East Austin College Prep Principal Marisol Rocha received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in December 2000. She later went on to receive her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University in August 2008. Ms. Rocha is passionate about providing opportunities for all students to experience success, and works with faculty, families, and community to ensure every student is receiving the benefits of these opportunities. As she enters her second year as principal, she could not be more excited about helping to lead East Austin into the future.
The East Austin College Prep Academy’s Board of Trustees is made up of high qualified and talented community leaders closely connected to the needs of local residents. In addition to their strong leadership, these individuals serve as exemplary role models for youth of color.
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Janie Castillo-Flores, Board Member and Parent | Ruth Hsu, Board Member |
Ms. Maria Tellez joined East Austin College Prep Academy when it opened its doors in August of 2009. Ms. Tellez received her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies with a concentration in History from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science in Project Management from St. Edwards University School of Management and Business. Ms. Tellez is also certified as a Mediator from St. Edwards University and is a qualified Practical Parent Education Facilitator. As a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister and educator, Ms. Tellez recognizes the many challenges of parenting today. Parents are the first teachers of our students and a partnership between school and parents is the perfect recipe for student academic success and for the development of strong families and healthy communities.
Cynthia Gill is the Curriculum Facilitator with East Austin College Prep Academy. Cynthia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Reading from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She earned a Master of Education degree in Adult Education and a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Cynthia looks forward to working with the teachers, staff and administrators of East Austin College Prep Academy in providing instructional and classroom support and professional development. It is Cynthia’s goal to ensure the students we are entrusted with are provided a firm academic foundation so they are prepared to continue their education and enter today’s 21st Century workforce.
Ms. Silva is a 2009 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. Ms. Silva is passionate about working with children and families and promoting higher education. Ms. Silva joined East Austin College Prep Academy in August 2009 and began working as the Support Specialist for the Academia de Padres/Parent Academy program where she enjoyed working with parents. Ms. Silva is very excited to start this coming school year as the College Coordinator. Ms. Silva believes that all students deserve a quality education and is confident that all EACPA students are college bound. Ms. Silva hopes to motivate and inspire all students so they can be excited about their future.
To guide the development and direction of this charter school, as well as to ensure that the school continuously meets the needs of this community, the Governing Board and management team is supported in their efforts by The East Austin College Prep Academy Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is comprised of parents, students, and community members and supplies the school with a direct link to parents and other community members in our service area and provides guidance to the Superintendent and Principal regarding:
• Recruitment of students
• Curriculum and instructional materials
• School organization, including the creation of the school Parent Advisory Committee
• Supplemental school programs
Community support is essential in the development of a successful community-based school. Southwest Key has a strong history of working in partnership with a wide range of individuals and organizations from throughout the area to ensure that our programs and services continuously meet the community needs. With the initiation of the East Austin Community Development Project, Southwest Key established a community advisory council composed of neighborhood leaders and residents. Through this advisory council, Southwest Key made every effort possible to solicit the support of community members as well as to incorporate their expressed needs, desires, and recommendations into the project development phase. The advisory council urged Southwest Key to make the construction of a new middle school in this area a top priority. They recognized the necessity of preparing their community’s young people for educational success as paramount to preventing the unemployment and poverty that plagues the East Austin community. The advisory council was instrumental in the initial planning of the East Austin College Prep Academy and helped mobilized support from throughout the East Austin community for this school through block walks, communi¬ty house meetings, and public hearings.
