Debbie Ruel-Schaefer is the Career and Technical Education Director of the fourth largest school district in Texas with a Career and Technical Education (CTE) enrollment of over 28,000 students. Northside offers programs of study in all career clusters at twenty-one middle schools, twelve comprehensive high schools and eleven magnet programs. Debbie was a CTE student herself and taught Family and Consumer Sciences. The Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association of Texas named her the 2021 Outstanding CTE Administrator of the Year. She is a career educator in her Thirty-third year of helping students transform their interests into passions. Her biggest accomplishment is being the mother to Hannah, who was also a CTE student and is now a Speech Language Pathologist!
Nicole Esparza is a Career and Technical Education Specialist for Northside ISD. Nicole is a strong advocate for CTE and believes in its ability to open doors and advance careers for all. As a former high school CTE student, she knew she wanted to become a CTE teacher early on. Nicole’s career began as an Agricultural Sciences teacher after earning her degree from Sam Houston State University in Animal Science and Agriculture Education. She later earned her Masters in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from Texas A&M San Antonio. Nicole is passionate about public education and is grateful to serve the Northside CTE community.
Email: nicole.esparza@nisd.net
Joshua S. Roberts is a Career and Technical Education Specialist for Northside ISD. Starting in English and transitioning into middle school Technical Education. He later was promoted to central office to help provide support for all CTE teachers. Joshua’s education began at UTSA with a bachelors in Education and later culminated in a masters in Educational Administration. He has a varied work background outside of Education including work in the Culinary and Food Service, Construction, Photography, and Water Treatment industries.
Email: joshua.roberts@nisd.net
Cristina Herrera is a Career and Technical Education Instructional Support Teacher who facilitates the cluster of Family and Consumer Sciences. She began as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in 2009 and later became a Career and Technical Education Department Coordinator. Cristina comes from a family of educators and was a former CTE student herself. Originally from El Paso, she earned a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from New Mexico State University and later obtained a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Trinity University. Career and Technical Education has always been a significant part of her life, and she is honored to support both students and teachers.
Email: cristina.herrera@nisd.net
AnnMarie Walker is a Career and Technical Education Instructional Support Teacher who facilitates the cluster of Health Science. She began teaching Health Science in 2014 and later became a Career and Technical Education Department Coordinator. AnnMarie's career began as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, working in pediatric and NICU settings. She later transitioned to a career in education and completed her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. AnnMarie is excited, eager, and grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting students and teachers while also serving the entire Northside community.
Email: annmarie.walker@nisd.net
Justin Gomez is a Career and Technical Education Instructional Support Teacher Northside ISD. He is a proud product of Northside, having attended kindergarten, middle, and high school in the district. After graduating from O’Connor High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University - College Station. Starting his education career in 2006, he has taught many Information Technology-related CTE courses, and even several years of Algebra. In 2018, he joined the central office team, where he continually helps provide resources and guidance for all CTE teachers in the department.
Email: justin.gomez@nisd.net