Meet the Presenters

Francisco Razo M.Ed.

Francisco is in his 13th year in Alief. He arrived in 2009 from Mexico as part of the international program. He taught at Sneed for 3 years and then served as a Reading Specialist for 4 years. Then, he served as part of the Instructional School Improvement Team. Later, He was the first coordinator in the Texas School Ready partnership with CLI for 3 years and had the opportunity to work with many centers in the area. Since 2020, Francisco has been a biliteracy cohort leader in the Texas Reading Academies and had the opportunity to train and coach 120 teachers in the Science of Teaching Reading. Next year, he will be the Assistant Principal at Martinez ELC.

Elise Cohen

Elise Cohen is a Certified Specialist with the Texas Infant-Toddler Specialist Network. Elise has over 15 years of experience in early childhood as a Head Start teacher, professional development coach, and program coordinator. Elise is a certified educator in Early Childhood – 6th grade, Special Education, and holds a school principal certification. Elise earned a BS in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and a MA in Education Administration and Policy with an emphasis in Early Childhood from the University of Denver.

Melissa Ply, M.Ed.

Melissa Ply is an Education Outreach Manager with Texas School Ready and has provided presentations and coaching for early childhood professionals working with infants to school-age children in a variety of settings to support quality initiatives. She received a B.S. in Special Education: Learning Disabilities, a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M. Ed in Early Childhood Education. Melissa has years of experience as a Training and Curriculum Specialist and Child Care Center Director with Air Force and Navy Child and Youth Programs, a PreK teacher and a family home day care provider. She has served as a CDA Professional Development Specialist, on several NAEYC Accreditation Teams, as an adjunct educator at different colleges and as a Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC). Melissa Ply, M.Ed. is an advocate for early childhood educators. She currently works on the Texas School Ready Learning & Development team and has years of experience as a PreK Teacher, Training and Curriculum Specialist, Child Center Director and TSR Program Manager. She enjoys presenting at conferences and was awarded Trainer of the Year from Austin AEYC.

Mariluz Lecompte

I am Mariluz Lecompte, born in Colombia and raise in Alief. Mariluz is a dedicated school psychologist with a rich background in education. Having graduated from Alief ISD, Mariluz began their career as a bilingual teacher for Pre-K through 2nd grade, later transitioning to a reading interventionist role for two years. With a passion for special education, she became a school psychologist in 2015 and served as a behavior specialist for six years before finding her niche in early childhood, where she ahs dedicated the past three years to supporting early childhood development in children ages 2.10 to 5 years old.

Debbie Hudgins

I am Debbie Hudgins, a retired early childhood educator, I taught in Alief ISD for 26 years. I am passionate about helping young children develop the skills they need to become successful in literacy in kindergarten and beyond. I love working with teachers of young children to help them teach with joy and play.

Devona Martin

Devona Martin is currently an Education Outreach Coordinator in Learning & Development for Workforce Solutions – Early Education Quality Services. With 30-years of experience in Early Childhood and Education, she has taught pre-K through 4th grades in Houston Independent School District, worked as a child care center owner/administrator and Early Childhood Assessor Manager for the Gulf-Coast Texas Rising Star Project. Specializing in Early Childhood, Devona now uses that experience to provide support and professional development opportunities to Early Childhood Educators, Directors, Administrators, and Child Care Center Owners. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Houston – Clear Lake.

Violeta V. Alegre

I am a bilingual Spanish teacher since 2009, I have worked with classes bilingual and dual language in Houston ISD, Baker Ripley and Alief ISD. I have taught Spanish language arts and reading in the grades pre-kinder, kinder, first, and second grade. I followed the course Reading Academy from TEA which followed a 12 modules in 2021-2022. I am currently a prekindergarten teacher at Martinez ELC – Alief ISD.

Donna Wheeler

Donna Wheeler has been employed in various roles in the field of early childhood education for 34 years. She has been a registered trainer of early childhood professionals for 18 years. Donna earned her undergraduate degree in Social Ecology, with emphasis on Human Development, from the University of California, Irvine and her Master’s Degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California. Additionally, she holds the Child Development Associate credential from Houston Community College. Donna has previously worked as a preschool center Director, a Nature Educator at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a child development (CDA) Instructor for Houston Community College, a motor skills teacher, art teacher, and teacher of 4-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog, gardening, walks and travel. Donna looks forward to sharing her research and her classroom experiences in art education with workshop participants.

Sarah Ramirez

Sarah Ramirez is Coordinator of Education Outreach at the Children’s Learning Institute and an Educational Consultant specializing in Literacy. She has over 20 years of experience in education and advocates for early intervention, literacy, bilingual education, and family engagement.

Elizabeth Gasca

Elizabeth Gasca is an educational outreach mentor at the Children’s Learning Institute at UT Health. She has 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and a passion for Bilingual Education.

Domonique Jefferson

Domonique Jefferson is an ECE advocate with over 15 years of experience across multiple ECE programs such as faith-based, Early Learning centers, Head Start, and school districts. She is currently an educational outreach mentor at the Children's Learning Institute.

Heather Quasny

Heather Quasny is an educational outreach mentor at the Children's Learning Institute at UT Health with 20+ years of experience in education and a passion for seeing children succeed.

Home Page

Page updated

Report abuse