Current Lead Directors/Assistant Principals & Resident Directors/Assistant Principals

Jamelle Smith-Bass was born on the Southside of Chicago, Illinois, where her formative years were shaped by the opportunity to choose an alternative learning path at a magnet school. It was there that her love for education took root. Jamelle received her B.S. in Special Education from Bradley University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Before joining KIPP Chicago, she taught students with disabilities at George Henry Corliss High School, Chicago, Illinois. During her time at Corliss, she was the Special Education Case Manager, the advisor of the peer jury, and an after-school program coordinator, and she coached track and field. Jamelle served on the Leadership Team and School Improvement Plan for Advancing Academic Achievement Team as the representative for the special education department. Jamelle joined KIPP Chicago in 2011, where she worked as the Special Education Coordinator for two campuses. In 2015, Jamelle then transitioned to Houston, Texas working for YES Prep Public Schools and held the roles of Special Education Manager/Compliance Specialist, Dean of Instruction, Director of Academics, and Assistant Principal. Jamelle’s hobbies are crafting, watching Hallmark Movies, and spending time with her husband, Derrick, and her family and friends.

Elizabeth Rodriguez is a proud native Houstonian that grew up in a Mexican household to immigrant parents. She is the first person in her family to attend college and graduate from college. She graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Political Science and History. Upon graduating, Elizabeth joined Teach for America- Houston where she taught elementary bilingual education for six years at Elmore Elementary in Houston ISD. During her time as a teacher, Elizabeth served as a campus mentor, literacy specialist, grade level chair, and was awarded the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018. Elizabeth joined Yes Prep Public Schools in 2021 as a Literacy Specialist at YES Prep Southwest. This last year, she joined East End Elementary as an Assistant Principal to help launch the school. Elizabeth is a 2021 Latinos for Education Aspiring Latino Leader Fellow, a 2020 Good Reason Houston Community Design Fellow, and a 2019 Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow. She has a Master’s in Bilingual and ESL Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. As a Lead AP, Elizabeth is most excited about helping leaders grow their craft in coaching teachers and creating more impact with students.  Elizabeth has a passion for bilingual education and supporting teachers so that every student has access to great education.

Megan Gibbs was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio.  She attended Wittenberg University and spent a semester abroad in Jamaica. After graduating in 2003 with a major in English Literature and Creative Writing and a minor in Women’s Studies, she joined Teach for America in 2003 and was assigned to Houston.  Expecting tumbleweeds and cowboys, she was surprised to learn how urban and progressive the city is.  She was placed at Burnet Elementary School in HISD and taught 5th grade Reading, 6th grade Science and 6th grade English Language Arts during her 5 years there.  Megan also applied for and received a Schoolyard Habitat – National Wildlife Federation Grant.  She underwent training and worked with her colleagues and community organizations to build a native plant habitat at her campus.  In 2007, she joined YES Prep East End Secondary as a 7th grade science teacher. She also was one of the first course leaders at Yes Prep – writing Science 7 unit plans and assessments, and running content team meetings.   She transitioned to the Dean of Instruction role in 2011 and served as a DOI at East End until 2019 – supporting a variety of contents.  Megan has served as the Director of Academics at Northline Secondary since 2019 and is excited to take on the role of Lead DOA. She is looking forward to increasing opportunities for collaboration with the entire DOA team, providing development to new DOAs, and providing input to the Academics team.  Megan lives in the Heights with her husband Ben (whom she met in TFA), her twins Abby and Henry, and her pets - Phineas the mini schnauzer, and Skid the bearded dragon.  In her spare times, she likes to spend time outside, going for walks and hikes, playing board games and having adventures with her family, and reading.

Lauren Lightfoot was born and raised in Lithonia, Georgia. She moved to Houston, Texas in 2010 as a proud member of the Teacher for America Apollo 20 cohort and taught English for two years at Sharpstown High School in Southwest Houston. After her time at SHS, she became the founding 11th grade English teacher at KIPP Sunnyside High School and she looped up that next year with the founding class. She worked at KSHS for 7 years and taught English I, English III, English IV, AP English Literature & Composition, AP English Language & Composition, and was the English department lead, testing coordinator, and a dean of instruction. After leaving KSHS, she became a YES Prep North Forest Legend, first as a DOI, and then as DOA for two years. Now, having finished her first year as DOA at YES Prep Southside, she is excited to support her fellow DOAs with making data-based decisions about the academic trajectories of their campuses.

Sheporah Johnson is a native of Texarkana, Texas, and a proud alumna of Texas Southern University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, however while fighting for social equity, she found herself searching for more instant gratification on the impact of children’s lives. On this search, she managed to channel a passion for children who are not only at risk, but often overlooked and undervalued. In March of 2017, YES Prep Public Schools provided her the opportunity to be a math intervention teacher, she served as a math instructor for 3 years. During those 3 years, Sheporah’s impact grew on colleagues, students, and families. Through other informal campus-based leadership roles, Sheporah took interest in Southside’s Culture team. In 2020, she was hired as a Dean of Students, because every student deserves a learning environment that possesses equity of voice, leadership, and accountability, through measurable systems and procedures. While holding this role, Sheporah obtained her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

In August 2022, after spearheading so many opportunities of joy, growth, and success at YES Prep Southside, she could only imagine managing other stakeholders to fulfill their passion by becoming the Director of Student Support. Sheporah sits in this role, accomplishing a 180 degree turn around in the school’s culture, by focusing on data driven coaching, intentional programming practices through Socio-emotional support, restorative behavior practices, and empowerment for all stakeholders. When Sheporah is not working with educators and for students, she enjoys being a wife and mom, traveling, dining at new restaurants, reading, and being a socialite among friends.

Jeevan Moses was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents are both immigrants from Southern India. Jeevan completed his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, majoring in both International Studies and Anthropology. In 2012, Jeevan joined Teach for America and was placed in Houston. While he originally was placed at a different school in Houston, Jeevan was transferred to YES Prep Brays Oaks 6 weeks into his first school year and has been there ever since. He started as a 6th grade math teacher, moved to 7th grade the following year, and then joined the College Initiatives team in his third year. He then taught every level of seminar from freshman to seniors and became the Director of College Counseling in the 2017-2018 school year and just completed his 6th year in the role. Apart from leading the College Initiatives team at Brays Oaks, Jeevan is Dean of Instruction for all seminar courses, as well as high school art and dance. He founded the Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) on campus, supports with staff engagement programming, and has planned the district Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Summit for the past 4 years. Jeevan lives in Missouri City, enjoys traveling in his free time, and has been part of a Bollywood dance group in Houston for the past 5 years. Jeevan is beginning his second year as Lead DCC and is excited to continue supporting new DCCs with building and retaining their teams, as well as persisting in their roles long-term.

For over 14 years, Marco Estrada has served the North Central Secondary community in North Houston. Marco has taught students from grades 6-9 and found great pride in helping students be better writers, readers, critical thinkers, and communicators. He is a proud Texas Ex and studied Government while attending The University of Texas. As a Teach For America 2009 Houston Corps Member, Marco was placed at YES Prep North Central (Secondary) – and has been there ever since! Currently, Marco serves as the NCS Director of Campus Operations and manages the campus’s systems related to safety/security, finance, talent, and enrollment. Outside of work, Marco enjoys: spending time with his wife and family, watching the Longhorns (sometimes) win, and figuring out new ways to tire out his overly-energetic pup. Marco looks forward to supporting the development of a Resident DCO and growing as a coach.

Ashley Handsome is in her twelfth year in the education field. Originally from Durham “Bullcity” North Carolina, Ashley completed her undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After graduating as a first-year teacher, she obtained her Master’s degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Most recently, she completed her Texas Principal Certification from Lamar University.

Ashley began her career as a Special Education teacher at High Point Central High School in High Point, North Carolina, where she served as the inclusion teacher for English I and II and Occupational Course of Study teacher.  While working in North Carolina, she served as the Special Education Department Chair and served on the district's Special Education teacher advisory board.

After moving to Houston, TX in 2016, Ashley was a Special Education teacher at KIPP Northeast College Preparatory. In the last seven years at KIPP Northeast, Ashley has served as Department Chair, Grade Level Chair, Dean of Special Populations, 12th Grade Dean, Dean of Academic Progress, Assistant Principal, Graduation Lead, Saturday Academy Director, and Summer School Coordinator.

In her free time, she enjoys watching all of the Law and Order Series, is an avid napper, and has two pitbull babies, Deuce and Delilah. Ashley is proud to begin this new pathway with Yes Prep Public Schools.

Ashley Smith, born in Washington, DC and raised in Temple Hills, MD, is a published children’s author and an educator with more than 10 years of experience with a globally diverse population of learners. She attended Temple University, where she became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. While teaching at Bright Beginnings Inc., an early childhood learning center for children ages six weeks to 5 years old experiencing homelessness, she was inspired to pursue a dual master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from The Catholic University of America in 2015.

Ashley’s career in education began in 2011 during her child and adolescent development studies in India. In 2012, she began her commitment to serving students and families in underserved communities as she was a Lead Teacher in an early childhood classroom for 2.5 - 3-year-olds and went on to teach in various grades from Pre-K through 2nd across general education and special education, including Life Skills with both DC Public Schools and KIPP: Austin. In 2015, Ashley spent five years as a Founding Teacher and leader at Baton Rouge Bridge Academy, which later merged and became IDEA Bridge through IDEA Public Schools in Louisiana. In 2020, she relocated to Houston, TX, and was a Founding Pre-K4 Teacher, Grade-Level Chair, and Content Specialist with KIPP Texas. Ashley joined YES Prep Southside Elementary as the Founding Assistant Principal in 2021.

Ashley has a passion for education and is determined to set and implement a cross-cultural standard of excellence for those whom she encounters. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys relaxing at home or outdoors, traveling to new places, and spending time with friends and family, especially her husband, Justin, and three children, Lily-Grace, Madilyn, and Preston.

Caroline Thouin-Frederick is a proud French-Canadian, first-generation college graduate, and the first in her family to receive a doctorate degree. Caroline moved to Sugarland with her older brother and parents and grew up attending schools in the Fort Bend Independent School District. After graduating from the University of Houston, she began her teaching career with KIPP Texas Public Schools as a high school social studies teacher in Northeast Houston. In her four years at KIPP Texas, she was the girls head soccer coach, department chair, curriculum writer for AP Human Geography, and received her M.Ed. from Texas A&M University. Wanting to pursue her passion for education research, she completed her doctorate degree in Higher Education Policy and Leadership studies at the University of Houston. During her time in the doctoral program, she wrote publications and presented at conferences on expanding educational opportunities and ensuring educational excellence for incarcerated adults. In 2021, Caroline began her career at YES Prep Public schools as a Dean of Instruction at Southside Secondary and then as a founding Assistant Principal at Airline Elementary! Caroline is also a proud wife and mother to a wonderful little girl named Lina. During her free time, she likes to play soccer, volleyball, and tennis with friends!

Maribel Barrera is a native Houstonian. She graduated from the University of Houston in 2013 with her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and in the same year began her educational career in the Houston Independent School District. From 2013 – 2019 she taught 3rd and 4th grade self-contained and math classes at Bonner Elementary.  In 2019 she earned her master’s in educational administration from Texas A&M, attained her principal certification, and accepted the position of teacher interventionist for Almeda Elementary serving as part of the administrative team. In 2020 she joined the team at Hobby Elementary as a teacher specialist for bilingual instruction in all content areas subsequently taking on the position of assistant principal from 2021 – 2023. During her administrative roles, she has also served as assessment coordinator, LPAC administrator, intervention leader, campus discipline administrator, intervention assistance team (IAT) liaison, sheltered instruction coach, and appraiser. She is eager to join the YES Prep team for the upcoming school year and continue her path of being a lifelong learner who continues to grow her leadership practice from direct experiences.

Natalie Garcia is a proud native Houstonian and member of the Latinx community. She proudly represents the Mexican, Cuban, first- generation, and bilingual communities that make up Houston and YES Prep. She joined Teach For America as a bilingual elementary school teacher for Houston Independent School District after graduating from Texas Christian University in 2012.  Natalie joined the YES Prep community in 2014 at the Brays Oaks campus. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with her Master’s in Education in 2015 where she had the unique opportunity to have YES Prep Brays Oaks’ class of 2019 cheer her on as she crossed the stage during their 8th grade Spring Trip. Along with campus-based roles, Natalie has helped plan and execute identity-affirming student summits (Latinx Leadership and APIA Summit) at YES Prep for the last seven years. Natalie has been a proud Cavalier throughout her time at YES Prep and is excited to represent the Latinx community in the next level of leadership. In her free time Natalie enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Veronica Leah’s leadership style can best be described as one who creates a culture of trust, empathy, and collaboration. Leah is originally from McAllen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley.  She currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas-Pan American, and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration with Principal Certification from Concordia University-Texas.  Mrs. Leah is currently a student at the University of Houston-Main Campus where she is pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Professional Leadership K-12.  Mrs. Leah taught 1st and 3rd grade bilingual for 16 years and began her leadership career with the Houston Independent School District in 2017 as a Teacher Specialist at Petersen Elementary.  She served as a Teacher Specialist for two years before transitioning to the role of Assistant Principal in 2019 at Petersen Elementary and Rodriguez Elementary. Ms. Leah’s roles as a campus leader included Campus Testing Coordinator, Intervention Assistance Team/504 chair, LPAC administrator, and appraiser.  Mrs. Leah enjoys supporting teachers in curriculum instruction, community activities, and providing a caring and inclusive school environment.  During her free time, Mrs. Leah enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones including her two amazing dogs, Max and Jackson.

Zicuria Ussery is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2015. Her love for learning sparked an interest in education at a young age. Zicuria’s dream of being an educator became a career goal after completing a summer teaching internship in 2014 with Uncommon Schools. During this internship, she realized that education is a key driver for social advancement and to close opportunity gaps. From 2015-2017, Zicuria served as an eighth-grade teacher and grade level chair at YES Prep Hoffman. In 2017, she joined the YES Prep Southside Giants where she has served as a teacher, grade level chair, Dean of Instruction, and now Director of Academics. Zicuria holds a Master of Arts in Public School Building Leadership from Columbia University’s Summer Principals Academy. When she is not working to close opportunity gaps for students, she enjoys travelling, dining, and strength training. Zicuria is looking forward to learning more about what it takes to be a courageous leader at YES Prep. 

Zi is a second-year Resident Principal.  She was originally placed at YES Prep Northline Secondary under Brittany McGruder, Lead Principal.  At the end of the third semester, she covered a Leave of Absence for the Principal at YES Prep Southeast Secondary. She started this school year at YES Prep White Oak Secondary under Jenn Greene, Lead Principal.