Aaron Aguirre-Castillo serves as Manager of Leadership Professional Development with Dallas ISD. In this role he coordinates with cross divisional departments to create and facilitate learning experiences for principals and assistant principals across the district. He has served as a high school math teacher, dean of instruction, high school principal, and network coordinator across districts in Dallas-Fort Worth. He has also served as a speaker with the Relay Graduate School of Education and consultant with the Guanajuato Secretaria de Educación Publica.

Aaron holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Columbia University, a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and has earned professional certificates from Harvard and Stanford University in School Management and Leadership and Organizational Analysis. Currently, Aaron is a fellow with the Institute for Teachers of Color Committed to Racial Justice through San Jose State University and the Dallas ISD iDesign Central Staff Fellowship. He considers himself a continuous learner and looks forward to gathering new and different perspectives to better craft and elaborate his work.

Brent Alfred is the Deputy Chief of Construction Services. He is an accomplished leader with a proven record of management and oversight of large capital projects for school districts. He is a registered architect and certified construction manager. Brent graduated from Southern University’s School of Architecture in Baton Rouge, LA. With more than 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry, the last 12 have focused exclusively on K-12 schools and the learning environment. He has vast experience as a designer, project manager and owner’s representative in the construction field.

In addition to his professional experience, Alfred is a staunch community supporter and spends considerable time volunteering in the community and supporting students. He is particularly proud of his efforts teaching entrepreneurial skills and building playgrounds for kids in communities of need throughout the area.

Marisha Allen is the Coordinator for the OnRamps program. She is originally from Memphis,TN. Marisha attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and received her undergraduate degree in English, and she obtained her Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Grand Canyon University. Marisha began her teaching career in 2010 in Memphis,TN. While in Memphis, she served 1 year as a Middle School teacher and 2 years as a high school teacher before moving to Dallas in 2013. Marisha began her journey with Dallas ISD at Hector P. Garcia Middle School where she served as a 7th & 8th grade ELAR teacher until 2018. At that time, she transitioned into becoming a teacher at one of the Personalized Learning campuses within the district. While at I.D.E.A, Marisha became a Senior OnRamps Instructor & Mentor Teacher as well as an Innovation in Teaching Fellow. Then in 2020, Ms. Allen transitioned to Thomas Jefferson High School where she served as a Senior OnRamps Instructor & Mentor Teacher, and also worked with the Office of Transformation and Innovation, and Apple to write the school proposal for Dallas Hybrid Prep. In September of 2021 she transitioned into the role of Program Coordinator for the OnRamps Program, a partnership between Dallas ISD and the University of Texas at Austin.

For the past fifteen years, Chele has served passionately in the education field with her career at Dallas ISD. She began her journey in the Recruitment Department in early 2017. She progressed her learning and service in the Staffing and Recruitment areas of Human Capital Management and currently leads a team of sixty employees in Human Capital Management. Chele actively participates in districtwide and community committees such as District of Innovation, Theory of Action, and Future Educator Pathways. She is passionate about using a human-centered approach to creating solutions to the district's challenges. With three children, two of whom attend Dallas ISD schools, her work in the district is business-related and a personal connection to making this the best place to be for our students. Her email address is candreason@dallasisd.org for future collaboration opportunities.

Brian Barnett graduated from North Mesquite High School and attended college at The University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of the 1994 Southwest Conference Champion Longhorn football team. Barnett began his teaching and coaching career at his alma mater, North Mesquite High School, in 1997, where he coached football, basketball, track, and taught Spanish. Barnett, then, spent 10 years in Crandall ISD, six as the athletic director and head football coach. At Crandall, Barnett won two district championships and was named district coach of the year twice. Barnett also coached powerlifting and track and field, training many regional qualifiers, state qualifiers and state champion athletes. Barnett served as assistant football coach at North Dallas High School in 2012 prior to a one- year stint teaching special education at Mesquite Horn High School. Barnett returned to Dallas ISD to assume his appointment as campus athletic coordinator at North Dallas High School. After five years there, Barnett became an assistant director of athletics in Dallas ISD and is now in his third year. Barnett is very passionate about kids and realizes the tremendous impact athletics can have on the lives of young people. He believes that every kid should be provided the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and strives to make it a positive experience for all of them. His goal is to teach life lessons through athletics that help student-athletes grow into mature, responsible young adults. Barnett and his wife Shannon have three daughters, Brennan (23), Ryan (17), and Britt (13).

Jessica serves as the Director of Digital Communications in Dallas ISD. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee with a degree in Public Relations. Her career began in the non-profit sector where her work took her to Greece, Missouri, Colorado, and Slovakia. Four years ago, she moved to Dallas, Texas, and started working in Dallas ISD’s Communication Services Department. Jessica is passionate about people and thrives in roles where she can use her background in communications and marketing to serve others. In her free time, Jessica enjoys crafting, traveling, and tandem bike rides with her husband, Brian.

Aaron has been a teacher, principal, and district administrator in the DFW area since 2000. He lives in Ft. Worth with his wife Heather and four lovely children. He has written six books about student engagement, vocabulary instruction, high-impact instruction, and classroom culture and management. Aaron also coaches educators and trains schools to better engage students. He currently serves as a manager in the Early Learning department of Dallas Independent School District. You can learn more about him at AaronDaffern.com.

Kristin Davis is the Director of Districtwide Services for the Special Services Department. In her role she supports: Adapted Physical Education, Assistive Technology, Child Find, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD), Vision Services, and Orientation & Mobility. She received both of her degrees from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) with a B.S. in Communication Science and Disorders and a M.S. in Education for the Deaf. During her time at TWU, she also completed an American Sign Language Interpreter Preparation Program. Her education career started 16 years ago in Dallas ISD working in the RDSPD as an Itinerant Deaf Education Teacher and Transition Specialist, Lead Parent Advisor, Instructional Specialist, and Manager of the RDSPD. Her passion is cultivating the current transformation of the special services department with a focus on, Ensuring Students Can.

Rafael has fifteen years of central office experience in the Dallas Independent School District. He has served in several capacities and has a wealth of knowledge in organization processes. He began his career in education in the Dallas ISD Evaluation and Assessment Department, where his responsibilities included coordinating district implementation and administration of statewide, national, and local assessments for all district campuses. Currently, he leads the Background and Certification Department, where he focuses on process improvements and workflow automation. His email address is rfontalvo@dallasisd.org for future collaboration opportunities.

Candyce Alexis Grant is a coordinator in the Dallas ISD Racial Equity Office. She is originally from Lake Providence, Louisiana. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate at Grand Canyon University. Her passion in education stemmed from her mother who educated others for over 40 years, her five children who currently encompass every level of the educational system from college to elementary, and many encouraging professors at Grambling State University. Candyce has been an educator for 22 years; her commitment is to enrich the lives of others and help them to see their potential. Her philosophy is to make a difference through leadership and ignite sparks of motivation in those who come in contact with her. We are the hope to prepare the children of the future.

Noelle Hall is an Instructional Lead Coach of Mathematics for the Northeast Secondary Network. She was born and raised in Midland, Texas before attending Texas Tech University and getting her Bachelor’s in Business Marketing. Upon graduation, Noelle decided to get alternatively certified in education. Noelle found a passion in teaching and started her career as a 5th-grade math and science teacher in Midland, Texas. Although she originally feared teaching math, she learned she had a natural ability to teach it. Noelle then continued her education at Texas Tech getting her Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Mathematics. Noelle relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2015. Since relocating she has taught 6, 7, and 8th grade math and has loved all the grade levels. Noelle believes as a leader her strongest quality is aggressive optimism. She fights to inspire everyone she supports to re-ignite their passion for education.

Each day Robyn Harris has the privilege of serving 141,000 students in the Dallas Independent School District as the executive director of Strategic Engagement and Crisis Communication which includes the following areas: Dallas ISD Call Center, Dallas Schools Television (DSTV), Strategic Media Relations, and Partnerships and Volunteer Services. As Dallas ISD’s spokesperson, Harris is responsible for managing both English and Spanish-language media relations efforts for the second-largest district in the state. Her hard work and dedication earned her a 2017 Who’s Who in Black Dallas recognition. Before working in school public relations, Harris worked in radio as a reporter in Houston and assumed various roles at KRIV FOX 4 in Houston following a lengthy internship in the station’s news department. Harris received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Houston. When she’s not serving the Dallas ISD community or the causes of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., she has the pleasure of spending quality time with her husband and children.

JoAnn M. Jackson Powell is currently the Director of Counseling Services for Dallas Independent School District. Before becoming the director, in August 2018, she served as the Boude Storey Middle School principal. In addition, she has over 27 years of experience working in education.

Jackson Powell’s biggest accomplishment is moving Boude Storey Middle from a low-performing state rating to an academically acceptable campus. Jackson Powell provides leadership to counselors at all levels to improve academic, behavioral, and social and support for all students.

Jackson Powell, a native of Peoria, Illinois, has lived in Dallas, Texas 27 years. In 1994, she graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in psychology. In 1999, Jackson Powell attended Prairie View A&M University, where she earned degrees in Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Education.

Kalyse McElveen is manager of central staff performance in Human Capital Management. An experienced professional with more than 20 years of service in public and nonprofit organizations, her areas of expertise are education, organizational management, and human resources. Since 2016, Ms. McElveen has served the students of Dallas ISD in several roles and in 2020 was designated to lead the Central Staff Excellence Initiative through its pilot year. Before coming home to Dallas, Ms. McElveen worked for Austin ISD’s McCallum Fine Arts Academy where she expanded the program to include three new paths of study and assisted the school in winning the 2015 National GRAMMY Signature School award. Prior to that, Ms. McElveen was the district coordinator for a ten-campus, K-12, federally funded after-school program in central Texas that earned an A+ from the Texas Education Agency. She holds degrees from Texas Tech University and New York University.

Aileen Mokuria was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and proudly attended and graduated from Dallas Independent School District. She received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California and her master’s in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She currently serves as the Dallas ISD Social and Emotional Learning Manager. Aileen is passionate about wellness, educational equity, justice, and living life joyfully. Read more about Aileen Mokuria here and follow her on LinkedIn.

Dr. Debbie Murillo is the Director of Instructional Strategy in Early Learning. Debbie was born and raised in Dallas and attended the University of North Texas where she earned a degree in Journalism. She later received her masters in Reading from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and her doctorate in Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction. Debbie has served as an elementary teacher, campus coach, central staff coach, coordinator, manager, and assistant director.

Her greatest pride is witnessing students truly enjoy school as well as getting books to students to add to their personal library. In her spare time she loves watching her daughters play soccer, spending time with her family, and starting DIY projects.

Marelenise Phillips-Roberts is committed to being an advocate for students and teachers. A proud product of the Dallas Independent School District, she has served as an educator for more than 20 years in a variety of district roles including math and science teacher, district-wide Campus Instructional Coach, and Academic Facilitator. While at John F. Peeler Elementary School she was named the Teacher of the Year. Currently, she serves as a Coordinator for the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Department, and has the privilege to support individuals with providing interventions to students. She is a passionate problem solver and believes that building positive relationships is the key to unlocking the door to effective, productive, student outcomes. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. As a lifelong learner, Marelenise earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University.

Joseph Pouncy is in his second year with Dallas ISD Athletics after joining the department in March 2020 from his role of assistant principal at Skyline High School. Pouncy is responsible for all department staffing, budgeting, payroll, ticketing systems, and revenue for all 22 high schools and 31 middle schools in Dallas ISD. He coordinates the systems and routines dealing with all department business affairs, including UIL financial compliance, financial accounting, purchasing, and facility rentals for all athletic-related events. Pouncy was a career and technology teacher at Bryan Adams, Richardson and Irving high schools. He was an assistant football coach and was the head track & field at all three schools. Pouncy moved to the front office as the assistant principal at Forney High School in 2010. After a three-year stint as the principal at Warren Middle School in Forney, Texas, Pouncy became the Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning for Regional 10 Educational Service Center. Pouncy earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Baylor University in 2001 and later added a master’s degree in educational leadership from Abilene Christian University in 2008. Pouncy attended Skyline High School, played football and baseball.

Candace Sledge is a Director of Partnerships & Volunteer Service. She is passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities that are accessible and equitable to all children, families, and communities. She is a proud graduate of Howard University and member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Both impacted and influenced her adult life and career. She has served at the Children’s Defense Fund as an Ella Baker Trainer for their Child Policy Institute Training. She worked for Seve DC - The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency in Washington, DC where she trained and led the city's emergency preparedness and response programs and community grants. During her time at AARP Foundation, she supported the organization's grantmaking strategies to support low-income and vulnerable 50+ population across the country. While leading at Methodist Health System,she was responsible for creating and driving their COVID-19 Screening process and staffing during the height of the pandemic. She is a purpose-driven leader excited and ready to positively impact those who she serves.

Jennifer is currently a Project Manager with the Information Technology Department with over 9 years' experience within the education system. Her expertise lies within organization, process management, implementation, and continued support. She is passionate about providing guidance, mentorship, aiding and supporting people to be a better version of themselves as they grow as individuals or within their professional careers. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Master’s in Business Administration.  She is certified in Information Technology Foundations and Project Management. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends where she is always surrounded by love and laughter.

Dawn Walker is an Executive Director in School Leadership. She is a proud product of Dallas ISD. Dawn has served in multiple roles throughout the district including school counselor at all levels and middle school principal. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and cooking. Dawn believes that education and exposure can change the trajectory of any child’s life.

After several years in the telecommunications industry, Erinn Wilcots said yes to the best thing possible and became a teacher. Erinn has been in the education field for almost 19 years, having taught multiple social studies classes including Texas History, World Geography, Introductory Psychology, U.S. Government, Pre-AP World Geography, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics and AP US Government and Politics. She thinks Social Studies is a very important part of a person’s education “because everyone needs to know how we function together as a society. From the personal to the global, it is imperative that individuals understand the cultural, economic, and political concepts that drive how people interact with one another.” Erinn also spent several years teaching the AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) Elective class, guiding students along their path to college, career, and life readiness.

Currently, Erinn serves as the Manager for the Advanced Academic Services Department in Dallas ISD. In addition to serving as an Advanced Placement Instructional Specialist for Social Studies, Erinn has served the students of Dallas ISD as an Instructional Specialist for Gifted and Talented Education.

Erinn holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Amberton University, a Master of Arts in Political Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Texas at Dallas

Marcia Erlene Williams is a manager in the Districtwide Student Initiatives department who leads the Attendance for Credit (AfC) program for the district. She is a Dallas native and Dallas ISD graduate. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, she began her career in the Dallas non-profit world where she served campuses in south Dallas through an after school and summer tutoring/mentoring program. She came to Dallas ISD as a central staff team member and renewed her passion for students, so she applied and was accepted in Dallas ISD’s Alternative Certification program. She taught second grade at Charles Rice Learning Center and later returned to work with central staff in the area and division offices. During this time, she earned her Master’s in Educational Administration from Concordia University. Erlene is excited to continue to expand her skills and knowledge through the iDesign Central Fellowship!