Kasha Ashworth is thrilled to join you on your literacy journey this year as a Texas Reading Academies cohort leader. Before joining the Reading Academies 11 team, Kasha taught grades K-3 in multiple districts and states. In her most recent role before joining ESC Region 11, she was a K-3 Early Learning Specialist and a Comprehensive Reading Academies Cohort Leader. She believes that equipping students with the tools to become strong, confident readers unlocks doors and opportunities for all children. She can't wait to see the amazing things your students will achieve this year! In her spare time, she loves to read thrillers, shop, listen to Taylor Swift, and try out new BBQ restaurants.

Leigh Anne always knew she wanted to be a teacher! As a little girl in Guatemala, even her dolls learned to read under her watchful eye. She couldn’t be happier to serve Reading Academies participants through ESC Region 11! Her experience includes working in several states and districts at the campus and district level. Leigh Anne received her M.Ed. in Reading from Texas Woman’s University. On her journey as a lifelong learner, she lives by the mantra “when you know better, you do better”.  At the core of her soul is advocacy for English Learners and their families. Leigh Anne believes that all children can learn and are supremely important in this world. This leads to a passion for providing a strong, research-based academic foundation as a critical piece for teaching the “whole” child. She is also totally in love with her family, which includes her precious husband of 38 years, 3 fantastic adult children, 2 perfect daughters-in-law, two sweet German Shepherds, and THE most delicious grandson ever born!

Rachel Hart is thrilled to be joining ESC Region 11 as a Literacy Cohort Leader. Primary literacy is her “jam." Rachel’s proudest moments are watching children develop into strong, confident readers. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, hanging in the bleachers at baseball games cheering on her son, and watching her daughter spike some volleyballs over the net.

Jessica is excited to join the team at ESC Region 11, bringing with her nine years of experience as a bilingual teacher, bilingual specialist, and literacy coordinator within the same region. Born and raised in Mexico, Jessica always knew she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps as a middle school teacher. She firmly believes all students have great potential and can achieve incredible things with the right tools and guidance. Jessica has been married for eight years and is a proud fur mom to her adopted Shepherd mix. Outside work, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Esmeralda is a passionate educational leader and bilingual advocate. Her activism involves bilingualism, multiculturalism, early literacy, higher education, community service, and civic engagement. She is enthusiastic about serving as the Biliteracy Reading Academy Cohort Leader at ESC Region 11. Before her current role, she served as Dual Language Immersion teacher, Spanish LOTE teacher, DLI/Spanish LOTE Instructional Coach, LPAC Interim Director, BIL/ESL Interim Director, and Bilingual Early Literacy Coordinator at International Leadership of Texas. Esmeralda earned her Master's in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University. She is also certified in Early Literacy, Bilingual General-Spanish EC-6, Generalist EC-6, and English as a Second Language Supplemental. She has extensive experience facilitating teacher training in early literacy and bilingual education at local, national, and international levels. Outside work, she likes to practice mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. She enjoys reading, biking, listening to music, embracing other cultures, and connecting with nature through travels worldwide. She loves spending quality time with family and friends.