BOARD MEMBERS updated 3/24/10

The State Board for Educator Certification was created by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to recognize public school educators as professionals and grant educators the authority to govern the standards of their profession. The Board oversees all aspects of the preparation, certification, and standards of conduct of public school educators.

The Texas Education Code requires that the Governor appoint the following 11 voting members of the Board, each serving a six-year term: four classroom teachers, one counselor, two administrators, and four citizens. Three non-voting members also serve on the Board: a dean of a college of education is appointed by the Governor; a staff member of the Texas Education Agency is appointed by the Commissioner of Education; and a staff member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is appointed by the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Classroom Teachers

Brad W. Allard of Burleson is the Department Head for Social Studies and teaches US Government and Texas Government at Burleson High School. He is a member of the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Mr. Allard received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baylor University, a master’s degree in political science, as well as his teacher certification in history and social studies composite from the University of Texas at Arlington. His term will expire February 1, 2015.

Janie Baszile, Board Secretary, of Houston has been teaching for 28 years. She is a special education teacher with Galena Park ISD. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. Her term will expire February 1, 2011.

Sandra Bridges of Rockwall teaches 7th grade (gifted and talented) English and 7th and 8th grade speech for Rockwall ISD. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her term will expire February 1, 2013.

Jill Harrison Druesedow is a journalism and English teacher at Haskell High School where she is also chair of the English department and the publications director. She is a member of the National and Texas Councils of Teachers of English and the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. Ms. Druesedow received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Midwestern State University, and completed post graduate work at Hardin Simmons University and Abilene Christian University. Her term will expire February 1, 2013.

Counselor

Ben W. Morris of Cleburne is a Guidance and Crisis Counselor and Disabilities Coordinator for Cleburne High School. He is a member of Pi Lambda Theta-International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education. Mr. Morris received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Baylor University, a secondary biology certification from Southwestern Adventist College and a master’s degree in education, certification in school counseling from Tarleton State University. His term will expire February 1, 2015.

Administrators

Bonny L. Cain, Ed.D., Board Chair, of Pearland is the Superintendent of the Pearland Independent School District. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Houston at Victoria, an additional master’s degree from the University of Houston at Clear Lake City and a doctorate in education from the University of Houston. Dr. Cain’s term will expire February 1, 2015.

Curtis Culwell, Ed.D. of Garland is the Superintendent of the Garland Independent School District. He is chairman of the University Interscholastic League Legislative Council, a member of the American and Texas Associations of School Administrators, and the Select Committee on Public School Finance Weights, Allotments and Adjustments. He is past president of the Texas School Alliance and a former member of the Texas Task Force on Appraisal Reform. He is a volunteer for the March of Dimes and the United Way of Dallas County. Dr. Culwell received a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and a master’s and doctorate from Texas A&M University at Commerce. His term will expire February 1, 2011.

Citizens

Laurie Bricker of Houston is Vice President of Jefferies and Co. She is a member of the Municipal Advisory Council, Greater Houston P-16+ Council/tHrive and board member of the Texas Business and Education Coalition, and a life member of Jewish Women International, University of Houston Alumna, and the University of Texas - Texas Exes Alumni Association. She is also a graduate of Leadership Houston, senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum and past president of the Houston ISD Board of Trustees. She is a former board member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, University of Texas Library Advisory Council, and member of the University of Texas Commission of 125. She currently serves as an advisory board member of Collaborative for Children, Southwest Houston 2000, Inc. and Friends of High School for the Perofrming and Visual Arts. She received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a Master's degree in education from the University of Houston. Her term will expire February 1, 2013.

Christie Pogue, Board Vice-Chair, of Buda is former director of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors. She is founder and former chairwoman of the North Hays Leadership Council in Hays County and a former school board vice-president for Hays Consolidated Independent School District (CISD). She received a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Texas State University. Her term will expire February 1, 2011.

Judy Robison of El Paso is a community volunteer. She serves as president of the El Paso Symphony Association and also as chairman for the El Paso Symphony Foundation. She is past president of the Carlos Rivera Elementary, Moorehead Middle School and Coronado High School Parent Teacher Associations. Her term will expire February 1, 2015.

Homer Dean Trevino is an executive vice president and general manager with the United Way of Waco. He is an adjunct faculty member at McLennan Community College and Temple College, and a past adjunct faculty member at Tarleton State University. Trevino received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, a master’s degree from Baylor University and completed graduate work in executive management at Harvard Graduate School of Business. His term will expire February 1, 2013.

Dean

Grant W. Simpson, Ph.D. of Gainsville is the Dean of West College of Education at Midwestern State University. He serves as the chairman for the Legislative Committee of the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. He received a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, a master’s degree in special education from the University of Texas and a doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University. His term will expire February 1, 2011.

Texas Education Agency Representative

Raymond F. Glynn, Ed.D., Deputy Commissioner, School District Leadership and Educator Quality

The Higher Education Coordinating Board Representative

Susan Barnes, Ph.D.