Team

Meet Our Team

Our team is truly passionate about elevating the profession and commits to strengthening the teacher pipeline by removing barriers in becoming a teacher while focused on increasing retention through quality teacher preparation. Our goal is to consistently provide equitable and quality services that support teachers in achieving their personal and professional goals.

Brandon Jouganatos, Ed.D.

Managing Director

With more than two decades of dedicated experience in education, Dr. Jouganatos has navigated through a diverse array of roles encompassing teacher preparation, student affairs, academic counseling, and executive administration. In the realm of academia, Dr. Jouganatos teaches a multitude of subjects across master's and doctoral levels and actively leads research initiatives driving meaningful change in education through their focus on critical areas such as educator preparation, holisitic student support, and the integration of innovative personalized learning technologies.

Melanie Alcorta, B.A.

Director, Academic & Candidate Support​

Ms. Alcorta holds several Texas teacher certifications spanning from Early Childhood through 12th grade. Over the last decade, her unwavering commitment has been focused on assisting individuals in achieving their teacher certification objectives. While recognizing the significance of content knowledge in teaching, Ms. Alcorta firmly believes that passion and dedication are the fundamental pillars of effective teaching. As such, she is dedicated to providing continuous support and guidance to every teacher candidate throughout their certification journey.

Lizette Armenta, M. Ed.

Coordinator of Educational Programs and Literacy Initiatives​

Lizette Armenta is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in elementary and secondary education. She has served in various roles in public education, including Texas Reading Academy cohort leader, assistant principal, and administrator in curriculum & instruction overseeing bilingual/ESL programs. Her diverse roles have provided her with deep insights into the educational system, allowing her to support teachers effectively. Ms. Armenta is committed to enhancing teacher development, specializing in differentiated instruction for emergent bilinguals, incorporating the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the science of teaching reading. Her leadership and expertise are instrumental in creating supportive educational environments where teacher candidates can thrive and excel.​

Katie Eisel, M.S.

Director, Clinical Practice & Innovation​

Ms. Eisel has a rich, diverse background that includes her service as a classroom teacher, campus administrator, and teacher educator in Texas. Her professional journey has been marked by a consistent pursuit of opportunities to assist new teachers. Ms. Eisel firmly upholds the notion that teaching is a skill that evolves into a refined craft through deliberate professional development, introspection, collaborative efforts, and mentorship.

Lecia Eubanks, Ed.D.

Director, Learning and Assessment

Dr. Eubanks is a dedicated educator with experience spanning over twenty years in the field of education. Throughout her career, she has made an impact on teaching, learning, and instructional leadership in public education, serving as a teacher, campus principal, and district administrator. After a successful tenure in public education, Dr. Eubanks transitioned into the private sector, specializing in teacher certification and test preparation. This move reflects her commitment to providing support to aspiring teachers. By leveraging her extensive expertise from both the public and private sectors of education, Dr. Eubanks continues to positively shape the future of teaching and learning.

Veronica Garcia, Ed.D.

Executive Director, Academic Operations & Compliance

Dr. Garcia's nearly three decades of experience in education exemplify her unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and student-centered learning, essential pillars in the pursuit of educational excellence and learner achievement. Her diverse background in administrative roles underscores her profound understanding of education at various levels. Dr. Garcia's educational philosophy prioritizes personalized, high-touch approaches, recognizing the individuality of each learner and their unique needs, thus ensuring they receive the customized support required to realize their full potential

Veronica Galvan, Ed.D.

Vice President, Academic Relations

For several decades, Dr. Galvan has been deeply involved in Texas public education, serving as both a teacher and a professor. She has held various roles in test preparation for multiple certification exams, amassing extensive experience in preparing candidates for the teaching profession and their certification exams. Dr. Galvan's profound passion lies in mentoring candidates toward professional success, nurturing them into accomplished educators, equipping them with the tools to make a positive impact on their students' lives, and offering unwavering support on their path toward certification.

Luis Gonzalez, B.A.

Senior Director, Operations

For almost two decades, Mr. Gonzalez has been at the forefront of guiding aspiring educators towards their ultimate goal of teacher certification. Mr. Gonzalez shares a deep passion for the transformative impact that teacher certification can have on candidates' lives. His commitment extends to offering unwavering support and guidance to individuals striving to achieve their goals. Mr. Gonzalez is wholeheartedly devoted to sharing his wealth of knowledge, extensive experience, and invaluable wisdom to ensure candidates' success in their educational pursuits.

Valerie Guerra, M.S.

Director, Certification & Business Services

Drawing upon more than two decades of dedicated service in the field of education, Ms. Guerra has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise that encompasses a range of pivotal roles within academic institutions. Valerie's meticulous attention to detail plays a vital role in the accurate recording and verification of students' academic records, a fundamental aspect in safeguarding the institution's reputation. Her versatile roles in admissions, credentials, and business services stand as a testament to her unwavering commitment to the field and her steadfast dedication to assisting students in realizing their aspirations of becoming educators.

Karla Hamilton, Special Education M.Ed.

Teacher Preparation Coordinator

Karla Hamilton brings a wealth of experience in social studies education and teacher training, having taught various courses across Elementary, Middle Level, and Special Education programs. Renowned for her support in guiding teacher candidates through certification exams, she infuses the Core Subjects EC-6 Social Studies Webinar Series with her fervent advocacy for social studies education in Elementary grades. Leveraging her dual expertise in social studies and special education, Karla underscores the significance of cross-disciplinary integration and differentiated instruction for inclusive and captivating learning environments.

Rosalie Peterson, M.S.

Director, Enrollment & Student Support

Ms. Peterson is a devoted education professional with more than a decade of experience in higher education, having fulfilled a range of roles such as Academic Advisor, Campus Director, and Associate Director of Academic Advising. Ms. Peterson's unwavering commitment centers on providing exemplary student support and assisting aspiring educators in accelerating their paths to success in the classroom.

Pamela Wetherington, Ed.D.

Executive Director, Educator Preparation and Certification

Dr. Wetherington has made significant contributions to public education, serving as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, and leader in teacher education. Throughout her professional journey and now as a member of the Teach Us team, she consistently champions for well-prepared, high-quality teachers so that every student receives what they rightfully deserve – an exceptional, empathetic, relevant, dedicated, adaptive, equity-focused, data-savvy, and resilient educator. 

Nicole Yess, MHA

Manager, PMO & Systems

Ms. Yess places a high value on higher education and is dedicated to promoting the success of future educators. Her unique background in science, research, and technology equips her with the skills to efficiently manage learning software systems. She is particularly passionate about harnessing optimized technology to facilitate exam preparation and ongoing professional development, ensuring a seamless learning experience. In addition to her role, Ms. Yess serves as adjunct faculty for Master of Education programs.

Elizabeth Hecker, M.A.

Student Support Specialist

Elizabeth Hecker is a dedicated professional with more than a decade of experience in higher education and counseling and is committed to fostering student success. She has worked in numerous positions including as an academic advisor and college counselor, helping countless students navigate their academic journeys with confidence. Armed with a Master's degree in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Elizabeth brings a deep understanding of student development to her work. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for empowering students to reach their full potential, advocating for their needs, and creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment in which students thrive academically, personally, and professionally.