TAAE Board – Texas Association for Alternative Education

President

Dr. Lisa Rogers
Groesbeck High School

I am Dr. Lisa Rogers, educator and life-long learner. I’ve dedicated 18+ years to my passion and calling: education. I’ve been actively involved with TAAE for the past twelve years. Teaching is my calling and my passion and daily I strive to make a difference within the education community.
In the spirit of sharing, here are a few things about me:
I am a proud Baylor Bear BA English ’99.
Grand Canyon University MAT in ’03.
PhD in Educaiton Leadership from Capella University in 2007.
Special Education teacher with Groesbeck ISD at the Limestone County Juvenile Center
Online tutor for the past 3 years
Scorer and Trainer with Pearson and ETS for state assessments and national board certifications
Past conference presentations include: Internet Security, Communication, and Games for Teachers
Aside from teaching, I am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and will serve as a local chapter president for the upcoming biennial.
I look forward to the upcoming conference in San Antonio and expect the event to be awesome and unforgettable. I am anxious to meet new acquaintances and rekindle prior conference friendships. If you have ever attended a conference, you already know that conference connections become lifelong friends.

President Elect

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.

Vice President

Jumana Mills

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 Vice-President, 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.

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

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.

Membership Liaison

Carrie Williams
Pampa Learning Center

29 years in education: 23 in alternative, 3 in Jr. High English, and 3 as an elementary assistant principal.
Currently serving Pampa ISD as Pampa Learning Center Director. PLC is a program within a program, school of choice.
Married to Johnny Williams. Together, we have 3 children and 9 precious grandchildren.
Bachelors Degree – Alcorn State University; M. Ed. – Lamar University

Past President

Open Position

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).