AVID National Conference Leadership Forum

Jodie Kuleck is the Alexandria City Public Schools’ AVID District Director/College Support, located in Alexandria, Virginia. She has served in this role for 15 years, after several years as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional reading coach. She has proudly served the Baltimore and Northern Virginia regions during her 29 years working in education. Today, she supports her ACPS AVID sites and co-leads division-wide special projects aligned to the AVID Framework tenets. Additionally, she serves in the roles of staff developer, ambassador, and subject matter expert writer for AVID Center in a part-time capacity.

Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr. Superintendent Martinsville City Public Schools Zebedee Talley Jr. began his distinguished career with Martinsville City Public Schools in 1978 and has devoted all 45 years of his professional life to the division. His unwavering commitment to educational excellence and community leadership has made a lasting impact on generations of students and educators. In addition to his long-standing service, Dr. Talley has held notable leadership roles at the state level, including Chairman of Region 06 Superintendents and President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS).

Dr. Roy Umana Principal Covina-Valley Unified Las Palmas Middle School Dr. Roy Umana serves as Principal of Las Palmas Middle School in the Covina-Valley Unified School District. A visionary educational leader, he has guided Las Palmas to become a California Distinguished and AVID National Demonstration School, recognized for academic excellence, innovation, and equity.

Danielle Reyes was an AVID student and tutor at a National Demonstration High School. She has taught and coordinated AVID at a National Demonstration Middle School in San Diego, CA for 11 years. In her district, she also serves on our Professional Learning Advisory Board. She is an AVID Staff Developer and consultant who has most recently helped to write and facilitate Site Coordinators Level 1 and 2.