About Us

Dr. Deborah Banker engages students through innovative technology integration and research-based practices.  Her passion is to encourage individuals to pursue their dreams of becoming teachers with instilling in them the knowledge that they can do it! 

Having had experience at all levels from pre-K through 12 grade onto higher education and administration, she likes to be on the cutting edge of school reform and curriculum design.  

Dr. Dana Manning is originally from California, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English. After a long career in law enforcement, she earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama while living overseas. She earned her Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Second Language Acquisition from Texas Tech University in 2008, as she began her high school teaching career. Dr. Manning has taught English and yearbook in grades 7-12 at private, public, and public charter schools throughout Texas. 

She is passionate about curriculum and innovative instruction, especially in teacher education settings. She is a Certified Curriculum Auditor, and is currently working on her ISTE for Educators Certification. She has taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels, most recently at a regional university in Texas. Her research interests include teacher preparation for ESL, the integration of technology in the classroom, and curriculum evaluation. 

Dr. Jeffrey Miller is a PK-12 urban school district administrator with specialization in STEM, college readiness, curriculum & instruction, and education reform.  Dr. Miller earned a Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M, a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree with a concentration in science education from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelor Degree in Physics from Texas A&M University. 

Before becoming a school district level administrator, he spent years in the classroom teaching Mathematics and Physics to high school students,  years as a mathematics instructional coach, and a K-12 Mathematics supervisor in urban schools districts.  More recently, Dr. Miller has served as an Executive Director of College Readiness, Executive Director of curriculum and Instruction, and Senior Director of Student Services for large urban school districts.

Dr. Miller is the husband to the woman of his dreams, the proud father of four children, and is currently an education blogger and host of the Purpose Driven Educator podcast.

Jonas Perez is a proud Texas educator from Pharr, TX. He attained a Bachelors in English from The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in 2012. He likewise received a Masters of Education from the University of North Texas, and is a certified principal. Jonas has taught at public Title One elementary and middle schools for the last six years, focusing on Bilingual Education, ELA, and Writing. 

Apart from education experience, Jonas is a published author, blogger, vlogger, and artist. He currently lives in North Texas with his soulmate and three beautiful children. 

Mrs. Stuart has worked in education for fifteen years in a variety of different capacities. Before becoming a teacher she was an instructional aid in several classrooms and worked in a reading clinic. She taught several years as a TK, 1st and 2nd grade teacher. She then went on to hold the Title 1 academic support teacher for grades K-6th and the Title 1 behavior support teacher. In addition to teaching, she also served as the Summer Academy Principal for two years, as well as the Lead Teacher for Saturday Academy. She has now taken on the role of principal at an elementary school.  

Mrs. Stuart earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in best practices.