Our Team
Susan Thomas, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Hello! My name is Susan Thomas and I’ve had the pleasure of supporting students, teachers, and campus leaders throughout my 24 years as a certified Texas educator. I began my career as a middle school Math teacher before launching a new elementary campus for ResponsiveEd and earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Principal certificate. After serving as the Campus Director of Denton Classical Academy for 5 years, I joined ResponsiveEd’s Academic Team to create an in-house Alternative Certification Program. As the Director of Educator Preparation at ResponsiveEd, I’ve developed a variety of programs to support campuses throughout ResponsiveEd’s two charter systems including a Teacher Induction Program, an Aspiring Campus Leader Program, and ResponsiveEd 180 EPP, an Alternative Certification Program approved by the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Educator Certification.
Melissa Dubke, M.Ed.
Program Director
Howdy! I am Melissa Dubke and I am privileged to support aspiring educators and ResponsiveEd teachers with professional development and coaching in the best pedagogical practices. Before becoming the Program Director of ResponsiveEd 180 EPP, I taught middle school science, social studies, and art, coached volleyball, served as the Middle School Science mentor teacher for ResponsiveEd, and lead the ResponsiveEd Science department as the K-12 Science Director.
Velma McGee
Assistant Program Director
Hello! I am Velma McGee and I am fortunate to participate in helping aspiring teachers hone their skills on their way to certification. I have 20 official years in education spent instructing students and guiding teachers as a lead teacher, mentor teacher, and a member of different campus instructional teams, serving as an advisor for English Language Arts and Reading skills. My undergraduate degree in Business and Master’s degree in Education provide me with great insight into how the EPP at ResponsiveEd will provide the necessary training and support new teachers need. Having personally obtained an alternative certification, I will use my experience and professional experience to guide and assist candidates as the Assistant Director of the ResponsiveEd 180 EPP.
Sydney Stauffer
Educator Preparation & Advancement Coordinator
Hello! My name is Sydney Stauffer, and I’ve worked with ResponsiveEd since 2021. I have enjoyed the opportunity to support campuses in the Academics department, assisting them with budgets, utilizing district-wide programs, coordinating instructional support, and overseeing the procurement of curriculum. My role in ResponsiveEd 180 EPP as the Coordinator is to help support applicants and candidates throughout the admission and training processes.
Educationally, I hold a B.A. Degree in Music, an A.A. Degree in Piano Performance and American Sign Language Interpreting, respectively. Professionally across the last 15 years, I have held roles in education through teaching piano and ESL, interpreting for Deaf middle and high school students, supporting toddlers through young adult clients with autism and other special needs as a Registered Behavioral Technician, and more recently, being the Support Assistant to the Development Director of Coram Deo Academy, followed by the VP of Academics for ResponsiveEd.