Students in over 130 Texas districts are gaining confidence & motivation with MindPlay's TEKS-aligned reading instruction.

Ty is currently an Account Executive for MindPlay, serving the North Texas and Oklahoma regions. He worked at Region 17 Education Service Center for 18 years where he supervised the Accountability, Leadership and Compliance components. His team managed 43 ESSA grants for districts, provided training and coaching to leaders and teachers, as well as ensured districts complied with punitive accountability measures around school improvement. He is committed to ensuring students read on grade level and all students receive quality instruction to that end. He strongly believes that elite Tier 1 instruction and elite Tier 2 supplementary software like MindPlay products will change the reading landscape in Texas forever.

Tamara has over 20 years of experience in sales and 7 years in Ed-Tech working with elementary and secondary literacy and math as well as high school credit recovery courses/programs. Tamara's passion for building lifelong learners is inspired by her two sons and her daughter, as well as her large family of educators. She takes pride in making sure that all students, in all grades, feel included and build a strong foundation for learning. With her oldest son being a struggling reader in his early years, Tamara believes that a program like MindPlay and LightSail will allow students to foster the love for reading and make their reading experience enjoyable.

Louis has over 25 years of experience collaborating with schools in both the nonprofit and corporate worlds. After earning a Master’s in Social Work, Louis joined Communities In Schools (CIS), a nonprofit focused on helping at-risk students. After CIS, Louis entered the ed-tech world, working with elementary math and literacy as well as high school CTE programs throughout the past ten years. In his role, Louis helps foster new partnerships while also supporting current partners at MindPlay. In short, his passion lies in helping our users find and implement solutions that meet their specific needs. He credits his love for the educational realm and undying support for educators on his spouse who's a long-time teacher (one who has "seen it all" and knows the nuances of this ever-advancing landscape).

LaQuisha lives in Waxahachie, TX. She is a proud mother of 3 beautiful daughters, ages 28 (model/business owner), 11 (track & field), and 7 (competitive gymnast). For over 20 years, LaQuisha has been in the business of helping people find solutions to meet their needs and continues that work at MindPlay. She is also the current president of the Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Her hobbies include reading, shopping, spending time with her children, and serving her community.

Ammon Smith is a native Texan who grew up in the Austin area and currently resides in Del Valle. He began working in ed-tech while he was finishing his degree in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish. Growing up with parents, grandparents, and many close relatives all having careers as educators, it only made sense to choose a career he felt so comfortable with and had spent so much time around. In the 8 years that Ammon has spent working in ed-tech, he's held many roles from technical and customer support to new partner development and expansion as an account executive. Having 2 young children of his own, supporting students and academic growth is something he's very passionate about. He is thrilled to work at MindPlay and hopes to help spread success, support, and growth to as many students and educators as possible.

Sharon lives in San Antonio, TX. She earned her Bachelors in Business (Law) from ASU. Since then, she has worked in the customer service and education spaces. Her time as a private tutor while attending college led to her desire to get more involved in the educational advancement of others. She has since participated in an enrichment program at a Title I school for the City of Tempe and engaged in an internship at AmeriCorps at the Superior Court in Arizona, where she decided she wanted to aid in supporting our youth.

Traci Ziebarth, an enthusiastic educator, holds a Masters of Mathematics from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelors of Mathematics from Texas Woman's University. With a deep passion for teaching, Traci has dedicated her career to enriching the educational experiences of students, serving as a high school mathematics educator covering every subject in the curriculum. Transitioning to a role with broader impact, Traci contributed her expertise as a Secondary Mathematics Facilitator in a district comprising 31 schools in the Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex. Over four years, she actively participated in numerous RtI (Response to Intervention) meetings, recognizing the demand for intervention resources in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. Traci's commitment to fostering mathematical proficiency led her to her current role as an adjunct faculty member at Dallas Baptist University. With a talent for making mathematics engaging and accessible, she ignites curiosity and enthusiasm in learners from all backgrounds. Committed to assisting districts in thriving amidst evolving educational landscapes, Traci brings her passion for teaching and expertise to empower educators and students alike.

Making a difference in the lives of children is very important to Teia. She has been an elementary teacher, a reading interventionist, and a gifted and talented coordinator. Her focus was always on reading using MindPlay in her own classroom. She has now worked in various roles with MindPlay over the last five years. It's her goal that all children become confident, fluent readers who will change the world.

Kristi Burtch is dedicated to supporting teachers and students throughout their MindPlay journey. With over 30 years of experience in education, Kristi has held roles as a district principal, counselor, and instructor specializing in middle school and high school mathematics. During her tenure as a district principal, she prioritized fluency in reading, recognizing its foundational importance across all subjects. Kristi's introduction to MindPlay came through first-hand knowledge of its impact; witnessing the significant reading progress of her great-nephew, who utilized MindPlay, affirmed its efficacy. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University and a Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership from Wayland Baptist University.

Tricia Evans is a life-long educator with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas Tech University. She has invested over 20 years in classrooms, teaching 6th-12th grade Reading Language Arts, and has been honored as her school's Teacher of the Year, a Kylene Beer's Tyrolia Institute Selection, and a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator. Following her years in the classroom, Tricia served as a high school Instructional Coach/Curriculum Specialist and the Coordinator of Secondary Reading Language Arts at Amarillo ISD. With a focus on increasing student engagement with reading, she has conducted training at regional service centers, school districts, and state conferences. In her work with MindPlay, Tricia continues her dedication to empowering students through literacy development.

After 7 years of teaching math and coaching high school sports, I pivoted into SaaS Customer Success in 2017 with MIND Research Institute. I became a Director of Customer Success in under four years and earned my MBA in 2021. Prior to my Director role, I was a Program Manager and a Customer Success Manager. In his free time, Cory enjoys meeting new people and all things related to the Dallas Mavericks or Kansas Jayhawks basketball. Rock Chalk!