Professional Training & Development

Education: Bachelors Degree in English from the University of Texas at Brownsville; Masters Degree in English from the University of Texas at Brownsville; and Doctorate Degree in Education and School Improvement from the Texas State University – San Marcos. Certificates: Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS); Texas Principal Evaluation and Support System (T-PESS); Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL); Field Supervisor Observation Training (for Teacher Certification Candidates); and Field Supervisor Coaching Training (for Advanced Certification Candidates). Other: Associate Editor of a Division A Newsletter, American Education Research Association.

Education: Master’s Degree in Business Administration Background: Sharmi Albrechtsen has 12+ years as a learning specialist and currently CEO and Co-founder of SmartGurlz Inc. TEDx Speaker, ABC’s Shark Tank winner ADWeek’s Gender Disruptor award, IEEE Entrepreneur of the Year, Asian-American: Pearls of Asia Entrepreneur of the Year. SmartGurlz is an official partner with Girls Scouts of America and BlackGirlsCode.

Education: Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and Finance at the University of Houston; Master’s Degree in Education Leadership. Publications: The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction; Jump Start Your School; and Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale. Other: Mr. Cain is the Chief Idea Officer for Lead Your School (LYS) and is responsible for training, solution development, and the delivery of quality operational support for all LYS client districts and campuses. LYS facilitates improved student performance and increased educator capacity with school districts (public, charter, and private) across the country.

Education: Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician, UTRGV Certified Grant Writer, Associate’s in Business Administration from South Texas College Background: 6 years of experience as Program Director and Co-Founder of Nevaeh’s Kidz Conquering Cancer a nonprofit organization. Personal experience on childhood cancer.

Educational Background: Del Mar College Publications: Happy is currently in the process of writing and finalizing his book “It Is All in the Circle.” Awards and Recognitions: Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy; State of Texas Entertainment Legend presented by Texas Senator Eddie Lucio; Congressional Record 110th Congress, First Session, Tribute and Commendation, Remarks by Honorable Solomon Ortiz, U.S. House of Representatives, Dec. 4, 2007.

Education: Bachelors degree in Education from Michigan State University and Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A & M University. Background: She has been a classroom teacher, a State Level Literacy Specialist, a Professional Learning Designer for DC Public Schools and a District English Language Arts and Reading Specialist.

Background: Associate Professor of English at the University of Houston-Victoria; Over 25 years of teaching middle school and college levels; and a Corpus Christi native. Publications: Coco, a Story About Music, Shoes, and Family; Lucky Luna; Confetti Girl; and Choke; Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel; and Nothing Up My Sleeve.

Education: Georgetown University Alumnus Background: Mr. Medina has worked with a number of prestigious clients, including Harvard University, Texas A&M, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and more!

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) - Abilene Christian University (1996), Master’s in Education (Educational Administration) – Texas A&M University (1999), Doctor of Philosophy (Curriculum & Instruction) – Texas A&M University (2008) Publications: From Being Considered AtRisk to Becoming Resilient: An Autoethnography of Abuse & Poverty (2008), “From Being Considered At-Risk to Becoming Resilient: An Autoethnography of an Immigrant Child Finding Her Voice in Becoming a US Citizen” (2014), From Being to Becoming: A Handbook on Resilience in Challenging Times (A Practical Guide for Leaders, Educators, Parents & Adolescents) (2020) Other: 17 years of experience in public education, from a bilingual teacher to a Superintendent of a public charter school, 7 years of experience as a CEO of nonprofit organization, and current CEO of Resiliency Doc.

Educational Background: Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Pre-medical Studies from University of Notre Dame; Masters Degree in School Psychology from University of Texas – Pan American; and Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from DePaul University Publications: A Parent Workbook on L.O.V.E.: Building a Foundation for Effective Social-Emotional Development; Gangs in Schools: An Overview for School-Based Practitioners; and A B-RTU Approach to Youth Gang Issues in School Communities Licenses: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and Licensed Psychologist

Education: Doctorate of Philosophy in School Psychology from Texas A&M University; Masters of Arts in School Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American; Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Background: Dr. Ramirez is co-founder of Program Evaluation & Educational Research Solutions (PEERS), where he consults with school administrators in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs for students at risk for a variety of academic, social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties.

Education: Bachelors Degree in Music, with a minor in Studio Art, from Sam Houston State University. Background: Ms. Rodriguez is the owner of Diva by Design, which is an interior decorating company that works with homeowners, businesses, and schools to create beautiful spaces that function for daily activity. She also serves as the leader of her local FemCity Harlingen Collective, a women’s networking and mastermind group where she conducts workshops each month. She is a published author in two magazines, Valley Women Inspire and Ole Décor. Additionally, she is a certified childcare facility director and a trained interior designer/decorator with certifications from The Staging Diva Home Staging Business Program, Sheffield School of Interior Design, and New York Institute of Art/Design.

Background: Mrs. Rodriguez has 14 years of experience in working with ERI to complete and submit grants. During this time, she has assisted 250+ clients with the implementation of their grant programs. In order to communicate with these clients effectively, which are all over the country, Ms. Rodriguez has become proficient in Zoom software programs.

Education: Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Texas Pan American, Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Focus on Instructional Technology, and Doctorates of Educational Leadership from University of Texas Pan American. Background: 35 years experience in Education (Public, Private, Charter, and University, Small Business Owner.

Education: Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley; Bachelor of Science in Journalism (print emphasis) with a minor in coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Background: Ms. Seiser is a talented and award-winning newspaper journalist whose passion and focus is on the importance of writing at all levels. She has received top journalism honors for feature writing, news writing and specialty reporting during her 25 years in the industry. Most of that time has also involved leading, coaching and mentoring reporters and writers of all ages, skills and abilities.

Education: Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University. Background: Mike Sudduth has been working as a Regional Sales Manager for over the past 18 years at Tech-Labs.

Educational Background: Bachelors and Masters Degree in Economics from Harvard and a Masters degree in Math Education from New York University. Publications: Math for All Seasons, The Grapes of Math, Mathterpieces, Math Appeal, Math Potatoes, The Best of Times, Math Fables, and Math Fables Too. Other: The New York Times best-selling author of eight (8) math picture books from Scholastic.

Educational Background: Dr. ET holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Bilingual Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a Master of Education degree from Sul Ross State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Publications: Teaching In The Time of Covid: A Social Emotional Toolkit for Teachers; The First Days of Virtual School Amid Covid19: A Ten Step Handbook to Teaching Online; and Manual de apoyo para padres: Como apoyar a nuestros hijos con el aprendizaje en línea (Spanish Edition)

Education: Masters degree in Educational Administration Certifications: Google for Education Certified Trainer; Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 Background: 12+ years of educator experience Note: Ms. Worsham is only available in the Region 1 and 2 areas.