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Faculty/Staff
Mr. Ralph Spencer Jr.
P-TECH Assistant Principal
Office Location - Room 160D
Hello and Hola! My name is Ralph Spencer, Jr. and I serve as the Sunset P-TECH Assistant Principal. I have been blessed to work in the field of Education and Student Support for approximately 25 years, which includes my work in the college area as well as secondary public schools. My personal mission is to use the talents, skills, and experience I have been blessed with to provide the needed support for young people to grow up educationally and personally. My parents and so many others invested so much in me and it is my priority to make every effort to do the same for the young people I have an opportunity to work with. It is what our Sunset P-TECH students call.."THE COLLEGIATE WAY". Thank you in advance for being a part of our growing greatness.
Dr. Tamara Robison, Ed.D.
P-TECH Workplace Learning Coordinator
Office Location - Room 160C
My name is Tamara Robison and I serve as the Sunset P-TECH Workplace Learning Coordinator. My goal is to ensure every student who enters and leaves this organization is properly prepared for their future careers. This includes having a current resume, industry certifications, proper interview skills, internship and job shadowing opportunities. If I have exposed students to their many possibilities, then I have done my job.
I have used the quote "Education is the movement from darkness to light" by Allan Bloom to guide my educational path. When I first made my career change from business to education, I found joy in seeing “the light bulb” go off as students gained understanding. I loved the idea of exposing my students to new and exciting perspectives in my English class. I have been in education for 20 years now and there has never been a dull moment. Now as the Workplace Learning Coordinator, I am able to work with our Industry Partners to bring engaging academic activities to our students, making it a real-world experience.
Mrs. Denise Tucker
P-TECH Counselor
My name is Denise Tucker, and I am the P-TECH School Counselor for all grade levels. In 2020, I earned a Master of Arts degree in School Counseling from Amberton University in Garland, Texas. Previously, to a career in education, I retired from JPMorgan Chase as a Vice President after receiving my bachelor’s degree in business from St. John’s University in Queens, NY.
In 2006, I transitioned from a successful corporate career into education, a career field that I always wanted to be a part of to help students reach their full potential in life. I have held various jobs in Dallas ISD, including Teacher, Academy of Finance Director, AVID Coordinator, Instructional Coach and, for the last three years, high school counselor. I have enjoyed each position, working with students to grow and develop. I believe that all students can learn and my goal every day is to provide services and activities to enrich and improve their academic, career and personal/social development through a comprehensive school counseling program.
Mrs. Maribel PALOMARES
P-TECH Clerk
Office Location - Room 160
My name is Maribel Palomares and I serve as the Administrative Clerk for Sunset P-TECH. My goal is to provide quality service to our students, staff, parents, partners, and community by ensuring that we do everything we can to meet your needs with the highest levels of integrity and efficiency. It's part of what makes us special.
A Sunset Alum
Reedsmore Kamhaka
Algebra II
Reedsmore Kamhaka is an educator who has 30 years of teaching experience in both Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United States of America.
He initially trained as a primary school teacher in Zimbabwe, and advanced to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He taught senior primary or elementary classes in Zimbabwean schools for 14 years before moving to South Africa.
He then majored in the teaching Mathematics in the senior phase. He has gained great experiential knowledge and skills and achieved great success in the teaching of Mathematics (grade 8-9), Mathematical Literacy, Economics and Business Studies (grades 10-12) during his 14 years of teaching in South Africa. He was a Marker for the Grade 12 Matric (NSC) Examination in Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 and 2 from November 2015 to November 2022. He also gained a lot of experience as part of the School Management Team for four years (2011-2014).
In August, he joined Sunset High School in Dallas ISD, in Texas where he is currently teaching Algebra 2 in Sunset P. TECH.
Ms. Zavi Sheldon
English I
Room 155
zsheldon@dallasisd.org
My name is Zavi Sheldon and I am the English I teacher, working with our freshmen. I attended Amherst College, where I graduated cum laude with a degree in English. I completed a Masters in Secondary English Education at Johns Hopkins University in 2020. I began my teaching career in Dallas and am excited to begin my fifth year in education here at Sunset! Students equipped with strong reading and writing abilities will have incredible power to make changes in their own lives and in their communities; my job is to assist them on that journey of finding and strengthening their voices.
Creesha A. Hardee, M.Ed
Methodology for Academic and Personal Success (M.A.P.S.)
Creesha Anthony Hardee is a product of Dallas ISD, graduating from the School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center. After high school, she attended Texas State University in San Marcos and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Ms. Hardee spent 1 year in corporate America and 2 years teaching Business Education courses before returning to school to pursue her Masters. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with her Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration. While in school, Ms. Hardee gained work experience in departments including Undergraduate Admissions, Multicultural Student Affairs, Residence Life and Student Housing, and Academic Affairs. She was eager to return to the classroom to share her knowledge with students to help them in their success in high school and beyond!
Mr. Andrew Kirk
AP Human Geography
My name is Andrew Kirk, and I am the AP Human Geography teacher for our P-TECH here at Sunset. I am a native Dallasite, fifth-generation Texan, and proud Dallas ISD alumnus (Woodrow Wilson, '06). I attended Southwestern University, graduating with a double-major in German and History. Afterward, I began Georgetown University's MA program in Global, International, and Comparative History, where I specialized in an empire and historical memory in Southern Africa. I examined the role of memory in shaping public space, foreshadowing my career as a geography teacher. After I graduated, I completed a term of service in AmeriCorps with Reading Partners, a literacy intervention nonprofit then working in collaboration with Dallas ISD. This experience led me to pursue a career in public education, and I applied (and was accepted) to Dallas ISD's Alternative Certification Program. I accepted my first teaching position here at Sunset in 2014, and I've been here ever since. I love Sunset, and I'm very excited to be a part of our newly launched Collegiate Academy. I look forward to seeing the Collegiate Academy further enrich our school's learning environment, preparing our students for post-secondary education while equipping them with cultural literacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
Ryan McKelvy, M.A.
World History Honors
rmckelvy@dallasisd.org
Room 166
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History, 2012, and Master of Arts in History, 2016, from Midwestern State University.
I was raised in North Texas and lived for some time in Dallas before graduating from Rockwall High School in 2008. I then returned to my hometown of Wichita Falls to attend Midwestern State University (MSU). At MSU, I majored in History with a focus on Modern European History and minored in Political Science. I completed the last two classes of my undergrad studying abroad at Queen Mary University of London in the Summer of 2012. I graduated later that Fall and was able to teach American History for 2 years while working on my master's degree. In 2016, I graduated from Midwestern State University with a master's degree in History, focusing on American Western History.
After a few years in the public sector, I decided to pursue my original calling of being a teacher. I began my endeavor at Houston’s Westfield High School in 2019 where I taught everything from Government/Economics to World History to Dual Credit US History. In 2022, I made the decision to move to Dallas and was fortunate enough to join the Sunset P-TECH team where I currently teach World History Honors. I look forward to growing with the Sunset P-TECH P-TECH ECHS and making sure my students are ready for Dual Credit US History next year.
Mr. Saran Ward
Pre-AP Biology
Room 158
Hello, my name is Saran Ward and I teach P-TECH Honors Biology to Freshmen (9th graders). I was a DREAMer originally from Thailand. My family and I immigrated to Texas in 2000. I graduated from Allen High School and then Austin community college, where I received my associates in Biology. While getting my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas, I worked as a certified pharmacy technician. My interests include psychology, neuroscience, biology, philosophy, mixed martial arts, Dc/marvel comics, video games and anime.
Ms. Margarita Perez-Hernandez
Pre-AP Algebra I & II
Room
Hi there! I am Mrs. Pérez-Hernández. I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, but have lived in Dallas since I was 8 years old. This will be my 5th year teaching, and I have taught both at the high school and middle school level. I am so excited to be teaching Pre-AP Algebra I & II this year as part of Sunset’s P-TECH! My background has taught me that quality of education should never be taken for granted. Through service and teaching, I strive to show students the transformative power that education can have on their lives and the lives of their families. I look forward to creating partnerships of collaboration and mutual support with students and parents to make this an outstanding and successful year.
Alma Casasnovas Cardona
P-TECH English II Teacher
Email: acasasnovascardona@dallasisd.org
Room 162
My name is Alma Casasnovas and I am the English II Honors teacher at P-Tech. My goal is to ensure every student can read and write to the best of their abilities and then keep getting better.
Education: I obtained a bachelor’s at University of Central Florida in Secondary Education majoring in English Language Arts. I am looking to pursuing a master’s degree in literature sometime this year.
Fun Facts: Before moving to Texas, I lived in Florida, and prior to that, in Puerto Rico where I was born and raised. I love it here so far and am blessed to be part of the Sunset team. I love to cook and try new coffee shops all over town!
Mackenzie Robinson
Methods for Academic and Personal Success— M.A.P.S.
macrobinson@dallasisd.org
Room 161
Mackenzie Robinson is a proud Texan, born and raised in Dallas, TX. Ms. Robinson currently serves as the MAPS teacher in the P-TECH program at Sunset High School. Ms. Robinson earned her Undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin, receiving her BSA in Human Development and Family Sciences, along with an Educational Psychology minor, and Pre-Health Professions certification. (Hook 'Em!) She is currently pursuing her master's degree at Baylor University studying Public Health with a concentration of Community Health. (Sic 'Em!)
Ms. Robinson is a proud first-year educator in DISD. She additionally serves as the Head Volleyball Coach at Sunset High School. Ms. Robinson appreciates challenging the minds of scholars, empowering excellence, and bridging the gap by helping every child open themselves to all possibilities and opportunities in and out of Dallas. The goals for education are endless, this is where the beginning of everything starts.
Ms. Crystal Vergara
P-TECH Teacher Assistant
Sunset P-TECH Graduate, Class of 2021
My name is Crystal Vergara and I serve as the Teacher Assistant for Sunset P-TECH. In 2021, I graduated from Sunset P-TECH with my high school diploma and associate degree. I am a current student at the University of North Texas at Dallas, and I am working towards obtaining my bachelor's degree.
A little about me is that I am first generation in my family to attend a university. I decided to pursue a career in the education field, because I want to give back to my community. I have been given the opportunity to work as a permanent substitute for Sunset P-TECH for the 2021-2022 school year. I enjoyed the experience so much I decided to return this year as a teacher's assistant with the P-TECH program. I have been blessed to experience both sides as a student and as a staff member. My goal is to assist the students, teachers, staff, parents and the community.
Brandon Ramsey
Chemistry Honors
BRamsey@dallasisd.org
Room 156
Education : Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Midwestern State University, 2015
I was raised in North Texas and went to college at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Upon graduating in 2015, I wanted to pursue a career in education to be the teacher I always wanted to have when I was a student.
My experiences in education include teaching in Seoul, South Korea for two years, the North Houston area for two years, and Hanoi, Vietnam for two years. I've taught a variety of subjects, but they all pertain to the sciences, including Physics, AP Physics, Environmental Science, Physical Science, and my favorite being Chemistry!
This year, I find myself back in familiar territory in North Texas teaching at Sunset P-TECH. In our class, we focus on the application of demonstrating chemistry in our day-to-day lives. We also learn a variety of ways to study and apply materials learned in class in ways that help each student learn individually, perfect for tackling college courses.
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