Our Educators

Dr. Carla Michelle Brown

Dr. Carla Michelle Brown has been a resident of Centennial, Colorado for nearly five years after spending the previous 37 in Houston, Texas.  She began her career in Education shortly after working in Pediatric and Health Literacy at one of the largest health care organizations in the Texas Medical Center.  Along her journey, Dr. Brown has taught 2nd-4th grade and High School English I-IV, served as a literacy coach at an international preschool, and provided literacy consulting for private and public schools in Texas and Colorado.    

She has also been a featured presenter at literacy conferences for the Texas Association for Literacy Education and the Colorado Council of International Reading Association and offers professional development literacy training for educators.  Among her greatest pleasures was teaching English to and developing a literacy-rich program for refugee women from Africa and the Middle East. She also created an after-school initiative for their children at a local non-profit organization in Denver, Colorado.  

Dr. Brown’s conviction is that effective communication undergirds an individual’s ability to share their voice.  She believes developing a mastery of the written and spoken language empowers communities to express their most heartfelt sentiments and concerns.  Her love for literacy is evidenced in the classroom as she helps students cultivate the power of words.  Beyond the classroom, Dr. Brown is a celebrated speaker, published author, vegan foodie, wife of 21 years and mother of four beautiful boys spanning ages 7-18.    

Mickie Byrd

Mickie Byrd is a seasoned electronics engineer, entrepreneur, and educator with a passion for STEM. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mickie holds a degree in Electronics Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Over the past 15 years, Mickie has dedicated his career to teaching STEM, fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in countless students. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his entrepreneurial ventures.

Mickie is the founder and president of Byrd EDU, a non-profit organization committed to ensuring STEM equity. Recognizing the importance of early exposure to STEM fields, Mickie also established Byrd Academy, an institution designed to provide all children with the opportunity to explore and engage with STEM subjects.

In addition to his work in education, Mickie is a successful entrepreneur with several businesses under his belt. One of his most notable ventures is Byrd Innovation, a product development firm that has created innovative products for both small businesses and large global corporations. This work has led to Mickie holding several patents, further solidifying his status as a leader in the field of product engineering.

Mickie’s dedication to education and entrepreneurship has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized for his efforts in keeping learning fun and engaging for students, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to their mission. 

With a career marked by innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to education, Mickie Byrd continues to strive for STEM equity, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.

Camisha Adams

Camisha Adams is an accomplished individual with a passion for education and a heart for serving others. With over 15 years of experience in education, Camisha has built an impressive resume that includes her roles as an instructional coach, testing coordinator, administrator, and an educator who has navigated both on site and virtual platforms. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Baccalaureate of Science in Supply Chain & Logistics Technology, a minor in the Arts for Dance, and ample experience in organizational leadership while spearheading on campus student engagement initiatives. She acquired several certifications along her educational journey. They include Education for Early Childhood through Sixth, Education for Special Education through Twelfth, Education for English as a Second Language, and numerous software applications. Camisha then attained her Master’s in Business Administration-Energy Leadership from Texas A&M and has not lost momentum in enriching and continuing to develop her skills and expertise.  

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the ever-changing educational landscape. As Head of School, Camisha provides an innovative, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all students. She believes education should be transformative and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication, working closely with teachers, staff, and parents to ensure each student receives the support they need to succeed. Camisha leads with integrity, transparency, and inspiration, always willing to support others. She is committed to creating a culture of respect, responsibility, and accountability in which all students can develop into responsible global citizens.

Dr. Yismelle Duran

Yismelle Duran, Ph.D., is a secondary World Languages Teacher with six years of experience in teaching foreign languages – French and Spanish. She has also taught college courses in the Department of Business and Law at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA), in the Dominican Republic. She is a Fulbright alumna who holds a master’s degree in international Affairs from Florida State University and an advanced master’s degree in Globalization and Development from the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Dr. Duran is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Literacy and Learning at Texas Woman’s University, the same university from which she obtained her doctoral degree in Literacy, Languages, and Culture. Her research interests include second language acquisition, heritage language speakers, bilingual education, and biliteracy development.  

Facilitating learning and sharing her knowledge is something that makes her happy. She is very practical and wants to teach students skills they will use in this ever-changing world.  

Dr. Andrew Green

Dr. Andrew Green has been a guest panelist/speaker on several occasions at Rice University, discussing STEM in Sports. He is a product of the culture of excellence that permeates Texas A&M University. He holds a doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine and postgraduate certifications in Acupuncture and Medical Neurodiagnostics. As an undergraduate, he was chosen to conduct chemical research at Princeton University and conducted combinatorial petite research in the Dept. of Entomology at Texas A&M University. As an industry chemist he served roles as water treatment chemist, polymer resin chemist and cosmetic formulations chemist. As a healthcare professional, Dr. Green has diagnosed and treated several NFL, NBA and NCAA athletes.

Dr. CleRenda McGrady

Dr. CleRenda McGrady is a wife, mother of four, philanthropist, teacher, and entrepreneur. As the founder of ReNew Coaching Center, McGrady is a firm believer that when we renew our thoughts, we transform our lives. 

McGrady is also the founder and director of PUSH Girls Academy (PGA),  a high school girl’s mentoring and scholarship program. PGA supports, empowers, and develops young ladies to become (P)urpose-led, (U)nstoppable, (S)uccess-bound, and (H)ope-filled so they can have the confidence to compete, lead, succeed, and soar in an evolving and demanding world.  

McGrady’s program is built around providing the young ladies the “Three E’s” of experience, examples, and exposure to showcase what is available, obtainable, and accessible for them to dream big.

Jessica Roland

Jessica is passionate about Spanish education and has a wealth of knowledge in the field. She has successfully increased student attendance, teacher retention, and sport participation and holds multiple educational certifications. She is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and create a positive learning environment. Her passion and expertise are an asset to any educational setting, and she is committed to leveraging her knowledge in order to provide the best possible learning experience. Jessica is also an enthusiastic promoter of cultural diversity, and she seeks to use her experience to bridge gaps and foster understanding between cultures. She is an advocate for the importance of learning a new language, and she has a deep understanding of how it can open up new opportunities for students. She is eager to help students reach their highest potential, and she is committed to providing a positive, enriching learning experience.

University of Alcala de Henares
Master Spanish Education & Curriculum Design | 2019-2020
Thesis: Curriculum design for the University of North Florida’s Spanish Department; Spanish Cultural and Language Course.

University of North Florida
Bachelor Spanish Studies of LA & Professional Ed. | 2013-2015
Grade: Magna Cum Laude President of Sigma Delta P

Peter Mallett

Peter has worked in education in various roles and locations throughout his career. He started in special education in his home state of New Hampshire and continued in that role working in Austin, Texas, before moving to Mexico. At Technologico de Monterey in Mexico, Peter taught advanced English and English in International Baccalaureate programs. He recieved his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire. He earned his Master’s Degree in Teaching ESL & Bilingual Education at the Universidad de Alcalá, in Madrid Spain, where he also taught in the public schools. In his lessons he is passionate about incorporating critical thinking skills.  

Outside of teaching and traveling, Peter competed as an elite triathlete on the U.S. and international circuit. He is still an avid cyclist but has since retired, preferring to eat tacos and read a good book or keep up with the news. 

Kristina Perez

Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of development, building teams, creating new programs and departments from inception to implementation, managing people operations and reorganizing or rejuvenating companies.

Received state recognition from Texas School Business – Bragging Rights for developing school programs at the state’s 3rd largest school district and generating 1.8 million in the first year, as well as winning the TSPRA Crystal Award for multiple events and aspects of a 75th school district anniversary in the CyFair community. 

Specialized skills of Leadership, Management, Public Speaking, Donor Relationships, Fundraising, Client Experience, Staff Development, Human Capital, DE&I and Event Management. 

Strong professional with a Master of Education in Educational Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, both from Texas A&M University.  

Operative in her community, Kristina serves on various non-profit boards, is an active member of the Federation of Houston Professional Women, and serves as President for the American Business Women’s Association – CYFEN (CyFair Chapter).

She is active in the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, facilitates a community events group on social media, developed a chapter of the Daughters of Abraham Book Club for the Northwest Houston area and serves as PTO President for her youngest daughter’s private school. 

Devin Rodriguez-Perez

Devin Rodriguez-Perez is a native Texan, a veteran of the United States Air Force, and a dedicated educator who has been making a positive impact in the field since 2014. With a passion for teaching and commitment to diversity, Devin obtained a degree in Special Education from Huston-Tillotson University. Devin’s journey in education began in Special Education, which provided a strong foundation for understanding and meeting the unique needs of students with diverse abilities. This degree equipped Devin with the knowledge and skills necessary to create inclusive and engaging learning environments where every student can thrive.

Throughout her education journey, Devin taught various grades (1st-5th),  and programs, including Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD).  Devin holds certifications in Special Education EC-12, Generalist EC-12, and English as a Second Language. After leaving the classroom, she took on roles such as instructional coach, reading specialist, testing coordinator, dyslexia designee, and technology design coach. 

Devin’s dedication to students and education has been recognized through numerous awards, including being a three-time Teacher of the Year, Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAASBE) Teacher of the Year, and Huston-Tillotson University Student Teacher of the Year. 

She has served on the Educator Preparation Program at Huston-Tillotson University and has been a  spokesperson at the Consortium of State Organization for Texas Teacher Education.

Devin also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Destiny University and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Logistics from CC Air Force. This diverse educational background allows Devin to bring a well-rounded perspective to the classroom, infusing real-world experiences and problem-solving skills into the learning process. With an unwavering passion for education and a genuine love for students, Devin continues to make a lasting impact as an inspiring educator.

Outside of teaching, Devin enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and engaging in hobbies that fuel her creativity. Dance is one of her passions, she currently serves as the Assistant Director of the award-winning Stacy J. & Unified Praise Dance Company.

Mireah Michel

Ms. Michel, an elementary teacher, brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the realm of education. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Education, she has embarked on a continuous journey of personal and professional growth by currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health. 

Passionate about fostering the holistic development of children, Ms. Michel is dedicated to creating an environment where young minds can thrive. Her commitment extends beyond traditional teaching methods, as she strives to make education not only informative but also engaging and exciting for her students. 

In addition to her academic pursuits, Ms. Michel places a strong emphasis on the importance of cultivating a safe and positive atmosphere within the learning space. Recognizing the impact of a supportive environment on a child’s educational journey, she endeavors to create a space where students feel valued, encouraged, and motivated to explore their potential. 

As Ms. Michel continues her educational journey, she remains steadfast in her mission to contribute positively to the growth and development of young minds. With a combination of experience, education, and a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences, Ms. Michel is poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape. 

Jefferson Caruthers (Ph.D. Candidate)

Jefferson Caruthers is a professor and Ph.D. candidate (English/African American Literature). Jefferson, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, is an artist and seasoned educator with experience teaching middle school and high school social studies in Oklahoma, Massachusetts, and Texas. Holding a bachelor’s in social studies education, a master’s in history, and another master’s in Afro-American Studies, he is dedicated to researching and highlighting how Black artists and writers respond to antiblackness. 

His extensive research and writing delve into the literary productions of figures like Harriet E. Wilson, Nella Larsen, Toni Morrison, and Jamaica Kincaid, as well as the visual art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Currently, he is working on defending his dissertation titled “The Uncanny Genius of the African Child: The Ongoing Critique against the Human in Black Literature and Culture.” 

Outside of teaching, Jefferson immerses himself in community with other Black artists, writers, thinkers, and creatives. You’ll often find him in a coffee shop, passionately engaged in reading and writing.