They Choose to Grow so Their Students Can Thrive
These are the teachers, coaches, and leaders who say “yes” to doing school differently. They create classrooms where students feel seen, challenged, and supported.
By choosing the AVID Certified Educator program, they took their practice to the next level and strengthened their leadership. Now, they’re helping build college‑ and career‑ready systems for all students and inspiring schoolwide success.
Celebrate the educators who have completed the Certified Educator journey and those currently in progress. Honor their achievements and join us in recognizing the impact they are making in their districts, schools, and communities.
Want to learn more about the journey or how to join a future class? Visit the Certified Educator webpage to explore the full program.
Hear from Tracie McMurray about how the AVID Certified Educator program reignited her passion for teaching and transformed her classroom.
Hear from Richard Pardo about how the diagnostic teaching and AVID strategies he learned in this program have enhanced his instructional effectiveness.
Hear from Sarah Neitz about how the AVID Certified Educator program is helping her create a positive and effective classroom environment.
Share Your Cheers
Help us celebrate these educators by posting a note of appreciation online. Whether you’re a colleague, school leader, student, or community member, your words make an impact. Use the hashtag #AVIDCertifiedEducator to share, congratulate, or inspire, and watch the celebrations grow as part of our community-wide recognition.
Future Class of 2026 — Coming Soon!
Certified Educator Graduates: Class of 2025
Sydney Amos | Champaign CUSD #4 District, IL
Arturo Barrios Gonzalez | Yuma Elementary School District 1, AZ | Connect on LinkedIn
Gabrielle Becker | Windsor Charter Academy, CO
Amanda Brooks | Yuma Elementary School District, AZ
Josie Brown | Spartanburg, District 5, SC
Eva Brown | Monroe County School District, FL
Josie Brown | Spartanburg District 5, SC
Katherine Burns | Val Verde Unified School District, CA
Emylee Cabrera | Pasco School District #1, WA
Shelene Connolly | Boerne Independent School District, TX
Heidi Crane | Danville CC District 118, IL
Jennifer Culbertson | West Chicago Community High School District 94, IL
Lori Culley | Gresham-Barlow School District, OR
Kera Diller | AZ
Margaret Dubel | Capistrano Unified School District, CA | Connect on LinkedIn
Colleen Fitzgerald | Woodbury Public Schools, NJ
Rebecca Flores | Dallas ISD, TX
Kiri Frankhauser | Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, TN
Naomi Fuentes | Ector County ISD, TX
Tamara Gaffney | Denver Public Schools, CO
Riley Galloway | North Kansas City Schools, MO | Connect on LinkedIn
Robert Glover | Corpus Christi Independent School District, TX
Laurie Grant | Danville School District 118, IL
Katie Hager | College Station Independent School District, TX
Rebecca Hanzel | Channelview ISD, TX
Stephanie Hardig-Mixson | Craven County Schools, NC
Lindsay Harms | Penn Valley Union Elementary School District, CA | Connect on LinkedIn
Shannon Harsh | Phoenix Union High School District, AZ
Christy Hewitt | Spartanburg School District 5, SC
Julie Hoffmann | Provo City School District, UT
Raleigh Hudock | Dare County Schools District, NC
Wendy Jackson | Dallas Independent School District, TX
Karin Klett | Danville CC School District 118, IL
Andrea Koltes | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools, MN
Jenni Kozak | Ogden School District, UT
Diana Larsen | Richardson Independent School District, TX
Rebecca Lazarou | Lamar CISD, TX
Laura Leonard | Lawrence Unified SD 497, KS
Thelesia Lowery-Barksdale | Fulton County Schools, GA
Angela Mccool | Danville CC School District 118, IL
Lisa McGuin | Hillsborough, FL
Tracie McMurray | Mesa Unified Schools, AZ
Crystal Medina | Humble ISD, TX
Kelsey Meeks | Mesa Public School, AZ
DeeDee Melton | Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN | Connect on LinkedIn
Alexandra Melton | Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN
Kinsey Mens | Buffalo Hanover Montrose, MN | Connect on LinkedIn
Christine Muggli | Beaverton School District, OR
Sarah Neitz | South Washington County Schools, MN
Sarah Nieder | Lawrence Public Schools – USD 497, KS | Connect on LinkedIn
Kayla Nixon | Danville CC School District 118, IL
Douglas Norton | Yuma Elementary School District One, AZ
Jen Olson | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools, MN
Richard Pardo | Richardson Independent School District, TX
Kayla Patt | Chandler Unified School District, AZ
Nikki Perez | Pasco School District, WA
Erika Pocaterra | Ector County ISD, TX | Connect on LinkedIn
Melisa Putney | Johnston County Public Schools, NC
Jaime Regan | Oconomowoc Area School District, WI
Yadira Robles | Socorro Independent School District, TX | Connect on LinkedIn
Nicole Schahn | Buffalo Community Middle School, Buffalo Hanover Montrose School District, MN
Lacy Schramm | Buffalo Hanover Montrose Schools, MN
Amy Skinner | Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, TN
Casey Stock | Yuma Elementary School District, AZ
Cassandra Taylor | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, MN
Jaynelle Wagliardo | Round Rock ISD, TX
Adrienne Ward | SDMC, FL
Deanne Westlake | Garden Grove Unified, CA
Jacqueline Williams | Kyrene Elementary School District, AZ | Connect on LinkedIn
Jessica Williams | Winters Joint Unified, CA
Jocelyn Windahl | Washington County Public Schools, Hagerstown, MD | Connect on LinkedIn
Amber Wolf | Amphitheater Unified School District, AZ
Cortney Worden | Cooper Independent School District, TX
Elisa Younger | Santa Ana Unified School District, CA
