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.

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.

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.

Julia Dimmitt began her career as an English teacher at Ryan Middle School in 1991, where she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year. She also taught at Madison High School and the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center before moving into school administration. While under Dimmitt’s leadership as principal, Ed White Elementary and Lanier Middle School both were consistently named to the Texas Business and Education Coalition Honor Roll for student achievement. Dimmitt joined central administration in 2008 as an executive principal for the Yates and Lamar feeder pattern schools, during which time all 13 schools met state standards, and Yates High School moved from unacceptable to academically acceptable. She continued supporting HISD’s schools as a school improvement officer and school support officer, including supporting schools in HISD's Apollo transformation initiative. In July 2013, she was tapped to lead the transition of the former North Forest School District into HISD, following a state-ordered closure and annexation. In the six weeks before school started, she oversaw the hiring of more than 500 new staff, including teachers and school leaders. Through her coaching and support, five of the seven North Forest feeder pattern campuses received a “met standard” rating with distinctions. In 2016, she was named Area Superintendent of the North Area overseeing 41 schools, with 40 of those campuses meeting state standards. In 2018 she joined the Superintendent's cabinet as Chief Human Resources Officer, where she revamped the district’s Alternative Certification Program and developed several Grow Your Own teaching initiatives. She retired from Houston I.S.D. in 2022 and now works with several districts as an educational consultant in both school improvement and human resources.

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. Wanda Legrand is the CEO & Founder of Joyful Excellence Education Group after 30 years of service in public schools across the country. Most recently she served as the Chief Student Services Officer for Guilford County Schools where she started her career in education. Prior to this role, she served as the Deputy Chancellor of DC Public Schools and the Deputy Superintendent for Academics for Indianapolis Public Schools. Throughout her career, she also worked as a corporate trainer, high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, and regional superintendent. Most of those roles were served in her home state of North Carolina. Despite loving all the various communities she served in, she considers North Carolina her “forever home.” She has a Doctor of Education and Masters of School Administration in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Legrand is passionate about educating the whole child, making equity attainable, and experiencing joy in everyday life including work.

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. Linda Blackwell is an educator with over 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership. She has held significant roles in Lancaster County, Richland 2, and Hickory City Schools, focusing on improving academic outcomes and fostering positive learning environments. As Director of Elementary Education for Lancaster County School District, Dr. Blackwell led efforts to expand early childhood education, implement data-driven strategies, and enhance professional development for educators. She has a strong track record of using strategic planning to improve student achievement and build supportive, collaborative school cultures. Dr. Blackwell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and certifications in school leadership, including Superintendent and Principal roles. She is a passionate advocate for providing rigorous, equitable education to all students, preparing them for college, career, and life success. Her leadership style is grounded in building strong relationships and empowering educators, and she continues to contribute to her community through board memberships and state-level educational initiatives.

Dr. Kimberley N. Booker is a seasoned educator, nonprofit founder, devoted philanthropist, and community advocate based in Houston, Texas. With over 30 years in public education, she has served in various roles including teacher, curriculum specialist, literacy coach, curriculum and instruction principal, principal, and professor. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Houston and a Ed.D. in Administration and Foundations from Texas Southern University. Currently the board president for Aldine ISD, Dr. Booker has served since 2017 and was recognized as a TASB “Master Trustee.” Her leadership is marked by a commitment to student success, equity, and parent engagement. She is also the founder and CEO of Young Ladies of Elegance and Young Men of Character, nonprofits dedicated to mentoring youth in leadership and character development. Dr. Booker’s work is deeply rooted in her Christian faith and driven by purpose. She is the author of Momma, I Need Help!, a guide for empowering young girls. A devoted wife and mother of two, Dr. Booker continues to shape lives through education, mentorship, and community leadership, embodying a mission of service, faith, and empowerment.

Dennis Dearden is known nationwide as an extremely talented educational leader. Dearden was the Superintendent of the Marana Unified School District, Casa Grande Union High School District, and Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District, all in Arizona. Before his time as Superintendent, Dearden served as Cluster 1 Assistant Superintendent Fairfax County Schools in Virginia, where he was responsible for 22 schools and nearly 20,000 students near Washington D.C. All 22 schools in Cluster 1 earned full state accreditation, and the three high schools (Langley, McLean, and Herndon) were included in Newsweek top 100 high schools in the nation. Prior to working in Fairfax County, Dearden served as a principal at the high school and middle school levels in Grand Junction, Colorado. He also spent 20 very rewarding years in the classroom and has a strong coaching background at the high school and college levels. Dearden adds author to his resume with his book Monkey Business for Leaders at All Levels. In 2022, Dennis Dearden was the recipient of the Cognia Excellence in Education Award for promoting and advancing excellence and equity in Education in Arizona.

Retired Superintendent

Dr. Kim Morrison is the former Superintendent of Mount Airy City Schools (MACS). She is a lifelong educator having served for 31 years with the last eight years of her tenure as Superintendent. Dr. Morrison is known for her work with innovative schools all over the country serving as President of Magnet Schools of America. She is also the former chair of The Innovation Project, a North Carolina based superintendent led non-profit organization supporting innovation in school districts. She led a team that hosted the new Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, as the keynote in April and has partnered with the National Education Association Director, Becky Pringle, recently on national initiatives. She has brought in over 50 million dollars in grants and programs for public schools. Many of these schools have won national awards including the Ronald P. Simpson award, the top magnet award in the nation, the Schools to Watch award- a national middle school award, and the District of Distinction Award from the District Administration Magazine. Dr. Morrison was the PTEC Superintendent of the Year in 2022, finalist for NC Superintendent of the Year and one of two finalists for the American Association of School Administrators, “Women in School Leadership Awards” (2012). Dr. Morrison won the 2016 Rhododendron Award from Appalachian State University, the highest honor in the School of Education for alumni. She is most proud of being the mother of two college age young men, Kaleb and Eli and being the wife of Tommy Morrison.

Dr. Joris M. Ray is a seasoned educational leader, former Superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and a passionate advocate for equity in education. A proud product of Memphis public schools, he holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Memphis. Dr. Ray began his career as a teacher and rose through the ranks to lead the district he once attended. He is the CEO of Dream Educational Consulting, LLC, where he empowers leaders through innovative strategies and solutions. He is also the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Ray of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit committed to uplifting students, families, and communities. Driven by faith, purpose, and service, Dr. Ray remains focused on creating pathways to success for all.

Dr. Michael Bracy is a retired Superintendent from North Carolina with over four decades of dedicated service in public education. He served as Superintendent for 12 years, retiring in 2019, following a career that included roles as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Director of Instruction, and Education Consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Since retirement, Dr. Bracy has continued to support districts across the state through numerous interim superintendent roles. Dr. Bracy is widely respected for his work in coaching educational leaders to become more effective instructional leaders. His expertise is particularly focused on supporting rural, low-wealth districts as they engage in continuous improvement efforts to boost graduation rates, student achievement, and teacher effectiveness. His leadership has had a lasting impact on communities striving for educational equity and systemic growth.

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.

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 teacher capacity is 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 that 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.

Judy Diaz is a dedicated and experienced elementary school principal with 30 years of service in the field of education. She has demonstrated a strong focus on creating a safe positive school culture and improving academics with an unrelenting desire to make every student academically stronger and every teacher instructionally stronger. She has created a climate in which faculty and staff take pride in their work. Her ability to access what drives and motivates students and staff to perform is impressive. This can be attributed to her skill set that builds rapport and communicates expectations that encourage others to give extra effort and work towards a common goal. Her style of communication conveys passion and respect thereby making others feel they add value to the school community. As a result, their school received multiple academic distinctions and recognitions. Judy also believes in the power of community and has established partnerships with parents and local businesses. She has also organized multiple community events such as festivals, curriculum nights, fun runs, book fairs, along with parent/grandparent lunch dates which foster a strong sense of community and encourage parental involvement. Her vision is to create a learning environment where teachers feel supported and empowered to help students reach their full potential.

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.

Dr. Steve Glenn, an accomplished educator and former superintendent of Greenwood District 50 schools, boasts an impressive 32-year career dedicated to fostering academic excellence. With a passion for transforming educational landscapes, Dr. Glenn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his consultancy services, which are designed to support schools, districts, and educational leaders in achieving their goals.

As an immigrant from Mexico at the age of thirteen, teaching and assisting others have been the center of my heart and my mission & purpose in my personal and professional life. I have been married for 39 years and have 3 grown adult girls. One is a business owner and the two younger ones became teachers. I recently retired after 31 years in education, 26 of these years being an administrator for campuses with high economically disadvantage percentages. I grew up in such community that it's "home" to me. As a bilingual teacher, I had the opportunity to work among talented experience teachers through the National Association of Bilingual Educators, NABE, in which we strongly advocated for Dual Bilingual Programs and funding. As a secondary ESL teacher, I wrote curriculum with high emphasis in reaching special program students for PISD. As an administrator, I served as assistant principal for six years at Bondy Intermediate and principal at South Houston Intermediate in Pasadena ISD for thirteen years. During my principalship, I've had the opportunity to mentor and grow teams of educators and achieving several recognitions in Texas and nationally. I also had the opportunity to mentor new principals at different levels for PISD. As a team, South Houston Intermediate moved from improvement needed to a model school campus earning seven out of seven distinctions. The 2019 TAPR report provides our state report card and the results of the hard work achieved by our various teams working together. Pasadena High School, the last campus that I recently served as their principal, received a strong B on the state accountability and once again, was recognized by U.S. News magazine as one of the nation's "Best High Schools". Our high school campus also received the Professional Learning Community, PLC, Model School award by Solution Tree for the collaborative work that our different teams created. Our campus/district became a state finalist for the HEB Awards program. A few personal achievements such as PISD Teacher of Year, PISD Principal of Year, TASSP Asst. Principal of Year, 2019 HEB secondary principal of year winner are a few that I'm proud of and thankful to my teams. My professional life has been more than my job. It has been my personal mission and journey in helping students grow academically because when the data positively changes...students are being successful, and this is one of my greatest joys in giving back to our community.

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.

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

Jyoti is an accomplished educational leader who has founded two nationally recognized schools in Houston ISD, both celebrated for innovative design, student learning, and exceptional academic success. Guided by the belief that all students can excel with the right environment, she combines visionary leadership with managerial excellence to create high-performing schools that serve as models for urban education. As a founding principal, Jyoti opened a school in just three months, successfully recruiting families, hiring an outstanding team of educators, and building a collaborative culture focused on student achievement. Under her leadership, her schools quickly gained recognition from the Texas Education Agency, Children at Risk, and Magnet Schools of America. Her leadership emphasizes innovative school design, unique curricula, and a “whatever it takes” team approach. Today, both of her schools are regarded as exemplary urban models, replicated across Texas and the nation—demonstrating her ability to turn bold ideas into transformative results for students and communities.

Kendra March, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in School Administration, as well as a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership: Superintendent Concentration all from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Kendra March has over 33 years in public education and has held progressive roles across states like North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and New York. Starting as a teacher, she climbed the ranks to assistant principal, principal, and principal supervisor. Most notably, she served as Deputy Superintendent in DeKalb County, Georgia, and Rochester, New York, and has recently served as a Principal Supervisor in Guilford County Schools, Greensboro North Carolina. Dr. March's dedication to educational advancement is further exemplified by her unwavering commitment to fostering collaborative environments and spearheading initiatives that prioritize student empowerment and instructional innovation. Her leadership has consistently inspired colleagues and shaped school cultures that celebrate community, encourage professional growth, and sustain ambitious standards for all learners.

Nicole has worked for over thirty years serving students, teachers, and leaders in school districts ranging from rural Mississippi to large urban districts in Texas. She started as a middle school math, science, and social studies teacher and a basketball and cheer coach. Additionally, Nicole taught elementary school in all subjects, including exceptional education. In the Houston Independent School District, Nicole was a teacher, Title I coordinator, assistant principal, elementary and middle school principal, school support officer, and assistant superintendent. She has spent the majority of her career dedicated to transforming struggling schools. Nicole believes all students can be highly successful when given the opportunity, adequate resources, a great teacher, and positive encouragement.

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.

Brian McDonald, Ed.D., was Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District from 2014 to 2023. Dr. McDonald joined the PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in October 2011 and prior to that was a School Improvement Officer of middle schools in the Houston Independent School District. He is an educational leader, adjunct professor, and a former principal at both the elementary and secondary levels. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston, a Master's from Texas Southern University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. He also served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Dr. Shelley Nixon-Green is a transformative educator with over 26 years of experience in K–12 systems, serving as teacher, assistant principal, principal, district program officer, adjunct professor, and national consultant. Most recently, she served as Senior Associate for Urban Education and Leadership Development at the Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC). In this role, she partnered with superintendents, principals, and district leaders to strengthen leadership pipelines, build organizational capacity, and implement data-informed strategies that led to measurable gains in student achievement. She also scaled statewide leadership development systems that engaged more than 1,000 leaders annually and facilitated cross-agency capacity building for senior executives. Over the course of her K–12 educational career, Dr. Nixon-Green led major grant-funded initiatives that expanded learning opportunities for students while integrating mental health services, workforce development strategies, and leadership access. She also spent 17 years as principal of a comprehensive high school, a 6–12 magnet school, and a K–8 magnet school, where she led transformative improvements that boosted graduation rates, advanced equity-centered practices, and created thriving school cultures. Her early experiences as a teacher and assistant principal continue to ground her leadership in the realities of classrooms and communities. Dr. Nixon-Green holds multiple advanced degrees including an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. And, throughout her career she has received various recognitions, including the NAACP Community Impact Award and honors for her work as a school leader.

Peggi Stewart began her education career in Spring Branch ISD as an English and Reading teacher. Her impact as a school leader is reflected in the progression of roles she pursued over the next 21 years in Houston Independent School District. Stewart’s principalships include: Westside High School, Briargrove Elementary and Kolter Elementary. At each campus she led the students and faculty to peaks of academic growth and performance while launching exciting industry-driven programs for students. During her tenure, Westside High School earned 27/28 TEA Academic Distinctions (2014-2017). Following Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, Ms. Stewart was recognized as an honoree of the Ford Motor Company’s Unsung Heroes in the Houston African-American Community Award. As Lead Principal, she led four campuses (HS, MS, and ES). Later, Ms. Stewart served as Executive Director in the Office of Special Populations. For Stewart, the most memorable experiences have been the work of tapping into the potential of teachers and leaders to bring about strategic and sustainable organizational success.

Keith Sanders is a dedicated career educator with over 30 years of experience in school leadership and turnaround initiatives. His extensive career spans various roles, including teacher, vice principal, principal, and chief officer of school turnaround at the Delaware Department of Education. As the chief executive officer of Keith Sanders Group, Incorporated, he continues to influence education positively through innovative strategies and impactful practices. A notable achievement in Keith's career was co-founding Louisiana's first all-boys public charter school in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, a testament to his commitment to providing quality education in underserved communities. His work in education has garnered national attention, as he was featured in Davis Guggenheim's acclaimed documentary Waiting for Superman, which highlights the challenges and triumphs within the American education system. Additionally, his insights and methodologies have been showcased in Paul Bambrick-Santoyo’s Driven by Data and recognized by the New York Times. Keith is a certified member of the John Maxwell Team. Beyond his professional endeavors in education, Keith has a profound passion for basketball. He is a certified NBA agent, bridging his love for the sport with his educational pursuits. Keith is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to education and leadership.

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.