our
TEAM
Leadership Team
LeAnne Hernandez is a passionate advocate for Texas public schools with 26 years of experience empowering students and educators. Skilled in strategic thinking, innovation and collaboration, Hernandez is an experienced project manager committed to nurturing diverse early career educators and those who support them. An experienced teacher, coach, administrator and program director with expertise in career pathway programs and professional learning, LeAnne has a B.A. in English, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her research interests include the development of novice teacher and leader agency with particular emphasis in historically underserved communities.
Kelly is an educator, coach, facilitator, experience designer, curriculum writer, and capacity-builder who has held various roles across K–12, higher education, state leadership, and educational consulting for the last two decades. Her work is driven by a passion for building innovative education systems that meet the unique needs of students and educators. Dr. Ocasio is a systems thinker and relationship-builder who prioritizes collaboration, interpersonal connections, and collective impact to create lasting change.
She holds a BS in Elementary Education and Spanish from UW–Madison, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UT–San Antonio, and a joint Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis and Curriculum & Instruction from UW–Madison. Her research focuses on Latinx teachers’ pathways into education and explores the opportunities and challenges that shape the community’s access to careers in teaching.
Amy Gonzales, Ed.D. joins the THRIVE team with twenty years of experience in public education. As a former classroom teacher and administrator, she believes in the power of positivity and the importance of self-care. Amy’s work is centered on teaching the whole child and leading the whole teacher. Amy graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She received her Master’s in Educational Administration and Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin.
Amy has presented numerous times for Austin ISD events such as the Social Emotional Learning Symposium and the AISD Assistant Principal Conference. She has also presented at the TEPSA Summer Conference and the Texas Council of Women School Executives Conference. She was featured on the “Principals of Success” podcast and “The Innovator’s Mindset.” Amy is also the co-author of The Principal All Communities Deserve: A Practical Guidebook for School Leaders. With strong communication skills and the ability to empower others, supporting teachers and leaders is a passion and strength that will support her work with THRIVE.
Dr. Greg Rodríguez has dedicated his career to transforming the academic achievement of all children through visible and rapid improvements. With extensive experience at all levels in PK-16 education, from classroom teaching to district leadership, he has held pivotal roles such as Superintendent in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Waterbury, Connecticut, and Superintendent of Schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
As adjunct faculty for educational leadership, Dr. Rodríguez is committed to developing future school principals and superintendents. He is passionate about leading the implementation and design of THRIVE to support early career teachers, mentor teachers, system-level leaders, campus leaders, and all educators through continuous program improvement.
Susan Serenari, M.Ed., is a versatile educator with an abundance of experiences in rural, suburban and urban settings. She began her education career in Baltimore County, Maryland as a Kindergarten teacher, and continued teaching Early Childhood students in Tampa, Florida and Northern Virginia. After completing her master’s degree in literacy at Virginia Tech, Serenari moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and over the next decade served as a Title I reading interventionist, literacy coach and curriculum coordinator for Pre-K through fifth grade students. Serenari recognized an emerging deficit in teacher support, and transitioned her focus on empowering and learning alongside teachers. She moved to Central Texas to scale up her impact in this area, and has most recently supported teachers and students across the southwest region of the US as a literacy specialist with a global educational publishing company. Serenari is dedicated to supporting teachers and students by meeting them where they are, and celebrating the teaching and learning that occurs each day.
Jon is the THRIVE Program Manager and just started with us in July of this year. Before his role with THRIVE Jon was with one of our partner districts Del Valle ISD. He assisted the Human Resources Director in the selection and management of all Strategic Staffing initiatives. Jon worked closely with THRIVE partners and assisted in the pilot year and ensured a smooth implementation throughout all Del Valle’s Campus. He has 6+ years of Strategic Human Resources experience in the private sector and has brought those knowledge and skills to his current role.
Audrey is passionate about improving user experiences (UX) through human-centered research and design. Whether the “users” are students, educators, administrators, or families, she believes schools should be inclusive, supportive environments for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Her research focuses on understanding teacher experiences, identifying their needs, and building digital systems that are responsive, accessible, and innovative.
She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from UT Austin.
Luisa Suarez is the Graphics/Social Media Intern at Texas THRIVE. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with an early Master’s in Advertising at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is part of the Moody Honors Program. With a strong background in social media strategy, content creation, and brand engagement, Luisa specializes in crafting compelling digital narratives that drive community engagement and impact.
Beyond her work in marketing and communications, Luisa is passionate about giving back to her community through meaningful initiatives that create lasting change. Her experience in bilingual programming and financial literacy advocacy has allowed her to support underserved communities by fostering education and empowerment. At THRIVE, she uses her expertise to develop creative campaigns that uplift and connect educators across Texas, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive in their careers.
THRIVE Coaches
Adaugo Ogike-Love has more than thirty years of service as a dedicated and experienced educator, teacher and leader coach, and perpetual learner. Her educational journey began in Milwaukee, WI, as a Pre-K teacher and preschool director. She then taught elementary and middle school before moving to Chicago, where she taught high school English and History and became the first Dean of Culture at a high-performing charter school on the city’s south side.
In 2015, Adaugo moved to Austin, TX, where she later held various roles at KIPP Texas Public Schools, including founding Assistant Principal, Dean of Culture, Principal in Residence, and Regional Director of Academic Acceleration.
Throughout her career, Adaugo has leveraged her passion and talent for mentoring and coaching to guide and support her teams and leaders. A passionate advocate for academic achievement, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional health, she spearheaded educational programs and fostered positive school environments, that enhanced teacher development and increased student achievement.
Adrienne Prewett has covered many roles in her educational career including ELA classroom teacher, athletic coach, instructional coach, English Language Arts K-12 district curriculum coordinator, administrator, and independent consultant in several districts in Central Texas. Adrienne graduated from Lamar University with a Master’s of Education degree and from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in early childhood education. In her experience as an educator, Adrienne has come to learn the value and importance of relationships and their impact on student and teacher growth. She is passionate about helping teachers grow in their craft and sharing professional learning that will assist them in their professional journey.
Jennifer Ross firmly believes in the transformative power of education. She is passionate about creating equitable systems and building communities where all children can grow and enjoy learning. Knowing first-hand the impact that dedicated mentors have on new teachers, she strives to collaborate with school leaders and mentors in order to uplift the teaching profession and support novice teachers through their first years of teaching.
Jennifer holds a B.A in Communications and M.ED in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. She has experience working with K-12 both in the United States as well as abroad and is a champion of bilingual education.
With 33 years of dedicated service in education, Katie Brown brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion to every role she undertakes. She has spent 31 of those years as an elementary classroom teacher, with her greatest passion and expertise focused on teaching 1st and 2nd grade students. In addition to her classroom work, Katie served as an instructional coach on a Title 1 campus, where she supported PreK through 5th grade teachers and students in strengthening instruction and improving learning outcomes.
For 23 years, Katie played a pivotal role in Austin ISD’s new teacher support efforts, leading orientation cohorts and mentoring countless beginning teachers. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2003 and renewed her certification in 2013. She also led National Board Mentoring Cohorts, guiding fellow educators through the rigorous certification process.
Katie holds both a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree and a Master of Education degree from Southwest Texas State University. She is highly regarded for leading professional development in Balanced Literacy, Reading and Writing Workshops, MathInvestigations curriculum, Social Studies Curriculum Planning, and Social Emotional Learning Sessions. Her passion for mentoring new teachers and her deep commitment to nurturing young learners continue to fuel her desire to stay engaged and active in the field of education.
LaMonica Lewis is a native Austinite. Her childhood education progressed throughout the Austin Independent School District and then matriculated to the University of Texas at Austin. She served as an educator for 32 years in the same District that she grew up in.
Her career as an educator allowed her to serve in other capacities as well, enabling her to assist her mentees and other colleagues with improving their practice through planning, instruction, content knowledge, reflection and behavior management.
After retiring in 2019, she returned to the field of education as a Texas START Teacher Leader for the College of Education at the University of Texas. This afforded her even more opportunity to support Early Career Teachers as a mentor and coach. She is currently serving as a THRIVE coach.
LaMonica firmly believes that positive thinking and high expectations greatly benefit everyone, especially our students and those who have the responsibility of educating them. Educators and Mentors can shape lives, so it’s vital to use our influence to inspire and challenge them to reach their full potential.
Nathali Lopez is a passionate educator, mentor, and advocate for early career teacher development. She brings over a decade of experience in public education, including service as a bilingual classroom teacher, librarian, and campus mentor. A San Marcos native and proud product of Texas public schools, Nathali has held a variety of leadership roles, including Lead Campus Mentor, professional development facilitator, and Campus Improvement Team member. She was named Bowie Elementary’s 2016 Teacher of the Year for her instructional excellence, campus leadership, and commitment to student success.
Most recently, Nathali served as a Teacher Leader with the Texas Education START program, supporting campuses in developing strong mentoring systems for early career teachers. In the 2025–2026 school year, she will begin her role as a THRIVE Mentor Coach with the UT College of Education, where she will support veteran educators in growing their skills as effective, reflective mentors.
Nathali holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Brown University and an MBA from Texas State University. Drawing on her diverse background in education and leadership, she believes in the power of curiosity, connection, and high expectations to transform learning communities and support sustainable growth for teachers and students alike.
Penelope Jones is an educational specialist, advocate, and mentor coach committed to ensuring all students have access to excellent teaching. With over a decade of experience, her work is grounded in the belief that teachers thrive when they are supported, mentored, and empowered to grow.
As a THRIVE Coach, Penelope partners with district leaders, campus leaders, mentor leads, and mentors to build capacity across school systems. Her coaching centers on development over compliance, helping schools create sustainable, equity-driven mentoring structures that support early-career teachers.
She believes mentors are deeply committed to their roles—and with the right training and support, their impact is transformative. Penelope is passionate about building that capacity, because when mentors grow, so do their teachers—and ultimately, their students.
A former special education teacher and current Field Supervisor, Penelope also works directly with first-year teachers, conducting observations and collaborating with school teams to provide growth-focused, cohesive support. Students remain her north star—and building strong systems around the educators who serve them is her life’s work.
Sarah Ivory, M.Ed started her career as a Teach for America corps member in St. Louis, Missouri. She spent four years teaching high school and earning a masters degree in secondary education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. During this time, she was awarded the Pettus Award for Excellence in Education from St. Louis Public Schools. Sarah moved back to Austin and worked in Del Valle ISD as a teacher, behavior specialist, and assistant principal. Most recently, she has served in Austin ISD as a new teacher mentor. Her focus is on improving public education for underserved communities and helping teachers feel empowered, appreciated, and supported.
Faculty Advisors
Charles R. Martinez, Jr. is the 12th dean of the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Martinez was named dean-designate in July 2018 and began his tenure as dean on January 1, 2019. Martinez holds the Lee Hage Jamail Regents Chair in Education and the Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair. He is a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology.
Martinez’s scholarly work focuses on identifying factors that hinder or promote the success of children and families from vulnerable and underserved populations.
Martinez has led numerous national and international research projects designed to examine risk and protective factors involved in linking social and cultural factors to education and behavioral health disparities for Latino children and families and to develop and test culturally specific interventions for at-risk families in the U.S. and in Latin America. His work has garnered federal and international grants totaling more than $35 million. Agencies funding his research include the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Prior to joining the University of Texas, Martinez was the Philip H. Knight Professor in the Department of Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership at the University of Oregon, where he also served as founding director of the Center for Equity Promotion.
A first-generation college graduate, Martinez received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pitzer College, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.
Beth Maloch, Ph.D., is the senior associate dean of the College of Education and a professor in Language and Literacy Studies in the Department of Curriculum and instruction. She previously served the college as associate dean for administration and educator preparation. Maloch teaches undergraduate courses in literacy methods and graduate courses in classroom discourse and discourse analysis. Her research attends closely to the discourse of classrooms, particularly the discussion that happens around text, as well as preservice teacher education. Most recently, her research has focused on the coaching and mentoring that takes place in teacher education programs, particularly by the cooperating teachers.
Melissa Mosley Wetzel, Ph.D., is a professor of Language and Literacy Studies in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education. Her scholarship focuses on the preparation of teachers in literacy for equity-focused practices and the development of justice-focused coaching and mentoring in preservice and in-service settings. She draws from critical race scholarship and culturally sustaining pedagogy frameworks to prepare teachers within field-based literacy teaching experiences. She is also interested in critical literacy learning across the lifespan, particularly how teachers and students together design literacy practices that are transformative. She draws on qualitative methods in her work, primarily critical discourse analysis and ethnography. Wetzel teaches courses in elementary literacy methods, reading development, coaching and mentoring, literacy leadership, sociolinguistics, teacher inquiry, and critical approaches to studying classroom discourse.