Melissa Milios Davis, Director of Public Affairs

Melissa comes to Houston A+ from the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she served as Director of Communications for the Board President. Prior to that, she worked as a K-12 and higher education reporter for the Daily Breeze newspaper in southern Los Angeles County, where she received a Copley Ring of Truth Honorable Mention for her thoughtful education coverage. She spent three years as a news content producer for the Austin American-Statesman’s web site, Austin360.com, and a year as content manager of a sister site, SanAntonio360.com. She also has worked at National Public Radio affiliates in Los Angeles and the Voice of America in London. Melissa holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Southern California. She was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.

Tim Martindell, M.Ed., Program Coordinator

Tim is a national facilitator and Critical Friends Group coach trainer for the National School Reform Faculty. He came to Houston A+ Challenge from the Charles R. Drew Academy in Aldine Independent School District, where he taught language arts and reading for seven years. While at Drew Academy, Tim served as a teacher leader, department chair, and critical friends group coach.  Prior to teaching at Drew, Tim taught English and speech at both Nimitz High School in Aldine and Wheatley High School in the Houston Independent School District  and wrote curriculum for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. In addition, Tim is both a writing and a reading trainer for the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Houston.  Tim has a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston, a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communications Education from Miami University, and has a lifetime Texas certification in secondary English, language arts, and speech communication.

Sheri Miller-Williams, Director of Leadership

Sheri Miller-Williams is a native Houstonian and came to Houston A+ Challenge from Edison Schools where she served as Vice President of Educational Services (VPES) for Edison Schools. In addition, she has also served as Vice President of Achievement (2006-2007) and Vice President of Development (2004-2006) with Edison Schools. Sheri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Dillard University, a Masters of School Administration and Mid-Management from Prairie View A&M University, Masters of Reading Coursework from St. Thomas University, and is currently a candidate to receive a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Texas Southern University.  She has received numerous professional awards, including a two-time recipient of the Double Four Star Principal Award, the highest honor awarded for student achievement improvement, school fiscal and operational management (2002-2003 and 2004-2005). Sheri is a member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Michigan Association of Public School Academies, the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), and the Texas Association of Community Educators (TACE).

Alejandro Morua, Public Engagement Coordinator

Alejandro was founding Principal for the NCI Charter School - Ripley House, which focuses on a body-brain compatible environment utilizing multiple intelligences and character education. Alejandro is a Houston native who has worked in corporate institutions in the energy and financial sectors. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with dual degrees in economics from the Wharton School of Business and English from Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences. He has extensive non-profit experience in the fields of marketing, management, community relations, fundraising, voter education and volunteer training.

Donna O'Neil, Administrative Assistant

Donna is a native Houstonian. She has seven years of experience as an executive administrative assistant in Houston ISD, starting at Westside High School as a clerk for three Deans, then promoted to school secretary, then in the district's West Region Office. Donna also has worked as a manager for Hallmark, Inc. stores and as an administrative assistant for a large investment banking/brokerage firm.

Angela Prince, Program Coordinator

Angela is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and came to Houston A+ from south Florida where she worked for the Broward County Public Schools for fourteen years. Working at all levels of education from elementary to adult, Angela most recently served as Assistant/Intern Principal at Stranahan High School, a comprehensive urban high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before serving as a school-based administrator, Angela held several district administrative positions, including district Curriculum Supervisor for students with Specific Learning Disabilities. Angela is well known nationally as a member of the National School Reform Faculty and as a trainer for the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas. Additionally, Angela has been a facilitator, workshop designer, and consultant for organizations including the Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform, the Teaching and Leadership Center at Florida Atlantic University, and High Schools That Work. Angela holds a Bachelors Degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from the University of Alabama, a Masters Degree in Reading and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She plans to pursue a doctorate or Masters of Business Administration beginning in the fall of 2006.

Catherine came to Houston A+ Challenge after 19 years at the Greater Houston Partnership, where she was vice-president for finance and administration. Before joining the Partnership, she was an audit manager for Deloitte Haskins & Sells. Catherine has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Accounting degree from Rice University, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is active at Trinity Episcopal Church and has served as treasurer and board member for the National iMIS Users Group for membership database software.

Terrie Roberts, Event Coordinator

Terrie comes to Houston A+ Challenge from Professional Packaging Systems, where she was operations manager for more than nine years. She was also a Co-Director for an annual writing retreat for teachers sponsored by the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas. Terrie is currently pursuing a degree in computer graphics from the University of Houston and also owns Metropolitan Meals, a catering/personal chef business.

Lisa is a native Houstonian and has worked in the non-profit arena for five years prior to her arrival to Houston A+ Challenge. She has previously worked for Star of Hope and The Houston Hospice in the area of development and utilizing their Raiser's Edge software.

Mike received his B.A. in English with a minor in Education from UT Austin and a Masters in English from University of Houston. He was previously a literacy coach at Reagan High School as well as being an Adjunct Professor at University of Houston Downtown.

Scott Van Beck is a 23-year veteran of Houston ISD, having served as teacher, principal and most recently, West Region Superintendent. As superintendent since 2005, Scott was responsible for 60 elementary and secondary schools, 3,200 teachers and 54,000 students. From 1999 to 2005, he served as principal for Revere Middle School, which was awarded the Annenberg Lamplighter Grant from Houston A+ Challenge, and principal for Westside High School, which druing his tenure was rated as "TEA Recongnized" and ranked in the top 20 Advanced Placement Programs by the College Board. Scott Van Beck also served as a coach and mentor for area principals through Houston A+ Challenge's New Vision Leadership Academy.