TALE'S ELECTED OFFICERS
Amy Barrios (2020-2022)
Amy Barrios is currently an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University- San Antonio. Amy obtained her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Baylor University with an emphasis in English Language Arts and Reading; she began her career as a high school English teacher in Georgia and has more than 17 years of experience in education, where she has taught in rural, urban, face to face, online, and hybrid formats, serving learners in traditional, nontraditional, public, private, and community college settings. Over the course of her career, Amy has worked as an English teacher, instructional coach, administrator, dissertation chair, consultant, and faculty member. Her research interests include secondary literacy strategies, classroom diversity, curriculum development, teacher quality and preparation, and culturally relevant learning.
Charity Embley (2020-2022)
Charity Embley is an Associate Professor of Education and Transitional Learning Center TxCHSE (Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency) Instructor at Odessa College. Charity has taught at the secondary and collegiate levels for 22 years. During this time, she served as a faculty member, department chair, mentor teacher who also developed curriculum for adult learners. Charity earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas Tech University with an area of concentration in Language, Diversity, and Literacy Studies, with supplemental study abroad on Spanish Language and Culture from Universidad Pontificia De Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain. Charity’s research work and publications focus on adult and adolescent literacy, Asian American literature, special education (dyslexia, DeafBlindness), culturally responsive curriculum in K-16, and the integration of literacy practices in teacher preparation programs. Her higher education teaching experience includes teacher education courses that focus on the teaching profession, special populations, child development, as well as college/professional-level reading and writing, and ESL. Charity also serves in the International Advisory Board for the Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies. You can follow Charity on Twitter: @CharityGE. Her ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9796-8258.
Fernando Hernandez (2020-2022)
Fernando Hernandez is an assistant literacy professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. His expertise is in the area of literacy, early childhood, and teaching experience at both the university and public schools. Prior to becoming an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Fernando devoted seven years as an elementary school supervisor and 13 years as an early childhood bilingual teacher including a reading specialist. Currently, as an assistant professor, he is a member in the following organization: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Association for Bilingual Educators (NABE), Rio Grande Valley-TABE, the Texas Association for Bilingual Educators (TABE), the Texas Association for Literacy Educators (TALE), and Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC). His research focuses on Spanish literature circles, Hispanic father’s involvement in early literacy development, a balanced literacy approach implementation, and No More Letter of the Week.
Christina Hammons (2021-2023)
Christina Hammons is a clinical assistant professor at Sam Houston State University where she teaches undergraduate courses in teacher education. She spent 15 years in public education as a classroom teacher and through her small business SnuggleBugBooks, Inc., has been inspiring young readers and writers, as well as fellow educators, for many years. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Curriculum. She is always seeking opportunities to spread the love of literacy, leading, and learning to others. Her research interests include the power of journaling, the impact of debate on critical thinking, and teacher/student relationships.
Sarah Ranzau (2021-2023)
Sara Ranzau is currently an instructional coach and former English and creative writing teacher in Boerne ISD. She is also an adjunct professor at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. She is also the director for the TALE Advocacy Development Committee. She received her Ed.D. in education with a focus in literacy from Sam Houston State University in 2016. Dr. Ranzau has taught at schools in a variety of cities and situations throughout Texas since she began her career in 2003. Her undergraduate degree is in theatre education, so she believes she often brings a new take on a lesson or activity into her classrooms. She enjoys working with teachers and looks forward to continuing to serve the membership of TALE in her role on the board.
