Governor Abbott Appoints Three to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Erin O’Donnell and Darlene “DJ” Nobles and reappointed Dina Lynn Moore to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) for terms that will expire on January 31, 2027. The board oversees the provision of all School for the Deaf services, and is responsible for budget preparation, policy adoption and the appointment of the superintendent.
Erin O’Donnell of Vernon is the Executive Director of Evermore ASL Immersion Academy, an online school that provides classes in American Sign Language for students worldwide. She is a Deaf mother of seven children, three of whom are Deaf, as well. She volunteers with many organizations such as Grace Deaf Missions, American Heritage Girls, Red River Deaf Outreach, and more. She graduated with two degrees from SouthWest College for the Deaf and transferred to Texas Tech University (TTU), where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from TTU.
Darlene “DJ” Nobles of Waco is Owner and Director of “Interpreters 2 Go”, L.L.C., also referred to as “Sign of the Times” D.B.A, an interpreter agency. She started her business in 1993. Along with overseeing the agency and the personnel, she uses her ASL education and skills as an interpreter. She is a member of the Waco Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Waco, and she is a member of the Heart of Texas Interpreters for the Deaf organization. She is a past president of the Lake Brazos Rotary Club and a former member of the Waco Founders Lions Club, in addition to other community service, leadership, and volunteer roles. Nobles received her interpreter education from McLennan Community College and was certified as a state interpreter in 1986. She graduated from the Small Business Development Center “incubator program”, as well as from the SBBC/Baylor University’s Fast Track program for entrepreneurs.
Dina Lynne Moore of Round Rock is a stay-at-home mom to three children, two of whom she and her husband adopted from the foster care system. She homeschools her two youngest children, and her oldest child attends the deaf program in public school. She volunteers with the interpreting ministry at Celebration Church in Georgetown and is a member of the Community Center Advisory Committee for the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District. Moore received a Bachelor of Science in Math, with a concentration in Statistics, from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a certificate in American Sign Language Interpretation from Austin Community College.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.