Meet The Executive Board
Charmon L. Barksdale
Executive Director
Founder /President
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Education: BS Degree in Business Administration / Economics
Master Degree in Business Administration
Licenses & Certificates: Certified Texas Educator EC-4 & License Cosmetologist
Career: 10+ years experience in Government & Corporate Accounting, 4+ years in the United States Army, 6+ years experience in the educational field. Currently a 2nd grade teacher for Desoto Independent School District, in DeSoto, TX.
Honors: Name Amber Terrace Elementary “Rookie Teacher of the Year” 07-08; Teacher of Month December 2009, Various Military Awards.
Jason T. Miller
Assistant Director
Board Member/Director
Hometown: Cedar Hill, Texas
Education: BS Degree in Administration of Justice. Currently pursuing a M.Ed. in Educational Administration
Licenses & Certificates: Certified in Crisis Prevention/Intervention; Certified Texas Educator EC-12 Special Education, EC-4 Generalist, 4-8 Generalist, EC-12 ESL Supplemental, EC-12 Physical Education. 5+ years in education working directly with the at-risk population. 5+ years of direct experience working with children, adults, and families with special needs, which derive from behavioral, psychological, intellectual or neurological impairments.
Career: Currently a Assistant Principal for DeSoto ISD
Honors: Named Amber Terrace Elementary “Teacher of the Year” 2008
Terrance A. Barksdale
Operations Director
Co-Founder /Vice President
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Education: BS Degree in Network Telecommunications
MPRM – Masters Degree in Project Management Career: 10+ years United States Army, 10+ yrs. experience in Health Care & Information Systems. Currently a Resource Manager for Parkland Health & Hospital System
Jenia D. Newhouse
Academic / Program Coordinator
Board Member/Director
Hometown: Jackson, NJ
Education: BS Degree in Telecommunication Management
MEd. Master Degree Education Curriculum & Instruction
Licenses & Certificates:Certified Texas Educator EC-4 w/ ESL & Talented & Gifted.
Career:5+ years experience in education. Currently a elementary teacher for Highland Elementary, in Cedar Hill, TX.
Honors: Named S.S. Dillow Elementary“Teacher of the Year” 2008
International and Community Work: Lead a team of fifteen overseas to Papa New Guinea. Educated Papa New Guineans about HIV/AIDS. Promoted unity through creative song, dance and drama. Taught and lead praise & worship at in internationally known church of 8,000.
Tai V. Lee
Office Manager
Board Member/Secretary
Hometown: Shawnee, KS
Education: A.A.S Degree in Paralegal Studies. Currently pursuing a BS Degree in Business Administration.
Career:5+ years experience in legal and office administration. Currently a administrative assistant at Wick Phillips, LLP, in Dallas.
Shannon Howell
Grant Writer
Board Memeber
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Education: BS in Rehabilitation Studies, MA in Counseling
Licenses & Certificates: Certified Texas School Counselor; Certified Texas Educator EC-12 Special
Career: 12 years as a professional counselor, mentor and educator for students in PK-16 educational settings; Currently a School Counselor at Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School in Glenn Heights, TX
Treasurer/Finance Director - OPEN