Austin, Texas: TCEA is proud to announce that Crystal Fuentes will serve on the organization’s Board of Directors in the newly updated role of membership and records chair for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Fuentes officially took office on April 1, 2025, and will continue her duties at the Board’s first meeting of the new year on April 11.

Fuentes has spent more than a decade serving as a classroom teacher, as well as an instructional technology coordinator, new teacher mentor coordinator, and district testing
coordinator. As a bilingual educator, she has played a key role in delivering multifaceted mentorship and guidance for students and other educators, alike.

Fuentes has served the Clint Independent School District since August of 2014, and remains dedicated to helping not just those in her community, but all of TCEA’s members, integrate technology into their teaching and learning.

“This year’s board is a dynamic one. Each individual is well known in their own field and brings a wealth of prior achievements and expertise. They are truly focused on the needs of our members and how TCEA can better serve them,” said Lori Gracey, executive director of TCEA.

TCEA proudly celebrates the achievements of Crystal Fuentes and welcomes her back for another year of advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology.

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Austin, Texas: TCEA is proud to announce that Cori Coburn has been appointed to the role of president-elect and will serve as the Board of Directors’ vice president for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Having been elected in the fall of 2024, Coburn officially took office on April 1, 2025, and will begin performing the duties of vice president at the Board’s first meeting of the new year on April 11.

Coburn joined the TCEA Board of Directors in April of 2018 as an area director, and has served the organization’s members faithfully since. With nearly two decades’ experience in the education technology industry, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing educators pertaining to digital learning. Coburn currently serves as the educational technology support manager at Austin Community College, where she helps collegiate educators navigate and integrate emerging technologies into
their teaching and professional development.

“This year’s board is a dynamic one. Each individual is well known in their own field and brings a wealth of prior achievements and expertise. They are truly focused on the needs of our members and how TCEA can better serve them,” said Lori Gracey, executive director of TCEA.

TCEA proudly celebrates the achievements of Cori Coburn and welcomes her back for another year of advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology.

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Austin, Texas: TCEA is proud to announce that Dr. Cynthia Sosa has been appointed president of the organization’s esteemed Board of Directors. Dr. Sosa officially took office on April 1, 2025, and will begin her duties at the Board’s first meeting of the new year on April 11.

Dr. Sosa brings a wealth of experience to TCEA, having served as a teacher, trainer, instructional technology specialist, and higher education faculty member throughout her distinguished career. Dr. Sosa first joined the Board as an area director in April of 2020 and has faithfully served the organization’s network of 85,000 members ever since. 

“In the last few years, the Board of Directors has discussed at length its role, considering the growth TCEA has undergone with its content offerings and membership. We have shifted our priorities to now focus on governance, continuing to have discussions and take action to streamline it. This means updating policies, board member roles, and the nomination and election process,” explained Dr. Sosa.

She continued to say that, “This year, we will develop a strategic plan for the next 5 years, which will give direction to the Executive Director and staff… There are also other conversations that will transpire about the TCEA’s potential impact in the state, nation, and around the globe.”

As the board’s first Latina president from South Texas to take office, Dr. Sosa says that she is proud to serve TCEA’s membership in this new capacity. When reflecting on starting her sixth year on the board, she explained, “I am proud of the work we have accomplished to continue to steer TCEA towards success. I am honored to be in this position and do not take it lightly. I believe in contributing my skills and expertise to support TCEA’s continued growth and impact.”

“I am so excited about Dr. Sosa’s presidency,” said Lori Gracey, executive director of TCEA. “She brings a rich background in higher education and research that will fit in well with the organization’s focus on research-based instructional practices PreK-16. She is also well versed in how to build a strong team to solve potential challenges — it’s going to be a great year for TCEA!”

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Board of Directors president, Dr. Cynthia Sosa, and in welcoming her back for another year of advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology.

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Austin, Texas: TCEA has officially welcomed its 2025 Board of Directors and will host its first meeting of the 2025 fiscal year at the TCEA World Headquarters this April 11. The current board includes 19 professional educators who work on a volunteer basis to support TCEA’s membership and act as the organization’s governing body. This group includes and is led by five directors who make up the executive committee.

This year’s Board of Directors also follows a new structure for the organization, with updated role descriptions for each of the executive committee’s members and without the title of “area directors”. This change was passed in a vote held in late 2024. 

“With the past year spent on improving TCEA’s board governance model, the board of directors is perfectly set to lead the organization into 2030 and beyond. The board members are strong individually in education, leadership, collaboration, and strategic planning,” says TCEA Executive Director Lori Gracey.

TCEA is pleased to introduce board members selected to begin or continue their service starting April 1, 2025. These individuals will lead TCEA as it continues to advance teaching and learning through technology and better serve the needs of our 85,000 members.

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Dr. Cynthia L. Sosa – President

Cori Coburn – Vice President

Dr. Brian Brown – Past-President

Crystal Fuentes – Membership and Records Chair

Mark Patrick – Finance Chair

Board Members

Alyssa Butler

Dr. Lydia Croupe

Sarah Henderson

Luke Hurst

Jennifer Krnavek

Bill Long

Jessica Mays

Meredith McCune

Dr. Sheryl Roehl

Don Sewell

Tessa Stow

Wacey Tobler

Jacki Wright

Justin Yepez

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Austin, Texas:  The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) proudly welcomes Bill Long to its esteemed board of directors as the new TCEA Director of Areas 15 and 18. Long, currently serving as the director of technology and cybersecurity coordinator at Harper ISD, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role. Stepping into his 2-year term, he joins 21 peers to support TCEA’s mission of advancing teaching and learning through technology.

With 18 years of experience as a technology director in PreK-12 education and over 30 years in IT, Long brings a unique blend of expertise to the TCEA Board of Directors. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Education in Learning and Technology, his extensive list of certifications, including Microsoft MCSE, MTA, CompTIA Linux+, Project+, Security+, and Network+, underscores his dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. 

Recognized for his strengths in technology, networking, and cybersecurity, Long is poised to make significant contributions to TCEA’s mission of empowering educators to integrate technology effectively in teaching and learning. Reflecting on his appointment, Long shared his thoughts, stating, “Two critical skills for our youth today are ‘out-of-the-box thinking’ and ‘information validation.’ Technology can give you the answers, the question is how to use them.” This sentiment emphasizes his commitment to fostering critical thinking and digital literacy among students. 

Long is involved with TCEA as an active member and has served in various capacities, including as a former Special Interest Group (SIG) member and SIG president.  Executive Director of TCEA, Lori Gracey, expressed enthusiasm about Long’s addition to the board, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Bill to the TCEA Board of Directors. His extensive experience in education technology and cybersecurity will undoubtedly enrich our efforts to support educators. Bill’s passion for empowering students with the skills they need to thrive in a digital age aligns perfectly with TCEA’s mission.”

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Austin, Texas: The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) proudly announces Dr. Brian Brown as the new president of its esteemed board of directors. With extensive experience in educational leadership and technology integration, Dr. Brown brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.

Currently serving as chief technology officer for Duncanville Independent School District, Dr. Brown has been at the forefront of driving technological innovation in education. Previously, he held the position of executive director and information officer at the College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Dr. Brown’s dedication to education and technology has been evident throughout his career, and he has played a key role in shaping the future of education in Texas. Dr. Brown has been a TCEA member since 2007 and has served in various capacities within the organization, including as the TCEA Area 11 Director, Finance and Records Chair, TCEA Vice President, and the 2021 Convention Chair.

“I have learned a great deal during my years on the TCEA Board of Directors, and I seek to continue serving our members,” said Dr. Brown. “I am honored to lead our community and advance teaching and learning through technology. I am committed to fostering transparency, inclusivity, and innovation as we collectively shape the future of learning.”

Lori Gracey, executive director of TCEA, expressed confidence in Dr. Brown’s leadership abilities: “Brian’s commitment to TCEA’s mission and his deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing educators today make him the ideal candidate to lead our board of directors. We look forward to working closely with him to further our mission of empowering educators through technology.”

As president, Dr. Brian Brown will continue to advocate for the effective integration of technology in education, ensuring that educators across Texas have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed.

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Austin, Texas: TCEA is delighted to introduce Justin Yepez to the TCEA Board of Directors as the newly elected director for Area 19. Stepping into his 3-year term as a fresh addition to the board, Justin joins 21 fellow educators in supporting TCEA’s mission of advancing teaching and learning through technology. 

Yepez, currently serving as an Elementary Campus Teaching Coach at Barron Elementary School in El Paso ISD, holds an impressive educational background. With a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in elementary education and a master’s degree in education administration. His commitment to professional development is evident through his numerous certifications, including Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 and 2, Apple Teacher, and Google-certified Level 1, among others.

Throughout his career, Yepez has been recognized for his innovative contributions to education. He was honored with the Microsoft Innovation Pioneer Award in 2023 and named Teacher of the Year at Carroll T. Welch Elementary for the 2020-2021 academic year. With roles ranging from teacher to technology coach to instructional technology coordinator, Yepez has consistently demonstrated his passion for enhancing classroom experiences through technology.

“As an ed tech advocate who believes in enhancing the classroom with technology, I want to make TCEA more visible to educators in the region,” said Yepez. “More educators should be aware of TCEA’s professional development opportunities.”

In his new capacity, Yepez aims to strengthen partnerships and increase awareness of TCEA’s professional development offerings. He envisions a future where TCEA plays a central role in supporting educators and enhancing learning experiences through technology.

“We are thrilled to welcome Justin Yepez to the TCEA board,” said TCEA Executive Director, Lori Gracey. “His dedication to education and passion for technology make him an invaluable addition to our team. We look forward to working together to advance TCEA’s mission and empower educators across the region.”

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Austin, Texas: The TCEA Board of Directors is comprised of 22 professional educators representing each of the 20 Education Service Centers in Texas. In addition to the area directors, the board has six directors who make up the executive committee. This group of dedicated professionals guides TCEA in its vision and mission, actively volunteers their time to advocate for technology, and offers their expertise to ensure TCEA members are supported. 

“Our board members play a pivotal role in shaping TCEA’s direction and initiatives. Their dedication and expertise are instrumental in advancing our mission to enhance teaching and learning through technology,” says TCEA Executive Director Lori Gracey. “Their dedication to the leadership and mission of our association is invaluable, and we are truly grateful to have a board that is deeply committed to the leadership and needs of this association. 

TCEA is pleased to introduce board members selected to begin or continue their service starting April 1, 2024. These individuals will lead TCEA as it continues to advance teaching and learning through technology and better serve the needs of our members. 

2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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by Abby Doring, Van ISD

VAN, Texas – Recently, Van Independent School District announced a forthcoming STEAM Bus road trip to far West Texas -an ambitious project slated for the summer of 2024. The excursion, being branded as the “Western STEAM Tour,” will feature stops at rural schools and Texas landmarks. During these stops, Van ISD educators will share best practices in STEAM learning and offer hands-on experiences to students.

STEAM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, is a platform that emphasizes innovative and engaging opportunities that usually involve a degree of problem-solving using the five STEAM components.

The Van STEAM Bus has been in use since 2019. It was an in-house project with most work being completed by Van ISD staff members and students. The endeavor was made possible by a financial gift from Chevron. Victron Energy also contributed to the project.

VISD is seeking corporate sponsors for the 1,500 mile road trip to West Texas as the “Western STEAM Tour” will rely solely on sponsorship dollars. The consulting firm of Kellogg and Sovereign recently signed on as the first corporate sponsor of the project. The school district’s CTO, Jason Johnson, had this to say, “We have been given a great gift in this STEAM Bus. Our students have really benefited from the hands-on learning experiences afforded through the bus and we would like to ‘pay it forward’ in a sense, and share this with other students in our state who may not otherwise have these opportunities.”

Van ISD is a public school district in East Texas. CmTently, they have an enrollment of just under 2,500 students. According to the Texas Education Agency, they are an “A” rated school district.

The tour is tentatively scheduled for June of 2024 and will make appearances at summer schools and STEAM camps all across West Texas and Big Bend country. Anyone interested in sponsoring this first-of-its kind event or scheduling a stop at their school, should visit vansteambus.org.

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