EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Chair (2024 - 2025)
Sara Ranzau, EdD is currently an instructional coach in Boerne ISD. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX and the Advocacy Committee Director for TALE. She received her Ed.D. in education with a focus in literacy from Sam Houston State University in 2016 and recently completed a certificate course on Trauma Informed Instruction through North Central College in Illinois. 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.
Chair-Elect (2024 - 2025)
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Dr. Robin Johnson Pizzitola, an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, is the Field-Based Experience Coordinator for the Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Sciences Department in the College of Education and Human Development. She is also the Program Director for Barrio Writers, a Diamond level Abydos literacy facilitator, and the author of the teacher practitioner book Time to Write. Her other professional roles include Past-President of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Past-President of the South Central Area Network for School-University Partnerships, and former Co-Chair of the ATE/NAPDS Clinical Fellows Symposium. Her research interests include transliteracy, transformative practice in writing instruction, and field-based experiences in teacher education.
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Vice President (2019-Present)
Dr. Jacqueline Ingram is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at
Sam Houston State University. She earned an Ed.D in Literacy from Sam Houston State
University, and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
from Texas A&M University. Prior to teaching in higher education, Jackie taught in Texas public
education for 15 years. She has been involved with TALE since 2015 and currently serves as
Vice President and Chair of Membership Development. Jackie also serves as Chair of the
Teacher Education and Professional Development division of ALER (Association of Literacy
Educators and Researchers), and is a faculty co-sponsor for SHSU’s chapter of the Texas
Association of Future Educators (TAFE). Her research interests include content and disciplinary
literacy, adolescent literacy, and pre-service teacher education.
Sam Houston State University. She earned an Ed.D in Literacy from Sam Houston State
University, and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
from Texas A&M University. Prior to teaching in higher education, Jackie taught in Texas public
education for 15 years. She has been involved with TALE since 2015 and currently serves as
Vice President and Chair of Membership Development. Jackie also serves as Chair of the
Teacher Education and Professional Development division of ALER (Association of Literacy
Educators and Researchers), and is a faculty co-sponsor for SHSU’s chapter of the Texas
Association of Future Educators (TAFE). Her research interests include content and disciplinary
literacy, adolescent literacy, and pre-service teacher education.
Executive Secretary (2023-2025)
Michelle Parker, Clinical Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University, 4+1 Coordinator
Treasurer (2024 - 2026)
Bonnie E. Cabeza, M.Ed. began her career in education as a Teach For America San Antonio 2012 corp member. She has dedicated her career to middle school literacy in capacities ranging from teacher to literacy specialist to instructional coach. She has experience working for charter and public school districts. Currently, she is pursuing her doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. In her free time, you can find her reading mysteries or spending time with her family.
Past Chair (2023 - 2024)
Dr. Liza LaRue is a consultant for Region 7. She received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction Supervision from Texas A&M Commerce. Liza has served most of her teaching career in early childhood classrooms. Liza was the ILA State Coordinator from 2019-2022 and has been a member of TALE’s advocacy committee for 7 years The advocacy committee has received the ILA Advocacy Award for the last 7 years for their advocacy work. She is passionate about best literacy practice in early childhood classrooms and will continue to advocate for Texas students.
