December 4-5, 2025 SBEC Meeting
State Board for Educator Certification
Meeting Agenda
December 4 -5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
1601 N. Congress Ave. Room 2.035
The Board will meet in open session and after determining the presence of a quorum, deliberate and possibly take formal action, including emergency action, on any of the following agenda items:
Moment of Silence
Pledge of Allegiance
- Call to Order
- Associate Commissioner’s Comments
- Public Comment
The Board shall allocate up to thirty (30) minutes at the beginning of each regularly scheduled meeting of the full Board for public comment on non-agenda and consent agenda items. In accordance with SBEC Board Operating Policies and Procedures, late registration for providing oral or written comments will be accepted up to 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the Board meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda will take up agenda items 4 – 10 with no discussion. The State Board for Educator Certification may elect to take separate action on any item on the consent agenda. All such items shall be acted upon by one vote without separate discussion, unless a Board member requests that an item be withdrawn for individual consideration.
Approve September 18-19, 2025 Meeting Minutes
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to adopt the proposed revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments, Subchapter A, Criteria for Assignment of Public School Personnel, Subchapter B, Prekindergarten-Grade 6 Assignments, Subchapter C, Grades 6-8 Assignments, Subchapter D, Electives, Disciplinary Courses, Local Credit Courses, and Innovative Courses, Grades 6-12, Subchapter E, Grades 9-12 Assignments, and Subchapter G, Paraprofessional Personnel, Administrators, and Other Instructional and Professional Support Assignments. The rules being discussed provide requirements relating to the criteria for school districts to make personnel assignments based on the correlating certification requirements.
Proposed Review of 19 TAC Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs
Texas Government Code, §2001.039, establishes a four-year rule review cycle for all state agency rules, including State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules. This item presents for SBEC approval the proposed review of 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs. The rules being reviewed provide requirements for the accountability system for educator preparation programs (EPPs), including the assignment of an EPP accreditation status, and allow the SBEC to intervene in cases of low performance.
Proposed Review of 19 TAC Chapter 247, Educators' Code of Ethics
Texas Government Code (TGC), §2001.039, establishes a four-year rule review cycle for all state agency rules, including State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules. This item presents for SBEC approval the proposed review of 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 247, Educators' Code of Ethics. The rules being reviewed provide the code of ethics for Texas educators.
Proposed Review of 19 TAC Chapter 250, Administration
Texas Government Code, §2001.039, establishes a four-year rule review cycle for all state agency rules, including State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules. This item presents for SBEC approval the proposed review of 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 250, Administration. The rules being reviewed establish procedures for SBEC purchasing and for handling petitions for the adoption of rules that the SBEC receives.
Request to Approve Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route for Educator Preparation Programs
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to approve Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to offer the Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route resulting in the enhanced standard certification.
Renewal of Educator Preparation Programs 2024-2025 Reviews
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to approve educator preparation programs (EPPs) for continuing approval for five years based on the results of the 2024-2025 reviews.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION
Texas Education Code (TEC) requires the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to elect one of its members to serve as presiding officer for a term of two years and allows the Board to elect other officers from among its membership. The Board Operating Policies and Procedures (BOPP) mandates the Board to elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary according to the terms of the BOPP.
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) the opportunity to consider a petition for rulemaking regarding 19 TAC Chapter 242, Superintendent Certificate, filed pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2001.021. The petitioner requests the SBEC amend 19 TAC 242, to include the addition of executive leadership track (EL) for non-traditional superintendent candidates under an approved educator preparation program. This new, alternative route would allow Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to admit candidates to a program while the candidate concurrently completes any remaining graduate studies required by §242.20, Issuance of Standard Superintendent Certificate.
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to approve a request by Southwest University College of Education (SUCoE) to be approved as an educator preparation program (EPP) to prepare and recommend candidates for certification through the traditional undergraduate certification route. The SUCoE is within Southwest University at El Paso located in El Paso, Texas. Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff reviewed the proposal and found that it complied with provisions of 19 TAC Chapter 227, Provisions for Educator Preparation Candidates, Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs, and Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and Certification, Subchapter B, General Certification Requirements.
Designation of National Board Certification Materials Review Committee
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) with an opportunity to designate a five-person committee who will meet to discuss and vote on the findings of the review of National Board certificates.
DISCIPLINARY CASES
No Answer Defaults
In the Matter of Afton Ferrand; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 11-month suspension
In the Matter of Anthony McKay; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Chandler Smith; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Elizabeth Garza; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Franz Rodriguez; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Hillary Reid; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Jennifer Regan; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Jesselyn Flores; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Leah Castleberry a/k/a Cabble; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Mary Gunderson; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Maxima Alejandra Vazquez; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 11-month suspension
In the Matter of Nicole Zunker; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Roxanne Martinez; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Sidney Polezcek; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Spencer Fredrick Leija; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Vicki Adams; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Wendy Sparks; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Jaime Alonso Arias; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
In the Matter of Dexter Dumas; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
In the Matter of Hugo Alejandro Perez; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
In the Matter of Ivy Grajeda; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Jori Mahaffey; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Jakobus Wolf; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Pamela Taylor; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 2-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of David Prater; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 2-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Katrina Penley; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 3-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Kyle Pinkerton; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 3-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Joseph Gosset; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 5-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program
In the Matter of Pearl Escobar; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 5-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program `
In the Matter of Tanya Barrett a/k/a Tanya Cunningham; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Leigha Johnson; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Angela Sulik; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 2-year suspension
In the Matter of Bethany Meinke; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 1-year suspension
In the Matter of Mark Britton; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 2-year suspension
In the Matter of Jatara Hunter; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 2-year suspension and proof of successful completion of an anger management class
In the Matter of James Edward Howard; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: 3-year suspension
In the Matter of Bret Tye; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Revocation
In the Matter of Anna Maria Garcia; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
In the Matter of Laneisha Fogle; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
In the Matter of Melvin Settlemyre; Action to be taken: Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment
Staff recommendation: Permanent Revocation
Contested Cases
Proposals for Decision
Docket No. 701-25-17033.EC, Texas Education Agency, Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement Division v Jerry Florence; Action to be taken: Consideration of Proposal for Decision and Issuance of Final Order.
ALJ Recommendation: Inscribed reprimand
Staff Recommendation: Accept ALJ recommendation
Docket No. 701-25-13838.EC, Texas Education Agency, Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement Division v Matthew Welsh; Action to be taken: Consideration of Proposal for Decision and Issuance of Final Order.
ALJ Recommendation: No disciplinary action should be taken
Staff Recommendation: Accept ALJ recommendation
DISCUSSION ONLY
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (“SBEC” or “the Board”) an opportunity to discuss potential amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 247, Educators’ Code of Ethics, and Chapter 249, Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases, as the result of legislation from the 89th Legislative Session.
Discussion of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 228, Subchapters A-F
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss proposed revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, Subchapter A, General Guidance, Subchapter B, Approval of Educator Preparation Programs, Subchapter C, Administration and Governance of Educator Preparation Programs, Subchapter D, Required Educator Coursework and Training, Subchapter E, Educator Candidate Clinical Experiences, and Subchapter F, Support for Candidates During Required Clinical Experiences. The rules being discussed provide requirements and definitions as applicable to support educator preparation programs (EPPs) and candidates in the successful implementation of these rules.
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss proposed revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 227, Provisions for Educator Preparation Candidates. Proposed revisions would update current requirements for candidate admission into educator preparation programs (EPPs) and the preliminary criminal history evaluation process to implement legislation passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss proposed revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and Certification, Subchapter D, Types and Classes of Certificates Issued, Subchapter E, Educational Aide Certificate, and Subchapter H, Texas Educator Certificates Based on Certification and College Credentials form Other States or Territories of the United States. The proposed revisions would update current rule language to implement provisions from House Bill (HB) 2, and HB 1178, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and include proposed edits previously discussed with the Board.
Discussion of Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP) Development Updates
This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an update on the selection of the Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP) EPP Development Team and development process.
INFORMATION ONLY
Update of State Board for Educator Certification Enabling Legislation – 88th Session
Report of State Board for Educator Certification - 89th Texas Legislative Session
Board Operating Policies and Procedures (BOPP)
2023–2026 Rule Review Plan for State Board for Educator Certification Rules
Adjournment
The Board may go into closed session regarding any item on the agenda to the extent it is authorized to do so pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. The presiding officer of the Board intends to be physically present in Room 2.035, Barbara Jordan Building, 1601 North Congress Avenue. Some members may attend via videoconferencing.