Our People
Lowell Milken
Founder
Lowell Milken's lifelong commitment to strengthening K-12 education has led to some of the country's most innovative means to dramatically advance educator effectiveness.
Dr. Joshua Barnett
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Joshua Barnett is the chief executive officer for NIET, responsible for overseeing all of the organization’s operations including service delivery, research and evaluation, professional learning and learning technology development, policy and communications, financial operations, and higher...
Nicole Bolen
Senior Director of Services
With over 23 years of experience, Nicole Bolen supports districts and schools in NIET's networks and serves on the content development team, contributing to various NIET projects.
Vicky Condalary
Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Innovation
Before serving as senior vice president of services, Vicky was executive director of the LA BOLD Project, assistant director of school services and was the project director for TAP Connect, a SEED grant in partnership with Texas Tech and five independent area school districts.
Patti Cruz
Senior Director of Services
Patti started with NIET in 2009 when she joined ASU Prep Academy as a TAP master teacher. She then went on to support the AZ Ready for Rigor Grant.
Amber Flores
Senior Director of Strategic Projects
Amber Flores is an accomplished education leader with more than 20 years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, and system-level leader.
Molly Kwas
Chief Financial Officer
As chief financial officer, Molly provides leadership, management, and oversight for all fiscal activities related to the operations of NIET.
Dr. Davita Lancelin
Senior Vice President of Services
As the Vice President of Services at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Lancelin brings more than two decades of experience in strengthening teacher effectiveness and student outcomes through school, district, and state-level partnerships.
Stephanie Mosqueda
Senior Vice President of Strategic Projects
Stephanie Mosqueda oversees NIET’s strategic projects which include special projects, events, educator pipeline, and NIET’s web-based tools.
Dr. Patrice Pujol
Senior Executive-in-Residence
Dr. Patrice Pujol serves as senior executive-in-residence at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). In this role, she is responsible for the advancement of NIET's strategic plan and business development activities.
Todd Setterlund
Special Assistant
Todd Setterlund currently serves as Special Assistant to the CEO, providing high-level strategic and operational support to advance organizational priorities and share the impact of NIET’s work with partners nationwide. His work with NIET draws on over 20 years working in education,...
Kristan Van Hook
Senior Vice President for Policy and Communications
As senior vice president for policy and communications at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), Kristan Van Hook develops and implements strategies to build support for NIET's education initiatives, with a focus on increasing teacher and school leader effectiveness.
Katrina Aponte
Senior Specialist, East Region
Katrina Aponte joins NIET with over 15 years of experience in education. Prior to joining NIET, Katrina served as a teacher, mentor, coach, and administrator working to create inclusive environments committed to establishing best practices and focusing resources towards improving student success....
Courtney Armistead
Senior Specialist, East Region
Courtney Armistead, a senior specialist with NIET, partners with district and school leaders across Tennessee and Arkansas to strengthen instructional systems and leadership practices. As assistant director of educator effectiveness team at the Tennessee Department of Education, she supported...
Lindsay Baggerly
Business Intelligence Strategist
Prior to joining NIET, Lindsay Baggerly's wheelhouse has been in Business Operations over the last 15 years. As a previous Director of Operations, Lindsay brings a thoughtful, data-driven approach to helping organizations clarify direction, identify opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. With...
Kennette Bardell
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Kennette Bardell, a Southwest Team Senior Specialist, joins NIET with 18 years of experience in education. She has held numerous roles in Texas and Louisiana including classroom teacher, Mentor Teacher, TAP Master Teacher, professional learning lead, literacy coach, and Director of Literacy. As an...
Dr. Kyle Barrentine
Executive-in-Residence
After a 31-year career in public education, Dr. Kyle Barrentine joined NIET as an Executive-in-Residence in the summer of 2025. Dr. Barrentine is responsible for expanding the reach of NIET’s work, relationships, and partnerships in Indiana and the Midwest. Kyle began his teaching career in 1993...
Abby Barton
Project Manager
Abby Barton brings over 16 years of experience in educational leadership, instructional coaching, and curriculum development to her role as Project Manager at NIET. She supports districts and schools by fostering strong partnerships and contributing to NIET's mission of improving teacher...
Melissa Blossom
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Melissa Blossom joined NIET as a Senior Specialist for Indiana after serving at the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as assistant director of secondary curriculum, then director of school improvement. At IDOE, Melissa made significant changes to how the department provided support to the...
Dr. Jennifer Board
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Dr. Jennifer Board joins NIET as a Senior Specialist with extensive experience in education. Throughout her career, Jennifer has served students, student-athletes, and families in Ascension and East Baton Rouge Parishes in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, TAP...
Robbin Boudreaux
Executive Assistant
Robbin Boudreaux supports NIET in assisting staff, and monitoring schedules, correspondence, telephone, and travel.
Jen Oliver Brady
Partnership Coordinator
Jen Oliver Brady provides on-site training, support, and in-depth coaching to district and school leaders, teacher leaders, classroom teachers and university faculty.
Nick Brassfield
Staff Accountant
As a Staff Accountant, Nick Brassfield assists the controller with general day to day accounting tasks and specialized projects to support NIET’s growth.
Bobbie Jo Bright
Senior Specialist, Central Region
As Director of the Arkansas Rural Educator Network (AREN), Bobbie Jo provides oversight and management for a philanthropic project with 25 rural school districts across the state of Arkansas. The network is designed to increase collaboration among rural Arkansas district and school leaders and to...
Teddy W. Broussard
Senior Advisor
In his recent years with NIET, Teddy Broussard has served as senior program specialist, project director, assistant director of school services, director of training and senior trainer.
Brandy Brown
Senior Specialist, South Region
A dedicated servant leader, Brandy Brown, has served several Louisiana school districts including Bienville Parish Schools, Monroe City Schools, and Caddo Parish Public Schools. As an educator, Brandy believes that intentional instructional coaching and support of the administrators and teachers can...
Liz Bryant
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Liz Bryant has been working in education in Indiana since 2016. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University and holds two master’s degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership. Liz began her career as a second-grade teacher and later...
Angelina Burrows
Southeast Regional Director
As a lifelong educator and first-generation college graduate, Angelina Burrows is passionate about helping educators and school leaders become the best in their field.
Shayla Canady
Senior Specialist, Central Region
Shayla D. Canady is a Senior Specialist with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), bringing more than 18 years of experience in education across teaching, instructional leadership, and district support. Through her work with the Arkansas Rural Educators Network (AREN), Shayla has...
Kristina Carssow
Southwest Regional Director
Kristina Carssow has 18 years of experience as a campus teacher, TAP master coach, instructional coach, and assistant principal.
Cassandra Carter
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Cassandra has over thirty years of experience in the field of education, beginning as a classroom teacher and achieving the distinguished honor of National Board Certification. For nine years, Cassandra served as a NIET Master Teacher, providing mentorship and professional development to fellow...
Danielle Chretien
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Danielle Chretien is a servant leader and a perceptive educator with a consistent record of accomplishments in attaining and surpassing targeted goals.
Lauren Clark
Virtual and Learning Technology Services Systems Analyst
Lauren Clark assists with designing support documentation and tutorials, serves as a resource for internal and external training, and provides technology support to partners, field staff, and NIET leadership.
Byrian Collins
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Byrian Collins is a passionate and purpose-driven instructional leader with a commitment to changing the lives of each individual student who walks into the school. She has served as a TAP Mentor teacher, a Tap Master Teacher, an Associate Principal, and a Founding Director of teaching and learning....
Starla Collins-Ross
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Starla Ross is a passionate and innovative leader with over 20 years of experience committed to creating equitable learning experiences for adults and children in public and charter schools.Starla’s educational experiences include serving as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, principal,...
Jill Crain
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Jill joins NIET with 25 years of educational experience. Since 2005, Jill has been a believer, advocate, and leader in NIET best practices. She has served students in Louisiana as a teacher, teacher leader, TAP Master Teacher at the school level, TAP Executive Master Teacher at the district level,...
Jill Crossley
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Jill Crossley is an NIET Senior Specialist for the Southwest Team and lives in Arizona. She joins NIET after serving in a variety of positions for 31 years. Jill served as principal and district administrator in the Osborn School District in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to that she was both a Mentor...
Alison Cutler
Staff Writer
Alison Cutler is a Staff Writer with an award-winning background in journalism and communication. Constantly pursuing the human element of a story, Alison found her niche in narrative reporting and writing. Her previous experience in both local and national publications has equipped her to reach...
Dr. Angela Davis
Director of Professional Learning
Dr. Angela Davis' experience in a variety of roles in education and passion for increased student achievement have inspired her to ensure equitable instructional practices are present in all classrooms.
Tasha Dawson
Senior Specialist, Federal Grants Secondary
Tasha is a dedicated and passionate professional educator with over 18 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in English/Language Arts in secondary grade levels, Tasha is committed to empowering and fostering a love for learning.
Kathleen (Kat) DeLeon
Southwest Regional Assistant Director
Kathleen (Kat) DeLeon has spent over half of her professional career in instructional leadership roles prior to joining NIET. She knows firsthand the benefits of having strategic and intentional support as she started as a TAP career teacher in her first year of teaching.
Cathy DeMeyer
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Cathy DeMeyer is an experienced instructional leader with more than 25 years in secondary education. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and high school principal, focusing on strengthening instructional practice, developing teacher leadership, and improving student outcomes...
Andrea Divine
Senior Specialist, Professional Learning
Andrea Divine joins NIET with over 16 years of educational experience. She is a multifaceted educator who has served in numerous roles, including an Elementary Teacher, TAP Mentor Teacher, TAP Master Teacher, Instructional Coach, Professional Development Specialist, and Academic Facilitator for the...
Scott Duncan
Senior Specialist, East Region
Scott Duncan is a senior specialist for the East Team in Tennessee. He works to support districts across the state in strengthening instructional leadership practices, teacher effectiveness, and teacher and administrator observation systems.
Emilee Dunn
Event Coordinator
Emilee is the Event Coordinator on the Event Team at NIET, bringing over a decade of experience in strategic event planning and execution. She plays a key role in leading the development and delivery of NIET’s high-impact events—from national conferences and professional development sessions to...
Gabrielle Dunton
Assistant Director of Communications
Gabi Dunton serves as NIET’s Assistant Director of Communications, supporting strategic communications initiatives to elevate the organization’s mission and impact across the country. With nearly a decade of experience in school communications, Gabi brings a proven track record in developing and...
Betsy Fera
Senior Specialist, West Region
Betsy Fera serves as a Senior Specialist for the West Team at NIET. Betsy brings over 25 years of experience in public education, starting her career as a classroom teacher and taking on various roles throughout the years. Betsy has been affiliated with NIET since the early 2000’s, having served...
LaDazha Ford
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
LaDazha Ford joins NIET as a Senior Specialist for Louisiana. She began her work with NIET as a consultant in the summer of 2021. Her belief is, to positively impact students, there must be a plan and process for intentional support for teachers and instructional leaders. With high-quality...
Erin Foster
Senior Specialist, School Services
Erin Foster currently serves as a senior specialist supporting the NIET Fellows Program as well as Indiana partner schools.
Stephanie Free
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Stephanie Free brings over 30 years of service in the Texas public education system. She has served as a teacher in physical education and special education, At-Risk Coordinator, an elementary, freshman center, and high school principal, executive director of schools and school improvement, and a...
Amy Gayle
Central Regional Director
Amy Gayle, Central Regional Director, is an instructional leader committed to cultivating positive school cultures and providing strong, consistent support for teachers. Her work with the TAP system deepened her expertise in implementing and sustaining systems and structures that accelerate student...
Amrit Ghimire
Director of Finance
Amrit serves as the Controller for NIET. In this role, Amrit owns the accounting function for the organization along with the annual audit process and supports in budget development, management, and financial reporting. Amrit oversees the staff accountant and is responsible for all aspects of...
Nicole Gonzalez
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Before joining the NIET team in 2022 as a senior specialist, Nicole Gonzalez was a district science coordinator. This role allowed her to work with teachers, instructional coaches, and administration to strengthen instructional practices to improve students’ science achievement. Nicole is an...
Angela Griffis
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Angela Griffis' passion and dedication to the education profession spans over 15 years. As an NIET Senior Specialist for Texas, Angela Griffis supports district and school leaders in implementing best practices of highly effective schools, increasing teacher effectiveness, and positively impacting...
Dr. Karen Grose
Senior Specialist, West Region
Karen is an NIET Senior Specialist for the West Team and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Karen has extensive educational experience including that of a classroom teacher, instructional coach, technology coach, TAP Master Teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
Venitia Guerrieri
Executive Assistant to CEO
Venitia has been an advocate for teachers since 2004, when she started her career in Financial Services assisting them with their investments for retirement. Later, she volunteered at the elementary school her children attended, which led to helping teachers in the classroom as a Para Educator. Now,...
Chrissy Hadden
Human Resources and Payroll Generalist
Chrissy is an accomplished human resources professional with more than fifteen years of experience across the private and public sectors. She brings a thoughtful, informed, and people-centered approach to HR, with hands-on expertise in payroll, benefits administration, retirement planning, and...
Theresa D. Hamilton
South Central Regional Director
Theresa Hamilton oversees all statewide initiatives and at-large partnerships in our South Central Region, and is a central point of contact for NIET's Louisiana higher education partnerships.
Kim Herring
Senior Specialist, East Region
Kim Herring is an NIET senior specialist for the East team. She joins NIET after spending 31 years in Cumberland County Schools with her most recent positions as administrator of student information and district testing coordinator. Prior to taking this position she was a high school math teacher at...
Pilar Holtrop
West Regional Director
Pilar Holtrop serves schools and districts in the West, and brings two decades of experience with NIET's work in the state.
Christina Hulin
South Central Regional Assistant Director
Christina Hulin currently serves as the assistant director of the South Central Regional Team at NIET. Prior to joining NIET as a senior specialist in 2022, Christina served 20 years as an educator with the Iberia Parish School System, most recently as principal of Johnston-Hopkins Elementary in New...
Terry Hussey
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Theresa Hussey is a Senior Specialist on the Indiana Team. Prior to joining NIET, she served as both a Mentor and Master Teacher at Goshen Junior High in Goshen Indiana. In the more than ten years she served as a teacher leader, Theresa supported aspiring teachers, new teachers, and experienced...
Tracy Hypolite
Director of Services
Tracy Hypolite joins NIET team with 30 years of dedicated experience in the field of education.
Marquita Jackson
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Marquita Jackson joined NIET with 30 years of educational experience. Her work began in Tangipahoa Parish School System as a classroom teacher and further developed into elementary and middle school principal. She also has over ten years of experience at the district level, serving in the positions...
Dr. Stacee Johnson
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Dr. Stacee Johnson is a committed Texas public school educator with more than 20 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has served in various roles, including teacher, instructional coach, campus administrator, district administrator, and Administrator Coach. She has played a key role in...
Sarah Jolly-Swift
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Sarah Jolly-Swift joins NIET after serving Louisiana's Rapides Parish School System for the past 13 years. Sarah is a passionate advocate for educational equity and access to effective instruction for every child, every day. As an educational leader, she is dedicated to providing instructional...
Tiffaney Kelly
Senior Specialist, Federal Grants Secondary
As a Senior Specialist for NIET’s Federal Grants Project, Tiffaney supports TAP implementation by partnering with districts and schools to strengthen leader and teacher effectiveness, ultimately improving student achievement. She believes that every student deserves a highly effective teacher in...
Angie Kendall
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Angie Kendall joined NIET as a Senior Specialist on the Indiana team. She served as a Master Teacher in the TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement for Southport Elementary at Perry Township for seven years, beginning in 2011. During Angie's time as Master Teacher, Southport Elementary...
Dr. Lora Kennedy
Senior Specialist, Educator Pipeline
Dr. Lora H. Kennedy joins the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) team as a Senior Specialist with 20 years in the field of education with special education, general education, administration, consulting, and higher ed experience. Dr. Kennedy has mentored and supported the growth of...
Dr. Ruhi Khan
Director of Educator Pipeline
Dr. Ruhi Khan has been an educator for over 20 years, serving in Arizona's Deer Valley School District and at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Jodi Leckbee
Senior Specialist
Jodi Leckbee is currently a Senior Specialist with NIET and has supported NIET’s mission since 2013 through a range of leadership and implementation roles. Her experience includes serving as project director for the SEED 1 and SEED 2 grant initiatives, Texas Director, and Senior Specialist,...
Dr. Lori Line
Senior Regional Director
Lori has been an educator for over 30 years. For the first 18 years of my career, Lori was an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal.
Dr. Handrea Logis
Director of Research
Dr. Handrea Logis supports all aspects of the NIET research activities, such as monitoring data collection efforts for the SEED grants, performing quantitative analysis to evaluate the impact of NIET's initiatives, as well as providing data and research support for various projects.
Jessica Major
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Jessica Major brings 20 years of experience in the field of education. She has served as a Master Teacher and Principal under the TAP System, demonstrating a deep commitment to instructional excellence and leadership development.
Marjorie Manuel-Rabun
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Marjorie is a dedicated educator with a rich and diverse background in education. Her journey in the field of education began as a TAP teacher, where she honed her teaching skills and passion for education.
Parker Marano
Digital Content Manager
Parker Marano has joined NIET as a Digital Content Manager with his years of experience in social media management and content creation. In college, he discovered a love for web design and development, and decided to pursue his degree in that field. While working in his previous positions, he was...
Kristin Maum
Senior Specialist, Professional Learning
Kristin Maum has served as a teacher, Master Teacher, instructional coach, content leader, and instructional designer with a strong track record of improving teaching practice through high-impact professional learning and coaching. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Louisiana...
Abigail McKamey
Literacy Implementation Network Project Lead
Abigail’s mission in education is to support every child in reaching their unique potential through the collaboration and shared-learning of excellent educators.
Liz Miller
Southwest Regional Assistant Director
Elizabeth Miller brings over 25 years of service in a variety of roles in public education in both Louisiana and Texas school systems.
Kelly Minick
Senior Specialist, Southeast Region
Kelly Minick's educational experience spans over two decades in South Carolina. Prior to her time at NIET, she spent 14 years as a secondary English instructor who worked to grow learners' love of writing, critical thinking, and to build their ability to see the world with a multi-lens approach.
Jennifer Morales
Project Coordinator
A Los Angeles native, Jennifer Morales grew up playing a myriad of sports, some of which took her to and through college - including playing ice hockey at Arizona State University (ASU). After a semester as a Journalism major, she returned to her athlete roots and earned a B.S. in Exercise Science...
Claire Murray
Senior Specialist
As an English Language Arts teacher and response to intervention coordinator, Claire empowered students to find their voices and celebrate learning. She has served as a mentor teacher, master teacher, and regional master teacher for SC TAP.
Rossette Osamba
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
As she approaches the 20-year milestone in education, Rossette Osamba strives to serve as a resource to school teams in providing professional developments that aid in their improvement of practices and exemplary leadership.
Lindsey Parker
Associate Director of Professional Learning
In addition to ensuring existing services and materials are representative of current research and partner needs, Lindsey works with colleagues to develop innovative training and support materials for implementation across multiple projects.
Tammy Peterson
Contracts and Billing Manager
Tammy Peterson supports the finance team as a Billing Specialist. She comes from a strong background with experience as an Accounting Specialist, Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Manager. She prides herself in dedication and accuracy.
Keely Potter
East Regional Director
Keely Potter brings her background as an educator and a director at the Tennessee Department of Education to NIET, where she primarily supports schools in the state.
Carrie Pullins
Senior Specialist, East Region
Before joining the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) in 2021 as a Senior Specialist, Carrie Pullins served as a district mathematics coordinator. In this role, she collaborated closely with instructional coaches, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen instructional practice...
Stephanie Reiners
Senior Specialist, Central Region
Stephanie Reiners brings more than 30 years of experience strengthening instruction and building leadership capacity in high-needs school systems. Prior to joining NIET, she served as a teacher, school principal, instructional specialist, and director of district academic improvement, with a career...
Dr. Rhea Ren
Research Associate
Dr. Rhea (Rong) Ren has recently joined NIET as a research associate with a linguistics and language teaching and learning background.
Megan Rischard
Director of Business Operations
Megan Rischard supports NIET’s organizational partnership development, project management and contracting efforts as the Director of Business Operations. She brings years of business management, customer service, and finance experience to the role.Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the...
Dena Rooks
Senior Specialist, Central Region
Education is a vital part of our society, shaping the future of our children and communities. I have spent my educational career in Arkansas Public Schools. With 24 years in the field, a decade of that time as an administrator, I have learned a great deal through my experiences. One of which is the...
Paulette Rowell
Virtual Learning Technology Services Operations Coordinator
As senior manager of virtual and learning technology services, Paulette Rowell provides technical assistance support for multiple web-based platforms that integrate NIET best practices.
Karli Saracini
Executive-in-Residence
Karli Saracini is an Executive-in-Residence at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), based in Arkansas. She brings 38 years of experience in education, including extensive leadership at the school, district, and state levels.Karli previously served as the Assistant Commissioner...
Dr. Tad Savage
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Dr. Tad Savage is assistant director of Accelerating Character Education and Development at NIET. He joined NIET after 33 years of experience in education including ten years as a teacher, 19 years as a principal, and five years as an assistant superintendent.Tad is student-centered leader who...
Aimee Schade
Senior Specialist, Midwest Region
Aimee Schade brings experience as a teacher, coach, and school leader to her role as a partner with NIET, where she supports schools and districts in strengthening instructional practices and building systems that positively impact student learning. She is passionate about creating structures that...
Dr. Ann Shaw
Senior Advisor
Dr. Ann Shaw has over 25 years teaching experience and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Throughout her career Shaw has served as a regional master teacher for SC TAP, master teacher, instructional coach and teacher.
Tanjela Sims
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Tanjela Sims boldly embraces a growth mindset, positivity and a "can-do" spirit as a senior program specialist.
Kimberlyn Slagle
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Kimberlyn Slagle brings 24 years of experience to her role at NIET. Her core values include coaching, facilitating, and leading with respect, integrity, and compassion.
Robert Stell
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Robert Stell brings 26 years of Texas public education service to NIET. He has served as a fifth grade teacher, a sixth grade teacher and a Title I reading teacher.
Natalie Szakacs
Senior Specialist, East Region
Natalie Szakacs works with district and school partners to increase their impact on instructional excellence and student achievement.
Laura Tew
Senior Specialist, Southeast Region
Laura Tew supports schools across South Carolina and Tennessee, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience to her NIET role.
Dr. Christa Stewart
Senior Specialist, Central Region
Christa Stewart joins NIET with over 25 years of experience in education. Prior to joining our team, Christa worked as an educator and instructional coach, and also holds a license in administration.
Dr. Lydia Stevenson
Director of Services
Lydia Stevenson has spent the last decade in education in Louisiana schools, which she brings to her role as senior specialist.
Lucia Thallas
Strategic Projects Manager
Lucia Thallas is a member of the Events Team at NIET. She oversees the events from start to finish and ensures that no detail is left behind.
Robin Variest
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Robin brings 26 years of experience in public, parochial, and charter schools in Texas and Louisiana.
Sandra Walker-Parker
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Sandra Walker-Parker is a New Orleans native and has been an educator in Georgia and Louisiana for over 20 years, with the latter 16 years being spent in NIET schools.
Amanda Warwick Perrino
Director of Policy
Amanda Warwick supports NIET's policy efforts at the federal and state levels.
Tiwanaha Washington
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
Tiwanaha has 20 years of experience in education. She has served as a classroom teacher, TAP Master Teacher, and in a district level leadership role. For the past ten years, she has worked in St. James Parish serving as a Curriculum Facilitator, Supervisor, and Instructional Director. Tiwanaha holds...
Devon Willis-Jones
Director of Service Operations
Devon Willis-Jones' dedication to the education profession spans over 15 years. Prior to her NIET role, Devon served as principal of Jeanerette Elementary School in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, for seven years.
Dr. Chastity Wilson
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Chastity has over 20 years of experience in public education and has worked to build capacity in district and building-level administrators across Louisiana.
Jennifer Woods
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Jennifer Woods joins NIET with over 24 years of educational experience at the secondary and district levels.
April Woolard
Senior Specialist, South Central Region
April joins NIET with 23 years of experience in Education. She has taught in Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana. April has experiences in both elementary and middle school settings serving as a classroom teacher, TAP Mentor Teacher, Academically Intellectually Gifted Coordinator and Assistant...
Jessica Worthington
Senior Specialist, Southwest Region
Jessica brings more than 20 years of dedication to the education system, serving as both an educator and leader within the Avondale Elementary School District. A true TAP System multiple-career-paths educator, she began her career as a classroom teacher and, after five years, advanced to serve as a...