The TAGT Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is designed to provide new district G/T coordinators (3 years of experience or fewer) with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with school staff, parents, students, and the community to positively impact the development of appropriate educational services for G/T students in their district.
Congratulations to the 2026–2027 cohort!
Katherine Anderson de Gonzalez has 25 years of experience in education, serving in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including bilingual teacher, assistant principal, Multilingual Program Specialist, Senior Manager of Multilingual Programs, and Director of Multilingual Programs. Throughout her career, she spent 15 years in Aldine ISD and 7 years in Houston ISD. She currently serves in Cleveland ISD, where she has worked for the past 3 years.
Laura Brown is an Advanced Academics Facilitator in Mesquite ISD with experience across K–12 education and with a variety of student populations, including gifted learners. In her district-level role, she supports gifted education both directly and by guiding and coaching teachers. Laura is passionate about helping educators strengthen their practice and creating meaningful support for gifted students.
Bonetha Christopher is the Curriculum Director for Newton ISD and has 22 years of experience supporting gifted and talented education. Throughout her career, she has worked with G/T students and programs as a first-grade teacher, counselor, principal, and curriculum director. In her current district leadership role, she supports campuses across Newton ISD and works to strengthen services for gifted learners in the district’s rural community.
Amy Cramer is the Secondary Math Coordinator and G/T Co-Coordinator for Barbers Hill ISD. With more than 20 years in education, she has served as a middle and high school math teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and academic dean. In her current role, she supports districtwide G/T identification, assessment, professional learning, and efforts to strengthen equitable access to gifted services.
Amber Fomby is a high school counselor with Newton Independent School District, a small rural district in Texas. In her role, she supports students at the secondary level and is beginning her work with gifted and talented services on her campus. She is focused on expanding her knowledge of gifted education, strengthening services for high school students, and helping develop a program that is appropriately challenging and responsive to student needs.
Carrie Hefner is the G/T District Coordinator for Chapel Hill ISD and has 17 years of experience teaching gifted students. For the past five years, she has served as both the district coordinator and the district’s only G/T teacher. In her dual role, she leads program decisions and works closely with district administrators to strengthen services for gifted learners.
With 13 years of experience in education, Cara Karpel is expanding her focus on serving gifted learners and strengthening G/T programming in her rural district. She is particularly interested in developing her knowledge of student assessment, curriculum and instruction, and family and community involvement to better support gifted students and the educators who serve them.
Lakeesha Kenebrew is a counselor at Newton High School with more than 10 years of experience in education. She began her career as a Pre-K aide and has taught first, second, and fifth grades. Now stepping into G/T leadership, she is focused on strengthening her knowledge of gifted education and supporting effective programming for students, staff, and families.
Brandee Lewis is a Gifted and Talented District Coordinator with Dallas ISD, where she leads K–5 G/T curriculum, teacher development, and program implementation. A former Teacher of the Year and TEA exemplar educator, she is committed to strengthening equitable access, high-quality instruction, and educator capacity for gifted learners. She will earn her M.S. in gifted education from the University of North Texas in May 2026.
Leonesea Morgan is the Executive Director for Gifted & Talented at Faith Family Academy, where she leads districtwide efforts to strengthen student support systems, family partnerships, and academic success. A veteran educator, she is pursuing a doctorate in school improvement and is committed to advancing educational equity, community engagement, and high-quality learning opportunities for all students.
Dawn Moten is the G/T Instructional Specialist for Cedar Hill ISD and has 26 years of experience in education. Her interest in gifted education began as a G/T teacher, and she now leads the district’s G/T program. In her current role, she oversees areas including identification and testing, professional development, and student programming while working to strengthen and expand services for gifted learners across the district.
Kristen Roberts is the Secondary G/T Coordinator for Frisco ISD and has 14 years of experience in gifted education. After serving three years as a lead teacher, she is stepping into district-level coordination with a strong background in curriculum and instruction. In her current role, she supports secondary G/T services across a large and growing district while building her expertise in program leadership, governance, and compliance.
Christy Stone is the Advanced Academics Coordinator for Grand Prairie ISD and has 15 years of experience in the district, including 11 years as a gifted specialist. She recently earned her doctorate in gifted curriculum and is committed to supporting advanced learners through rigorous, engaging, and research-based programming. In her new coordinator role, she is focused on strengthening G/T services and expanding her impact as a leader.
Mary Thomas is an elementary school counselor with Newton ISD who oversees implementation of the G/T program on her campus. With 41 years of experience in education, she supports G/T student identification, works with teachers to strengthen instruction, and helps ensure students receive meaningful academic and enrichment opportunities.
Kaleigh Verett is the Advanced Academics Coordinator and IB Diploma Program Coordinator at Temple High School. She has more than 15 years of experience in gifted education, including 15 years in the classroom, and moved into advanced academics leadership in 2024. In her current role, she focuses on strengthening secondary gifted services and helping ensure advanced learners experience meaningful challenge beyond rigorous coursework alone.
Lyndsey Zingerman is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for PBTISD and has 15 years of experience in public education. Her background includes classroom teaching and district administration, with a focus on curriculum development, instructional leadership, data-driven improvement, and teacher growth. In her current role, she is committed to strengthening systems and instructional practices that support gifted and advanced learners.
The Emerging Leaders Program Is Sponsored by
Continue your growth at the annual in-person TAGT Leadership Conference, where district and campus leaders come together to share practical strategies, strengthen program design, and connect with peers across Texas.
