Urban Education Advisory Board
Our Aim
Urban Education Advisory Board Members guide and improve existing and future educational programs and partnerships in the greater Houston area. Board members offer feedback and insight, generate new ideas, and collaborate to strengthen the educational success of all the students we serve.
Meet the 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.