TAAE Board – Texas Association for Alternative Education

President

Dwana Finster

Hope-Flex High School

Dwana Finster graduated from University of Houston Victoria in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Speech Certification. She received her Master of Education in 1992 in Curriculum and Instruction and her Mid-Management Certification in 1994. She has dedicated the last 39 years as an educator helping students and teachers find opportunities to grow. She has spent all of these years in the district she attended as a student, Calhoun County ISD. She was a teacher at Seadrift School for 17 years. Then for four years she was Assistant Principal at JR Elementary, one year as Asst. Principal at Calhoun High School, and then for 13 years she was Principal at Seadrift School. The last 4 years she has been the Principal at Hope High School, the AEC, as well as the DAEP campus for the district. She loves being able to make a difference with high school students by helping them see their potential as graduating students that are prepared for the real world.

President Elect

Jumana Mills

King Academic School of Excellence

Jumana Mills is an esteemed educator and the principal of King Academic School of Excellence (KASE). With over 13 years of experience in education, Mrs. Mills believes in fostering an environment of achievement, where challenges are seen as opportunities and setbacks as lessons on the path to success.

KASE has flourished as a haven for students who thrive outside traditional educational structures. Mrs. Mills is known for understanding that each student's journey is unique. She champions personalized learning plans that cater to individual strengths and interests, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

As President Elect, Jumana is dedicated to fostering collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders. She advocates policies prioritizing transparency, accountability, and empowerment. Her strategic approach to governance aims to tackle pressing issues while building a resilient and equitable organization.

Vice President

Amanda Godfrey
The Mary Catherine Harris

Amanda Godfrey graduated from Sam Houston State University in May 1995 with her Bachelor's Degree in Academic Studies with a minor in Theatre Arts. She began teaching at New Caney Intermediate School in the fall of 1996. She then taught three years in Royal ISD at Royal Middle School. She moved back home and started working in Bryan ISD. She attended Texas A&M University and received her Master's Degree in Educational Administration in May 2004. She has served Bryan ISD as a teacher, Social Studies District Coordinator, and elementary assistant principal at several schools within the district for the last 19 years. Amanda was given the opportunity five years ago to move to The Mary Catherine Harris School. She currently serves as an assistant principal in charge of elementary and intermediate DAEP, campus testing coordinator for the alternative high school, all district DAEP programs, as well as, Brazos County Juvenile Detention Center. Amanda will finish her 24th year in the education field which is the family business.

Amanda's personal goal everyday is to make a difference with a positive attitude. She believes everyone deserves a chance and that we all make bad choices we must just learn from them. She works at building relationships with staff, students and their families. Ms. Godfrey works daily to ensure her students and families have the resources they need. She believes that her life is blessed and wants to give back to her community and guide others to as well. She volunteers within her community and serves on the ELT for Relay for Life of Brazos County. She has also worked to provide students opportunities to give back through service in food drives, collection of goods for disaster relief, and numerous other ways. Ms. Godfrey's family and friends play a very important role in her life and she enjoys connecting with them.

Secretary

Sharonda Johnson
Director of the AEP
Hornet Success Academy

Sharonda Taylor Johnson is a licensed and ordained minister, published author, business owner, and the proud director of the AEP Hornet Success Academy in Huntsville Independent School district in Huntsville, Texas. She received her BA from
Stephen F. Austin University and her master’s in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University.

She is passionate about helping all students graduate post-secondary ready. She brings 27 years of educational experience, knowledge and expertise of running a successful alternative educational program to TAAE.
Mrs. Johnson has invested much time in building an alternative academic program of choice. In addition to credit recovery services, HSA provides mentoring, job internship opportunities and college-career exploration to ensure students leave the program with a competitive edge in the workforce. The goal is not to give a hand-out to students; but, a hand-up to the possibilities of unlimited success through education, preparation, and determination!!!

Through valuable collaborations with businesses, higher institutions of learning, technical programs, and the local job workforce programs in Walker and Harris County, students graduate college and career ready. The mantra for the program is, “I can, I will and I must, because failure is not an option for us!”
She knows first hand about the value of having a district alternative educational program which makes a huge difference in the lives of the students in communities

Treasurer

April Lyman
The Mary Catherine Harris

April Lyman is married and the proud mother of her beautiful daughter, Zona, who is her pride and joy. She began her career in education as a paraprofessional at A&M Consolidated High School, where she served for fourteen years while completing her degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

After earning her degree, Ms. Lyman continued teaching at A&M Consolidated High School and then College Station Middle School for two years before transitioning into alternative education. In the 2019–2020 school year, she joined Mary Catherine Harris High School as a special education teacher. In this role, she is dedicated to supporting students with diverse needs as they work toward their goal of graduating from high school.

Ms. Lyman’s true passion lies in helping students grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. She is committed to equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in their educational pursuits and in life beyond the classroom.

Membership Liaison

Vacant

Vacant

Past President

Dr. Lisa Rogers

Dr. Lisa Rogers is the Immediate Past President of the Texas Association for Alternative Education (TAAE), where she has been an active member since 2011. With more than 25 years of experience in education, she began her career in 1999 and has taught in both Waco ISD and Groesbeck ISD. Her diverse teaching and leadership roles include serving in the DAEP program, School of Choice, Limestone County Juvenile Detention Center, Homebound instruction, and Groesbeck High School. Over the years, she has held multiple positions such as Special Education Teacher, Campus Testing Coordinator, and Peer Assistant Teacher, reflecting her commitment to meeting the needs of all students, especially those in alternative education settings.

Dr. Rogers is also a dedicated leader beyond the classroom. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Learning Disabilities Association of Texas (LDAT), is President of her local Delta Kappa Gamma chapter, an organization of key women educators, and serves as a Director with the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF). She gives generously of her time in the community as well, volunteering with Christian Women’s Job Corps and as a hospice volunteer with Accent Care.

Her educational journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor University (1999), a Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University (2003), and a Ph.D. in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University (2007).

As TAAE President, Dr. Rogers helped guide the organization through times of innovation and growth. Among her many accomplishments, she led TAAE’s first fully online conference, spearheaded the addition of Showcase Schools, developed the Conference Resource Library, and launched TAAE Times, the organization’s monthly membership newsletter of updates and helped to create a trifold brochure for the organization. These initiatives have provided educators across Texas with new opportunities to connect, share resources, and celebrate successes in alternative education.

Executive Director

Stan Reed

Stan Reed, TAAE’s Executive Director, built Ebooks for the Iphone and kindle for three years before joining Association & Society Management, Inc. (ASMI)--TAAE’s association management company--in 2012. Assuming his duties as IT for TAAE in 2012. Stan Created forms, Graphics while also maintaining and running the Database system and website. Stan took over as Executive Director in 2018 and now manages TAAE while also managing three other Associations with his company AWM (Association Website Management).