Nuestro equipo

Juntos podemos hacer más

No podríamos hacer el trabajo que hacemos sin nuestro equipo creativo y talentoso. Hacen posible nuestra misión.

Cathy Jones, Ph.D.

Director ejecutivo

She/Her/Hers

Cathy se unió a APIE en 2012 y es una maestra con experiencia, administradora del campus y superintendente asistente. Con un doctorado. en administración educativa a través del Programa de Superintendencia Cooperativa de UT, ella es una verdadera Longhorn. Cathy tiene 2 hijos y le gusta correr y andar en bicicleta. Ser una entrenadora de matemáticas en el aula es su punto culminante semanal.

Isadora Day

Program Director

She/Her/Hers

Isadora joined APIE in 2023 and is a former academic dean, director of middle school, and teacher. Formerly a crime journalist, Isadora switched careers to become an educator and earned her M.Ed. in Education Administration in 2015. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, she loves Mexican food, the beach, and walking with her husband and son. 

 

Barbette Cooper

Finance/HR Director

She/Her/Hers

Barbette, who has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and many years experience in nonprofit financial and administrative management, joined the APIE finance team in 2011. Barbette is a long-time fan of Longhorn football, Ballet Austin, and Broadway shows.

Wendi Gordon

Director de Desarrollo

Wendi se unió a APIE en 2016 con una amplia experiencia en desarrollo sin fines de lucro en educación y un MBA de la Universidad George Washington. Originaria de Washington, DC, disfruta del aire libre, la comida, los viajes y sus perros salchicha en miniatura.

Elena Aguayo

Defensor de la preparación universitaria

She/Her/Hers

Elena joined APIE in 2024 as a College Readiness Advocate. She graduated from Texas State University in December 2023 with a double major in Psychology and Social Work. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games such as Animal Crossing and Mario Kart with her friends. Elena is an avid reader and loves exploring new coffee shops to fuel adventures both on and off the screen.

Sandy Bootz

MATH CLASSROOM COACHING MANAGER

For over 15 years, Sandy has worked in multiple APIE programs. She believes that volunteers are extraordinary people and feels privileged to work with those committed to supporting our schools.

Joe Jacobson

Coordinador de desarrollo

He/Him/His

Joe joined APIE in 2018 as a member of the Americorps VISTA program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from from Williams College and has experience tutoring reading at multiple AISD schools. Joe enjoys learning new languages, going to shows, Austin FC, and volunteering weekly as an APIE Math Classroom Coach.

Chris Lagarde

SALESFORCE SPECIALIST

He/Him/His

Chris se unió a APIE en 2017 y es responsable de la configuración, el soporte y la mejora de nuestra base de datos de Salesforce. Le gusta pasar tiempo leyendo, cocinando, caminando y pasando el rato con sus hijos.

Melina Lasater

Finance/HR Manager

They/She/Hers

Melina joined APIE in 2023. She earned her MBA at Texas Woman’s University and is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum. She has a passion for working in nonprofit and volunteering. Melina enjoys crocheting, playing tennis, and taking care of her plants.

Danna Leal Cisneros

Defensor de la preparación universitaria

She/Her/Hers

Danna joined APIE in 2023 as a College Readiness Advocate. After gaining a BA in Political Science from Simmons University in Boston, MA, she became a TFA 2019 Corps Member from the Rio Grande Valley where she taught AP Government and AP Microeconomics. She transitioned to Austin and taught AP Government, AP Microeconomics, and Personal Financial Literacy. She is passionate about expanding accessibility and granting the opportunity for students to reach their full potential.

Luz Martinez

Lead Advocate

She/Her/Hers

Luz loves finding new ways to let her creativity flow, whether it’s through sewing, makeup, or nail art! On days when she is happy to turn her brain off, watching “The Devil Wears Prada” with her cat is the way to go.

Michele Mauldin

Lead Advocate

She/Her/Hers

Michele graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a middle school educator in AISD for 26 years before joining APIE in 2022 as a GEAR UP Advocate. Her husband is also a teacher and they have two sons. She enjoys reading, crocheting, and travel, and rooting for the Longhorns.

Wen Nguyen

Gerente de Conexiones Escolares

She/Her/Hers

Wen joined APIE in 2022 after working several years in prevention programs to serve AISD middle and high school students. She believes all students deserve access to quality wrap-around supports so that they may thrive. During her free time, Wen likes to hang out with her nieces and nephews, watch comedy, and adding vegan fish sauce to her food.

Tristan Nieto

Lead Advocate

He/Him/His

Tristan joined APIE in 2022 after completing his Master of Arts in Depth Psychology & Creativity at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Tristan has worked in education in a multitude of roles: tutor, substitute teacher, academic coach, test proctor, reading instructor, outdoor educator, and now, College Readiness & GEAR UP Advocate. In his free time, he writes poetry, trains Shaolin-style kung fu, and pursues a second Master’s in Counseling.

Lexy Robinson

Lead Advocate

She/Her/Hers

Lexy joined APIE in 2022 as a GEAR UP Advocate with experience working as a Preschool, Elementary and Middle camp counselor. She is a Texas State Alumni with a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences. Her goal is to support underserved populations with a focus on education as well as overall health and well-being. In her free time, you can find her on the Greenbelt with her puppy.

Rebekah Tambe

Fundraising and Events Manager

she/Her/Hers

Rebekah joined APIE in 2024 as the Fundraising and Event Manager. Rebekah has her BS in Accounting from Portland State University. She recently moved to Austin from Portland, Oregon, where she was the Development Director for a free community medical clinic. Rebekah enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 daughters, traveling, reading, and running.

Val Williams

special projects

she/Her/Hers

Val joined APIE in 2022 with extensive experience as a Program Director and Educator, with specialization in the areas of Arts Ed, Early Childhood Ed, and ELA. Val holds an M. Ed in Education Policy & Leadership from American University and a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Val enjoys history, music, spirited discussions around socio-political issues, road trips, her cat Tiger, and-most of all-spending time with her adorable little one: Ruthie!

Unete a nuestro equipo

¿Quiere ser parte de un equipo enérgico comprometido con cambiar vidas a través de la educación? Si te apasiona apoyar a los estudiantes y ayudarlos a tener éxito, queremos saber de ti. ¡Aplique con nosotros hoy!

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Austin Partners in Education will be closed beginning Friday, December 22 and ending Friday, January 5. We will return to normal business hours on Monday, January 8. All emails, phone calls, and volunteer background check applications will be completed upon our return. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Happy Holidays!

Austin Partners in Education cerrará comenzando el viernes 22 de diciembre y hasta el viernes 5 de enero. Volveremos al horario comercial normal el lunes 8 de enero. Todos los correos electrónicos, llamadas telefónicas y solicitudes de verificación de antecedentes de voluntarios se completarán a nuestro regreso. Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión. ¡Felices Fiestas!