A proud graduate of Houston ISD schools, Alejandra E. Ortega began her teaching career in Houston ISD at Hogg Middle School as an 8th-grade math teacher. She then served as math department head and Campus Induction Coordinator at McReynolds Middle School, her alma mater. In 2018, Ortega was named the 2018 Houston ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year as a result of her strong instructional practices and passion for student-centered learning experiences. Most recently, Ortega served as an assistant principal at Furr High School, where she focused on building teacher capacity; increasing student enrollment as magnet coordinator; enhancing family and community engagement; and developing student systems around attendance, restorative discipline practices, and increasing student engagement. She was also recognized as the 2019-2020 Houston ISD East Area First-Year High School Assistant Principal of the Year. Ortega is a first-generation college graduate, holding a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.

A proud graduate from St. Croix Educational Complex in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mrs. Thomas-Muhammad began her teaching career with Houston ISD as a reading and writing teacher at Woodson K-8 Academy. Her ability to forge authentic relationships with students and her relentless commitment to academic excellence led to remarkable gains in student achievement across all accountability domains. Throughout her career, Mrs. Thomas-Muhammad has held various campus leadership roles including department chair, teacher specialist, dean of students, assistant principal, talent development coach, dean of instruction, and most recently principal apprentice. Mrs. Thomas-Muhammad earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Norfolk State University. She earned a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas-Muhammad is a proud alum of Teacher For America 2011 Corps.

A proud graduate from Humble ISD, Mr. Moreno’s passion for education began as an IB student and IB Diploma recipient. His career in education began in Houston ISD at Lamar High School, where he taught U.S. History and World Geography, as well as IB Theory of Knowledge. Mr. Moreno was nominated and received both the Lamar High School and the Houston ISD Beginning Teacher of the Year recognitions. He served as the Extended Essay and CAS Coordinator for the IB Diploma Program, and spearheaded initiatives to improve the program and its processes at Lamar High School. From there, his career continued at Sharpstown International School as the Magnet Program Coordinator and 7^th Grade Administrator. His priorities included recruitment, application and enrollment processes, and retention for the school’s Magnet Program. His passion for helping middle school students began here, as he worked closely with 7^th grade teachers, parents, and students to ensure that they were successful not only academically, but socially and emotionally as they navigated and transitioned through this age and time in their lives. A proud Longhorn, Mr. Moreno received a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Texas at Austin. He most recently has completed his Master of Education degree from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.

A proud graduate from HCISD in the Rio Grande Valley, Mrs. Esparza-Brooks began her teaching career with KIPP Third Ward where she worked as a special education paraprofessional before serving as a 6th grade reading teacher and department chair. Her advocacy for students led to nominations for several awards.  Additionally, she piloted the creation of a campus specialist role whose objectives were to develop staff in support of emergent bilingual students. Mrs. Esparza-Brooks later worked in Pasadena ISD where her hard work and commitment to student achievement earned her the award of Teacher of the Year. Throughout her career, she has helped build the capacity of her peers through instructional coaching and teacher mentorship roles, innovated the formation of multiple intervention roles centered on student academic and behavioral support, partnered with district leaders to facilitate professional development, and spearheaded the result of an accessible campus-based program storeroom designed to help students meet basic needs.  Mrs. Esparza-Brooks completed her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from the University of Houston. She earned a master’s in Education Administration from Sam Houston State University. 

Adrian Bidulescu (Bee-doo-les-koo) grew up in a family of educators in Eastern Europe, Romania. In 2003, after graduating from the University of Bucharest with a bachelor's degree in psychology and special education, Bidulescu embarked on a teaching adventure in South Carolina. Three years later, he moved to England for a 1-year teaching position, returning to the US in 2007, as a special education department head with Atlanta Public Schools. In 2011, Bidulescu and his family relocated to Texas, in the South Houston area. Between 2011-2014 he worked as a literacy coach and reading specialist with Ball High School in Galveston. In 2014, Bidulescu was hired as a secondary specialist with the central office of Clear Creek ISD (11 middle schools and 3 high schools). In 2017, he joined Clear Lake High School as their ESL instructional coach. In 2021, Bidulescu became an assistant principal with Santa Fe High School, where he worked for the past 2 years. With graduate degrees from UT Arlington and Lamar University, Adrian Bidulescu is passionate about meaningful learning (curriculum and instruction), team building, and student success. 

A proud graduate of Roma ISD in the Rio Grande Valley.  Mrs. Mendoza began her teaching career in HISD as a 6^th/7^th grade Science teacher at Pershing Middle School.  She also served as cluster leader, science department head, and Campus Induction Coordinator.  In 2020, Mendoza returned to her roots at Ortiz Middle School where she completed her student teacher internship program back in 2004. For the past three years she has served as an 8^th grade science teacher.  Throughout her career, Mendoza mentored and supported many beginning teachers and student teachers from the University of Houston and Northern Illinois University. Mendoza earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree from the University of Houston and her Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from Lamar University.  A proud UH alumni cougar and Lamar cardinal, Mendoza continues to support students, teachers, families, and community. 

A graduate of Lewisville ISD in the DFW area, Victoria Truckenmiller moved to Houston to began her teaching career in Houston ISD at Braeburn Elementary School as an Science Lab teacher for Pre-Kindergarten through 5^th grade. The Science Lab turned into a STEM lab where she promoted STEM education and Robotics for the next 4 years. In 2018, Truckenmiller moved to Spring Branch ISD to teach Math and Science to various upper Elementary students. Last year, she came back to Houston ISD to serve as a Reading and Dyslexia Interventionist. Truckenmiller graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor’s in EC-6 Education with an English as Second Language certification. She is excited to be back in STEM education and working with the Verizon Innovation Lab.

Nathaniel Rennalls was born in Fresno, TX, and spent most of his formative years in PA before returning to Houston for high school and college. He graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in education and immediately got to work in Crosby as a 3rd-grade teacher in Math and Science. Before relocating to Houston ISD, he worked with admin and fellow teachers in the district for 5 years as a teacher and instructional technology teacher representative. In HISD, Rennalls worked at McReynolds Middle School for 2 years as a Math teacher and department educational technology support before transitioning into his current role as an instructional technologist at Ortiz Middle School. Nathaniel Rennalls is a firm believer in creating meaningful change for staff, students, and the community by utilizing technology as a tool to shape the future.