Dr. Alexander W. Wiseman, Professor, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership, Texas Tech University, Lubbock

Dr. Alexander W. Wiseman has more than 20 years of professional experience working with government education departments, university-based teacher education programs, community-based professional development for teachers, and as a classroom teacher in both the U.S. and East Asia. Dr. Wiseman examines and informs educational policy development, leads strategic planning workshops, provides evidence-based training programs, speaks internationally and presents extensively in the areas of evidence-based decision-making, teacher preparation and professional development, strategic planning, system assessment and reform, education policy, change management, equitable educational access for girls and boys, institutional capacity building, school-to-work transition, and civic education. Dr. Wiseman's research uses large-scale education datasets on math and science education, information and communication technology (ICT), teacher preparation, professional development and curriculum as well as school principal's instructional leadership activity, and is the author of many research-to-practice articles and books. He is the series editor of the volume series, International Perspectives on Education and Society, and the senior editor of the journal, FIRE: Forum for International Research in Education.

Mr. David Hinojosa, National Director of Policy, IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association), San Antonio

David Hinojosa is a national leading advocate and expert in educational civil rights. As IDRA's National Director of Policy, David leads national and state policy reform efforts in creating greater educational access for all students, with special emphasis on underserved students. As Director of the Equity Assistance Center-South, he spearheads IDRA's historic work in assisting state and local education agencies across the South to respond to civil rights concerns. David frequently testifies before legislative bodies on various educational topics. He has published widely, including two book chapters, "Rodríguez vs. San Antonio ISD – Forty Years and Counting" and "How Adequacy Litigation Fails to Fulfill the Promise of Brown [But How It Can Get Us Closer]". In addition, he is frequently called to address local, state and national audiences. David previously served as regional counsel for MALDEF, where he led systemic impact civil rights work in eight states. His successful efforts led to preserving the Texas DREAM Act, breaking down the segregation of students of color, securing immigrant access to driver's licenses, striking down discriminatory employment practices, preserving affirmative action and the Texas Top 10%, and creating greater fairness in school funding, among others. David received his B.A. from New Mexico State University and his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

Dr. Joshua Childs, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin

Joshua Childs is an assistant professor of Educational Policy and Planning (EPP) in the Department of Educational Administration. Joshua received his PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh. Joshua's research focuses on the role of interorganizational networks, cross-sector collaborations, and strategic alliances to address complex educational issues. Specifically, his work examines collaborative approaches involving community organizations and stakeholders that have the potential to improve academic achievement and reduce opportunity gaps for students in urban and rural schools. Joshua is an RGK Faculty Fellow and a faculty fellow with the Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis.

Dr. Childs teaches both M.ED and Ph.D courses in the EPP program. He has most recently taught Policy Implementation, Organizational Design, Research Methods, and an advanced seminar on networks.

Dr. Jessica Gottlieb, Assistant Professor of STEM Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, Texas Tech University, Lubbock

Dr. Jessica Gottlieb is an Assistant Professor of STEM Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She earned her doctorate in Policy Studies in Urban Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Most recently, she was a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for STEM Education at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Gottlieb previously worked as a classroom teacher in Los Angeles, CA. Her research focuses on how educational policy can be used to increase access to high-quality STEM education opportunities. Her current projects include examining the effects of longitudinal professional development on STEM teachers' identity as teacher leaders, identifying factors related to student persistence in STEM occupations, and the use of accountability-based measures in STEM teacher preparation.

Mr. Bob Popinski, Director of Policy, Raise Your Hand Texas, Austin

Bob is the Director of Policy for Raise Your Hand Texas. An expert on the Texas school finance system, Popinski provided Moak Casey with in-depth bill and policy analysis during the past seven legislative sessions and throughout the state's two most recent school finance court cases. He specialized in helping districts interested in entering economic development agreements and has authored detailed studies on Texas' fast growth school districts, tax appraisal limits, and its state school transportation funding system.

Popinski holds a Master of public affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University. He was a member of the Teach for America program and taught fourth grade and computer science in Phoenix.

Dr. Michelle Smith, Director of Government Relations, Raise Your Hand Texas, Austin

Dr. Michelle Smith joined Raise Your Hand Texas in June 2018 after eight years with HillCo Partners. She connects policy, research and classroom experience to offer innovative approaches to the challenges in education policy in Texas. She brings a unique perspective to the education policy space because she has served as a public school teacher and holds a doctorate in School Improvement from Texas State University. Smith also served as the executive director of the Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC) for five years.