Texas A+ Challenge
Creating Smarter & Stronger Education to Strengthen & Connect Communities
To be a catalyst for change and a model for innovation in education in the Houston area and beyond.
To ensure that every student is prepared for post-secondary success.
Public Schools partnered with A+ to build capacity
Educators have strengthened skills & knowledge through A+ programs
Students served by stronger teachers & school leaders
Our mission
We work with public schools to strengthen instruction and leadership through consulting, on-campus coaching, leadership academies, professional development workshops, and more. We convene educators and thought leaders to learn from peers and experts through our publications and events, including our free, public speaker series.
We know what works in classrooms. Why aren’t we doing it?
Texas A+ Challenge has a long history of supporting teachers and leaders to strengthen their skills and improve results. Our unique perspective – with one eye on schools and the other eye on the education reform horizon – brings a steady stream of research-based innovative practices to schools, serving not only as a catalyst for change but also as a partner in implementation.
What others say about our work
“My A+ coaches are my trusted source for highly-knowledgeable and relevant PD and coaching that I would not be able to provide otherwise and the sole instructional leader on my campus. They understand my vision, and they work well with my teachers, some of whom they have been supporting for multiple years.“
– Samyra Rogers, Principal (Pleasantville Elementary)
“You’ve NEVER experienced effective coaching from a third party until you’ve worked with A+ Challenge. Everyone grows with the coaching and is empowered to succeed after the coaching concludes. The A+ relationship endures – not because the growth is only possible when the coaching is happening, but because teachers have grown to a new place and seek out answers/collaborations to advocate for themselves in the areas they are now able to identify for their students with the content/curriculum.”
-Erin Chavez
“This coaching experience has made me feel cared for and supported to be able to access and implement new knowledge, participate in deep reflection and learning, and to be comfortable taking risks as a new instructional coach.”
-Raymond Mason
Contact Texas A+ Challenge
Our Team
Susannah Young
Academic Performance Coach (Literacy)
James Dirden
Academic Performance Coach (Mathematics)
Erica Milson
Academic Performance Coach (Literacy)
Erin McDaniel
Academic Performance Coach (Mathematics)
Jen Mascheck
Academic Performance Coach (Mathematics)
Dr. Marcy Baez
Senior Director, Texas A+ Challenge
Our WORK
On Campus
On-site coaching, workshops, & more.
Customized support for real academic growth.
Virtual Coaching
Remote conversations and personalized professional development.
Goal-focused, outcomes-driven.
Workshops
Professional learning workshops that help teachers, coaches & specialists drive gains through research-supported best practices.
Academies
Monthly working groups that create space for networking & problem-solving with peers from around Greater Houston.
Houston A+ Challenge Joins Children at risk
CHILDREN AT RISK is proud to welcome Houston A+ Challenge to the team!
Since 1997, Houston A+ Challenge has led an experienced, interconnected team of professional coaches to give school administrators, specialists, and teachers the tools they need to maintain a focus on student learning and academic growth. To date, they have served over 250,000 students and continue to grow.
Both nonprofits work tirelessly to be the catalyst for change Texas children need and are now combining efforts to increase the impact of their work to improve the public education system.
Read our press release here.
Contact Texas A+ Challenge
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