Urban Education Advisory Board

Miriam Acosta

Assistant Principal, Bussey Elementary
Aldine ISD
macosta@aldineisd.org

Miriam Acosta is currently an Assistant Principal at Bussey Elementary in Aldine ISD. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M University in 2005. In 2010 she received her Master of Education Degree in Administration from Sam Houston State University.

For the past 14 years in the field of Education, Ms. Acosta has served as an Elementary Bilingual teacher, a 3-4th grade Math Skills Specialist and an Assistant Principal at the Intermediate and Elementary level. Her experience in Education has allowed for her to gain further knowledge of curriculum and special population groups. It has also helped her develop collaborative relationships with former and current colleagues and has allowed her to expand her leadership skills through professional development, trainings and presentations.

Ms. Acosta believes that what we do today for our students should be reflective of what we want them to achieve not only in the present, but also what we wish for them to achieve in the future. It should be the goal of campus administrators to build teachers that understand the importance of growing students academically and socially in and out of the classroom.

Valerie Baza

Alumni
University of Houston-Downtown
valran220@gmail.com

Valerie Baza has 10+years of experience working in Early Childhood education. She worked as a Pre-K Teacher for Harris County Department of Education serving At-Risk neighborhoods. She also worked as an Assistant Director for a Montessori School housed in a non-profit community center. She received her CDA training, Director’s License, and Associate of Arts in Early Child Development from San Jacinto College. Later, she transferred to the University of Houston- Downtown, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. At the University of Houston- Downtown she earned the title of Commencement Ambassador and now serves on our board representing Alumni.

“Growing up I didn’t have a role model to encourage me to pursue my education, but I remember the impact my teachers had on me. That’s what I want to be for my students. I want to have an everlasting impact on them by being their biggest supporter. I want my students to know that no matter where you grew up or hardships you may have faced, it does not define your future. You have the power to rewrite your own story and the possibilities are endless. - Valerie Baza

Rebecca Brown

Executive Director of Academics
Spring Branch ISD

Rebecca Brown serves as Executive Director of Student Instructional Services in Spring Branch ISD. Dr. Brown oversees and supports Curriculum and Instruction in K-12. Previously, she served as the West Area Superintendent in Houston ISD and as School Support Officer for the Secondary Transformation team. While serving as School Support Officer and West Area Superintendent. Dr. Brown has successfully led multiple school improvement initiatives and strategic planning at ‘Improvement Required’ campuses while improving campus success rates to meet State Accountability Standards.

Dr. Brown earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in ESL Education from the University of Houston, a Master and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University. She is committed to instructional excellence and believes in high expectations for all students in kindergarten through grade 12.

Nathan Boughton

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Cleveland ISD
Nathan.boughton@clevelandisd.org

Karen Cossey

Recruiter
Spring Branch ISD

Julia Dimmitt

Chief Human Resources Officer
Houston ISD
jdimmitt@houstonisd.org

Julia Dimmitt is a longtime member of Team Houston ISD, currently serving as the district’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She 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. 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. 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. She served as the North Area Superintendent prior to moving into her current role in May of 2018.

Follow Julia on twitter @HISDWorkWithUs.

Katherine Gomez

Assistant Principal
Grantha Middle School
Aldine ISD
kegomez@aldineisd.org

EDUCATION
M.Ed. in Administration, Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Teacher Certification in Chemistry, Texas A&M University

CERTIFICATIONS
Principal, Instructional Leadership Development, Chemistry 8-12, Science 4-8, ESL Supplement 4-12

EXPERIENCE
Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction - July 2016- Present
Grantham Academy & Hill Intermediate, Aldine I.S.D., Houston, TX

Academic Assessment and Data Specialist - July 2012- July 2016
Hill Intermediate, Aldine I.S.D., Houston, TX

Science Skills Specialist - July 2009- July 2012
Stovall Middle School, Aldine I.S.D., Houston, TX

Curriculum Consultant - December 2011
Community Partners in Education

Chemistry Teacher - August 2007- July 2009

Patricia Grady

Teacher Induction Director
Alief ISD
patricia.grady@aliefisd.net

Tracee Grigsby

PD Director
Alief ISD
tracee.grigsby@aliefisd.net

Becky Hagan

Principal, Woodview ES
Spring Branch ISD

I am honored to be the Principal of Woodview Elementary where we build excellence and grow leaders every day. I have served our district for over 22 years and have had different roles in our system including Principal, Assistant Principal, District Improvement Specialist, School Improvement Specialist, Instructional Coach, and Teacher. During my career I have had the amazing opportunity to train teachers and principals at a national, state, and district level.

My passion is to find ways to ensure all of our students and teachers are successful. Our campus is 97% economically disadvantaged and we are finding ways to help our students overcome the challenges of poverty. We believe in a balanced approach at our campus and embrace the arts, STEAM, and give our students ways to showcase their talents. I enjoy working together with our students, staff, parents, and community partners to ensure our children at Woodview are successful.

Karen Heeth

Executive Director of Talent
Spring Branch ISD
karen.heeth@springbranchisd.com

Katie Kavanagh

Assistant Principal, Springwoods High School
Spring Branch ISD

Katie Kavanagh serves as a grade level principal at Spring Woods High School in Spring Branch ISD. She has served SBISD for the past 15 years in the capacity of elementary and middle school teacher, Teacher Recruiter and assistant principal.

She is honored to work with such amazing teachers and students and is extremely passionate about building relationships and empowering students and staff to find their strengths.

Ash Kirk

Principal, Black Elementary
Aldine ISD
arkirk@aldineisd.org

Since 2013, Dr. Kirk has served as principal at Black Elementary in Aldine I.S.D. Dr. Kirk received his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston and earned his Master’s in Educational Administration and Doctorate in Ethical Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. From 2000-2005 he was a part-time paraprofessional at Thompson Elementary while attending the University of Houston as part of Aldine’s “Grow-Your-Own-Teacher” program. He began his teaching career in Aldine I.S.D. and served as a bilingual teacher at Thompson Elementary from 2005-2010. From 2010-2013, Dr. Kirk was an assistant principal at Marcella Intermediate. Dr. Kirk is grateful to the Aldine district for providing him with exceptional training and support throughout his professional career.

Osvaldo Lopez

PD2 Student
University of Houston-Downtown
lopez019@gator.uhd.edu

Angela Prado

PD2 Student
University of Houston-Downtown
rprado.angela@gmail.com

Angela Prado, was born in Venezuela in a Colombian family. In 1996, Angela and her parents immigrated to the USA. Angela has resided in the city of Houston, TX since then. Today she is an entrepreneur with vast experience in financial operations due to her previous experience in the banking field. Angela has also served as a school registrar for the Alief School District.

Angela is currently a student at University of Houston-Downtown where she is working to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Angela's personal goal is to become an active part of change in the education field, focusing on helping improve or create programs that help current and future students be successful. Furthermore, Angela not only wants academic advances but professional advances as well.

Finally, Angela believes in an education system in which students’ success is not measured through their scores, but instead measured in what they give back to their community.

Yolanda Rodriguez

Interim Chief Academic Officer
Houston ISD
yrodrigu@houstonisd.org

Yolanda Rodríguez serves as the Interim Chief Academic Officer for the Houston Independent School District. She is a 25-year veteran of Team HISD and has served in the capacity of Area Superintendent, School Support Officer, Principal, Assistant Principal and Bilingual Teacher. Over the last four years, Ms. Rodriguez was instrumental in improving academics in 18 schools to the point where they are no longer improvement required schools. She has an extreme passion for instructional excellence, in cultivating effective school cultures, and in building the capacity of school leaders. Ms. Rodríguez holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Houston.

Follow Yolanda on Twitter @HISD_Academics or contact her at yrodgrigu@houstonisd.org.

Maria Silva

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
Cleveland ISD
msilva@clevelandisd.org

Walter Stewart

Principal, Aldine High School
Aldine ISD
wstewart@aldineisd.org

Walter Stewart is a native of Greensburg, Louisiana. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education in May of 1991 from Southern University A & M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he returned to his hometown to teach secondary mathematics for four years. In August of 1995, Mr. Stewart was hired to teach high school mathematics at Plaquemine Senior High School in Iberville Parish School System in Plaquemine, Louisiana. In the fall of 1996, he moved to Houston, Texas and started teaching at MacArthur Senior High School. During his nine years teaching at MacArthur Senior High School, he served as Geometry Level Leader, Mathematics Department Chairperson, and was selected by his teaching peers in 2004 as Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Stewart received his Master of Education in Administration and Supervision at Southern University in the summer of 2001 and has served as a campus administrator since 2005. He has had the pleasure of serving as an assistant principal for three years at Aldine Middle School, five years as principal at Aldine Ninth Grade, and currently as principal of Aldine Senior High School. Mr. Stewart he has been selected Aldine ISD Secondary Principal of the Year in 2012 and 2017.

For the past 29 years in the field of education, Mr. Stewart has served on various educational committees at the campus, district, and state levels. His educational experience has afforded him the opportunity to empower professional colleagues through formal collaborations, presentations, and trainings.

Javier Villareal

Chief Human Resources Officer
Aldine ISD
jovillarreal@aldineisd.org

Dr. Javier Villarreal was named Chief Human Resource Officer for the Aldine Independent School District in November 2018. In this role, he oversees all aspects of human resources, including talent management, organizational development, and leadership and management coaching. Dr. Villarreal also serves on the superintendent’s executive leadership team, using over 21 years’ experience in public education to support strategic planning efforts, change management, and organizational design initiatives.

Previously, Dr. Villarreal served as an assistant superintendent for the Fort Bend Independent School District. During his tenure in Fort Bend, he was a strong supporter of his campuses and principals, providing instructional leadership and support with an emphasis on student achievement and school improvement.

Dr. Villarreal’s experience prior to joining Fort Bend ISD in 2012 includes fourteen years in the Houston Independent School District, where he held several positions including elementary teacher, middle school counselor, middle school assistant principal, elementary principal, and middle school principal.

Dr. Villarreal earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from the University of Houston, a Master’s in School Counseling from the University of St. Thomas and a Doctorate of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston.

Dacora Walker

PD2 Student
University of Houston-Downtown
dacora_walker@yahoo.com

Dacora Walker is an Education Major at the University of Houston-Downtown. She is also worked as a Kindergarten assistant for 3 years. Besides working and learning, Dacora enjoys travelling and is the youngest of three siblings. She aspires to many things like becoming a Kindergarten or 1st grade teacher and a principal one day.