TEC GOVERNANCE

Through a multi-layered governance structure, TEC leverages the expertise of board members, local leadership, and teachers in support of our mission to empower educators.

Board of Directors

| Amanda Hope

Educator, Gifted/Talented Program Coordinator

Lakewood Elementary

| Courtney Rogers

Director, Education Strategy & Impact

The Moody Foundation

| Garrett Landry

Founder and Chief
Executive Officer

Steady State Impact Strategies

| Brittany A. Stanford

Board Treasurer, Partner

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

| Holland Morris

Executive Director

NTCAR

| Robert Taylor

Founder, Board Chairman

Director

Trive Capital

| Dr. Kentrell Phillips

Assistant Superintendent

Everman ISD

| Leighton Watts

Vice President, Community Engagement

JPMorganChase

TEC Leadership Team

The TEC Leadership Team oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization, as well as short and long term strategic planning efforts designed to support our growing membership base.

| Ruthie Umberger

TEC Executive Director

Ruthie Umberger is the Executive Director of The Educator Collective. She earned her undergraduate degree in Government and Communications at the University of Texas at Austin and has completed certifications in Developing Annual Sustainability, Developing Major Gifts, and Women’s Giving from the University of Indiana School of Philanthropy. Ruthie brings over a decade of experience in front-line fundraising and eight years of recruiting, coaching and managing successful teams. Ruthie’s previous professional experience includes serving as the first ever Chief Development Officer at Family Gateway, Development Director at City Year Dallas, Director of Individual and Major Gifs at Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, and Major Gifts Officer at the American Red Cross - North Texas Region. Ruthie was a 2016 Leadership ISD Dallas County Fellow.

| Nava Mansouri

Operations Manager

Nava Mansouri is the Operations Manager of The Educator Collective. She holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and completed her Master’s of Social Work with a Concentration in Administrative and Community Practice from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating with honors for both degrees. Nava's professional experience spans various impactful roles, including refugee resettlement, college and career readiness programs for youth from refugee, immigrant, and low-income families, grant writing, communications, and program evaluation. Her work in these areas has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in community-based services and program management. Nava’s skills in grant research and writing, program development, and program evaluation ensure that the programs and initiatives of The Educator Collective are effective, culturally responsive, and aligned with best practices.

Educator Advisory Council

Our Educator Advisory Council ensures that our programming and resources are maximally relevant for today’s educators. Made up of eight current educators, the council helps shape our annual programming and provides feedback to the organization’s leadership to facilitate a cycle of continuous improvement.

| Priti Ajuja

Priti is a Social Emotional Learning and Leadership Coach who facilitates training and experiences to bring positive psychology, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and inclusion practices to education professionals. Known as the “circle lady,” she is often found in classrooms modeling morning meetings and community circles. Reduced workplace stress, increased engagement and strong community are her passions.

| Lizandra Ayala-Valentin

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Lizandra graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with an education degree (Teaching English to Spanish Speakers). She taught English as a Second language in Puerto Rico until 2007 when she was recruited to teach in Dallas ISD. Lizandra's TEC Story: "Kesha (Calicutt) invited me to my first TEC event, the TEC Leadership Symposium, in early 2020. It took me awhile to accept, because I could not believe that there was an event for teachers with food and drinks without selling us something! What I discovered was a wonderful network of educators where I feel appreciated and valued. I joined the Educator Advisory Board (EAB) in August 2021 to give back to this community of amazing educators."⁠

| Kesha Calicutt

Kesha is a tenured special education teacher and advocate who believes that every child can find their own success, that equity is not just a buzzword, and success will look different for each and every child. When she is not walking the halls of her school, you can find her engaging in advocacy for healthcare access and affordable housing. As a piano mom, her weekends are filled with performances for her son who is a product of Dallas ISD public schools. You can also find her at your nearest karaoke bar! Kesha's TEC Story: "I joined TEC for the social events, and as I continued to attend, I realized, 'I really LIKE these people!' For me, it isn't just about enjoying the events, but enjoying the people. I've developed so many new, genuine friendships and these connections are why TEC is so important to me. It really is my safe space.❤️"⁠

| Brian Harper

Brian is a dual credit business and CTE teacher at Berkner High School in Richardson ISD. He continues to be active in business consulting in order to bring real-life experience to his students. Brian is in his 21st year of teaching and, in those years, he has taught all grade levels. Brian has a teenage daughter and is active in band and Girl Scouts to support her interests.

| Amelia Hartley-Woodruff

Born and raised in the Canal Zone of the Republic of Panama, Amelia is a proud Afro-Latina of Caribbean descent. A graduate of Howard University, she has been an educator for more than 25 years. Amelia is ESL, Bilingual & Gen-Ed certified and is currently teaching her favorite grade, PreK. She is married and a proud mom of two adult daughters. When they are not working, her family enjoys traveling the world together.

| Asha Kennedy

Asha is a proud educator with roots in Okaloosa County, Florida; this is her fifth year in Dallas ISD. She’s served DISD students at Townview Magnet, I.D.E.A. Choice School, and is currently a Teacher Leader Intern at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy. Asha is passionate about cultivating relationships with both students and staff on her campus and being a support system for all she encounters. She is in her final year of her master’s program at Southern Methodist University in the Aspiring Leaders Program. As a pregnancy loss mom, Asha participates in an outreach program for other pregnancy/child loss families. She also enjoys exploring the metroplex, Bible study, and being outdoors with her black Labrador named Whiskey.

| Lorelei Nguyen

Lorelei Nguyen is a born and raised Texan from an extended family full of educators. A product of Plano ISD, she worked for Kaplan and a few other educational companies while pursuing her bachelor's degree in Psychology from UT Dallas. While Lorelei changed majors several times and pursued a variety of different fields of interest in her time at UTD, she enjoyed tutoring and teaching so much that she ultimately chose to become a middle school math teacher. As an educator of Dallas ISD, Lorelei currently teaches Honors Algebra I and is the middle school lead at George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy.

| Bobbie Lynn Weir

Bobbie Lynn “Coach” Weir became a second career CTE Teacher after 15 years of corporate-level business experience in Dallas and Washington DC with entrepreneurial/Fortune 500 companies in marketing, management, and business development. “Coach” Weir teaches the Hotel Management Program at local hotels for Richardson High School in Richardson. She is currently pursuing her National Board Teacher Certification in CTE-Leisure and Recreation Services. She is a Teach Plus Texas Fellow Alumna and recently served on the National Policy Advisory Board. She is a recipient of the TEC Teacher Choice Award, Texas PTA Marni Karner Faculty Scholarship, RISD Career Connector Award, Junior Achievement Dallas Teacher-of-the-Year Award, and Texas Hospitality Educator-of-the-Year Award. The Texas Education Agency selected “Coach” Weir to serve on the Tri-Agency Summit/Advisory Committee and previously on the CTE Mentor Training Program.

| Libba Zak

Libba has been in education for over 16 years after having been a corporate librarian for almost 20 years. She now teaches music at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary in Dallas. She is active in her church and sings in the choir.