Shaneia Smith

Shaneia Smith

President

Shaneia Smith, GAABSE President, is originally from Alto, Texas, a small, rural town in deep East Texas. Ms. Smith attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas where she obtained her Bachelors in Liberal Arts and Communication, and later a Masters in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Teacher Leadership. Before transitioning to the Dallas-Fort Worth area over thirteen years ago, Shaneia taught high school in Nacogdoches and co-founded Students of Color, a student organization promoting culture, advocacy, volunteerism, and academic excellence.

Shaneia Smith - President

Shaneia Smith, GAABSE President, is originally from Alto, Texas, a small,  rural town in deep East Texas. Ms. Smith attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas where she obtained her Bachelors in Liberal Arts and Communication, and later a Masters in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Teacher Leadership.  Before transitioning to the Dallas-Fort Worth area over thirteen years ago, Shaneia taught high school in Nacogdoches and co-founded Students of Color, a student organization promoting culture, advocacy, volunteerism, and academic excellence. 

This was the beginning for Ms. Smith, but she desired to make a more global change for African American children.  After working with a strong and wise staff, plus under the mentorship of her grandmother and women in her home church, Shaneia knew there was more for her because He said so: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (Ephesians 3:20).  Shaneia FOREVER leans on her faith to get through the hills and valleys life brings.  At the present time, she is still advocating for African American children, finishing her Masters in School Counseling, and focusing on what God has in store for her future.

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Dr. Adrian Leday

President-Elect

Dr. Adrian Leday is graduate of the Garland ISD and an educator with 23 years in the charter and public school sectors. He received a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in May 1999. He subsequently received an M.S. in Secondary and Higher Education with a Math minor and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce in August 2005 and December 2021, respectively.

Dr. Adrian Leday - President-Elect

Dr. Adrian Leday is graduate of the Garland ISD and an educator with 23 years in the charter and public school sectors. He received a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in May 1999. He subsequently received an M.S. in Secondary and Higher Education with a Math minor and an Ed.D. in Educational
Leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce in August 2005 and December 2021, respectively.

Dr. Leday maintains active membership in the Garland Area Alliance of Black School Educators (GAABSE), where he serves as President Elect. Additionally, he has membership with the Association for Supervision, Curriculum and Design (ASCD) and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Leday holds state certifications in math (Grades
6-12), principalship (Grades PK – 12), and the superintendency. He currently serves as the principal of Watson Technology Center for Math & Science.

Dr. Leday is married to his wife of 22 years, Dr. Temekka Leday, and is the father of two current GISD students, Danielle (14) and Adrian II (10).

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Rhonda Williams - President

Rhonda Williams

Immediate Past President

Mrs. Rhonda Williams is dedicated to uplifting and advocating for students as an Intervention Facilitator in Garland ISD. During her time as an educator, Rhonda has championed student success through her leadership and systemic development of programs fostering impactful student and community partnerships.

Rhonda Williams - Immediate Past President

Mrs. Rhonda Williams is dedicated to uplifting and advocating for students as an Intervention Facilitator in Garland ISD. During her time as an educator, Rhonda has championed student success through her leadership and systemic development of programs fostering impactful student and community partnerships.

Rhonda hails from Arkansas but has called Texas her home for more than twenty years. She attended the Great Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and Bachelors of Business Administration. Because Rhonda truly believes the philosophy of Gandhi that we must “be the change that we would like to see in the world”, she has gone on to continue her educational career at Concordia University Texas where she received a Masters in Educational Administration. When not immersing herself in, learning and facilitating instructional practices, Rhonda spends time with her husband of twenty years and her grandchildren.

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Statia Paschel

Statia Paschel

Past-President

Ms. Paschel grew up on the beaches of South Carolina. She made the move to Texas after high school to attend Texas A&M University where she graduated with a degree in Kinesiology. After working with elderly patients to rehab their chronic pain conditions, she decided to teach children how to live healthier lives so that they could avoid injuries as an adult.

Statia Paschel - Immediate Past President

Ms. Paschel grew up on the beaches of South Carolina. She made the move to Texas after high school to attend Texas A&M University where she graduated with a degree in Kinesiology. After working with elderly patients to rehab their chronic pain conditions, she decided to teach children how to live healthier lives so that they could avoid injuries as an adult. Ms. Paschel served as a health/PE educator and coach prior to completing her Master’s in Educational Administration from Concordia University in 2010. She has been an educator for 18 years and currently serves the students of #GarlandUSA as an Assistant Principal at Ethridge Elementary. Ms. Paschel has been a member of GAABSE for 9 years and TABSE and NABSE for 8 years.

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Dianne Shaw

Treasurer

Dianne Shaw is a native of Southwest Louisiana who received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Later, Dianne obtained her Master’s Degree from Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas in Educational Administration with a focus in Instructional Leadership.

Dianne Shaw - Treasurer

Dianne Shaw is a native of Southwest Louisiana who received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Later, Dianne obtained her Master’s Degree from Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas in Educational Administration with a focus in Instructional Leadership. Dianne has been in the field of education and working in Garland Independent School District for over 15 years.

Currently, she is working at the Classical Center at Brandenburg as an 8th Grade Reading Interventionist (“A” Campus). Dianne is trained in various reading intervention programs (Scholastic Read 180, Achieve 3000, and Istation) and has created her own reading strategies to help reluctant readers improve their reading and thinking skills. She has received various educational honors. Some of her recognitions include Texas PTA Lifetime Membership, Outstanding Family Engagement, and Garland I.S.D. TABSE Inaugural Nominee for Teacher of the Year, and Stellar Teacher Achieving Results (S.T.A.R.).

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ShaRee Andrews

Corresponding Secretary

ShaRee was born and partially raised in Dallas, Tx, she eventually grew up and completed public school in East Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at East Texas State University in Commerce, Tx, and her Master’s Degree in Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

ShaRee Andrews - Corresponding Secretary

ShaRee was born and partially raised in Dallas, Tx, she eventually grew up and completed public school in East Texas.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at East Texas State University in Commerce, Tx, and her Master’s Degree in Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Her career in education took off as she began teaching secondary English at a JJAEP in Hunt County where she would eventually become a juvenile probation officer for a few years. She later taught middle school English in Greenville, Tx. ShaRee was recognized as teacher of the month and year for her work and accomplishments. After teaching middle school English for nine years, she later was promoted to a middle school counselor. In her role as a school counselor, she also enjoyed being the Black History Program Coordinator on her campus.

In addition to ShaRee’s career as an educator, she was also a Developmental Writing Instructor for Dallas County Community Colleges for ten years, a reading teacher for an ISD reading program at SMU for one year, and worked with special needs students for a year for Richardson ISD.

ShaRee understands that the best and most important things in life are free, and therefore, enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

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CrystalGross_Financial Secretary

Crystal Gross

Financial Secretary

Crystal Gross is originally from Greenville, Texas, a small town in North East Texas. Crystal attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where she obtained her Bachelors in Business Administration, and later a Masters in Elementary Education with an English Minor.

Crystal Gross - Financial Secretary

Crystal Gross is originally from Greenville, Texas, a small town in North East Texas. Crystal attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where she obtained her Bachelors in Business Administration, and later a Masters in Elementary Education with an English Minor.

Crystal has been married to Troy for 3 years, and they enjoy their blended family of 5 kids and a puppy! She has been in education over 15 years and has been a part of GAABSE for several years. She is excited to take on a more impactful role in the organization.

Crystal attends Greater Golden Gate MBC where she is Administrative Assistant for the church’s Prison Ministry and a part of the Turquoise J.E.W.E.L.S. women’s ministry as well.  Currently, she is working on another Masters in Educational Leadership with Certification, enjoying her new position in the district, and doing her best to be the light God wants her to be.

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Shonedra Redd

Parliamentarian

Shonedra Redd, is the eldest of 3 children born to Jerry Redd (deceased) and Glenda Redd. Ms. Redd has always had a love for learning, as in high school she was a member of the National Honors Society and Who' Who Among American High School Students. However, It was not until her late 20's, she decided to transition into Education from an extended career in Fashion Merchandising and Business.

Shonedra Redd - Parliamentarian

Shonedra Redd, is the eldest of 3 children born to Jerry Redd (deceased) and Glenda Redd. Ms. Redd has always had a love for learning, as in high school she was a member of the National Honors Society and Who' Who Among American High School Students.  However, It was not until her late 20's, she decided to transition into Education from an extended career in Fashion Merchandising and Business.  

Ms. Redd found her niche with Special Education students in the Lewisville Independent School District as an aide. She then transitioned into an Inclusion Teacher position for 12th grade English, at Lewisville High School, her alma mater.  She was in this position for 4 years, while also taking on various campus leadership positions and obtaining a master's degree in Worship Leadership at Dallas Baptist University (DBU).  For her last 2 years in the district, she would become a Behavior and Academic Resource Support Teacher.  In this role she was chosen as a teacher to pilot the BASE (Behavior/Academic Support Environment) program in the district. 

She would return to school and obtain a School Counseling degree also at DBU. Currently, Ms. Redd is an Elementary Counselor in the Garland Independent School District.  In her short tenure in her newest role, she has led summer professional development, created Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons for the district for Intercession, and has sat on various district committees including the district's SEL Steering Committee.  During the 2020-2021 school year, Ms. Redd and her school were awarded the Lone Star Bronze Award, through the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA).  This award recognizes effective and outstanding school counseling programs in the state of Texas.   She is the first to be awarded this honor in Garland ISD.  

In her spare time, Ms. Redd loves to spend time with her family and friends, vacationing on the beach, and practicing self-care. Shonedra is active member in her community as the Scholarship Chair for her beloved chapter, the North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She is also a member of DFW Metro Chapter of the NAACP and serves on the Education Committee.  Most importantly, Shonedra is a committed woman of faith and strives to have God be at the center of her every decision.  She lives by the mantra her late father spoke on repeat, "Work as you are working until the Lord, not as though you are working unto men." He was an example of that very quote and she strives to live out his legacy.  Future endeavors include, Shonedra continuing her education by perusing her doctorate in Counseling and completing classes needed to obtain a Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) certification. Ms. Redd also plans to venture into politics by running for a local school board.  

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TaylorCarn_RecordingSecretary2

Taylor Carn

Recording Secretary

I’m Taylor Carn. I've been teaching for 4 years, 1 year in Richardson, and 3 years in Garland ISD. I'm a proud Alumna of Garland ISD. I'm a 6th grade English teacher and 8th grade cheer coach at Coyle Middle School. I've been a proud member of GAABSE for 3 years now. I'm currently serving as the Recording Secretary.

Natalie James Historian

Natalie James

Historian

Natalie James was born in Washington DC and raised in Austin TX. She and her mother moved to Austin in the early 80s, when they were just starting to integrate their schools, so her mother could start her career as an educator. After high school, Mrs. James attended Grambling State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in December of 1998. She later graduated with Honors with a Masters of Education from Texas A & M-Commerce in 2007 and a Masters of Library Science from Sam Houston State University in 2013.

Natalie James - Historian

Natalie James was born in Washington DC and raised in Austin TX. She and her mother moved to Austin in the early 80s, when they were just starting to integrate their schools, so her mother could start her career as an educator.  After high school, Mrs. James attended Grambling State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in December of 1998.  She later graduated with Honors with a Masters of Education from Texas A & M-Commerce in 2007 and a Masters of Library Science from Sam Houston State University in 2013.  

Mrs. James has been in education for 23 years.  She began her teaching career in 1999 in Shreveport and later moved to Dallas that same year to begin teaching in Richardson ISD, where she taught for 4 years.  She has also taught in Wilmer-Hutchins ISD for 2 years and Lancaster ISD for 3 years before finally coming to Garland ISD in 2008, where she taught 1st and 2nd grade at Carver Elementary.  She is currently the librarian at Freeman Elementary and has been there since 2016.  

Mrs. James has been a member of GAABSE and TABSE for the past 5 years.

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Chasity Bass

Chaplain

Chasity Bass is the Early Childhood Coordinator for Garland ISD. It has been a joy and a privilege for her to have served in GISD the past 14 years. She is fully vested in the district that first invested in me. She is a “Garland Girl” at heart, having attended Bradfield Elementary, Jackson Middle School, and North Garland High School.

Chasity Bass - Chaplain

Chasity Bass is the Early Childhood Coordinator for Garland ISD. It has been a joy and a privilege for her to have served in GISD the past 14 years. She is fully vested in the district that first invested in me. She is a “Garland Girl” at heart, having attended Bradfield Elementary, Jackson Middle School, and North Garland High School.

She even met her husband of 24 years at NGHS and has one proud graduate of Garland High School one proud graduate of Sachse High School. Additionally, her son currently attends Austin Academy. She received her B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies in Elementary Education from Texas Tech University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She has over 20 years of experience in teaching PreK-8th grade. Additionally, she has developed and implemented the district PreK curriculum, supported campus administrators, Early Literacy Support Teachers and classroom teachers. Her journey in education began as a teacher’s assistant at the Texas Tech Child Development Research Center working with Pre-K students. Her foundation in Early Childhood Education furthers the district’s goal of providing High Quality Pre-K education throughout our community. She is a firm believer that if we start off well, we will finish strong!

Mrs. Bass, GAABSE Chaplain, is a minister and teacher of the gospel, She has a heart for serving women and children in her local community. Her community involvement includes volunteering at her local church, ministering to women at a local women’s shelter, serving women in prison, and encouraging the community in song with the Project Unity Community Choir. She has served in ministry over 23 years in various capacities. Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for both education and the word of God empowers all generations. Chasity has been a member of GAABSE for 1 year.

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  • Not Pictured: Advisory Council

    • Linda Griffin 

    • John Washington

    • Dr. Gradyne Brown

    • Carol Montgomery

    • Phyllis Williams-Executive Director

    • Danielle Twitty

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