20 Houston-area leaders join a new fellowship to strengthen public education leadership and help shape the future of Houston’s schools.
Last weekend, Good Reason Houston welcomed the inaugural cohort of the Houston Public Education Fellowship.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, 20 civic, community, business, nonprofit and education leaders came together around a shared goal: building a stronger future for Houston’s public schools.
The fellowship is a new leadership development program designed to help community members better understand public education, strengthen their leadership skills and prepare to shape decisions that affect students.
Why We Launched the Fellowship
Great public schools need great leaders.
Every day, decisions are made about school budgets, academic priorities, student opportunities and how schools are held accountable for results. School boards play a critical role in making these decisions and shaping the direction of public education.
Yet opportunities to learn about these responsibilities before stepping into leadership are often limited.
That’s where the Houston Public Education Fellowship comes in.
At Good Reason Houston, we believe Houston’s future depends on the success of its students. We also believe our city is stronger when more community members have the knowledge and confidence to help improve public education.
The fellowship is an investment in people who are ready to lead on behalf of Houston students.
Celebrating Our Inaugural Cohort
Fellows come from across greater Houston and represent a wide range of professional backgrounds and communities.
While each fellow brings a unique perspective, they share a commitment to learning more about public education and exploring how they can contribute to better opportunities for students.
The fellowship began at the Houston Public Library’s Central Library, where fellows spent the day getting to know one another and exploring some of the most important issues facing Houston’s public schools.
Fellows participated in interactive conversations and activities focused on the transition from community leadership to public service, the responsibilities of school board members and what effective leadership looks like in practice.
They also discussed how public education in Houston is changing and how leaders across sectors can work together to improve outcomes for students.
It was the first step in building a community of leaders committed to Houston’s future.
What’s Next for Our Fellows?
From November 2026 through May 2027, fellows will participate in a series of in-person and virtual learning experiences designed to make public education leadership more accessible and understandable.
Throughout the program, fellows will:
- Understand school board leadership: Explore how school boards work, what trustees are responsible for and how their decisions affect students.
- Focus on student success: Learn how schools measure progress and what it takes to improve educational outcomes.
- Explore school finance and accountability: Better understand how school systems use public resources and make important decisions.
- Build leadership skills: Participate in hands-on activities, engage with experienced education leaders and explore ways to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Whether fellows go on to serve on school boards, advocate for students or lead within their organizations and communities, the goal is to prepare them to make a lasting difference in public education.
Building Houston’s Next Generation of Education Leaders
Saturday’s kickoff marked the start of a growing network of leaders committed to strengthening public education across our region.
As public education in Houston continues to change, our students will need informed, student-centered leaders.
We are proud to invest in the next generation of public education leadership and excited to see the impact this inaugural cohort will make.
Please join us in celebrating the launch of the Houston Public Education Fellowship and welcoming our first 20 fellows!
Meet the Fellows
Grace Asanaenyi, graduate student, Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary
Grace Asanaenyi is pursuing a master’s degree in divinity at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Prairie View A&M University and has experience in volunteer coordination, student support, community engagement and administration. She is committed to expanding educational access for students and communities.
Dr. Michelle B. Calhoun, climate and culture specialist, Harris County Department of Education
Dr. Michelle B. Calhoun is a climate and culture specialist with the Harris County Department of Education, where she helps schools build safer, more supportive learning environments. A three-time HBCU graduate and award-winning researcher, she brings more than two decades of experience as an educator, school counselor and mental health professional.
Dianca Chase, director of donor relations, San Jacinto College Foundation
Dianca Chase leads donor engagement and stewardship at San Jacinto College Foundation. Before joining San Jac, she spent more than a decade at the University of Houston System in academic advising, graduate admissions and institutional advancement. An Alief ISD graduate, she has served on the boards of Power on Heels Fund and the Alief Education Foundation.
Elizabeth “Liz” Cortes, former teacher, YES Prep Southeast
Elizabeth “Liz” Cortes was born and raised in Houston. She earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and taught world geography for two years at YES Prep Southeast. She plans to move into education policy and advocate for equitable, accessible public education for all students.
Damon Hoyle, head of school, C.A.K.E. at The R.O.C.K. World Outreach International
Damon Hoyle has nearly two decades of experience in public, charter, private and nonprofit education. He previously held leadership roles at the Texas Education Agency, Texas Private Schools Association, KIPP Texas and ProUnitas. A Teach For America alumnus, he earned degrees from the University of Virginia and Teachers College, Columbia University.
Tamica Lewis, assistant principal, Barbara Bush Elementary, Houston ISD
Tamica Lewis has spent more than 20 years in classroom, campus and district leadership roles. A PMP-certified leader with a master’s degree in educational leadership, she brings experience in instructional improvement and large-scale program implementation. She focuses on turning educational vision into practical solutions for children.
William Polley, assistant project manager, Claycomb Associates, Architects
William Polley helps plan, design and build educational facilities at Claycomb Associates, Architects. His background spans community outreach, operational leadership and youth mentorship. As a fellow, he plans to expand educational opportunities for students across Houston.
Dr. José G. Ricardo-Osorio, dean, College of Public Service, University of Houston-Downtown
Dr. José G. Ricardo-Osorio leads academic programs in education, criminal justice and social work at the University of Houston-Downtown. He has more than 20 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, teacher trainer and administrator. He received the Educator of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association.
Tara Rollins, librarian, Kujawa Elementary School, Aldine ISD
Tara Rollins was named the 2023 Elementary Information Literacy Specialist of the Year for her work building library learning spaces in Aldine ISD. In fall 2026, she was selected for aiEdu’s Trailblazer program, a national cohort of 145 educators developing AI literacy lessons. A Texas A&M University alumna, she mentors students through the Caring Aggies Mentoring Program.
Raj Salhotra, founder and executive director, Momentum Education
Raj Salhotra is a native Houstonian who founded Momentum Education, a nonprofit that helps first-generation, low-income students prepare for college, graduate and secure living-wage careers. He began his career teaching at YES Prep Southwest through Teach For America. He holds degrees from Rice University and Harvard Law School.
Matthew Sawyer, vice president of data and learning, Pahara Institute at Lone Rock
Matthew Sawyer leads data, evaluation, learning and technology at the Pahara Institute at Lone Rock. He previously served as a data and technology executive at Houston ISD and IDEA Public Schools. He taught science at Black Middle School in Houston ISD and coached first-generation students through the transition to college at OneGoal.
Latricia St. Jules, family and community engagement specialist, Harris County Juvenile Probation
Latricia St. Jules is a family advocate and mother of three with lived experience navigating the juvenile justice system. She is also a faculty member and coach for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Family-Engaged Case Planning initiative, helping jurisdictions build stronger partnerships with families. She works to make sure youth and families have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Christy Stewart, director of business development and community relations, Texas Air Systems
Christy Stewart is a Houston business leader and commercial real estate developer who owns a development in the Houston Heights. She serves on the HISD Foundation Executive Committee and the board of A Tale of Two Bridges. She is a graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future Leadership Forum and has a background in chemical engineering.
Brett Stidham, AI innovation leader, Houston ISD
Brett Stidham develops AI tools and software that support educators and operations staff across Houston ISD. He began his career as a high school math teacher and later served as an assistant principal, principal and executive director of instruction. He then moved into HR and IT roles.
Eduardo Stidham, Houston ISD
Eduardo Stidham is a bilingual Mexican American education leader with more than a decade of experience in the United States and Mexico. At Houston ISD, he supports the deputy chief of counseling, curriculum design and assessment. He previously served as an interim principal at IDEA Public Schools and has represented Mexico at the United Nations.
Namrata “Nam” Subramanian, cross-functional team member to the chief of staff, Houston ISD
Namrata “Nam” Subramanian is a former math department chair at Energy Institute High School who went on to serve as a dean of instruction at YES Prep. As an assistant principal, Nam helped lead a campus from an F to a C rating in one year. Nam has worked in Aldine, Alief, YES Prep and Houston ISD.
Dr. Rolando “Rudy” Treviño, chief officer, Region 4 Education Service Center
Dr. Rolando “Rudy” Treviño oversees superintendent and school board services and educator development at Region 4 Education Service Center. In nearly 30 years in public education, he has served as a principal, area superintendent, chief academic officer and superintendent. He is also a monitor and conservator for the Texas Education Agency and lives in Houston’s East End.
Stephanie Valdez, education advocate and curriculum writer
Stephanie Valdez is a former educator with eight years of experience in public education. A Teach For America alumna, she serves on the Educator Advisory Council for The Education Trust in Texas. Her work focuses on educator development and education policy.
Beatriz Villarreal, parent leader and PTO vice president, Burbank Middle School
Beatriz Villarreal is a community advocate, translator and Houston ISD parent. Through her advocacy, she has shared parents’ concerns about changes in their schools and helped amplify family voices. As a translator, she helps Spanish-speaking families feel heard and supported.
Joseph Washington Jr., principal, Bridgepoint Collective
Joseph Washington Jr. founded Bridgepoint Collective, a Houston-based public affairs and political strategy consultancy. A U.S. Air Force Security Forces veteran, he built his corporate career at Accenture and NRG Energy. He is a member of the Houston Area Urban League and serves on the LSU New Orleans Alumni Association Board.
