A BIT ABOUT US
Turning Interest Into Action
My Child My Voice is a program that is in direct response to the growing number of students who attend failing schools or schools that are not meeting the educational needs of the students. We believe that families are crucial to student and school success. Through knowledge building, organizing, and leadership development, families will end the education inequity. They are the active leaders who have a voice and the tools to define, demand and lead systemic change to transform our public schools. Money, social and cultural factors are working against many students in succeeding in school. We will focus primarily on ALL parents through coaching and resources that empower them to best support their children, nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandchildren during their school journey. Our support will be most effective with parents when beginning their school search and targeting grade levels Pk-12th.
KEY PEOPLE
Committed to the Cause
WENDY GONZALES-NEAL
Founder/Executive Director
As a parent and community advocate, I help parents become informed advocates for their own children’s education and take that passion for school choice to their communities where they empower their neighbors, schools and lawmakers. I began my career in the corporate world as a project manager and executive assistant and found my way into public education almost a decade ago supporting the work of YES Prep Public School’s alternative teacher certification program and college initiatives team. During my tenure at YES, I had the opportunity to hone my skills as a project manager and senior administrative assistant, but where I found my most energy and joy was when it came to supporting families and communities. Fueled by my love of family engagement, I transitioned to Families Empowered, and over the last 2 years, I’ve had the privilege of organizing parents, influencing policy and engaging families across the state of Texas. In 2018, I launched @MyChildMyVoice to continue serving as a change agent for students and families in Texas. Let's connect!
AARON SMITH
Founding Board Member
Aaron Garth Smith is the director of education reform at Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank. Smith has worked in numerous states on school finance reforms and his writing has appeared in various publications, including The Hill, Education Week, The 74 Million, Orange County Register, and Los Angeles Daily News. Prior to joining Reason, Smith was senior director of analytics at YES Prep Public Charter Schools, a nationally-renowned charter management organization. Aaron graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor's degree in business administration and earned a Master of Business Administration from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. He and his wife, Lora, reside in Houston with their dog Lou.
BIANCA HUFF
Founding Board Member
After over a decade in K-16 education and funding, Ms. Huff has a unique perspective on the impact a school can have on a family’s future. Bianca received her BA in Communications/ Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and MA in Professional and Technical Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. Her time in graduate school led her to truly appreciate educational choice, and she joined Teach for America. Since her days as a corps member in Houston, Bianca has witnessed the brilliance which exists when parents are included in educational decisions.
As a fundraising professional, Ms. Huff secured federal, public/private foundation and individual donations for Communities in Schools of Philadelphia, Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries and most recently, Families Empowered. There is an undeniable synergy when schools, communities, and families work together. With this in mind, Bianca worked both Lead Teacher in HISD and an administrator for Harcum College, where she managed a portfolio of 25 instructors at 12 different sites in and around Eastern Pennsylvania. Ms. Huff currently works in Greater Houston as an adviser and advocate for students who are entering their freshman year of college. She also finds a great deal of joy in the classroom as an English professor where she continues to connect families, students, funding and community.
JESSICA ROBERTS
Founding Board Member
Jessica Roberts is the Managing Director of Finance and Administration at Instruction Partners, a national education non-profit that works shoulder to shoulder with educators to support great teaching and accelerate student learning. Jessica graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with a BBA in Finance. In 2005 Jessica decided corporate finance life was not for her and became a certified teacher in order to pursue her passion for educational equity while deeply investing in her community and the lives of kids. Jessica taught 7th and 8th grade math for the Houston and Spring Branch Independent School Districts in Houston, TX for five years while also helping to establish a community nonprofit, FamilyPoint Resources. While teaching, Jessica continued her education at the University of Houston, graduating with her MBA in 2010. After graduation, Jessica went on to become the Director of Business Operations and ultimately the Vice President of Finance and Administration for the University of Houston Alumni Association. Continually pursuing her passion for education, Jessica left the University of Houston and took a new role as the Controller of YES Prep Public Schools, a large open enrollment charter school organization, in Houston, TX. At YES Prep Jessica found her niche in business operations for education, eventually becoming the Managing Director of Finance and Accounting and serving in the Interim CFO role. Jessica left YES Prep in 2016 to serve as the founding Executive Director of the Luminary Learning Network, the first Innovation Zone within Denver Public Schools, which she led until joining Instruction Partners in 2019. Originally from Houston, TX, Jessica currently resides in Denver, CO with her husband, Jason, and two daughters, Ellery and Emma. In her spare time Jessica loves to spend time with family, skiing, doing CrossFit, travelling, eating good food and exploring the Rocky Mountains.