Reading Writing Math and Science Specialist

I have had the pleasure of teaching in all grade levels since I am a principal, but my personal teaching years have been in the 2nd through 5th grades in all subject areas. I have designed curriculum in all subjects in elementary schools for the last 2 decades plus, and I am currently the principal of one of the most successful urban Title 1 elementary schools in the United States. I train and provide professional development with other administrators and classroom teachers in both non-Title 1 and Title 1 schools across the State of Texas to raise student achievement with the academic programs I have designed. I have educational certificates in Mathematics (6-12), Physics and Economics (Secondary), Physical Science (K-8), Elementary Teaching Certification (EC through 8), and Administrative Certification (EC-12)

I am a data driven teacher and administrator. I review data and determine what global educational programs need to be designed in all elementary subject areas. I design and train classroom teachers on how to use those programs most effectively in their classrooms.

I am the principal at Graham Elementary. I was awarded the Terrel H. Bell award by the US Dept. of Education in 2012 for outstanding leadership. I was also the Central Texas HEB Excellence in Leadership Award winner and a finalist at the State level. Finally, I have been a four-time principal of the year nominee and a two-time finalist for Principal of the Year in Austin ISD. I am also an inductee in National Academic Honor Societies in accounting, civil engineering and elementary education.

I am a civil engineering, accounting and elementary education graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, and I hold a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Texas State University located in San Marcos, Texas.

I am a teacher and administrator of an urban Title 1 school (Graham Elementary) in Austin ISD located in Austin, Texas that has attained the following honors and recognitions: 2009 through 2012 Texas Education Agency (TEA) Exemplary School Rating; 2012 - National Blue Ribbon School and a National Blue Ribbon Profile School featured on the US Department of Education Blue Ribbon website; 2013 – Three of three possible TEA Distinction Designations; 2013 - Gold Ribbon School by Children at Risk – Speaking out and Driving Change for Children National Nonprofit Organization; 2014 - Six of Six possible TEA Distinction Designations and a 2014 - TEA Rewards School for High Academic Performance. My school was also selected as one of four model academic schools in the nation by the Department of Education. The transformation of Graham Elementary is one of the most remarkable public education stories in the country. An urban Title 1 school (800 to 900 children) comprised with 94 percent of economically disadvantage children (55% LEP, 25% average mobility, 75% Hispanic, 20% African American). In the three years prior to educational program changes, the school had an average of 67% passing in reading and mathematics on the Texas state’s TAKS exam. We transformed a mediocre elementary school into a top-rated school through educational programs that are all “homegrown.” The resource programs listed work for entire classrooms regardless of years of teaching experience. The program design is to support struggling students in a high socioeconomic school or a Title 1 school/classrooms. Since starting 8 years ago, we have grown our student results tremendously. The first four years our scores on the TAKS exam were 91%, 98%, 98%, and 99% in reading and higher in mathematics. Three years ago the State of Texas changed the standard assessment to the new STAAR test. We were still able to perform similarly on the more rigorous test with a 92%, 96% and 97% percent passing rate in reading, and similar high 90 percentile performances in mathematics, writing and science (all data on TEA website under Graham campus). Over the last 7 years, Graham is ranked in the top 4 percent of ALL Texas elementary schools up from residing in the lowest 12 percent of ALL elementary schools in the State. We use global language arts, mathematics and science programs have actively led Graham to one of the highest performing academic schools in the country in reading, writing, mathematics and science (mathematics and science resources yet to come) using these programs available for purchase. These materials have taken over a decades to develop in order to rapidly accelerate children of poverty or struggling academic students back to grade level. These programs include a commentary and rationale as well an implementation explanation so your students will excel and perform in their classroom activities and state exams. If an educator or school implements these resources into your classrooms, you will obtain the great results that we have seen at Graham Elementary whether your school resides in Texas or any other State. The problems all struggling learners' experience are rudimentary deficiencies, and these resources quickly address those issues. We have turned around other urban and rural Title 1 schools using our methodologies and resources as well as assist medium to high socioeconomic schools with their struggling learners.. Our success with students should be standard in every school in the country.