May Xiong was born to Hmong refugee parents and came to America in the early 1980s. She was inspired to pursue higher education through the dream her father instilled in her. Being a first-generation student, she navigated the intricacies of higher education with the help of programs like Upward Bound and Early Identification Program. Achieving her goal of being a Secondary English Education teacher, she continued her father's legacy of instilling the importance of higher education as well as the love of learning with her students. After teaching English at Owen-Withee High School in Wisconsin, she went on to give back to the programs that played a vital role in her success in higher education. She is currently a Student Service Coordinator with the Upward Bound program at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Every summer, she teaches a course for rising seniors to educate them on college preparation procedures, from applying to colleges to researching scholarships. She hopes to enable more first-generation students to "reach for the stars." Outside of her dedication to education, she enjoys outdoor recreation with her husband and three children.

Thelvie Cullins, Jr. has a 20-year career as an award-winning Dallas ISD Math Educator, thriving to create a culture of caring in the classroom. His mission is to prepare young people to become responsible citizens of the global community and to enhance their leadership skills, moral values, and critical thinking in-and well beyond-the classroom.
He has experience teaching high school students all levels of math including AP Calculus AB and BC at the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in Dallas ISD, presently ranked as the best high school in Texas and the sixth best high school in the nation.
At his core, Cullins loves God, his family, his friends, teaching, sports, and traveling. He is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where he majored in Electrical Engineering. He also enjoys serving with organizations that promote graduation, college preparedness, and access, including the College Board and the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI).

Before Todd became an educator in 2000, he was an officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years after graduating from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with degrees in English and French. He has taught both of these subjects (but mostly English) at independent schools in Minnesota, California (Todd left the West Coast too quickly, rather certain that he was not a Californian at heart. He reconsiders this often.), Switzerland and Missouri. An amateur audiophile, Todd spends waaaaay too much money buying vinyl records. He enjoys walking, skiing, reading, cooking, and hot springing. Oh, and coffee too. All with his super cool wife, Kelly.

Sarah Robichaux-Brown is an English teacher at Veterans Memorial High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is a graduate of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, earning both her BA and MA in English. Additionally, Sarah is a National Board Certified teacher, a voluntary process that tests educators to demonstrate accomplished practice and pedagogy. She has taught English for nine years in the tenth through twelfth grades and has a passion for guiding students in their academics as they strive for their best in the world of reading mindfully and writing critically, and for cultivating a positive and engaging environment. Sarah was honored as the 2021-2022 Veterans Memorial Teacher of the Year and as a finalist for Secondary Teacher of the Year for the Corpus Christi Independent School District. Currently, Sarah serves as the English department chairperson, teaches AP Language and Composition and Honors English II, and serves as the sponsor of Triumph Over Kid's Cancer, a volunteer organization specializing in improving the lives of children with cancer through support, offering time and support, and bringing public awareness.

Nakisia S. Sims is a passionate and dedicated educator with over 13 years of experience in the field of education, including seven years as a paraprofessional and six years as a Special Education teacher in Liberty County, Georgia. Committed to fostering inclusive and dynamic learning environments, she specializes in differentiated instruction, technology integration, and individualized education plans (IEPs) to support students with diverse learning needs.

Nakisia is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Special Education at Liberty University, where she also earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Governors University and multiple certifications, including endorsements in Autism, Technology Integration, Gifted Education, and Leadership. Her dedication to student success extends beyond the classroom, as she serves as an advisor for Student Council and the Friends Helping Friends club, mentoring both exceptional students and general education peers.

A recognized leader in education, Nakisia has received numerous awards and grants, including the 2022 Staples Thank a Teacher Award, the 2023 WJCL Feature Teacher Award, the 2024 NSHSS Inclusion Grant, and the 2025 Envision Credit Union Classroom Grant. She is also the Committee Chair for The Exceptional Needs Gala, an event that celebrates and uplifts students with special needs.

As a wife, mother, and devoted teacher, Nakisia teaches with her heart, ensuring every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. Her passion for education, mentorship, and advocacy continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of her students and the broader school community.

Adam Galvez has taught for fifteen years, teaching a wide variety of classes, ranging from AP Literature and Composition to Ethics and Justice. His career started in Washington state public schools, but he has taught in Catholic schools in Salt Lake City and Chicago for the last twelve years.

Nashunte Ragster-Manuel is a Native of Shreveport, LA. She graduated from Grambling State University in 1999 with a BA in Psychology and has successfully completed her Master’s in Education and a Master's in Human Services. In addition to her degrees, she has completed all coursework towards her Doctoral Degree in Human Services—social Services and community Services.

She has worked with the Caddo Parish School Board Homeless Education Program as the Resource Case Manager for 15 years. She has been instrumental in conducting HUD workshops, acting as a grant writer, and advocating both locally and nationally with the community to ensure that all homeless families have the resources needed to attend school and become self-sufficient. Mrs. Ragster-Manuel also worked as the housing/employment coordinator for the Providence House Family Shelter in Shreveport, La., for 3 years. That position has afforded her the opportunity to network with the community while building strong relationships with both national and local companies for future partnerships. She is also responsible for assisting homeless individuals in finding a career/job that will help them obtain self-sufficiency.

Mrs. Ragster-Manuel implies these positions allowed her to advocate on both a local and national level for a population that is, in some cases, silenced. With her assistance, they were able to connect with the services needed that would be difficult to reach without social support. Currently, Mrs. Ragster-Manuel works as an educator with Caddo Parish Schools, sharing her gifts with the students of Green Oaks High School and helping them become business professionals. She serves in many capacities ( Business Teacher, DECA Coordinator, AP Psychology, AP Computer Science Instructor, and Adjunct Dual Enrollment Professor, Intro to Sociology Susla ) on the campus of Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy. She wants to ensure that all students are provided with the skills, guidance, and motivation needed to lead them towards a successful career. Going into year 25, Mrs. Ragster-Manuel holds the title of Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year and one of 16 Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Athena Leadership Award Honorees.

Mrs. Ragster-Manuel lives by the motto “ Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care “. Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."
~Marian Wright Edelman

Cheryl Bailey holds a bachelor's degree in French and International Relations from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in Liberal Studies from Duke University, and a PhD in Humanities from Salve Regina University. She became a National Board-Certified Teacher in December 2024 and has been teaching at Rolesville High School in Wake County, North Carolina for six years, where she teaches French and co-advises the Rolesville Coalition for Equity. 

Katie Beth Boggan is an English and Creative Writing teacher at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN. She is passionate about student access to high-interest and diverse books. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that all students deserve the right to explore their identities and feel safe. As she continues her journey as an educator, she is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to thrive. Through literature, genuine relationships, and relevant discussions, she aims to create a space where students can learn, grow, and ultimately become the best versions of themselves. Her hope is that the impact of her efforts will resonate with her students for years to come, guiding them as they navigate their paths in the world.

Vilma has volunteered in different roles for numerous organizations, such as Advisory Council for the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF); Interviewer for The Gates Scholarship (TGS); Corporate Board Member for the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Texas Capital; College Counselor for the Texas Association for College Admissions Counseling (TACAC) Camp College; and Adult Leader for Texas Say What.

The most recent recognition for her work has been the appointment to a Special Interest Group (SIG) for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), an Ad Hoc Committee focused on Developing Programs and Services for College Counseling and Admission Professionals at Rural and Small-Town Schools and Colleges; as well as receiving the NSHSS College Counselor Service Award.
Vilma is fully bilingual and bicultural. She was born in Brownsville, Texas, but spent her formative year in Mexico. She has been married to Jason Wolfe for over 25 years, and they have two children, Tatiana and Daniel. Besides spending time with family and friends, Vilma enjoys traveling, skiing, and gardening.