President
Catrina Esters
Catrina Esters, an alumni of Texas A&M University-Commerce,is a passionate educator that strives to motivate students to be the best versions of themselves, to value education and to pursue their life goals. She is incredibly appreciative to have the opportunity to serve students, educators and the community.
As a member of FAASBE, she strives to make high quality education available to all students, while promoting equity within her campus and district. It is her belief that every student has the ability to experience growth and achievement. As educators, we should foster a culture that allows students of color to develop a positive self belief, if we are to close academic gaps and prepare our students for the future.
President-Elect
Lauryn Jackson
Lauryn Jackson, FAABSE President-Elect, is a dedicated, fun-loving wife and mother of four who has a passion for people. She is a strong believer in sowing seeds through service. Her passion quickly became her purpose. She has served in Education for 9 years. Throughout her time in education, she has made it her mission to impact the lives of students beyond the walls of the classroom.
Lauryn is a dedicated educator committed to cultivating thriving students, educators, families and communities through acts of service and empowering relationships. Lauryn’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University in Mass Communication with a specialty in Public Relations. She recently acquired her Master’s in Counseling and Development from Lamar University. Her desire to interact with others has become the cornerstone of her professional career through her work as a Restorative Practices Coordinator, Student Services Liaison, Student Support Counselor and currently as the Dean of Students at North Forney High School.
Treasurer
Nicole Smith Hooks
Nicole Smith Hooks
Chaplain
Candace Akharaiyi
Candace Akharaiyi is a Teacher in the Forney Independent School District. She has over 8 years of experience in education and taught Anatomy & Physiology for the last three years at North Forney High School. Mrs. Akharaiyi’s educational background includes a BS in Healthcare Management and a MA in Gerontology from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mrs. Akharaiyi strongly believes that there is no limit to one's aspirations and achievements when given the right tools and environment to succeed. Her mission in education is to create an environment that encourages ALL students to find their voice and build connections. She aims to inspire all students to achieve beyond their wildest imaginations and strives to be the inspiration that will challenge, encourage and mold students into future leaders. Candace is happily married to Joshua and they have four wonderful children, Anneliese, Asher, Andrew & Alexander.
Corresponding/Recording Secretary
Regina Cunningham
Regina Cunningham was raised by her grandmother and mother, yet she defied the odds. Her husband is a Senior Corporal of the Dallas Police Department, and they have three adult children. Regina has Bachelor's and Master's degrees in psychology and is currently a Reading Language Art PLC facilitator in Mesquite Independent School District. She is also a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M University-Commerce and has completed superintendent and principal internships in MISD. Regina started her education career as a reading inclusion teacher in MISD. Her passion for education led her to serve as a PLC facilitator, site-based decision-making committee chair, teacher mentor, textbook committee member, district instruction planner, curriculum writer, staff development planner, and campus improvement planner throughout her career.
Regina believes that education provides hope and a future for all children. She believes achievement, innovation, and creativity are inevitable when children are taught to think critically. Lastly, she believes that through belief, high expectations, and positive relationships, every child will reach their fullest potential and contribute to the world.
Financial Secretary
Megan Boyd
Ms. Megan Boyd is truly passionate about ensuring all learners feel safe, understood, and heard. As lead counselor at North Forney High School she works tirelessly to build relationships with all students and truly hopes she will be a part of figuring out who they are and how they want to make an impact on the world around them! As a part of the Gay Straight Alliance, Black Student Association, and the Girls Mentorship program she is able to empower students that otherwise are typically underserved.
In 2020 she really became passionate about walking the walk and not just talking the talk; she threw herself into literature and film to really learn and to hopefully make an impact on the world around her- joining FAABSE made sense and she is so excited about being a part of it! This is Megan’s 17th year in education and 13th year as a counselor! She enjoys spending her free time going on adventures with her 11 year old daughter Hadley, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family!
Parliamentarian
De’Andrea Smith
De’Andrea Smith strives to ensure student learning is equitable among all students, especially African American students. De’Andrea has spent 7 years in Education. She started her journey as an Educator as a Special Education Teacher in Mesquite ISD. Currently, she is a School Counselor at North Forney High School. She also serves as a Sponsor for the Girl’s Mentorship Program, where she has the ability to build relationships, offer encouragement and support, and challenge young ladies to be forward thinkers and solution-oriented. In her spare time, De’Andrea enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, traveling, reading, or making Tik Tok videos with her 12 year old daughter, Kassidy.
Historian
Tiffany Ross
Tiffany Ross, a Forney High School graduate and an alumni of Texas A&M Commerce. She is a Audio/Visual Production teacher at North Forney High School and was named teacher of the year, 2021-2022. Tiffany has spent 9 years in Education. She started her journey in education as an Attendance Clerk in Terrell ISD. She also serves as a sponsor for Embracing Your Voice, where she has the ability to build relationships and support the student body of North Forney High School.
Immediate Past President
Tyra Clayton
Mrs. Tyra Clayton has a passion for inspiring learners of all ages to reach beyond their potential. Tyra was blessed to have a mother as an educator who enrolled her in a computer programming camp at the impressionable age of thirteen. That summer was the beginning of her love for technology and education.
She served as an Assistant Principal at North Forney High School positively impacting students on a daily basis.Prior to joining the North Forney Family, Tyra served as an Instructional Technology Coach in addition to a Technology Teacher for Garland ISD. In her earlier years of education, she served as a PE teacher, curriculum writer, and online instructor for Plano ISD. When not immersed in her position as an Assistant Principal in Garland ISD and Past President of FAABSE, Tyra enjoys spending time with her husband, preferably in an outdoor setting.