Welcome to FAST!

Hello there! I am Sara Perez, and this is my 2nd year with the FAST team as the Family Resource Coordinator (FRC). As the FRC I offer extra support to the students and families during the school year. I assist with locating resources in regards to: financial hardship, homelessness, major medical concerns, mental health services and much more. I also hold groups throughout the year for the students. Some of the popular topics have included grief, bullying, self-esteem, motivation, teen pregnancy and teen parenting. I am a licensed social worker and have worked with many different populations and communities over the last 13 years. I started my career working with the homeless and this is where I discovered my passion for working with families! I am an eternal optimist and believe every family has the potential to succeed here at TXVA!

Sarah Robinson

This is my 6th year working for K12. I began as a 3rd-5th grade social studies teacher, then moved into HS advising. For the past 3 years I have worked as our family engagement coordinator, planning our outreach opportunities for our hard working families. I also have 2 boys ages 18 and 11; and a 6 year old daughter. I LOVE my job! I have spent the past 15 years working in various avenues of education but my K12 job by far is my very favorite of all. I have the joy of working with our amazing teachers and administration in planning outreach for the state of Texas. I am humbled each day by the stories of our families that have triumphed over adversity due to their learning coaches relentless efforts and dedication of our determined staff.

I'm Jessica McDowell and it is my pleasure to be apart of the FASTeam. It is TXVA's second year of having this team in place and my second year on it. Prior to this I was a teacher for TXVA. I believe in the team's mission to add an additional layer of support for our families so they can reach their full potential here with us in school and later in life.

My name is Nicolle Jenkins and I am starting my 2nd year with the FAST team after teaching 4th grade writing at TXVA for 2 years. I have been married for 19 years and we have 2 teenagers that keep us very busy! I understand the need for guidance and support for our struggling students and intend to offer that through weekly meetings and constant communication. I am proud to be a member of a team with proven success and a dedication to their families that does not waiver!

Howdy! My name is Mindy Trejo and this is my 2nd year as a Family Academic Support Liaison with TXVA. I am a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class on ’01. After graduation I joined the Air Force and served as a meteorologist working in Shreveport, LA, Pyontaek, South Korea, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. While in South Korea I became interested in elementary education and began taking steps towards getting my Master’s Degree in Education. I have just over four years teaching experience in kindergarten and first grade. I have a wonderful husband, three great daughters, and an energetic young German Shepherd puppy. I look forward to working with your family.

Hello,

I am Angela Rutledge, your Strong Start Specialist for 6th – 8th grades. I will be leading your orientation and open office sessions to help give you the tools that you need to succeed at TXVA and answer any questions you may have.

I have been with TXVA since 2010, where I started out teaching 7th grade math. Since 2014, I have been serving brand new families just like you, as part of the Family Academic Support Team. I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure at Texas Virtual Academy.

My name is Nidia Ampadu, I live in Brownsville, Texas. I have been married to my husband for almost 15 years, with 2 lovely children a 13-year-old son and a happy 6-year-old daughter. Their happiness and education mean the world to me. I enjoy the beach and being involved in my children’s day to day extra activities.

In 2015, I had the privilege to work with the wonderful FAST Team. I first started as an Attendance Specialist and allowed me to work closely with the TXVA families. When given the opportunity I join the Family Academic Support Liaison team. I am very proud of working in a team where I have learned the value of teamwork and the commitment the FASLs have in putting our Student First.

I look forward to getting know and in working side by side with you this year while having one goal in mind “our student’s success.”

• Learning Coach for the school year 2008-09

• Started teaching with TXVA January 2010

• Taught elementary math and science

• Intake Specialist (now called Family Academic Support Liaison) school year 2014-present

• Married 20 years with two daughters, 18 and 13 years old

Hello! My name is Anne Joles and I am new to the TXVA family! I am excited to join TXVA as a Family Academic Support Liaison for students and families in grades 6-8. I previously taught for three years and before that, I worked in customer service and recruiting. I earned my M.Ed online in 2014 so I know what it can be like to an online learner. I believe this role will be a great new way to share my love of helping people! I have lived in the Dallas area for 11 years with my husband, Chris. We have two boys, ages six and two. Two pug mix puppies are also a big part of our family!

Hi! My name is Tonya Wilson. This marks my first year with TXVA (2016) as a Family Academic Support Liaison focusing on grade levels 3-5. Working with kids of all ages is very rewarding for me! My previous position was as an Education Director at a professional theatre. I have a BAAS degree in Non-Profit Management from UNT with a focus on Grant Writing, and have a certification to teach ELA 4th-8th. I also have a wonderful husband, and a 6 year old son, who is enrolled in a ResponsiveEd charter school. I firmly believe that giving students the tools they need to succeed will help them to reach all of their future goals and dreams.

Hello! My name is Tarrah Lancaster and I'm a Family Academic Support Liaison here at K12/TXVA. I began working at K12 in the Fall of 2015 and I love it here! I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Howard Payne University in 2000. I have worked with students’ ages 2-19 years old for the last 15 years and I love working with students! I live in the DFW Metroplex area. My husband and I have been married for 16 years and we have two sweet daughters, ages 13 and 10! I have a pug named Chyna. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching my girls play sports, reading, walking, gardening, laughing and enjoying church activities!

I became a teacher because I have a heart that loves to help and also loves working with kids so teaching was always something I was drawn to! I absolutely love learning as well, so it has been a perfect fit. I have taught in the regular brick and mortar classrooms but was drawn to the virtual school because of the exciting opportunities it provides for students and their families! I am on the Family Academic Support Team here at TXVA. I love getting to help families and students which is a reward in itself! I am so glad to get to work with you and look forward to getting to know you better!

I am a Family Academic Support Liaison Lead for the HS team.

I've chosen to work with HS students because you have the power! You are innovative, knowledgeable, capable, skilled, and you go after your dreams. I learn from you.

Also, I've chosen to become a part of the FAST team, specifically, because I like working one-on-one with students to help them achieve academically. Because I know that sometimes, with just a little guidance, you can push through and get it done. I hope that if you ever have to work with the FAST team you feel encouraged because now you have another person in your corner; cheering for you to succeed. And because we are the best team in the HS, HEEHEEHEE! (Okay, fine, we're ALL awesome!) If you ever feel overwhelmed and you feel like you have a mountain in front of you. Ask yourself this- How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Stay positive, stay focused, and when it gets hard remember to take one day at a time, and you will be successful. You can do it!

My name is Heather Perkins and I am a Family Academic Support Liaison. I have been with Texas Virtual Academy for almost four years. I have the opportunity to work with students and families with our FAST Team. Last year was my first year on this team...and I love it. I love speaking with students (and their families) and supporting them, in every way possible, to meet their goals, whether it be to go to college or to get a great job they enjoy...I am here for them.

My name is Misti Hernandez and I am a FASL for TXVA. FASL stands for Family Academic Support Liaison and I am here to provide non-academic support to our students and Learning Coaches while schooling virtually. My goal as a FASL is to fully engage each child to ensure student achievement and success. I currently reside in Euless, TX with my 2 beautiful Daughters Miranda - 19 and Hayli – 16; my two dogs and one cat.

My career started in the Healthcare field in 2004 as a Nurse Tech. In 2008 I decided to go back to school not knowing a year later I would be changing my career path once again. If I am not at work, I enjoy being outside, whether I am Kayaking, fishing or spending time with both of my daughters.

In 2011, I started working for K12 at Texas Virtual Academy for 2 years. In 2014, I was given the opportunity to open another school in the State of Texas for k12 which was very challenging, but I accomplished it. In 2015, I was offered a position on the FAST Team. And here I am ...I am HERE to help you become Engaged, keep you Encouraged, and Empower you to become a Successful Student with TXVA!