Meet Maria

Maria is an expert educator with over 24 years of leading and teaching in urban public schools and universities. She has shared her research in brain science, motivation, and self-regulated learning with teachers at local and international STEM workshops. As an educator, Maria has worked to ensure all students, especially historically marginalized voices, are empowered to learn via equitable supports and strategies. Maria has also served the community as a Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader and as President of Bellaire Young Mothers.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR & TEACHER

Assistant Principal, Southwest Schools
Math Specialist & Teacher, Madison HS & Lawson MS (formerly Dowling MS), HISD
Teacher, Department Chair, & GT Coordinator, Wheatley MS, San Antonio ISD

PROFESSOR and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINER

Regional Instructor, Texas Instruments
Educational Leader Council, EF+Math
Office of STEM Engagement, Rice University
Clinical Associate Professor, teachHOUSTON, UH
Adjunct Professor, Sarasota University, FL

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHER

Dissertation: Teacher-Student Motivation & Classroom Practices
Research Interests: Executive Function, Self-Regulated Learning
Masters Report: Homophobia & Heterosexism in Schools

HISD PARENT & COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

President, Bellaire Young Mothers
Volleyball Coach (Ages 7-8 and 9-11), Bellaire Recreation Center
Kindergarten Room Parent, Condit Elementary, HISD
Troop Co-Leader & Cookie Manager, Girl Scouts (Willow Rock Community)

GRADUATE

G.C. Data Science & Business Analytics, UT-Austin
Ph.D. Educational Psychology, University of Houston (UH)
M.A. Curriculum & Instruction, UT-Austin
B.A. Plan II - Liberal Arts Honors, UT-Austin
B.S. Applied Learning & Development, UT-Austin
Booker T. Washington & the HS for Engineering Professions, HISD