Wendy DeSpain has almost 30 years’ experience in public and private education. She started teaching in 1995 in Plano ISD after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and lifetime certifications in Grades PK-6, 1-8, and Reading. She taught 3rd grade, became team leader, and participated in numerous district level committees for legislative action and student advocacy. Summer School teacher in various grades and content and curriculum writer were other roles embraced during this time period.  

 

In 2003, Wendy earned a Master of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from the University of North Texas. Continuing her education, she then entered the Principal Certification program at the University of North Texas, focusing on change leadership. After completing 33 additional hours, in 2009, she graduated from the program and added State certifications in Special Education PK-12 and Principal PK-12.

 

Wendy’s evolution as an educational leader continued as an Assistant Principal for four years, and then she was honored to become the Principal at Memorial Elementary, still in Plano ISD. Having been a student teacher, teacher, and assistant principal at this campus made the promotion natural and particularly exciting. There is great honor in leading a campus dedicated to PISD students who died in service to our country. It was a beautiful combination of passion for education and dedication to patriotism. Wendy made a marked impact as she held the campus’ 40th Anniversary Celebration, augmented the campus culture, and increased student achievement and family engagement. She was then recruited to administration and joined the Assessment and Accountability department as the No Child Left Behind Coordinator. Deep dives into data analysis and legislative awareness and advocacy were hallmarks of her growth in this position. Personal discovery of her aptitude in data analysis and succinct report writing was also discovered.

 

When presented with a position as the leader of a new, premium brand early learning center called The Grove School, Wendy had an opportunity to reignite her passion for early childhood, early intervention, and campus leadership. Completing the construction of an environmentally friendly campus built from all sustainable materials was a stimulating learning experience, and owning the marketing and recruiting, hiring and training of staff, and engaging families and meeting student needs were components Wendy found exciting and fulfilling.

 

To be more available for her own young children and to keep working with other children and their families, Wendy then substituted in Lake Dallas ISD for about a year and half. Most of that time was spent fulfilling a long-term vacancy in the Content Mastery classroom. This experience not only further developed her instructional and organizational skills, but it also kept her acquainted with the idiosyncrasies of the classroom and the daily experience of the teacher.

 

Wendy was then motivated to apply all that she had learned throughout her career to the position of Elementary Director at Uplift Education’s Williams campus. There she created a culture of excellence that focused on student best interest and community engagement. She led a dedicated team of educators in kindergarten - 5th grade to elevate student achievement, build positive relationships, and increase family involvement. Gaining consensus and excitement for a revised vision and mission for children was a hallmark of her time there. 

 

An opportunity to engage with stakeholders at the organizational level then presented itself to Wendy. One of the principals she had worked with in Plano ISD was superintendent at Manara Academy, and he recruited Wendy to be the Director of Education. She supported four campuses, all special programs as well as curriculum and instruction, and acted as the District Testing Coordinator. She worked with principals, teachers, and administrators to build enrollment, improve internal processes, increase student achievement, and retain quality educators. Deep involvement in board activities, policy creation, statute analysis, and budgeting for the charter school network was a stimulating and valuable learning experience.

 

After four years at Manara Academy, additional years in other charter school networks, and many more years’ experience in traditional ISD, Wendy’s passion as an educator had only increased. She remained an educator in favor of family choice for the education of their children and felt the necessity to increase her knowledge and experience in other areas; she was driven to explore private school in-greater depth, and Wendy became interested in private schools options that families have. Accepting a position as the English Curriculum Development Coordinator at Dallas International School, Wendy had the opportunity to advocate for student needs in a private school environment and learn about international partnerships in private school. DIS worked closely with the French Consulate and offered a unique blend of American and French education ideals that was intriguing and dynamic. In this role, Wendy’s focus was on developing the English teachers and the English curriculum, although she also had to match the work of the English department PK-12 with that of the French department. Additionally, Wendy was the DIS Child Care Director and enjoyed feeding her passion for early childhood. This proved to be an extremely valuable experience as new avenues for education revealed themselves. This international partnership that produced multilingual and high achieving students was admirable and very interesting.  

 

With her passion for early childhood and special programs nurtured, Wendy then took a position as the Director of Special Programs at Advantage Academy. In her first year, she built the special education department from scratch, hired and trained quality educators, caught up on ARD meetings to reach compliance and offer compensatory services, and started to break down the walls that existed between general education and special education. At the end of the school year, Wendy was awarded the Above and Beyond Award and was promoted to Director of Elementary and Special Programs. In her second year there, Wendy worked closely with TEA and SPED TX to complete cyclical monitoring requirements in special education and dyslexia. Writing policy and local operating procedures, facilitating every ARD meeting, and editing IEPs to meet all federal and state regulatory standards were main priorities. Supporting curriculum, instruction, and assessment in general education PK-8 was another priority. This experience deepened Wendy’s knowledge and enthusiasm for meeting the diverse needs found in classrooms.  

 

While working at Advantage Academy, Wendy became very familiar with contracted services. This experience sparked a flame in Wendy’s heart. Over the years, Wendy observed that communication and relationships continually led to obstacles that students had to try to overcome. Wendy was searching for a way to combine her passions and abilities in ways that would benefit those most in need, often those found in underserved and disadvantaged populations.

 

It is now Wendy’s passion to help facilitate communication and relationships, so students do not suffer, but achieve; so teachers do not feel disenchanted, but nurtured, and so families do not become frustrated, but supportive. The single greatest change lever for all students, especially those in underserved or disadvantaged populations, is to have positive relationships between home and school and between teacher and student. Wendy now focuses on helping to bridge that gap by ensuring quality educators in as many classrooms as possible, providing targeted and research-proven professional development, supporting positive and constructive communication, and encouraging and developing knowledgeable teachers, parents, and guardians.

 

It is Wendy’s goal to be an advocate, facilitator, and guide for any family, student, educator, or organization that seeks development of relationships, communication, and processes to best meet individual student needs. Wendy has so much knowledge, experience, and dedication from which she wants others to benefit.

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Personally, Wendy is a wife of 25 years and the mother of 3 children, 2 dogs, and 2 cats; they have lived in Lake Dallas, Texas for almost 25 years. They enjoy spending time together and with their large, extended family.