Your Educentric Team

Keri has 30 years of experience as a management consultant working almost exclusively in the K-12 public education sector. She has consulted with urban and suburban school systems across the country on a wide range of projects, including performance audits and operational reviews, organizational assessments and redesign, business process improvement studies, strategic planning, technology integration, and project management. Keri firmly believes that a strong education system is the foundation for a more just and equitable society and is most passionate about helping district leaders improve programs and services for marginalized students and students with disabilities. As the Onboarding Coordinator for Educentric, Keri manages the collection and analysis of school data, administers parent and staff surveys, prepares Current State Analysis Reports (CSARs), and collaborates with clients and project teams to coordinate project logistics. Keri holds a B.A. in Marketing and Spanish from Stetson University and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Esteemed Executive Director of Spring ISD's Office of Professional Learning, is a certified Executive Coach partnered with Columbia University Teachers College to develop future education leaders. With over a decade of transformative K-12 leadership, Dr. Lewis fosters a thriving environment for diverse district employees. Holding a Master's in Educational Administration from Columbia University-Teachers College and a Doctorate in Executive Educational Leadership from Houston Christian University, she drives initiatives to enhance student learning. Dr. Lewis' exceptional leadership has earned recognition from distinguished institutions such as the Texas House of Representatives and the State Senator's Office. Twice honored as Principal of the Year, her visionary guidance has propelled schools to Five STAAR Campuses of Excellence and achieved full International Baccalaureate authorization, a testament to her unwavering dedication to educational excellence.

Former superintendent of the Asheboro City Schools, NC, where she led the district to be recognized as a top 10 school district by the NC Department of Public Instruction. She received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor of North Carolina. She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University, High Point University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the University of the Cumberlands.

For more than 30 years, I have enjoyed a remarkable career in education in NC and VA. During my career, I started as a teacher, served in multiple leadership roles in the school district, and provided leadership to many departments and offices. The most humbling and inspirational part of my work was supporting teachers, parents, students, and the larger community.

I am a retired educator, having held several positions during my tenure. A few of those positions are as follows: Director of Student Support Services, District Lead School Counselor, Director of Development(College), Associate Director of Admissions(College), Regional Director for the Presbyterian Church, USA (Ten Million Dollar Major Mission Fund National Campaign), Career Counselor and School Counselor.

A lifelong educator who worked tirelessly for 32 years in the Houston Independent School District as a teacher, principal, and school support officer. She has a proven track record of influencing positive transformation and impacting change on a diverse portfolio of campuses, including early childhood centers, as well as elementary, middle, and high schools. Specifically, she is an advocate of fostering a meaningful school experience for all students and is skilled at navigating nuanced pathways to student success, which she believes starts with the training of leaders. When she is not consulting, you will find Tammie serving as the office manager for her daughter’s law firm or as a tutor for her grandson.

I retired from the Guilford County Schools in 2005, the third largest school district in North Carolina. I was trained and served as the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction school turnaround Team Leader from 2002-2005. Other career highlights include. • 49 years of experience in public education (principal, teacher, mentor, athletic coach) and higher education • Owner of Educational Leadership Consulting, LLC – providing 18 years of consulting, training, and coaching experience working with school leaders at a different level • Current principal coach for the North Carolina Department of Instruction • Current consultant for GEAR UP North Carolina • Current consultant for Reading Apprenticeship Literacy Grant North Carolina • Certified True Colors Personality Assessment Facilitator • Certified Trainer for the Center for Teacher Effectiveness: Time To Teach Classroom Management Workshop

Dr. Charlos S. Banks is an accomplished educational leader with over 29 years of experience in K-12 education. Most recently, she served as the Chief of School Support and Wellness for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools for six years. In this role, she demonstrated a proven track record of transforming disciplinary practices and improving student outcomes. Dr. Banks successfully implemented district-wide initiatives that reduced disproportionate discipline rates and increased graduation rates for diverse student populations. Her expertise includes: - Developing comprehensive school support plans - Implementing innovative character development and disciplinary models - Fostering positive learning environments and equitable practices - Executive coaching for educational leaders Dr. Banks holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from High Point University and has received recognition for her work, including the Deborah Childs-Bowen Leadership for Equity Award. Her collaborative approach and commitment to student-centered practices make her an ideal consultant for principals seeking to improve communication and staff buy-in around disciplinary practices and student support. Currently, Dr. Banks offers her expertise as an educational consultant, focusing on transforming disciplinary practices and supporting school leaders in creating positive, equitable learning environments. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at High Point University's Educational Leadership Department, where she continues to shape the next generation of educational leaders.

Served as Superintendent of Schools in Delaware and Virginia. Worked as Assistant Superintendent and Director of Schools in Delaware. Severed 14 years as a secondary school principal (High and Middle) in Maryland and Delaware. Teacher and coach for 16 years at the high school level in Maryland. In 2015 was named the Superintendent of the Year for Delaware, and in 2024 was the Region I Superintendent of the Year for Virginia.

All Children Will Learn! During my entire educational career, I’ve never been comfortable with mediocre teaching, and we should never settle for it. The continued growth and development and building of teacher capacity are more important now than ever. I am currently an Executive Director of Middle Schools. I’ve been the Executive Director of Equity and Outreach, Area Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal, Instructional Specialist, and a classroom teacher. At every level, teachers are the most important factor, and they are the closest to students. I work to build leadership capacity that best informs teacher development to increase positive outcomes for students. Together, we can continue this important and demanding work.

Kongsouly Jones is a former educator turned consultant, committed to empowering schools and transforming teaching and learning experiences. With a rich and diverse background in education, Ms. Jones has served as a classroom teacher, instructional facilitator, assistant principal, principal, instructional leadership director, and assistant superintendent at Memphis-Shelby County Schools. As principal of Whitney Elementary School, she led the school through significant academic challenges, ultimately improving its standing with the Tennessee Department of Education. At Peabody Elementary, her leadership not only drove academic excellence but also fostered strong community partnerships, resulting in increased enrollment. In 2013, Ms. Jones expanded her influence as an Instructional Leadership Director, providing strategic coaching and support to principals across the district. Her exceptional leadership earned her a promotion to Assistant Superintendent in 2019, where she championed a culture of high expectations and collaborated to enhance instructional practices and student achievement. Most recently, her work with a struggling school led to remarkable improvements, doubling its achievement rate and earning a Level 5 growth status from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Dr. Sylvia Ibarra holds a doctorate from Northcentral University and has over 35 years of experience in K-12 education. Dr. Ibarra has served in many roles, including teacher, counselor, principal, and superintendent of schools. Her areas of expertise are principal development and school improvement. As superintendent, she implemented principal development initiatives with a focus on school improvement. She spearheaded the professional development and coaching of campus administrators to increase student learning outcomes. Dr. Ibarra is a champion for kids. She works tirelessly to increase opportunities for students to excel and thrive in supportive school environments.

Dr. Erica S. Taylor serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Communications, Business, and Community Partnerships in the Orangeburg County School District (OCSD). With over 24 years of experience in education communications, Dr. Taylor oversees the district's comprehensive communications and technology initiatives, ensuring effective dissemination of information both internally and externally. In her capacity at OCSD, Dr. Taylor's duties encompass a wide array of responsibilities, including internal and external communications, governmental relations, legal affairs, partnership development, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance, grant management, oversight of Provisos, facilitation of student transfers, handling research requests, engaging with OCSD Board Relations, fostering intercultural relations, and providing expert counsel to the Superintendent and district leadership. Dr. Taylor is deeply engaged in her community, holding the position of vice chairperson on the board of directors for the Charleston Urban League and serving on various boards, including the Charleston Leadership Foundation, Franklin C. Fetter Health Care Systems, the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce, the Orangeburg County Accommodations Tax Committee, and The Lowcountry Food Bank. Her professional affiliations extend to the Public Relations Society of America, where she is an active member, as well as being recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in the Historic Rotary Club of Orangeburg. Additionally, she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Charleston (S.C.) Chapter of Links Incorporated. Dr. Taylor is a devoted member of First Baptist Church on James Island, S.C. Recently, Dr. Taylor was honored as a finalist for the prestigious national SchoolCEO "Marketing Communicator" of the Year award. She has shared her expertise through presentations at numerous state and national conferences, focusing on the importance of effective communications in educational settings. Academically, Dr. Taylor holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership degree from Charleston Southern University, a Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional English from South Carolina State University. Additionally, she has earned a certificate in fundraising from the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Dr. Taylor is married to Major Nathaniel Taylor Jr., and together they are proud parents of three children: Nathaniel (Trey) III, Jaxon Evan, and Lacee Christina

Dr. Rodney J. Emilien Sr. is a passionate educator and visionary leader with a deep commitment to empowering communities through education and faith. With years of experience shaping young minds, he has served as a principal at KIPP Texas Public Schools, the Head of School at Bloom Academy Charter School, and the Principal of Houston Gateway Academy Charter School in Houston. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Emilien is a guiding force in his community. His academic journey culminated in a Doctor of Education from Logos University, reinforcing his dedication to innovation and excellence in education. Dr. Emilien’s mission? To create transformative learning experiences, uplift students, and build stronger, more resilient communities. He leads with passion, purpose, and a relentless drive for positive change.

Michael Torres is a 30-year K-12 educator currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer for Mindset Transformation Leadership Consulting (MTLC). Ignited by his work with Houston ISD as a Senior Manager for Aspiring Campus Leaders and enriched via his work as a Leadership Consultant with Education Service Center 20, MTLC is an independent consulting company which focuses on leadership development for emerging, novice, and veteran educators via training(s) and coaching to increase leadership capacity. His mantra of ENGAGE! EMPOWER! TRANSFORM! was formulated during his teaching career where he exhausted all avenues to enhance the educational experience for his students. Michael’s passion for leadership development is fueled by his own journey and the desire to influence others to maximize their tools and resources to exponentially impact their campus/district. His training(s) engages educators in a multitude of activities, an abundance of self-reflection, empowering participants to enrich their capacity to impact student achievement. Michael currently lives in San Antonio with his wife, Lori, a life-long educator herself. He started participating in triathlons in 2020 and looks forward to moving up to the Olympic level in 2025! #SIEMPREADELANTE

Barbara strongly believes a strong education is a catalyst for transforming lives and has spent over 30 years working in K-12 schools in Texas and across the nation to increase student learning and performance. Her passion for excellence has taken her from her beginnings in Humanities classrooms to district leadership and Professional Learning. Understanding the power of active, hands-on learning, she enjoys both creating and delivering learning experiences focused on the needs of the learner, whether adult or student. A strong belief that learning is truly an active pursuit, not a passive one, guides her ongoing work. As the Lead Launch Facilitator for Educentric, Barbara is now fortunate to work across the United States guiding campus and district teams of educational leaders in two day breakthrough change workshops based on the latest research in education, business, and psychology. Barbara holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of North Texas and an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from Lamar University.

Joins the team with over 20 years of experience in public education. As a former Superintendent in Texas, Rick has an in-depth understanding of the diverse needs of students, staff, and communities across the state. He has served in some of the largest school districts in the state of Texas, including Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, and Tomball Independent School District, as well as serving in smaller communities such as his last home in Tuloso-Midway Independent School District. Rick has experienced the complex situations facing K-12 districts, and his solution-oriented approach to all stakeholder groups makes him a valuable member of the team. Dr. Fernandez always emphasizes innovation and has been the catalyst for a variety of one-of-a-kind programming opportunities. This includes working with Higher Education partners to help blur the lines between business partnerships, learning opportunities, and multi-use facility cooperatives. His design of Texas’s first stand-alone energy academy, housed at the headquarters of B.J. Energy, incorporated a partnership between a public K-12 school district, Lone Star Community College, and a leader in the midstream oil and gas industry. He is involved with numerous education projects and currently serves on the Board of Regents for Hartwell University.