Director’s Corner— Joni Ragle

Undergraduate Degree: B.A.Spanish, University of Illinois Graduate Degree: Masters of Education with a specialization in Spanish, University of Mississippi

Hi!  I want to introduce myself to all of you as the Director of Operation Achievement. After retiring from  teaching Spanish for 28 years in public schools and serving as an adjunct professor of Spanish at Southwestern during the academic year 2004-5, I became the Director of OA in 2005—what a privilege it is for me to work with such an outstanding student staff, volunteer SU mentors and GISD middle school students!  We are so fortunate to have very talented Staff Supervisors and Lead Mentors who will help run and coordinate the program this year.  Serving as Staff Supervisors are:  Ali Berner, Emily Greene, Morgan McReynolds, Melissa Nelson, Stacey Porter, Kara Shapiro and Jazz Thomas.  Our Lead Mentors are Kent Doerries, Elizabeth Grenadier and Adam Wampler.  These young men and women are awesome and along with our mentors will make OA a truly outstanding and enriching activity for your children.

 

Staff Supervisior - Jazz Thomas

My name is Jazz Thomas and I am in my final year here at Southwestern University as a Theatre and Communication Studies Dual Major. As my second year as School Liaison I am thrilled to be working with Benold Middle School. As this is my fourth year with Operation Achievement and my third year on staff, I am prepared for the exciting unpredictability of my last year with OA!

Staff Supervisior - Ali Berner

Hey! My name is Ali, I’m an elementary and special education major. This is my third year in OA and my second year on staff as staff supervisor. I’ll be working on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I am looking forward to a great year with OA.

Staff Supervisior - Melissa Nelson

Hi! I’m Melissa Nelson, and I am a junior elementary and special education major. This is my third year with OA, and my second on staff. I will be serving as the school liaison for Tippit, and I’m very excited for the awesome year ahead of us!

 

Staff Supervisor - Stacey Porter

My name is Stacey Porter and I’m a senior history major at Southwestern. This is my fourth year in OA and my third year on staff. I am serving as Forbes’ School Liaison for a second year, and I’m so excited to work with the Forbes kids again!

Staff Supervisior - Emily Greene

Hey, I’m Emily Greene! I’m a junior Psychology major who has always had an interest in working with adolescents. This is my third year with OA and second year on staff. I’ll be working with the OA Reward System and Homework activities!

 

Staff Supervisor - Morgan McReynolds

I’m a junior here at Southwestern University and I am majoring in Psychology with minors in Math and Animal Behavior. I am studying abroad for the Fall Semester in Denmark! I look forward to returning in the Spring to continue as Database Coordinator.