TCDA Pod Mentoring Program
Jessica Nápoles, Vice President College/Community
One of the most important lessons we have learned from the pandemic is that we need one another. Connecting with others is important, and that is true both for our singers and for ourselves. A large number of people are entering the profession during these stressful times, seeking guidance, wishing to connect and have a listening ear to grant compassion when they struggle. As an organization, we are hoping to fill that need through a pod mentoring program.
For this pod mentoring program, we’re looking to match our experienced and retired directors with those new to the field. TCDA has a rich legacy with outstanding directors across the state, at every level and in every context, all dedicated to directing choirs and helping to serve singers everywhere. We also understand that sometimes a one on one pairing can be challenging and new directors can greatly benefit from others like them who are also entering the profession. To that end, we’re looking to establish pods (a small group of 4-5 teachers), with a combination of beginning directors and experienced/retired directors. The goals are to establish camaraderie between beginning directors (who are having a similar experience), to create opportunities for them to engage with experienced/retired directors, and to build support systems that lead to retention in the profession. This format would also allow for less pressure on an individual pairing and benefits in multiple directions (peer to peer, beginning director/experienced director). We envision a flexible arrangement for interaction, with a variable time commitment depending on the times of the year and the needs of those in the pod.
At this time, TCDA is asking for assistance with identifying these beginning and experienced/retired directors, in all settings in which our choir directors work, so we may begin the process of matching. TCDA is a caring community and we all understand there is much to be gained from connecting with one another and serving our singers.
We have had limited response so if you have already completed this form, there is no need to do so again.
We need more participants to make this a robust and valued program for anyone interested. Please indicate your interest in participating in this pod mentoring program by completing information HERE.
Thank you for your consideration and willingness to support our organization’s membership!
TCDA Committees
Scholarship Committee
Gloria Stephens, Chair, former board member Paul Doucet, Southlake/Carroll HS Heather Sharp, Klein HS Robert Stovall, former board member
Award Committee
Mark Rohwer, Flower Mound HS, Lewisville Dianne Brumley, Retired, former UT-Brownsville Kelly D’Souza, Lovejoy HS, Lovejoy Kelly McDonald, Kleb MS, Spring Gerald Nicholas, Patterson MS, Killeen Reg Wright, Mansfield HS, Mansfield
Honor Choir/All-State Choir Committee
Grant Easdon, Leander MS, Leander Megan Jackson, Fort Worth ISD, Fort Worth Alicia Jones, KIPP Sharpstown College Prep, Houston Solange Mainer, McLean MS, FWISD, Fort Worth Carole Mason, Klein ISD, Spring Marie Parisot Olsen, CFISD - Arnold MS, Cypress Rocio Rodriguez, Reyes Elementary School, El Paso Victoria Romero, Aldine ISD, Houston Victoria Suarez, Plano ISD, Shepard Elementary School, Plano Tommie Trinh, First Colony MS, Sugar Land
Clinton Hardy, MS/H VP, Co-Chair Sarah Reyes, Elementary VP, Co-Chair
Leadership Committee
John Lee Bonner, First Colony Middle School, Victoria Alexander Carr, Hebron HS and Ridglea Christian Church, Irving Adam Hightower-Moreno, Humble ISD, Houston De'Evin Johnson, Ridge Point HS, Missouri City Eunice Marrero, Wilson MS, Plano ISD, Plano Leigh Ann McClure, Keller Central HS Choir, Fort Worth Coty Raven Morris, Crosby HS, Crosby Randy Preston, Stony Point HS, Round Rock Jasmine Reed, Peet JH, Conroe Vivian Rodriguez, Crockett MS Choir, Irving
Thomas Rinn, President, Co-Chair Pam Elrod Huffman, Past President, Co-Chair Allen Hightower, Church VP, Co-Chair
Programming Committee
Reginal Wright, Mansfield HS, Mansfield Jennifer Agbu, Katy ISD, Fulshear Jeremy Bledsoe, Ross S. Sterling HS, Baytown Elizabeth Cole, Sulphur Springs HS, Sulphur Springs Lauren Davis, MacArthur HS, Irving Francisco Espinoza, Shadow Creek HS, Houston Frank Eychaner, University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa Jennifer Gallagher, Shadow Creek HS, Pearland Lisa Jenkins, Golden Gate MBC, Dallas Joshua McGuire, Rock Hill HS (Prosper ISD), Frisco Amber Moon, Harker Heights HS, Harker Heights Michael Murphy, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches Nathan Ponder, Nacogdoches HS, Nacogdoches Adam Samuels, Chorus Abilene; St Paul UMC, Abilene Morris Stevens Jr, St. Theresa Catholic Church and Masterworks Singers, Pflugerville Miguel Stonecipher, Cunningham MS, Houston
Jessica Nápoles, College/Community VP, Co-Chair Pauline Sexton, HS VP, Co-Chair
Purpose & Vision Committee
Clinton Blanco, Irving ISD, Irving Becky Compton, Irving Chorale, Southlake Tod Fish, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches Randy Hooper, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce Kara Kasberg, Danielson Middle School Choir, Leander Jesus Morales, Harlingen CISD, Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church, Harlingen Charnele Pendarvis-Romero, Katy ISD, Katy Kenneth Rivens, Robert Vela HS, Edinburg Sally Schott, University of Houston, The Woodlands Kenneth Williams, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville Elisa Wilson, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso
Carolyn Cruse, President Elect, Co-Chair Eric Cooley, Secretary, Co-Chair
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