Graciela Avila is the Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator for Region One Education Service Center in Edinburg, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and her master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Houston Baptist University in Houston, TX. She was a kindergarten teacher for 20 years, and for the past 11 years, has worked at Region One. She firmly believes that parent and family engagement is extremely important to the academic success of students. Her favorite part of her job is working with district staff and providing technical assistance around PFE and how they can empower their families.

Manuel Salinas is a State and Federal Programs Grants Director at the Region One Education Service Center in Edinburg Texas. He has a master’s degree in counseling and has 22 years of experience in education. Manuel has spent the last 7 years at Region One working with ESSA grant programs. His favorite part is working closely with federal programs staff to empower them with knowledge on how to best utilize their grant funds to support students especially for those students failing or at risk of failing the challenging state academic standards.

Erica is the Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Weslaco ISD. Weslaco ISD is
located in Region 1.

Valarie Buhidar is the State and Federal Programs Specialist at Education Service Center, Region 2. With a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Elementary Education, as well as a Principal Certification, Valarie brings extensive experience as a General Education Teacher, Literacy Coach, and Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, specializing in Reading. At ESC2, she provides technical assistance to LEAs, conducts professional development on federal grant compliance, and hosts events related to state and federal programs. Additionally, she serves as the President-Elect for the Association for Compensatory Education of Texas (ACET). Valarie enjoys reading, traveling, bird watching, and gardening

andy Morris is the Director of Federal Programs & CCMR in Rockport Fulton ISD, located in Region 2. Candy has 26 years of experience in education including years as a Teacher, Counselor, Coordinator of Assessment, and a Principal. Over the years, she has been an active member and leader on numerous district leadership teams participating in strategic planning, district and campus improvement planning, and comprehensive needs assessment processes. In addition to supporting the Counseling team and the district’s K-12 College, Career, & Military Readiness initiatives, Candy has been an active partner with the ESC2 State and Federal Program team to continue to align the needs assessment and improvement planning district wide. When not at work, she enjoys traveling, music, audio books, exercise, and fishing.

Dr. Ana Rubalcaba has been working at ESC Region 2 for two years, focusing on Parent and Family Engagement (PFE), Migrant Education Programs (MEP), and Community Partnerships. I bring 24 years of experience at the campus level, serving as an elementary teacher, CTE teacher, technology support teacher, and administrator.

I am Ruben M. Sanchez from Alice, Texas, and have dedicated 45 years to Robstown ISD. I began in 1977 as a Chapter I Migrant Reading Teacher, later teaching bilingual third grade before moving into district administration in 1988 as Coordinator of Parental Involvement, Records Management Officer, and Homeless Liaison. I retired in 2017 after 40 years of service.  In 2019, I returned as a second-grade teacher and became Director of Parent and Family Engagement, Records Management, and Dropout Prevention in 2023. As I approach my 46th year in May of 2025, my goal is to reach 50 years of service, leaving a lasting impact on education.

With 18 years of experience in education, Donna Janda is dedicated to supporting student success, particularly in the area of literacy. For the past two years, she has worked at ESC 3, focusing primarily on Title I programs. Her passion for literacy drives her commitment to empowering educators and helping students develop strong reading skills.

Brenda De La Rosa serves as the LIFT Project Director at Bloomington ISD, a rural district with four campuses and fewer than 1,000 students. In her role, she is dedicated to implementing initiatives that enhance student success and educational opportunities. With a commitment to supporting rural communities, Brenda works to create meaningful programs that drive academic growth and engagement.

With over 25 years of experience in education, Robin Ross is a dedicated Education Specialist in the Accountability, Research & Compliance Support Department at Region 4. Now in her seventh year in this role, she brings extensive expertise in ESSA Consolidated Federal Programs, providing training and guidance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) on Title programs, Parent and Family Engagement, Private Non-Profits, Paraprofessionals, and the State Compensatory Education program.

As a District Advancement Champion, Robin supports 91 districts and charter schools across the Region 4 area, offering tailored assistance in compliance, best practices, and the effective use of federal and state funds. Before joining Region 4, she spent 12 years as an educator, four years as an Assistant Principal, and three years as a Director of Federal Programs at the district level. Her commitment to educational excellence continues to make a lasting impact on schools and communities.

With over 30 years of experience in education, Danette Thornton is an Education Specialist at Region 4 Education Service Center, where she has served for 11 years in the Department of Accountability, Research, and Compliance Supports. She provides expertise in Federal and State Programs, focusing on Parent & Family Engagement, Paraprofessionals, ESSA, and State Compensatory Education.

Before joining Region 4, Danette held roles as a Federal Programs Director, Campus Administrator, and classroom teacher. Her extensive experience and dedication to compliance and best practices continue to support districts in maximizing resources and ensuring student success.

Jamie Barron serves as the Title I and II Program Coordinator at Region 5 in Beaumont. Prior to assisting the LEAs in Region 5, she worked in state and federal programs at the district level and was also a district testing coordinator. During that time, she had the opportunity to help other testing coordinators across the state. Jamie started her career in education as a high school math and art teacher, and then became an instructional coordinator before moving into state and federal programs.

An educator for over 47 years, Jayne has been a teacher and campus administrator before joining ESC6 where she has been for over 30 years now. Her experience with the ESC include monitoring ESSA and State programs, leading as a Special Programs Component Director before retiring – and coming back to ESC6 part-time to work with ESSER and the Title I Program.

Kristie Pacher also serves as an ESSA Specialist with ESC6 in Huntsville. Kristie brings 35 years of experience in education, including being a classroom teacher on a Title I campus and a principal at a Private Nonprofit School. With her variety of experiences, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic perspective to serving our districts across the region.

Maribel “Mari” S. Perez currently serves as an ESSA Specialist with ESC6 in Huntsville. With over 33 years of experience in Texas public schools as a paraprofessional, teacher, Curriculum Director, Elementary and High School Principal, HR Coordinator, and Bilingual/ESL/Migrant Coordinator – all in Title I districts and campuses, Mari is able to employ her experiences at the campus and district levels to best assist and guide the districts and program directors she works closely with.

Courtney Thomas brings 29 years of experience in education as a teacher, counselor, and administrator and currently serves as an ESSA and McKinney-Vento Specialist at Region 7 ESC in Kilgore, where she supports districts with training, resources, and strategies to promote student success.

Melanie Tidwell serves as an ESSA Specialist at Region 7 ESC. She has campus and district level experience in Title I, Part A programs, and is committed to supporting LEAs with grant administration and compliance, ensuring they maximize their resources to support student success.

Misti Smith is the Director of Federal Programs at West Sabine ISD. As an educator and professional, the Director of State & Federal Programs embraces the district’s core values: Accountability, Commitment, Trust, Respect, Integrity, High Expectations, and Teamwork.

Codi serves as the Coordinator of State and Federal Programs with Region 8 Education Service Center in northeast Texas. With 20 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including classroom teacher and business manager, within the K-12 education system. In her current position, Codi provides training and technical support for multiple ESSA programs and State Compensatory Education to 46 school districts, most of which are small and rural. Codi’s commitment to education is driven by a deep passion for creating opportunities for all students to succeed, ensuring that every child receives the quality education they deserve.

Lori Cullins currently serves as the Instructional Programs Director at Atlanta ISD in Region 8.  With 35 years in education, Lori has worked in both Elementary and Secondary education.  She is also a former School Counselor.

Angela Thompson serves Atlanta ISD as the Family Engagement Specialist.   Atlanta ISD is located in Region 8. Angela has 20+ years in education. Prior to working at Atlanta ISD, she worked as a Campus and Family Service Director. Angela has a passion for supporting families.

Kara Fluty has over 32 years of experience in education, with a strong background in teaching English as a Second Language, math, and reading at every grade level. She has worked as a campus principal, where she managed school operations and created a positive learning environment. Her skills also include district-level responsibilities in curriculum development, where she played a key role in ensuring that educational programs met high standards. Currently, Kara is the Director of Student Services at ESC Region 9, where she manages important areas such as federal programs, mental health services, business services, school safety, and nutrition.

Sheri brings over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and five years in adult education, she shares her wealth of knowledge and leadership to her role as a Federal Programs Specialist at Region 9 ESC. Her career began as a middle school math and science teacher before transitioning into instructional coaching and administration at the high school level. Later, she served as a campus principal at the elementary level, further expanding her expertise in school leadership and student success. Currently, she is in her first year at Region 9 and is dedicated to supporting schools, educators, and families through federal programs that enhance learning opportunities for all students.

Sara Reeves is an experienced education professional with a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas and an M.Ed. from Lamar University. She currently serves as a Title I, Part A Consultant with Region 10. Previously, she served as Title I principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Sara lives in Rockwall where cherishes time with her family and enjoys being a first-time “Jo-Jo” to grandson, Ford.

Vanessa is a Title I, Part A PFE Consultant at Region 10 ESC. She works with LEAs to ensure they are compliant with grant requirements and enjoys the relationships she has built with them. Before R10, she was an English teacher, a Grants Specialist at TEA, and a Compliance Specialist at a district. She proudly serves on the state PFE Council and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the initiative in Texas.

Indhira Salazar serves as the Federal Programs Administrator Coach at the ESC Region 11. She was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mex. Before relocating to the DFW area, she was part of the State and Federal Programs Department as the Title III, Part A/Bilingual/ESL Consultant at ESC Region 18 in Midland, TX., for eight years. During her 21 years in Education, she has also served as an Assistant Principal, District Bilingual Specialist, and Bilingual and Dual Language teacher. She earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Sul Ross State University, Delta Mu Delta honors, and a bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing, Valedictorian graduate, from Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua.

Ellen Hogan is an Education Specialist in the Federal Programs department at ESC Region 12 in Waco, TX. She has over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, campus administrator and district administrator all at Title I schools.

Dwan Pickens is an Education Specialist in the Federal Programs Department at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas. She has over 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, instructional coach, and grant specialist.

Yolanda Rollins is the Assistant Director of the Federal Programs Department at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas. She has over 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, campus administrator, and coach.

Dr. Sherry Harris has had a 20-year career in public education as an elementary educator and adult educator with the last 5 years in Federal Grants Administration/Program Management/Technical Assistance. She loves being of service and assisting others in being successful with their federal grant requirements. She has done her doctoral research on Parent and Family Engagement. She is passionate about expanding Parent and Family Engagement beyond the basic minimums of compliance and celebrating the future of true teamwork, collaboration, and partnerships.

Nelly Reyna is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and an alumna of Manor ISD. After completing her education, Nelly returned to her community, where she now serves as the Family Engagement Coordinator for Manor ISD going on her third year. In her role, Nelly is focused on helping build strong connections between families and schools through communication and collaboration. She believes in the power of trust and mutual support to create a positive environment for student success. Her caring, dedicated approach has made her a trusted resource for both families and staff in Manor ISD.

Mindy Broadfoot is the Title I Consultant for Region 14, specializing in federal programs that support student success. With a background in education, she has taught 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and Special Education at the high school level, as well as served as a high school counselor. Through these experiences, Mindy developed a deep understanding of the impact of best practices in the classroom and their role in driving positive student outcomes. Committed to equipping educators with effective strategies, she strives to provide valuable tools that support teachers in fostering student achievement.

Tami Knight is an Education Specialist at Region 15, where she supports districts with ESSA programs, including Title I-A, Title I-D, Title II, RLIS/SRSA, State Compensatory Education, and ESSER. Before joining the ESC, she worked as an elementary teacher and instructional specialist. In addition to her role at the ESC, she is an adjunct instructor in the College of Education at Angelo State University, teaching graduate courses. Tami also serves as the Immediate Past President of ACET. She holds a B.S. in Education from Angelo State University, an M.Ed. in School Administration from Lamar University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Policy from Texas Tech University.

Mercedez Rassi is an Education Specialist at Region 15. She supports Region 15 school districts in federal programs management and compliance in Title I, Title II, RLIS/SRSA, Title I-D, and ESSER. Prior to her current role, she worked in non-profit development and fundraising and served as a Migrant Recruiter for the Migrant Education Program at San Angelo ISD.

With over a decade at Region 15 Education Service Center, Monica Diaz has served in various roles across Title I Part A, the Migrant Education Program, and Marketing. As a Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Specialist, she collaborates with parents, educators, school districts, TEA, and community partners to strengthen family engagement in education. A member of the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Council, she is passionate about empowering parents as active partners in their children’s education.

Monica is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Policy at Texas Tech University. 

Daphne Nazworth is a Federal Program Specialist at Region 16 ESC in Amarillo, TX. She has spent 17 of her 30 years in education at R-16 in Federal Programs.

Genna Stotts is currently a Federal & State Programs Specialist for Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo, TX. Genna is originally from Waco, TX. Although she has Baylor, Tarleton State University, and North Texas University degrees, she bleeds burnt orange. This is her 28th year in Education, all connected to Title I

With 15 years of experience in education, Matthew Chavez has dedicated his career to supporting families and student success. He has worked in Head Start, Migrant Education, and, for the past five years, with the Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Statewide Initiative. Passionate about building strong family partnerships, he focuses on empowering parents as informed advocates for their children’s education.

Matthew leads the Texas Council on Parent and Family Engagement, collaborating with 20 members across six ESC regions and the State Migrant PAC to strengthen family engagement initiatives statewide.

Krystal McCune is an Education Specialist with the Title I Parent & Family Engagement (PFE) Statewide Initiative, bringing expertise in ESSA 1116 compliance and a strong background in writing, editing, and resource development. Passionate about enhancing the educational experience through meaningful family engagement, she was selected for the PFE team due to her dedication and collaborative approach.

Krystal has contributed to the creation of impactful resources that support educators statewide and has presented at numerous events and workshops, sharing her insights on effective parent and family engagement strategies. With a background in teaching and coaching, she values teamwork, leveraging strengths, and fostering motivation to achieve shared goals in education.

Linda Musquiz has a passion for empowering educators with effective strategies to enhance student learning. Before transitioning to Federal Programs, she worked closely with Bilingual/ESL and Title III educators, where she saw firsthand the power of best practices in the classroom. Committed to ensuring the success of all students, Linda has made it her mission to equip teachers with practical, research-based strategies that can be implemented immediately for meaningful and lasting results.

Priscilla Salgado brings over a decade of experience as a dedicated educator and school counselor. A native of Odessa, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2007 and began her teaching career at the Palo Alto College Child Development Center. She later moved to San Angelo, where she taught at TLCA while earning her Master of Education in School Counseling from Angelo State University in 2011.

For the previous 10 years, Priscilla has served as a school counselor, supporting students’ academic and emotional growth. Now at ESC 18, she is excited to collaborate with school personnel across the region to enhance student success and well-being.

Erin Casey-Richardson is an Educational Consultant at Region 18 Education Service Center, specializing in federal programs. She provides expert guidance to school districts on grant management, serving as a consultant for Title I, Part A & D, Title II, Part A, Private Nonprofit (PNP), Rural and Low-Income Schools (RLIS), Title IV, Part A, and McKinney-Vento programs.

Before joining Region 18, Erin spent six years in Higher Education at Midland College, gaining valuable experience in academic support and administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Communication Science and Disorders from Norfolk State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Magdalena Acosta serves as the Parent Liaison for Burnet Elementary in Midland ISD.

Adriana Lopez serves as the Parent Liaison for De Zavala Elementary in Midland ISD.

With 19 years in education, including 15 as a Professional School Counselor, Nicole Morales is a dedicated advocate for student success. As a Professional Development Consultant at ESC 19, she specializes in School Counseling, Title I Part A, Parent & Family Engagement, CTE, College/Career Readiness, and the Effective Advising Framework. She also serves as Program Manager for ESC 19’s Human Trafficking Prevention Education grant. Previously, she was the Director of Student and Community Services at Canutillo ISD. Nicole also serves as Publications Chair for the Lone Star State School Counselor Association, championing initiatives that support students in becoming global learners.

With over 20 years of experience, Natalie Faith Spalloni is a seasoned educator specializing in Reading Language Arts, Content Area Literacy, and leadership development. As a PD Consultant at ESC 19, she supports School Improvement as an ESF Facilitator, Case Manager, and TIL Coach, while also working on Title II, Part A, PNP, and Title I, Part D initiatives. Formerly a middle school Assistant Principal and RLA Coordinator, she has led district-wide initiatives, managed state-funded grants, and taught college-level English and Education courses. She has also served on the Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas board, bringing expertise in instructional leadership and literacy education.

Dr. Alexis Gutierrez is a San Antonio transplant, after having spent most of her life in the Corpus Christi area. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (go horns!), Texas A&M University- San Antonio, and Texas A&M University- Kingsville. She has a diverse background, including experience in the K-12 classroom and teaching young adults attending Coastal Bend College. She has over 10 years of experience in grant support, having previously worked at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, ESC-2 and as the Director of Finance & Federal Programs with a small district near Alice, Texas.

Jaime Huerta serves as the Senior Division Director of the Federal Program Compliance Division at the Texas Education Agency.  He has served as a campus, district and university administrator, high school teacher, and school board member.  While growing up, he attended the local head start program and Title I schools.  He strongly believes that his humble upbringing and education allowed him to persist in college and be successful in his education career.  Therefore, he is committed to the work he engages in daily to benefit students and their families throughout the State of Texas.

Vivian Smyrl has worked with federal education programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for more than 25 years.  She has been a middle school math teacher, a federal programs director at a charter school, and a program director at TEA.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and martial arts.

Gerardo joined the Texas Education Agency in 2019. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with his BA in Psychology in 2011 and went on to get his M.Ed. in School Counseling from Sul Russ University in 2016.  Gerardo has worked for elementary, secondary and Higher Ed. He has experience in grant management, budget management, program design and data management.

Gerardo enjoys coffee and everything about it. He has a passion for college access and self-exploration. As someone who has been in the classroom and around students from across the state, he is able to speak of the crash culture of students that we serve and the many obstacles they face daily. On his free time, you might find him exploring new music or playing a game on his iPad.

LaNetra Guess has over two decades of experience in federal programs. She serves as the State Ombudsman for Private Nonprofit (PNP) School Equitable Services and Program Director for Title IV, Part A, at the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Ms. Guess provides training, guidance, technical assistance, and support to districts and PNP school officials. She oversees the TEA Private School Equitable Services Workgroup. Since 2017, she has been a founding member of the National SEA Ombudsman Collaborative Steering Committee and a facilitator of the ESEA SEA Ombudsman Collaborative National Workgroup.

Idalia Ibanez spent sixteen and a half years as a Bilingual/ESL teacher. After teaching, she went to work as Bilingual/ESL/Migrant Consultant at the ESC-2 in Corpus Christi. After eight years, she went on to work as a Migrant Education Specialist at ESC-20 in San Antonio. She began her career at TEA as Coordinator in Title I, Part C and Bilingual Education and is currently Title I, Part C Director. One of her favorite roles in her current position is working on ideas for educational activities and resources that benefit the parents of migratory children.

Nez Paniagua-Jimenez is the Texas Migrant Education Program, Title I Part C Coordinator and Title V, Part B Program Director for the Texas Education Agency. Mr. Paniagua-Jimenez joined the Texas Education Agency in 2017 and works in the Federal Program Compliance Divisions within the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration. Prior to his position at TEA, he was the MEP coordinator for Region 3 Education Service Center in Victoria, Texas. He has worked in the migrant education field for over 12 years as a recruiter and program coordinator. He is a graduate from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Nick Davis serves as the Chief of Staff in TEA’s Department of Grant Compliance and Administration, where he works with schools and professionals across the State of Texas to better serve schools and students. He helps implement and administer various federal and state grant programs related to disaster funding, school safety related grant programs, and other state and federal program initiatives, and ensuring compliance with EDGAR and UGG.

He is a graduate of Blum High School, Texas Wesleyan University, and The Bush School of Government and Public Service, where he received a Master of Public Service and Administration with a concentration in Education Policy. He is a proud husband to his beautiful wife Marcella, and dad to his amazing kids, Ella and Brynnleigh.