TAJE Regional Rep positions are open for current TAJE members this month. You can read more about the candidates running below. The electronic election will be held March 24-30, so look for the electronic ballot in your membership email. Good luck to all of our candidates.
Region 1 Candidates
ESC Regions: 16 & 17
Jasinia Frausto
School: Canyon High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 5
Bio: Jasinia Frausto has taught for nine years, five of those years advising high school journalism. She has a B.A. in Mass Communication from West Texas A&M University and later returned to WT to obtain her teacher certification. Before entering the classroom, she worked with non-profit organizations in marketing, communications and development for seven years. She leads the journalism program at her alma mater, Canyon High School, advising The Eagle’s Tale online news site, the Soaring Wings yearbook and coaching the UIL journalism team. Her scholastic journalism philosophy is that there is a place for every student who is willing to put in the work. She is the recipient of a 2024 TAJE Pathfinder Award.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I have enjoyed helping advisers in my area and want to continue growing our community.
Kelly Buckner
School: Levelland High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook
Years Advising: 25
Bio: I’m a graduate of South Plains College and East Texas State University where I was on yearbook, newspaper, and magazine staffs. I’ve advised high school yearbooks for 25 and newspaper for 15 years. I coach the UIL Journalism events as well. Before teaching, I worked at a newspaper as a feature writer and photographer and as the WTAMU photographer for three years.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I was a regional rep once, but I had to resign due to my father’s illness and needing to help my mom care for him.
Region 2 Candidates
ESC Regions: 9, 11 & 14
Erin Sledge
School: Chisholm Trail High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 2
Bio: My name is Erin Sledge, and I advise yearbook and newspaper at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth. I also teach journalism and photojournalism. I grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I had the honor of being in Mary Beth Lee’s yearbook class! It’s safe to say, I fell in love with it. I got my B.A. in Journalism from the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT in 2018, and my M.A. in Journalism from UNT in 2024. I am JEA Certified Journalism Educator, and one of my goals is to get my Master Journalism Educator certification!
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I want to run for regional rep because I love the Texas Journalism community, and I want to be a bigger part of it. I am a newer teacher, and I want to help reach new teachers and let them know about all of the great things TAJE does.
Daniel Ryan Carr
School: Ray Braswell High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online, Broadcast
Years Advising: 4
Bio: Daniel Ryan Carr — who goes by his middle name, Ryan — has been a student publications and media adviser for the past four years. He currently serves as the journalism adviser at Ray Braswell High School in Denton ISD. A North Texas native, Carr was born in Denton and attended Saint Jo High School before transferring to Denton High School, where he graduated in 2015. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of North Texas’ Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, graduating in August 2020. During his time at Denton High School, Carr was deeply involved in student media, serving as the Online Editor-in-Chief of The Horseshoe News, contributing to its print edition, and acting as both Senior Editor and Business Manager of The Bronco Yearbook — publications with more than a century of history at DHS. He credits much of his success to his high school journalism adviser and longtime friend, Rebecka Frey.
At Braswell, Carr oversees the Student Media program, which includes The Ambush Yearbook, The Bengal Beat Newspaper, BHS Now Broadcast, and braswellmedia.org. In addition to his journalism advising role, he serves as the campus Teacher Communication Committee representative, helps coordinate the school’s UIL invitational meet, manages the campus website, and oversees the school’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I would like to advocate for journalism advisers in the DFW area, support student journalism, foster a community of collaboration, and give back to TAJE — a resource that has helped me tremendously the past four years.
Region 3 Candidates
ESC Region: 10
Karla Romero Paramo
School: Frisco High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook
Years Advising: 5
Bio: Karla Romero Paramo graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Journalism. She went on to advise the journalism program at North Garland High School, her alma mater, for two years. During that time, she advised the yearbook, newspaper and broadcast publications while teaching journalism and photojournalism. After that, she took over as the journalism adviser at Frisco High, where she’s been the last three years. There, she advises the yearbook and created the newspaper class, while teaching journalism and photojournalism.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I’d like to run for regional rep because I want to give back in some way to the community that has given so much to me. I think I can be a good resource to journalism teachers in my region and anything I don’t know I will find out for them. I’d like to be more involved in this wonderful community of educators and continue growing and learning from everyone around me! It’s my belief this position would help me achieve those goals.
Trisa Dyer
School: Denison High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook
Years Advising: 12
Bio: I am Trisa Dyer and I am in year 12 of advising. I have advised newspaper and yearbook in the past, but now I am strictly yearbook. I’ve never been more happy in my teaching career as I am when I’m advising. Being able to connect with students who know they love journalism and also those who find out later they love journalism keeps me getting up and going to teach. I enjoy working with my peers and learning from them. I have made an effort to attend more journalism workshops and to bring my kids with me when possible. The return rides from a workshop with kids is so rewarding. I just drive and let them tell me all about what they learned and what they are going to work with when we get back to school. I’d really like to be more involved with TAJE so I can continue to serve others and also bring back what I learn from my peers to my students. Being involved is the best way I know how to assure students will continue to have a journalistic voice.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I want to be more involved with student journalism and to be able to share with like-minded people.
Region 4 Candidates
ESC Regions: 7 & 8
Laura Spicher
School: Texas High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 1
Bio: I hold a BBA in Marketing from Sam Houston State University and am currently pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in Education. As a first-year publications adviser at Texas High in Texarkana, Texas, I am in a position that I didn’t predict would have been in my cards. My background consists of 9 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. However, after a trip to the JEA/NSPA National Conference in Boston, as a parent chaperone, I was bit by the journalism bug. I had previously been in charge of my elementary school’s yearbook, but it was more of a digital scrapbook. When the yearbook and newspaper adviser position came open at Texas High I decided to go for it and dive into the world of high school journalism. As my co-adviser loves to say, I have been drinking from the fire hydrant since April 2024. Outside of advising, teaching, and meeting deadlines, I am a wife and mother of 2 teenagers. Grant, 16 is fortunate enough to have me as his newspaper adviser and Addy, 13 is a 7th grader experiencing all the joys of middle school life. My husband, Wes and I have been married for 18 years and enjoy traveling and showing our kids the world as much as possible. Our family is rounded off with two fur babies who might as well count as two more teenagers.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
After speaking to other board members, I realized the need for a new adviser’s perspective and voice on the board. I also feel like this will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the journalism world and meet more colleagues across the state.
Tabitha Houchens
School: Redwater High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook
Years Advising: 17
Bio: I have been teaching for 17 years, all at Redwater ISD, where I teach grades 7-12. I am a member of several professional organizations, such as TAJE, JEA, ATPI and more. I have been fortunate to attend many area, state and national conventions, as well as adviser conferences and workshops. I currently teach Journalism 1, Photography for high school and junior high, Yearbook 1-3 and Digital Graphics and Illustrations. I have previously taught and advised the school newspaper. In addition to those classes, I am the UIL coach for 7-8 grade Editorial Writing and all five high school journalism events, as well as the high school UIL Coordinator. Prior to beginning my career in education, I was the sports editor, a photographer and journalist at a number of local newspapers. I was also responsible for the layout and design of my sports pages, as well as some others. For two years, I was publicist for a hotel and casino in Nevada. I have one nephew and one niece, who each have one child — the lights of my life. As an active educator and community member, I am also a member of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Delta Kapa Gamma, a sustainer in the Junior League of Texarkana and a supporter of the arts through TRAHC and Tex Rep.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I want to become more involved with TAJE and the journalism community. I also believe this will help encourage my students to become more involved and interested in journalism.
Victoria Pearcy
School: Redwater High School
Publications Advised: Online, Broadcast
Years Advising: 4
Bio: I have been in Education for 12 years. All 12 years have been in a Broadcasting A/V classroom. I started out at Texas High School in Texarkana, TX as an assistant to the A/V teacher and for the last 4 years I have been certified and I have my own Broadcast program at Redwater High School just outside of Texarkana. I also took the A/V classes throughout high school while attending many conventions related to Media. I have taken students to the Fall Fiesta three times and we also attend the National convention for the Student Television Network. I also received the Pathfinder award this year from TAJE.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I feel like I can help other advisors in our area. Broadcast is very specific and not many PD sessions cover what we need to be fully successful in our classrooms.
Region 5 Candidates
ESC Regions: 18 & 19
Vanessa Martinez
School: El Dorado High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 11
Bio: Vanessa Martinez, M.Ed., CJE, advises The Legend Yearbook and AGO News at El Dorado High School in El Paso, Texas. She worked in multiple journalism and communication roles after graduating from UTEP in 2012 with a BA in Multimedia Journalism. She started advising and teaching journalism, design and commercial photography in 2014 and earned the JEA Rising Star Award in 2019. She also coaches the UIL journalism team, and helped several students qualify for state competition. The Legend has earned multiple CSPA Silver and Gold Crowns, ILPC Stars and NSPA Pacemakers, along with NSPA Design of the Year in 2020. In 2023, she earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from UTEP, with a concentration in Communication. She enjoys supporting teachers and students by sharing her experiences at various journalism workshops and conferences.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
Supporting journalism educators is more important now than it has ever been. With rapidly changing certification requirements, a lack of funding and the shift to CTE courses for yearbook and newspaper, a TAJE representative needs to have the knowledge and connections that can help lift everyone’s programs. I’ve been an adviser for the last 11 years and have good relationships with many of the journalism teachers in El Paso. I have had the privilege of judging publications for national recognition, speaking and teaching at multiple workshops and conferences and genuinely love student publications. I believe in the power of publications work to improve students’ success. I’d love to work on strengthening the connection from middle school programs to high school and helping teachers feel supported in their lesson delivery, and the logistics of running a publication. I believe in TAJE’s mission and purpose and hope that I can be part of the team for another term.
Region 6 Candidates
ESC Regions: 15 & 20
Camy Greisel
School: John Marshall High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online, Broadcast, News Mag
Years Advising: 5
Bio: Camy Greisel is a high school journalism adviser and English teacher who is passionate about helping student journalists grow. She advises JMHS Press, overseeing the yearbook, newspaper, and broadcast programs. She knows firsthand the challenges advisers face and believes in the power of sharing resources, ideas, and support to strengthen journalism programs. With experience in digital marketing and audience engagement, she also brings a fresh perspective on how to grow and sustain student media. She’s excited about the opportunity to serve as a Regional Representative and advocate for advisers in her region.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I want to ensure that advisers in our region have access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunities that can help their programs thrive. By fostering a stronger network of educators, we can elevate student journalism and empower student journalists.
Melissa Perner
School: Ozona High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook, Online, Broadcast
Years Advising: 6
Bio: Melissa Perner is a former newspaper owner/journalist turned educator. She loves educating students about journalism, broadcast, multimedia, and technology. Melissa recognizes the importance and significance educational technologies play in the classroom. Melissa has a desire to educate students on how to safely and productively use technology in their lives, as well as becoming more informed in digital citizenship, media literacy, and artificial intelligence. Melissa enjoys collaborating with fellow journalists, educators, and anyone willing to learn about incorporating technology in the classroom. Melissa holds a B.A. in journalism and English from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas and a M.Ed in Educational Instructional Technology from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. She currently teaches photography, graphic design, broadcast, and multimedia at Ozona High School in Ozona, Texas.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
To be a voice for rural school districts
Region 7 Candidates
ESC Regions: 12 & 13
Shelby Nickells
School: Rouse High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 5
Bio: Shelby Nickells advises the newspaper and yearbook at Rouse High School in Leander, Texas. This year, under her instruction, the print newspaper reemerged after a five year break. She was also one of nine advisers to win a JEA Rising Star this year. Thanks to her passion for journalism, her program has doubled in size and dozens of her students have pursued journalism outside of high school.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I believe in the power of words and the impact that student journalism can have on a campus and community. That students deserve the same protections as regular adults under the Tinker standard. Students should feel safe to practice ethical journalism without fear of censorship. Advocacy for student press rights and fostering that trust in our campus community is essential to maintaining the integrity of free and responsible scholastic journalism, not just in Central Texas, but throughout the entire state and further. I want to run for regional rep because of this and because scholastic journalism is so important. If I can help serve my local community in this way, I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.
Region 8 Candidates
ESC Regions: 5 & 6
Mike Tobias
School: Port Neches-Groves High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online, Broadcast
Years Advising: 7
Bio: Mike Tobias is the NDN Press advisor, the high school student media program and also the district communications director for Port Neches-Groves ISD. Tobias advises staffs of students in CTE classes, such as Commercial Photography, Graphic Design and Digital Design & Media. Ultimately, they’re charged with creating yearbook, newspaper (online and print), social media content and two weekly sports shows. Now in his seventh year of teaching, he came to PNG after 16 years of professional journalism experience, working in varying newsroom roles — most recently as the sports editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Among his more memorable career moments are covering the area’s hurricanes and tropical storms, NCAA and professional sports — including Houston’s Texans, Rockets and Astros — and many nights of high school athletics. He has made a career living on deadlines and instills the same level of urgency in his students. When he manages to pull himself away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Paige, his daughters Addison and Andie and is an avid guitar and music enthusiast.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I believe in the adage about taking a village to raise a child. In our world, we are raising student journalists. You’re only as strong as you drive yourself to be and if you’re not helping build up the others around you, it’s almost a waste of resources. I envision making our region a community of advisers who won’t hesitate to reach out when they need help, who will come together to help build up and that will act as a beacon of guidance that others will call upon.
Jennifer Buergermeister
School: The Woodlands College Park High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online, Broadcast, News Mag
Years Advising: 2
Bio: Jennifer Buergermeister is a multifaceted professional based in Houston, TX, with a strong background in journalism, education, and advocacy. As a journalism teacher and advisor for both yearbook and newspaper at The Woodlands College Park High School, she is dedicated to fostering student voices and media literacy. With degrees in journalism, psychology, and transpersonal psychology, along with an MBA/MS in strategic brand management and business strategy, Jennifer brings a well-rounded perspective to education and communication. She is also a passionate advocate for wellness, journalism, nonprofit leadership, and legislative initiatives, having played a key role in protecting yoga practices in Texas by successfully pushing two bills through Texas Congress. Her expertise in branding, writing, and leadership makes her a dynamic force in both education and community-driven initiatives. Texas advocacy experience: SB 1176: This specifically addressed the issue by excluding yoga instruction from the definition of “post-secondary education” under the Texas Education Code. This clarified that yoga teacher training programs were not subject to the same regulations as vocational schools. HB 2190: This bill further reinforced the protection of yoga by amending the Occupations Code to explicitly state that yoga instruction does not require a license.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
As a Texas teacher advocating for Journalism, critical thinking and fact checking, I believe I am an excellent nominee for the TAJE High School Representative in my district position because of my history of strong leadership, passion for journalism education, and commitment to empowering student journalists. With my experience in media, education, and advocacy, I understand the importance of fostering ethical reporting, critical thinking, and storytelling skills among high school students. My dedication to supporting teachers and students alike makes me a strong advocate for the future of scholastic journalism.
Region 9 Candidates
ESC Regions: 3 & 4
Megan Ortiz
School: Kingwood Park High School
Publications Advised: Newspaper (print), Yearbook, Online
Years Advising: 16
Bio: I am in my 16th year of advising student publications. I currently teach at Kingwood Park High School and advise a newsmagazine, online news site and yearbook. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism and mass communications. I went on to cover the NFL and NBA for 10 years before going into advising. I am a 2024 Edith Fox King Award Winner (ILPC), 2024 Trailblazer Award (TAJE) and JEA Rising Star (2014). I have done critiques and judging for JEA, NSPA, ILPC and TAJE.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
I have enjoyed getting to know the advisers around Region 9 the past two years. I would like to continue hosting a regional workshop in September that is nearby and affordable for schools in Region 9. I would like continue to expand the types of sessions and opportunities for schools who attend the workshop. And I would like to continue to be a resource throughout the year, helping answer questions or be a sounding board for journalism advisers who do not often have another person on their campus to go to.
Region 10 Candidates
ESC Regions: 1 & 2
Sandra Casperson
School: Robert Vela High School
Publications Advised: Yearbook
Years Advising: 12
Bio: Sandra Casperson is currently in her 17th year of teaching, but began advising journalism in 2012 with the opening of Robert Vela High School, the fourth high school in the Edinburg school district. She advises the Legacy, a 288-page yearbook. Yearbook journalism has been a part of Casperson’s life since her freshman year in high school. She earned a bachelor’s in journalism from The University of Texas-Pan American and entered the teaching profession in 2008. Casperson also sponsors Student Council and Quill & Scroll.
Why do you want to run for a regional representative position?
Whether it be through facilitating workshops or simply sharing best practices and ideas, I enjoy motivating advisers in my region to become more involved in the journalism world.