2020: COPAA SEAT 2.0 - Special Education Advocate Training 2.0

2010: UT Tyler - Masters of Education - Educational Leadership w/ additional focus on special education that included 21 additional graduate level credits.

2004: UT Tyler - Bachelors of Science in Education - EC-4 with Emphasis on Reading & Special Education EC-12

Beginning in January of 2024, I officially took on the role of Executive Director at The Arc of Smith County. Advocacy is a big part of The Arc, and this is reflected in The Arc of Smith County's mission statement. As a parent and educator, I had been involved in a variety of volunteer roles with The Arc of Smith County over the past decades of parenting and educating.

I have been professionally advocating for parents since July of 2020. I have had the opportunity to help parents get their children the services needed for their children, all the while working hard to build and maintain a trusting relationship between schools and parents, helping to ensure a solid parent inclusive educational team.

I have also worked with several school districts over the past three years to help ensure that they are doing what is needed to maintain positive relationships with parents that lend to student success, making it so that they do not feel the need to call me.

Forever a teacher, I took on the role of professor of education. Helping students be successful is my passion. I am grateful for this experience. This kept me sharper as an advocate, as it facilitated continued empathy for the challenges faced by students and educators in the field. Plus, it filled my cup. We all need that.

2014 - 2020: Campus Administration

2012 - 2014: Special Education Administration

2009 - 2012: Precision Teaching Classroom - Piloted and maintained a program to support students on the autism spectrum in the mainstream setting. It was highly successful and used as a model for other campuses. I would be happy to share more. Just ask

2004 - 2009: Functional Life Skills Teacher - I taught a diverse population of students that needed a variety of supports. There is so much that I could share. Again, just ask.

My first son was born in 2001, followed by my first daughter in 2005. In 2008, my wife and I decided to adopt our oldest daughter. She was my wife’s student, but has been our daughter for the past 15 years. One year later, I had a student that decided she was going to also be our daughter. She had told us in a very matter-of-fact manner, “New mommy, new daddy”. In early 2014, my wife and I were told about a little boy that had an intellectual disability and was non-verbal. So, we adopted him. That’s five children in total, with birth years spanning from 1988-2007. All three of our adopted children have very specific unique needs. I understand what it is to feel like others think they understand, but how could they? They are vulnerable, and they cannot effectively advocate for themselves. I understand this well.

CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem): Volunteer

Tyler Family Circle of Care: Board Member

Mentor to New/Aspiring Advocates: Volunteer

Pro Bono Work: Maintaining a load of pro bona cases (Up to 10% of Case Load)

Tyler Sunrise Rotary: Former Member and Volunteer

Great Tyler Clean-Up: Volunteer

Mentoring Children in Various Capacities: Volunteer and Coordinating Recruitment Efforts

Reach Out & Read: Volunteer

ARC of Tyler: Volunteer

Smith County Red Cross: Volunteer