Four Dallas-Fort Worth educators are among the 21 current and former public school educators Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) named Wednesday to the Texas Classroom Commission, a new panel that will develop recommendations on public education.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Abbott launched the commission earlier in July as a teacher-led effort to strengthen classroom instruction, support teachers and improve student achievement.
Courtney Boswell MacDonald of Kerrville will chair the commission. MacDonald currently chairs the State Board for Educator Certification and previously taught math in Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD. She is separate from the commission’s 21-member roster.
“Texas teachers have the talent, understanding, and expertise to ensure that every Texas student succeeds,” Abbott said in Wednesday’s announcement. “That’s why educators must be at the center of the conversation. The Texas Classroom Commission will help build on our historic investments in public education and deliver recommendations that strengthen classroom instruction, support teachers, and prepare the next generation of Texans.”
Four DFW educators named
The four appointees from DFW school systems are:
- Bobbie Lynn Weir, Richardson ISD
- Eric Hale, Dallas ISD
- Jean Streepey, Highland Park ISD
- Tiffany Kilcoyne, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
Seventeen appointees represent other Texas districts
The remaining commission members are:
- Abbigale Grataski, Calallen ISD
- Cassidy Estes, Amarillo ISD
- Crystal Stipes, Comanche ISD
- Danette Wofford, Nacogdoches ISD
- Dawnna Talley, Ector County ISD
- Hannah Landry, Bridge City ISD
- JoMeka Gray, Temple ISD
- Karla Guevara, Riesel ISD
- Laura Fanning, Lubbock ISD
- Matthew Driver, Bushland ISD
- Nidia De La Cerda, Tuloso-Midway ISD
- Noe Perez, Los Fresnos CISD
- Sergio Arjon, Houston ISD
- Susanne Whitley, Tomball ISD
- Tevin King, IDEA Public Schools – El Paso
- Valton Acree, Yorktown ISD
- Veronica Bayne, Killeen ISD
Commission will report before 2027 legislative session
The commission will develop classroom-based recommendations for the governor, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature ahead of the 90th Legislative Session.
The governor’s office said the new panel builds on earlier groups, including the Teacher Vacancy Taskforce and the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding. Abbott’s office credited those efforts with increased special education funding, higher teacher compensation, an expanded Teacher Incentive Allotment and restored classroom discipline.
