Governor Abbott Appoints Four To State Board For Educator Certification
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Edward Hill, Jr., Ed.D., John P. Kelly, Ph.D., Courtney Boswell MacDonald, and Jose M. Rodriguez to the State Board for Educator Certification for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. The board develops certification and continuing education requirements and standards of conduct for public school teachers.
Edward Hill, Jr., Ed.D. of Harker Heights is a tenured associate professor and the Dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University – Central Texas. He previously served as the Dean of the College of Education and Director of Teacher Education at Fort Valley State University, and as an assistant professor and program director at Georgia College State University. He is a member of Deans of Impact and is director of education and community outreach for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Hill received a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood development from Morehouse College, a Master’s of Education from Columbia College, and a Doctor of Education in education administration from South Carolina State University.
John P. Kelly, Ph.D. of Pearland is Superintendent of Schools at Pearland ISD, and previously served as superintendent of Boerne ISD and Pearsall ISD. Additionally, he is former principal and headmaster of Presbyterian Pan American High School in Kingsville. Kelly received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Education Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational administration from Texas A&M University.
Courtney Boswell MacDonald of Kerrville is a community volunteer. She previously worked on the Senate Education Committee, and served as executive director for Texans for Education Reform, Texas Institute for Education Reform, and Texas Aspires. She is a former math teacher at Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD. MacDonald received a Bachelor of Science in fashion and communications and a secondary education certification from Texas Christian University and a Master of Public Policy in education policy from Vanderbilt University.
Jose M. Rodriguez of Cedar Park is an English as a Second Language teacher at Leander ISD, where he teaches students kindergarten to 5th grade. He is a former Texas TeachPlus Fellow and a former Teacher Ambassador Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Rodriguez received a Bachelor of Arts in government from Pan American University and a Master of Public Policy from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.