Charlene Burroughs is the Vice President of School House Excellence. An expert training designer, Charlene was a career educator who worked most of her professional life in the twelfth largest school district in the United States.  Before leaving the classroom, she served the children of the district for 22 years. Always aware of trends and innovations impacting teaching and learning, Charlene successfully taught kindergarten through eighth grades.  

After retiring from the school district in 2011, Charlene worked six years as a departmental trainer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.  She continued writing and delivering training until she answered a call to use her skills and her love of teaching and learning to start School House Excellence.

Dominick Clayton is an award-winning educator, born in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in marketing. He also was an all-conference athlete in both football and track while at JCU. After trying his hand at arena football, Dominick began his career in education at his high school alma mater (Mt. Dora High School) as a special education math teacher. Dominick was quickly urged to pursue leadership by the school’s administration team. He followed their lead and graduated from Barry University with a master’s degree in Science with a focus on educational leadership. 

Dominick began his educational leadership journey in 2006 as an assistant principal at a low-performing high school. His desire and passion to create and develop whole human beings is the driving force behind his goal to spread humanity and love to all.

Gloria J. Davis’ professional career in education spans over 46 years primarily in the area of administration.  She has served as Superintendent of Schools for the past 16 years in primarily urban and multi-cultural school districts, such as Decatur, Illinois and Dodge City, Kansas where academic achievement and graduation rates increased with an improved, systematic curriculum.  She was responsible for leading the education reform initiative as Superintendent of Schools for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.   

Ms. Davis has served as an elementary teacher, elementary and middle school principal and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in University City, Missouri, which is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, Mo. Her background as a Superintendent of Schools who has a thorough knowledge of quality instruction has allowed her to dramatically improve academic success for students while providing guidance for staff to enhance their skills.  

Dr. Brian DeVeaux served as an educator for 34 years in the 11th largest district in the country. During that time, Brian served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, associate principal, and principal. While serving in those roles, he was instrumental in leading effective instructional programs.   

As the principal of a historically underperforming Improvement Required high school, he increased the academic rigor and created a culture of excellence. His leadership allowed the school to build strong teams and create a robust school improvement plan which resulted in a consistent Met Standard rating.  

Brian’s ability to develop effective instructional programs and build campus cultures that recognize the power educators have to change life’s circumstances is a rare commodity. As a result of these skills, Brian was recruited to serve as a specialist for The University of Texas at Arlington where he observes, coaches, and provides feedback to candidates in their Principal program.

Lisa DeVeaux served as a teacher, principal and learning community executive director in the 11th largest district in the country for 33 years. As an elementary and high school principal, she designed and implemented Professional Learning Community (PLC) protocols that significantly increased teacher engagement and student achievement.  The PLC cycles and protocols she developed continue to sustain the work of numerous campus leaders.  

During her four years as the executive director responsible for 37 elementary schools, she recognized the role principals played in the equity and access equation. To support their work, she designed and delivered professional development that improved the leadership practices of the principals in her learning community.   

As a certified coach, Lisa utilizes her expertise to support leaders and teams in effectively identifying school improvement leverage points.   Lisa received her doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin’s Cooperative Superintendency Program.

Dr. Hancock is the Professor of Practice in Education and Director of the Accelerated Certification for Teachers (ACT) Program at Carthage College, where she developed, launched, and leads the Urban Teacher Preparation Program. Dr. Hancock has devoted her career to address inequities in the U.S. educational school system. She joined the Carthage administration and faculty in 2014 and, during the same year, launched her private business, MH Educational Consulting, LLC that provides a series of professional development workshops to school districts, charter and parochial schools, and community organizations to help close access and opportunity gaps of underserved populations.  

Dr. Hancock was an elementary and middle school classroom teacher for twenty-five years. During her tenure in K-12 education, Dr. Hancock received many awards highlighting her dedication to students, families, and marginalized communities.

Earl A. Jones is the Executive Pastor at Oasis Church at Lakeview in Rowlett, Texas. Mr. Jones spent 38 years in the 11th largest district in the country. During that, he served as principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. His accomplishments led to his selection as Executive Director for the Carter Feeder Pattern. In this role, he was responsible for supporting principals in implementing the District Theory of Action.  

Mr. Jones received his Master’s and bachelor’ degrees from Kansas State University. He has completed coursework toward his Ph.D. at the University of North Texas. Mr. Jones currently serves as the Board President for the Turner Twelve and has been on the board since the Turner Twelve was founded. Serving on this board has been one of his most rewarding service opportunities.

Timothy Erskine Johnson has served the Portsmouth Public School Division for the past thirty-one years. Currently, he serves as the principal of Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth,VA. for the past fifteen years. He has served as an assistant principal – seven years; and marketing education teacher – eight years. 

Dr. Johnson holds an Ed.D. degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech); He holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership – Principalship from Old Dominion University; a marketing education teacher certification from Old Dominion University in addition to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration – Marketing from Norfolk State University. Prior to entering the field of education, Dr. Johnson served as a senior marketing field representative for A. C. Nielson Business Services in Northbrook, IL. 

Dr. Johnson is a member of the board of directors for the Portsmouth Public Schools education foundation.

Andrae Rhyne is a creative educational leader who excels in growing leaders and teacher leaders.  He has thirty-four years in public education and served as a teacher, elementary principal, high school principal, curriculum director manager of the Dallas ISD Alternative Teacher Certification Program, and manager of the Leadership Initiative for Teachers (LIFT), a principal’s certification program, Project Director for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and Director of State and Federal Programs. 

Andrae has many notable achievements. He was a featured entertainer in Washington D.C. at the Congressional Black Caucus, Board of Directors of the Public Opera of Dallas, and Board of Directors of the Texas Secondary School Principals Association.  Among his most cherished is the Neiman March Downtown Renaissance Award, given to a select group of community leaders who shaped the rebirth of Downtown Dallas.  Andrae was recently nominated to apply for the Global Forum in Education and Learning.

Dr. Marjorie (Marj) A. Williams has a multifaceted career in education,  leadership development, media services, and consulting. In 2000, Williams  became the 1st African American Superintendent in the 100-year-old  history of the Hickman Mills School District, located in Kansas City,  Missouri. She immediately took an active role in education, civic and community issues, and organizations in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area and throughout the country. Williams’ career expanded through the ranks of K-12 Education, Higher Education, and Corporate America. She holds the longest tenure as a Superintendent in an Urban setting in the  State of Missouri.  

In 2005, Williams founded The Marste Group, LLC, a consulting firm,  serving school districts and businesses throughout the Country. The firm specializes in providing training and development, organizational management services, constructing and implementing educational programming, strategic planning and mentoring, and evaluation services. 

Williams currently contributes her expertise, skills, and time to numerous educational, civic, and community endeavors.

Connie Isabell is a career educator who has a passion for educating children in non-conventional ways. Mrs. Isabell has a Masters of Arts Degree in History from Stephen F. Austin State University as well as an Administrative Certification. Her career has covered various levels of educational leadership including high school and college history teacher; elementary, middle and high school principal; Director of Professional Learning, and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Isabell has transformed low-performing schools into exemplary schools by maintaining high expectations for all. She currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and School Improvement. 

Early in her career, her zeal to accelerate the academics of African American children led her to establishing a non-profit organization called Scholastic Targeted Educational Programs, Inc. that specialized in boosting experiences for African American students in afterschool and summer enrichment programs.