Mentoring Cohorts

Sarah has been developing, coaching and mentoring leaders in the educational community for 12+ years. She currently leads a team of talented educators in Central, Texas as campus Principal. She also has partnered with local nonprofits and civic organizations that are passionate about ensuring high-quality public education for all students and improving outcomes for marginalized communities.

In 2009, she was recruited to assist with the opening of a new school with high poverty enrollment in an effort to establish high-quality performance. In 2012, she began her work on a turnaround campus that had a record of underperformance and high numbers of low socioeconomic students. Through innovative strategic programming, she led multiple teams to align systems and improve student outcomes and created a new campus culture grounded in high-expectations and student empowerment. She is now at her 4th turnaround campus and looking to scale her impact to the district executive level.

She has led & facilitated a variety of professional development workshops designed to improve communication regarding strategic goals, recruiting high-quality teachers, engaging with spanish-speaking communities, hiring & onboarding new team members for campus culture & fit as well as how to create a safe sustainable work environment with less turnover and more engagement. Sarah has raised money for schools through 5K running events, parent-church glow-in-the-dark dodgeball tournaments, online virtual events and Relay for Life teams to fight cancer.

She has a passion for excellence and self-improvement. Sarah is strategic and driven to get results. She has skills at connecting with people on a human level and influencing change to transform their day-to-day work by aligning their company’s events, patterns of behavior, systems and structure and individual mental models. She relies on a strength-based approach and ensures realistic progress to success with annual strategic goals. She builds sustainable teams that bring a diverse group of people together for a common purpose.

Sarah is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. She uses her lived experience as the child of migrant parents and Mexican American ethnic studies from UT-Austin for improving public schools for all students. She is a voracious reader and does contract work with the Central Texas Writing Project housed out of Texas State University and hosts a Women in Leadership Podcast & Social Media Group, The Nectar Anthologies. Sarah is bilingual and believes bi-literacy is an equalizer! In her personal time she enjoys being outside including exercise, travel, running, golf and hiking national parks with her husband, family and dog-child, Colonel Stiglitz. Sarah is living the American Dream!

Dr Melissa Holguin is a native of San Antonio, Texas and is committed to serving her community as a lifetime educator. Dr. Holguin currently serves as the Principal of Somerset’s Shirleen Zacharias Early College Leadership Academy. She has been an educator in San Antonio for the past 20 years. Previously she was an administrator at both the campus and district levels at New Frontiers Charter School, a community-based charter school south of downtown San Antonio. She began her career as an upper elementary teacher in Judson ISD in 2001. 

Dr. Holguin is a product of San Antonio ISD, graduating from Thomas A. Edison High School. She attended Trinity University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree, a Masters of Arts in Teaching, and a Masters of Educational Administration. In May of 2017 received her Doctoral degree in Educational Administration in the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas in Austin. 

Dr. Holguin has led the ZECLA campus since 2017 and has worked to continually improve the program after reaching the first milestone of graduating the inaugural senior class in May 2018, with 100% of students consistently earning both a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree, becoming redesignated as an official early college high school campus, and earning the campus the district’s only A rating. She looks forward to continuing to elevate the expectations of the students and staff at ZECLA to provide a rigorous instructional program paired with post-secondary skills to ensure all students graduate college and career ready.

Lisa Walls is Principal at Chapa Middle School in Hays CISD, Kyle. She opened up CMS in 2006. Lisa was an elementary teacher for 8 years and an Assistant Principal at Wallace Middle School and Lehman High School for 2.5 years. CMS was named a School to Watch in 2011 and was re-designated in 2014, 2017 and 2020. 

Lisa was born and raised in San Marcos. She received her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (1995) and her Master of Education in Education Administration (2001) from Southwest Texas State University. She is currently attending Texas State University to attain her Superintendent’s Certification. She has been married for 11 years and is a doting mom to their beautiful daughter Analisa Ruth Walls.

Michael J. Ruiz was named principal of Geneva Heights after serving as Assistant Principal at Woodrow Wilson High School where he led the Math and Science departments to two straight years of academic gains.

Mr. Ruiz joined DISD in 2008 after working in marketing for six years. During his 11 years in education, the engagement strategies and customer service skills from his time in corporate America have influenced his teaching and leadership styles.

In his nine years as a Dual-Language Teacher, Mr. Ruiz had the privilege of working with widely diverse populations of students and staff. At Hotchkiss Elementary, he served students from 17 different countries.

At William B. Travis Vanguard, Mr. Ruiz learned to personalize his instructional practices to meet the unique needs of Gifted and Talented students.

In 2016, he was honored to be named one of Dallas ISD’s District Teachers of the Year. The following year he received the Jose Marti National Teacher of the Year Scholarship at the National Association of Bilingual Education Conference.

Mr. Ruiz joined the Woodrow Wilson Wildcat Family in 2017, where he quickly planned and implemented the secondary Dual-Language program. Despite these successes, Mr. Ruiz affirms that he does not consider awards or test scores to be the crowning achievements of his teaching career, but rather the meaningful relationships he has formed with students, parents and staff.

Neil Bonavita is a product of New York and Texas public schools. After obtaining his bachelors degree in in both American Cultural History and Russian and Soviet history from Portland State University he secured his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and for 13 years represented victims of medical malpractice and defective products before transitioning to a career in public education. For the past 17 years, Neil has served in a variety of capacities both at the campus-level and in central administration, having taught students and coached teachers, facilitated school improvement programs and identified and acquired talented educators. He has held director-level positions in student services, special education, and policy development and currently serves as counsel for Fort Worth Independent School District.

When he is not serving Texas students, you might find Neil on a Texas back country road—he’s an avid motorcyclist and loves spending time exploring Texas State Parks.

 Denisha Jackson-Presley was raised in Anson, Texas where her father served thirteen years on the school board. Surrounded by a life of educational policy, she was in the 6^th grade when she told her dad she wanted to work with teens when she grows up! Graduating from Texas State University in 1999, Denisha began her career as an English teacher at Nolan Middle School in Killeen ISD. One year later she assumed her first high school teaching position as a 9^th grade teacher in Lockhart ISD. She spent the next eight years teaching English in high school classrooms at Lockhart and San Marcos, respectively.

Earning her Masters of Education from Texas State University, in 2007 Denisha began her career as an Assistant Principal at San Marcos High School and was quickly named Lead Assistant Principal. Playing a monumental role in the restructuring of the organization from a traditional high school to a wall to wall academy; building the school’s first Positive Behavior Initiatives and Supports program; in addition to, its first Advisory and Response to Intervention Programs Denisha quickly moved into an Academy Administrator (Associate Principal) where she would oversee two schools within the school.  In 2013 Mrs. Presley accepted a position as Principal of the Lockhart High School Freshman ML Cisneros Campus. There she applied and earned her campus a position in ESC XII’s pilot, Restorative Discipline program. Through implementation, in only one year the LHSFMCC was able to decrease major disciplinary infractions by eighty-five percent and a seventy-five percent increase in credit recovery. 

In 2016, Denisha made history as the first African-American High School Principal in Hays County when she assumed the role as principal at Lehman High School – Hays CISD. There she is known to have had a dramatic positive impact on the culture of the school-community. Through her work as a transformational leader with a focus on rebranding culture and tier one instruction, Lehman high school moved from just points above Improvement Required to a B-Rated school.  In 2019 Denisha accepted the position as principal at San Marcos High School – San Marcos CISD where she led its inaugural year as an Early College High School; a 1:1 technology high school…and its inaugural year in a pandemic! 

With a heart for community; a soul for culture and a focus on instruction Denisha Presley continues to work closely with the San Marcos High School and ISD’s learning community  to develop a shared vision of high expectations and 360◦ comprehensive action plan to love children through this pandemic and on to capitalize on the opportunities that await them both before and when the dust settles. 

Denisha has recently joined the Texas State University – Superintendent’s Certification Program and will to complete certification in May, 2022.

Abigail Tarango serves as an administrator with the Ysleta ISD in El Paso, Texas, as the Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives, Abigail works in a cross-functional leadership capacity strategic role. She supports the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet with advanced managerial, consultative, and professional work providing leadership, professional expertise, and strategic direction to support the District with various special projects and initiatives. Such as Bond Referendums, Facilities and Construction Projects, Maintenance and Operations Departments, Internal and External Stakeholders, Regional and State-level Relationships, and others. Throughout her career, Abigail has been an educator at the preschool, high school, and post-secondary level, including a faculty role with TRio Upward Bound at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and a faculty member with Texas A&M AgriLife as an Extension Educator for the County of El Paso.  Additionally, Abigail has served as a Board Member with El Paso Center for Children, Goodwill of El Paso, Inc., was a member of the Junior League of El Paso, and works closely with Wise Latina International (WLI). She maintains an active role in her community, building bridges between organizations that serve the Paseo del Norte. At a state and national level, Abigail has served in various committees and roles. For example, an active member and protégé of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS), annual presenter and member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), annual presenter, serving on various committees, and member of the Texas Association of Superintendents and Administrators (TASA), and Advisory Council Board Member for the Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color under the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin.

As a recipient of the 2017 Women Leading Education (WLE) Across Continents by the School Superintendents Association (AASA), Abigail is also a mama of three teenagers, a doctoral candidate at New Mexico State University (NMSU), a published author, a scholar, speaker/presenter, and advocate for social justice issues, access and opportunity, champion of public education (EE-12), Postsecondary Education, and Educational Pipeline (EE-20).

As a first-generation Mexican-American, my life is proof that caring educators paired with meaningful learning experiences can equip a generation with the necessary skill set to succeed in life, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. The two educators that impacted my life the most include my first-grade teacher who taught me to read and nurtured my learning of a new language through hands-on and real-world experiences, and the other being the college advisor that held my newborn son as she coached me through the enrollment process for my first college course. 

My parents made sacrifices when they came to this country and dreamed of what I would achieve. Learning grade-level skills and a second language at the same time often made me feel lost. My parents always encouraged me to do well in school. While I managed to excel in my studies as I started to dominate the new language, I had to resolve school challenges on my own due to my parent’s limited schooling and inability to speak English. I graduated from high school as a Texas Scholar and worked two jobs to contribute my portion to the household income.   

They say your life can change in a split second, and when I held my newborn son for the first time as an unemployed, teenage mom, it did. I felt as though my world stopped when I realized the difficult challenges my son would face because of my decisions. I felt shame and despair when I saw my parent’s faces filled with disappointment for my lack of preparation and life choices. Not being able to supply my son with his basic needs forced me to request government assistance. While waiting in line, I vowed to change my life and one day be on the other side, helping others not requesting it. I knew that a college education would give me a second chance I needed to provide my son a life without poverty. Education gave me hope to reimagine my life beyond what other people could see.    

In 2002, I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Richland College, then continued my studies and, in 2005, became the first college graduate of my family when I walked the stage to receive my bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. I then initiated my career in the profession that changed the course of my son’s and my own life, education—returning to serve in the district that did so much for me was an honor. As a bilingual teacher, I identified myself with the students I taught and did everything within my reach to equip them with the academic and life skills needed as a first-generation Latino student. I pursued a degree in leadership and earned a Master of Arts from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2008. I worked for four years as an assistant principal and have led my campus as an elementary principal for approximately nine years now. While there have been challenges, my commitment to provide our students with the same opportunity for a better life overshadows any thoughts of doubt or impossibility.     

As a parent, educator, and community member, I believe it’s my responsibility to contribute a legacy that leaves this world better than it was before me. Since joining TALAS, I have been blessed with the opportunity and privilege to extend the organization’s growth as the current president of a local affiliate through Garland ISD’s Garland Association of Latino Administrators (GALA). I’ve experienced, first-hand, what the power of education can do to unlock doors of opportunity, empower, heal, and change the course of a life. No amount of money could repay what the educators in my life did for me, and because of that, I strive to pay it forward as a leader in both education and my community. 

Having the honor to join such an exemplary organization provides me with the necessary tools and abilities to extend my contribution at a larger scale for the growth and development of more leaders. Attending the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS) has been beneficial and the opportunity is especially valuable to me, as it has allowed me to learn from a community of professionals that have achieved and succeeded with professional goals that I plan to one day achieve. The dialogue, wisdom, and leadership experiences are immeasurable, and the benefits outweigh the knowledge gained from traditional learning. 

Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, said it best when he stated, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.” This quote brings to mind the value of what the program is doing by establishing such cohorts that offer unique opportunities of growing and equipping leaders with the capacity to succeed and thereby creating a cycle in which developed leaders can help create new generations of leaders.  

Joining such a professional community has been an honor and one of the greatest opportunities for my development, professional goals, and career. I commit to prioritizing the time, energy, and one day, the contribution of paying it forward to a community of leaders and upcoming TALAS cohorts.

Eileen Puente is currently the principal of Rucker Elementary School in Houston ISD.  Mrs. Puente’s 13 years with HISD include her experience as a classroom teacher and reading interventionist at Golfcrest Elementary, as well as her service to Patterson Elementary as a magnet coordinator and assistant principal.  She is proud of her work with the leadership team at Patterson Elementary which led the campus to earn five TEA distinctions in 2017.  While leading Rucker Elementary, she strives to improve academic achievement, leadership effectiveness, and school culture.  During her time with HISD, she has earned recognition as Teacher of the Year, ESL Teacher of the Year, and, in 2019, East Area Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.  Mrs. Puente is a native Houstonian with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston, and an MBAE from the University of St. Thomas.

Filemón Aldama is an Assistant Principal at Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock ISD where he has served for the past 4 years. He also served Austin ISD as a teacher, and instructional Coach for 9 years. Throughout his career as an educator, he has centered his work on giving voice to the marginalized, committing to family outreach, and celebrating the communities he serves. 

Lacye Matejowsky has served Texas high schools for over 16 years. During this time, she has led as a teacher, Student Activities Coordinator, Instructional Coach, district professional developer, Assistant Principal, and currently as Assistant Principal – Dean of Instruction.  She began her career as a high school teacher and debate coach. In 2008 she was named the National Speech Communication Association’s National Secondary Speech Teacher of the Year. As debate coach, Matejowsky led her school’s speech and debate program to more than double in size and earn national recognition as well as several UIL state championships. As Student Activities Coordinator, Matejowsky launched one of Central Texas’ first  one hour lunch programs to embed school day supports for students as well as opportunities to connect each student with an extracurricular activity. This program became a model for others as Matejowsky presented her unique design at TASSP and hosted several site visits for schools around Texas. Matejowsky has launched three comprehensive instructional coaching programs resulting in increased academic performance for one of Central Texas’ most diverse, economically disadvantaged campuses leading the school from a C rated campus to a B in one year.

Matejowsky also serves in higher education, teaching Fundamentals of Human Communication at Texas State University- San Marcos and by supervising speech student teachers for the University.

Matejowsky’s most treasured role is that of momma to her two daughters. She also enjoys reading, running, Ted Lasso, and visiting family back in south Texas.

Linda García is entering her 20th year serving in public education.  Having been born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, she began her bilingual teaching career back in her hometown after completing her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M-College Station.   Once moving to Central Texas, she started to work in Hays CISD as a 5^th grade bilingual teacher and continued to pursue her Master’s in Education in Educational Technology.  Once she completed her master’s, she pursued a new chapter in her career and transitioned to a role as an instructional technologist.  She spent some time with the Hays CISD special education dept. as an instructional technologist and then instructional specialist.  Her time spent in an instructional support role was the catalyst that motivated her to pursue her principal certification and move into administration. She served as a middle school assistant principal for three years before moving to an elementary AP role.  Her passion for early intervention is what motivates her to want to continue to work at the elementary level and hopefully become a school principal one day.

Leticia Vega is the Director of International High School.  She was born in McAllen, Texas and attended the University of Texas Pan American where she received her bachelor’s in education.  She received her Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Texas San Antonio.  Ms. Vega began her teaching career in the Rio Grande Valley where she taught high school English for 6 years and then moved to San Antonio where she taught English at Fox Tech High School for 2 years while completing her Master’s in Administration. She has been an administrator with Austin ISD for 13 years and started her administrative journey as the assistant principal of International High School. Ms. Vega was also the proud of Martin Middle School for 4 years. Ms. Vega says she has the best job in the world and draws her strength from her students and community.  She is currently pursuing her PhD at Texas State University.

Dr. Mechiel Rozas has spent her life serving our children and their families. A native Texan, she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, PK-12 principal, and district director. She has launched literacy initiatives and expanded early childhood programming in a large urban district. Mechiel joined Teaching Strategies in January and she is eager to partner with our Texas educators as they support our youngest learners.

Dr. Ramona Morin Aguilar is currently the Director of Family and Community Engagement in Garland ISD. With over 20 years in public education, she has been a bilingual teacher in Lubbock ISD, assistant principal and principal in Garland ISD, and has served previously as the Region 10 bilingual/ESL/migrant program coordinator. Most recently, Dr. Aguilar was a panel member at the 2019 State Board Of Education Learning Roundtable serving as a model program that exemplifies the SBOE Long Range Plan in the area of Family and Community Engagement.  Dr. Aguilar was awarded a Raise Your Hand Texas Raising Family Partnerships fellowship to attend the Harvard Family Engagement Institute in 2017. She has also received a Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership and was awarded the 2018 Parent and Family Engagement Model School award at the Statewide Parent Involvement Conference. Dr. Aguilar was named the Garland Association for Hispanic Affairs Educator of the Year in 2018 and the Rowlett Chamber Educator of the Year in 2014. She currently serves the GISD Council of PTAs as the District Liaison and has been a Silver Angel Member by joining 10 local PTAs for the past five years. Dr. Aguilar is an active member of the GISD community and serves on the Salvation Army of Garland Advisory Council.  She is also a member of the Garland Association For Hispanic Affairs and the Kiwanis Club of Garland. Dr. Aguilar received her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Texas Tech University and a doctorate at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Most importantly Ramona is a wife, Sachse High School band mom, Girl Scout mom and a tireless advocate for all Garland ISD families.

Victoria Sendejo is a native of Fort Worth, Texas and has served in the education field for more than 21 years. She is bilingual (English/Spanish) and has previously served in the roles of classroom teacher, special education teacher, special education coordinator, assistant principal, and principal in elementary and high school campuses. Currently, Mrs. Sendejo serves as the Associate Superintendent for Lena Pope & Chapel Hill Academy in Fort Worth.

Mrs. Sendejo earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Education with an emphasis in Correctional Special Education from the University of North Texas. She holds a Texas teaching certificate in Special Education EC-12^th, a Principal certificate and a Superintendent certificate.  She attended the Art of Leadership program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently completing her Doctorate of Education at Texas Wesleyan University.

Mrs. Sendejo is known to her students as someone who shares her excitement of learning, while maintaining high academic and behavioral expectations and always celebrating successes. She is known amongst her colleagues for prioritizing safe learning environments; promoting social emotional learning and trauma informed practices; cultivating leadership capacity in others; expanding student development initiatives in the areas of student and parent engagement and campus and district culture. 

Mrs. Sendejo is a firm believer of investing in others and her community and is active in several organizations. She has mentored several principal interns who now hold educational leadership positions across the state.  She previously served on the Advisory Board to the Texas Wesleyan School of Education and was recently named President-Elect of Region XI Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association TEPSA for 2020-2021.

Stacy Garcia is the proud principal of the High School for Law and Justice in the Houston Independent School District. She began her career in education 16 years ago as a bilingual teacher at Davila Elementary School and has also served as an instructional specialist at Law Elementary School.  Her administrative experience continued as an assistant principal at Lanier Middle School, where she was responsible for providing instructional support to the science department that led to academic gains. Prior to becoming principal she was also an administrator at Chavez High School. Mrs. Garcia’s experience at all levels of PK-12 is an asset to her campus, staff and students.  She is dedicated to improving academic outcomes for all students and ensuring that they are prepared for the challenges of the world outside the walls of the campus.  She holds a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s in Educational Administration from University of Houston-Clear Lake. 

Dr. Venus Valenta serves as Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction in Pleasanton Independent School District. She oversees the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the school district’s instructional programs. Dr. Valenta has over nineteen years of experience in education. Her past experiences include working in a large, urban school district as a teacher, curriculum instructional coordinator, assistant principal and principal. Most recently, Dr. Valenta served as a director of elementary and multilingual education. Dr. Valenta is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio where she earned her Doctorate of Education degree in 2015.   

My name is Sandra K. Cortez, being an educator at heart for 23 years and an administrator for 11 of those blessed years, I have always believed that every student deserves to be part of something great! My middle class, blue collar, passionate Hispanic parents always believed that each one of their children, despite of our zip code, were going to achieve success. They instilled in me to surround myself with people from whose passion I can learn and whose interest will test and fuel my own interest and passions.  I believe that no one ever creates success alone. Growing up I knew that you must work hard to earn respect, time, rest, and most important a good education. Witnessing my parent’s passion for success in their humble daily routines, I quickly learned that one must transform any fear into a determined drive for success. The one thing as my dear father still reminds us of is that one can ever take your education away. This is the message I carry over to all of my students and staff. As a teacher at heart I always remind our students that THEY are the reason we are here, my educational philosophy is to always challenge every student to achieve THEIR personal potential by inspiring and reminding them of their greatness and purpose in this world. Preparing them for the uphill battles that will take them from good to great.

As an instructional leader, my goal is to always be Innovative, visionary and transformational. An excellent administrator works collaboratively to create a student-oriented team of educators who prepare students accordingly to their district mission statement. Each student in the district should be given opportunities to develop their academic, social, emotional and physical skills to their utmost potential. An excellent administrator expands opportunities for staff and students to create an important link from the educational setting to the outside world. Great leadership sets high goals and clear expectations to gain in improving individualized instruction, parental involvement, and meeting or surpassing state standards. In addition, and excellent administrator is present, visible, transparent, communication with all stakeholders, empathetic yet centered with an intentional purpose that leads to success for all. 

I have had the honor to serve in several committees to better serve my educational community. Curriculum, attendance, special education and Book review committee at a State level with TEA, to name a few. I have presented in several occasions to fellow principals, committees, and our community. I am humbled to say that not only have I visited Harvard University in Cambridge through Raise Your Hand Texas as a selected principal. I attended Harvard Graduate School of Education for one week and enjoyed participating in a one-week Leadership academy with national educators, fellow colleagues and amazing Harvard professors. I have   also been nominated three times for principal of the year through HEB Excellence in Education Awards. Two of those times I was a state-wide semifinalist, again humbled by this wonderful experience. In my years as an administrator I have witnessed great academic gains in the schools I have served, which are high in low socio-economic status. It is with great pride that joined an amazing group of educators as our school received The National Center for Urban School Transformation GOLD AWARD! This up to know has been one of my greatest professional highlights, seeing our teachers and students enjoy this amazing recognition has been a blessing.  

After serving many committees, receiving national recognition and several awards, at the end of the day my heart belongs to our students, teaching community and love for teaching!