absolute joy to witness the positive impact our graduates make in the field of education.

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. My areas of expertise and interest in social justice developed when I learned the challenges my parents faced when they were in elementary school, as they were allowed only to speak in English and received consequences for speaking in Spanish. I served as a former teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Middle Schools, Director of PK-8 and Chief Academic Officer and enjoyed working in the Austin, Manor and Round Rock Independent School Districts. I served as a Regional Director for Agile Mind, Inc. in collaboration with the Dana Center and supported multiple school districts in Texas and Arizona and supported leadership development in other states in collaboration with my team.

I am thankful for the support of my family to attend the University of Texas at Austin as a first generation graduate to earn my Bachelors, Masters in Educational Administration and Ph. D. in Policy and Planning. My areas of interest include coaching and developing equity centered leaders for PK-12 schools, instructional improvement systems and supporting Educator Preparation Programs.

I am honored to be invited as a Steering Committee Chair of the Texas Program Improvement Network to support the growth and development of principal preparation programs across the state. I present at district, state and national conferences and continue to serve as a consultant and coach for school districts to support leadership development.

My husband, Robert and I enjoy family time, hiking, scuba diving and being outdoors. I am proud of my son, Stephen. He served our country for four years in the Coast Guard and is now studying to be a pilot, as the captain of his team.