School Leaders

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Carol G. Velazquez is Head of School at Joel C. Harris Middle School, an International Baccalaureate® World School in San Antonio, Texas. Under her leadership, the campus has transitioned from a traditional middle school to a fully authorized International Baccalaureate®  World School. The school completed IB authorization in the spring of 2018. Dr. Velazquez has worked for 23 years as a public educator in the San Antonio ISD, She has been a teacher, Special Education Supervisor, and high school administrator prior to becoming a middle school principal at Harris in 2014. Dr. Velazquez has made it her mission to ensure all her decisions are student-centered and that minority students are given equal access to quality education.

Tambrey Ozuna is the Head of School at Marin B. Fenwick Academy, an International Baccalaureate®   candidate school in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Ozuna holds a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Arts from the University of Texas San Antonio, and a Doctor of Education from Baylor University.  During her studies at Baylor, she had the opportunity to spend a summer in Europe studying educational systems through an international lens.  Her time in Europe introduced her to the IB programs and inspired her to provide access to an IB education for the students at Fenwick Academy.

Irene Talamantes is the newly selected Head of School, at Luther Burbank High School, an International Baccalaureate® World School in San Antonio, Texas. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where she graduated from Coronado High School.  She earned a bachelor’s degree at University of Texas at El Paso and earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University. She has been serving the SAISD community as an educator and later as an administrator since 1998.  She is a firm believer that building relationships with students and parents is the foundation of student achievement. 

He married Sophia J. Brewer in 1982.  Sophia is a retired teacher and presently works as a navigator for the Affordable Care Act.

They have 4 Children: Jeren, 31, graduated from Prairie View with an Electrical Engineering Degree; Alexander, 29, will graduate from Prairie View in May with a Math Degree; and Kiersten, 27, runs track for the University of Houston and will graduate with a Degree in Sports Administration; Halee, 23, will graduate from Longview High School in May and plans to attend Tyler Junior College on a volleyball scholarship. 

James Brewer was born Jan. 8, 1958, in Magnolia, Arkansas. He was the third of seven children -- six boys and a girl. His mother, Earnestine, raised them alone. Brewer graduated from Magnolia High School in 1976, then graduated four years later from Southern Arkansas State with a BSE degree.

He also received ME Degree from Texas A&M in Commerce. 

James Brewer has served 40 years in Texas Education. He served 10 years as Superintendent of DeKalb Independent School District. In 2008, he moved to Longview, Texas, to become Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education and High School Principal. The 2014-2015 school year complete his 14th year as principal at Longview High School. 

He and his family have been members of Galilee Baptist Church in Longview for the past thirteen years, and he currently serves as a Deacon in the church. 

Some of his accomplishments are:

· Coach of the Year

· Principal of the Year

· Superintendent of the Year

Some of the professional organizations that he belongs to:

· he is a member of the NAACP

· SAU Alumni Board Member 

· UIL Legislation 

Jennifer Emerson is the Head of School at Andrew Briscoe Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate® World School in San Antonio, Texas. Her focus is teacher development and efficacy. She is committed to the improvement of student outcomes. She works to ensure students grow to be internationally minded contributors and advocates for their communities and the world. Mrs. Emerson believes in bringing community together to share leadership and in working with others to develop them as leaders. Mrs. Emerson has worked in the San Antonio Independent School District for 10 years, starting as a student teacher at Briscoe. In 2014, she received her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Trinity University.

  Mr. Joaquin Guerrero is the Head of School at South Ward Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate PYP school in Longview, Texas. Before his education career, Mr. Guerrero spent time as a military officer, and has used his skills in creating effective teams to reform and improve the schools in his education career. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of Houston at Clear Lake and is currently a Doctoral Candidate of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University, Commerce. He is excited by the challenge of leading and implementing the IB Programme at South Ward. 

Karen Rose is the Head of School at Woodlawn Academy, an International Baccalaureate® World School in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Indiana at Bloomington and a Master’s in Education Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has 30 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach and administrator in elementary schools and academies.  Her entire career has been dedicated to the students and communities of the San Antonio Independent School District. From a young age her goal has been to make a difference in the lives of children. 

 Linda Rios-Garcia is the Head of School at Mary Huppertz Elementary, an International Baccalaureate®   candidate school in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Rios-Garcia serves her school community with high energy and is relentless in her quest to build relationships and empower others. 

 Martha Leticia Martinez-Silva is the Head of School at Woodlawn Hills Elementary, an International Baccalaureate® candidate school in San Antonio, Texas. She was reared by hard-working immigrants who instilled in her the belief that education is a way of life. Ms. Martinez-Silva holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Bilingual-Bicultural Studies, both from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her goal is to empower students by creating learning relationships, providing tailored instruction and instilling a universal need to help others. 

  Ms. Melanie Hamilton is the Head of School at Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy in Longview, Texas, an International Baccalaureate PYP school. Ms. Hamilton has a BS from Grambling State University and a Master’s from the University of Texas—Permian Basin. She is passionate about ensuring that all children can read fluently, as that is the gatekeeper skill for success in school and life. Ms. Hamilton works with her teachers to ensure that students have the tools needed for their success. She has been an educator in Longview ISD for twelve years, consistently showing her leadership capabilities both in the classroom and while leading teachers. 

  Melanie Pondant has over 29 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, Girls’ Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction, and Middle School Principal at Judson STEAM Academy. Under her leadership as Director of Curriculum & Instruction, the secondary campuses in Longview ISD excelled in earning multiple distinctions each year as well as achieved growth at each state performance level under the current Texas State Accountability System. One of her strengths is developing teacher leaders as she encourages them to pursue advanced degrees and career advancement opportunities. She has also worked closely with district level instructional specialists and campus level administration, playing an instrumental role in turning around campuses to meet state accountability requirements within the district as well as in other districts in the state. As Head of School at Judson STEAM Academy, Melanie Pondant has focused on fostering a climate and culture of high expectations for all students and staff where she has implemented innovative student courses and programs to create a strong middle-to-high-school transition. Under her leadership Judson STEAM Academy has earned the designation as “A Texas School to Watch” by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform along with the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).  She was recognized as the Head Coach of the Year in 2000 and awarded Principal of the Year in 2008 through the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University and Master of Education from Texas A&M University.

 Ralf Halderman is the Head of School at Thomas Jefferson High School, an International Baccalaureate® World School in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a Bachelor’s from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. His experience in education includes teaching, coaching, and administrative positions in Texas school districts. Under his leadership, Thomas Jefferson High School became the first International Baccalaureate® World School in Bexar County to offer both the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programs