Superintendent

Dr. Norman Hall was one of the original members who organized the RMA charter group in 1989. Dr. Norman Hall has served as the superintendent of the Richard Milburn Academy since August of 2000. Dr. Hall’s career in educational administration has experienced a secondary principal-ship in the Killeen ISD, as well as superintendent services in Lampasas, Andrews, Round Rock, and Haffman. Dr. Hall has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas A&M and a doctorate from Colorado State College. Dr. Hall has served as the president of the Texas Association of School Administration, president of the Texas State Teachers Association (district XII), and president of the American Association of School Administration. He was a guest professor of the National Academy of School Executives, lecturing nationally in the area of designing educational planning, accountability, and evaluating the professional staff. Dr. Hall received an I/D/E/A Fellowship presented by the Charles F. Kittering Foundation to study the role of the educational manager in a changing society at the University of Southern Utah. He also received the George Washington Honor Medal presented by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in recognition of work done with students and faculty in central Texas in promoting patriotism as a part of school life. Dr. Hall and his wife Billye have two sons who are active in the business world He is inspired to be a part of unlocking a brighter future for RMA students.

Executive Director of Instructional Operations

Dr. Jesse G. Riojas started at RMA in 2015 and is currently the Executive Director of Instructional Operations for RMA Texas Public Schools. As the former Regional Director of Instructional Operations for Corpus Christi, Killeen, Midland and Odessa, he has served as a voice for the campuses he supervised. He is now the voice for all campuses and is proud to be an asset to all of our campus administration. Previously Dr. Riojas has served as a Band Director, Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Instructional Coordinator and High School Principal. Jesse holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He also holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. In 2014, he earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. His dissertation included a review of the Safe School Healthy Students Initiative and how it impacted the state assessment performance of At-Risk students in two South Texas High Schools. He is currently a member of the Texas Charter School Association, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Association of Texas Professional Educators and the Texas Music Educators Association. In his free time, he loves spending time with his loving wife and magnificent daughter. Together, they enjoy spending family time. Dr. Riojas enjoys working with administrators, staff, students, parents and community members. He is here to help ensure our district provides every student the best educational experience possible. He wants every student to be true life-long learner. Please do not hesitate to contact him directly at 210-947-6533 if have any questions, comments or concerns.

Executive Director of Human Resources and Support Services

Sharon Cummings serves as the Executive Director of Human Resources and Support Services and has the responsibility of thoughtfully managing and overseeing human resources and support services at RMA. A San Antonio native, Sharon spent the first five years of her career in various customer relations roles and her next ten years as a Help Desk Manager, managing a twenty-four hour help desk that supported Department of Defense Hospitals, the Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency medical information systems. After a brief career hiatus to raise two children, she first joined the field of education as a substitute teacher in 2005. Realizing the natural fit with her passions and talents, Sharon gained experience with at-risk students in the roles of Special Education Instructional Assistant, Math Interventionist, School Health & Related Services Specialist, Registrar and Administrative Secretary. Upon joining the district support RMA team in 2014 she first served as Quality Assurance Coordinator before becoming the Director HR. Sharon loves working at RMA because she has a great desire and ability to find ways for students who don’t quite “fit the mold” to be successful. Sharon enjoys camping and participating in BBQ cook-offs with her husband and two “almost grown” kids.

Executive Director of Instructional Technology, Grants and Expansion

Carl Tanton is the Executive Director of Instructional Technology, Grants and Expansion at Richard Milburn Academy. He has more than 20 years of accomplished network systems design, maintenance and administration. Mr. Tanton provides the overall technology strategy and vision for the continued design and development of an innovative, well maintained, and secure information technology environment; throughout a district which spans the entire state of Texas. Through the use of eRate, Instructional Materials Allotment, Priority Schools and Technology Lending Grants, Mr. Tanton ensures the network is current, robust and well maintained. Mr. Tanton has obtained TCEA’s Director of Technology Certification as well as CompTIA’s Network+ certification. Mr. Tanton is a member of TCEA, ISTE, TCSA and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Director of Literacy, Teaching and Learning

Director of Special Projects

Jim Pollok joined RMA in August 2014 and has over 11 years of educational management experience. As the Director of Special Projects he manages the district’s administration of state assessments, monitors accountability, responds to the TEA regarding monitored interventions, manages federal funding requirements as well as the district’s instructional materials allotment, and is the administrator for several of the district’s computer applications. Jim holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a minor in Architecture. When Jim is not working (never), he likes to work in his urban garden growing vegetables and caring for his backyard chickens, fish pond, five dogs, cat, and his parrot named Chicken. Excitement surrounds RMA – students care about learning, staff care about students, and like the garden… we are growing!

Special Programs Director

Child Nutrition Director

Amy Wood is the Child Nutrition Director and has been part of the RMA team since August 2015. She is implementing and overseeing the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program at our RMA campuses. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Minor in English from the University of Houston. She has three children, two girls and one boy, and enjoys spending her free time watching her children participate in sports and cooking with her husband. RMA is constantly growing and evolving to better serve our students, and Amy is excited to be a part of that growth and to be able to offer a healthy breakfast or lunch to RMA students.

Director of Community Outreach and Marketing

Rhett LaRose serves as the Director of Community Outreach and Marketing at Richard Milburn Academy. Born, raised, and educated in San Antonio; Rhett received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing for The University of Texas at San Antonio. A husband and proud father to one daughter, Rhett enjoys woodworking, DIY home improvement projects, and brewing off-the-wall craft-beer in his down time.

Network Administrator

RMA Killeen Director

Dr. Jerrod Barton began his career in education in Belton ISD as a teacher and bus driver in 2002. He worked in Belton ISD for five years and then he went to West Middle School as an assistant principal. After a little over 2 years, he then got his first principal job at Sealy High School. After Sealy High School, he was in multiple school leadership positions across the state of Texas. He came to RMA in 2014 as the director of the Killeen campus. While at RMA Killeen, the campus has grown tremendously in enrollment. Jerrod holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. He also holds a Doctor of Education Administration degree from Texas A&M University. In his free time, he enjoys watching his son Rawling play whatever sport is in season and spending time with his family. Working at RMA Killeen allows Jerrod to help students finish their high school careers and well as teach life lessons and prepare them for life after graduation.

RMA Amarillo Director

A graduate of Killeen Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, Mr. Derek Davis joined RMA in 2016 as the Campus Director. He first began teaching and coaching in Amarillo ISD, and then subsequently moved into Administration in 2004. He left AISD to become the Principal at Blakemore Middle School in Boys Ranch ISD, and eventually became the Principal of Boys Ranch High School. He came to RMA from Claude High School, where he served as the Secondary Principal. He is a proud husband and father, and in his free time he enjoys watching his son and daughter participate in athletic competitions. He is excited to be working at RMA Amarillo and looks forward to working with the students and staff to enhance RMA’s program even more!

RMA Corpus Christi Director

RMA Fort Worth Director

Ms. Richey graduated from Lockney High School, and attended West Texas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Physical Education; taught English and coached middle school girls’ volleyball, basketball, and track for nine years in Amarillo, then English in a private school for eight years. While attending West Texas A&M University full time to earn her Master’s degree in School Counseling, she worked on campus in the English as a Second Language Institute; afterwards, took a position as the Director of Women’s Education at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Amarillo. In 2009, Ms. Richey was hired by RMA-Amarillo as a counselor for four years and procured my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license, then moved to RMA-Fort Worth, where I worked as the counselor for a year before being promoted to Director in 2014. Ms. Richey enjoys summers in the pool and reading a good book. RMA Fort Worth is a great school, with an outstanding support staff that cares for the students.

RMA Houston Director

Tod Nix's family consists of his wife, Sandra Nix, a counselor at South Houston High School in Pasadena ISD. As well as his two oldest boys, Brady (33) and Brendan (29). Tod's oldest son is a former member of the armed services where he served our country as a combat medic in Afghanistan as a part of the 10th Mountain Division. Brady currently runs an exotic game ranch in central Texas while he finishes his college degree. Brendan is graduated from Southern Methodist University and works in the insurance industry. Tod's two youngest boys are John Henry (23) and Isaac (18). John is currently a student at Sam Houston State University. Isaac is a graduate of Dawson High School. In addition to his immediate family, Mr. Nix has worked with many young men and young ladies over the years that his family has come to consider their extended family. They enjoy keeping up with them as they share their successes in life. Personally Tod enjoys playing golf, snow skiing, keeping up with technological advances in our world and working to improve leadership skills in the youth of our communities. In his time at home he usually can be found working or building water gardens and improving the landscape.

RMA Houston East (Pasadena) Director

Sonja Williams grew up in Cameron, Texas and is a product of C.H.Yoe High School, Home of the Mighty Yoemen. Sonja completed her undergraduate studies at Baylor University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. Her first career was in television news and public relations. She was later inspired to become an educator after working in PR for a technical college. She went on to earn her teaching certification from Prairie View A&M University and then her Masters of Education degree from the University of Houston – Victoria. Sonja has been committed to supporting the needs of the community and helping students find their individual pathways toward success since she was a teenager herself. During her educational career, she has been a teacher, department chair, content specialist, assistant principal, and principal in different districts across the greater Houston area. She was even named High School Principal of the Year by the Houston Independent School district in 2013. She also received a Mayoral Proclamation in 2014 from the City of Houston for her school improvement efforts at Madison High School. When Sonja is not working, she enjoys her role as sports mom and spends her time traveling with her husband to support and cheer for their 3 sons in their individual sports.

RMA Lubbock Director

Shawn Haseloff graduated from Texas Tech University in 2000 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences with a minor in History. He spent the next 13 years coaching football, basketball and track while teaching History at Post, Plainview and Lubbock-Cooper. After the birth of his twin daughters he became a stay at home dad for two years. During that time he worked on completing his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. He graduated from Lubbock Christian University in 2014. Last year he was the Instructional Coordinator here at RMA-Lubbock. This year will be his first year as Director, and he looks forward to the opportunity that lays before him. In his spare time he enjoys getting to spend time with his wife Holly and his twin girls Liesl and Greta. He and his family are active members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He also loves to travel and has been all over the world. He also loves outdoor activities of all types whether it be hunting or fishing or playing golf.

RMA Midland Director

Teffanie Thompson White grew up in Killeen, Texas where she spent many years playing with words on Gaynor Drive in Sugar Loaf. Today she lives in Midland, Texas, without her angelic oldest daughter and creative genius son. Teffanie resides with her farmer husband, Ginger puppy and brilliant youngest daughter, directing RMA Midland with great pride. A Master’s graduate of Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program, Teffanie has written several pictureless stories for children, teens, and ballerinas. When not writing, she enjoys working, hula hooping, road tripping, attending concerts and, yes, watching marathon reality television.

RMA Midland South Director

Ronald Medrano started as the School Director at Richard Milburn Academy Corpus Christi and as now transitioned to the New Midland South Campus. We are excited for him and his staff. Mr. Medrano is originally from West Texas, and has worked for Austin ISD, Electra ISD, Calallen ISD, Robstown ISD, Orange Grove ISD, Coastal Bend Youth City, and at Corpus Christi ISD. Mr. Medrano has held several educational positions, as a Teacher, Coach, Department Chairman, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director. Mr. Medrano has a lifetime Mid-Management Principal’s Certificate, and a Masters degree in Education, from Texas A &M University, in Kingsville, Texas. Mr. Medrano served on the Texas Education Agency Governor’s Advisory Committee for Special Education for four years in Austin, Texas. He is a member of the Texas Charter School Association, and the Association of Teachers & Professional Educators Association. Mr. Medrano is a current member of the Corpus Christi, Texas Downtown Lions Club, and has community involvement with Halo Flight, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, & assists with the St. Thomas Czeck Festivals. Mr. Medrano’s favorite quotes are, “Don’t Let Your FEARS get in the way of your DREAMS” and “failure is not an option”. He firmly believes in challenging all of his students to have a positive attitude and to strive for success in life.

RMA Odessa Director

Mrs. Mary Janssen began her career at RMA in October 2004. Her first assignment was teaching Social Studies in the morning session and Math in the evening session. She began teaching Social Studies full time in August 2005. After teaching 6 years, Mrs. Janssen became the Graduation Coach. In this capacity Mrs. Janssen was able to begin and oversee the first Dual Credit classes in concert with Odessa College and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Mrs. Janssen was also able to work with the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to bring Texas Scholars to the RMA campus. One her way to becoming the School Director in August 2014, Mrs. Janssen served as the Academic Counselor for 2 years. Mrs. Janssen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a Minor in Geography and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Janssen strives to take care of the largest faculty in the RMA district. She also works to maintain the highest enrollment and attendance in the RMA district. When not working with students, faculty and parents, Mrs. Janssen enjoys spending as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren and is an avid baseball fan. RMA Odessa’s motto is, “Welcome to Success.” This motto holds true for all students.

Executive Administrative Secretary

Executive Administrative Secretary/Business and HR Specialist

Administrative Secretary/HR Support

Administrative Secretary

Student Records Manager/Canvas Support

SPED Instructional Coordinator

LSSP

Melissa Hernandez joined the RMA Team in 2015 as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). She presently serves as the LSSP for RMA-Amarillo, RMA-Midland, and RMA-Odessa. Her previous work experience included working as an LSSP in the greater Austin area, San Marcos and San Antonio. In her career as an LSSP, she has worked with diverse populations to include students and staff in residential treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, and students in K-12th grade. She completed her degree in San Antonio, Texas where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Communication Arts from The University of the Incarnate Word. She attended Our Lady of the Lake University to study School Psychology and achieve a Master’s of Science in School Psychology. She presently lives in Austin, Texas and in her free time enjoys catching a live music show, playing basketball, running, and traveling.

LSSP

Special Education ARD Manager

Travis Nelson joined the RMA team in August of 2015 fresh out of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He joined first as a Special Education teacher at the RMA-Corpus Christi campus. Before joining RMA, he had one year of Student Teaching experience at Flour Bluff ISD in Corpus Christi, Texas enrolled in college. After being a Special Education teacher from August 2015 to March 2016, he was given the opportunity to relocate to Austin, Texas to join the State Office family and become the Admission, Review, or Dismissal (ARD) Facilitator, which is his current role. Being the ARD facilitator means he works in coordination with our Special Education Director, Special Education teachers, and Licensed Specialists in School Psychology to make sure all ARDs are prepared and ready to go. In his spare time he loves to play video games! He is a huge fan of the Pokémon and Kingdom Hearts series. He also loves to go hiking and camping with his girlfriend and pug. He loves working at RMA because he feels like our students finally have a place where they can call home. He’s found that a lot of our students have never been able to openly express themselves, and at RMA, they can feel free.

Instructional Technology Support Specialist

Instructional Technology Support Specialist

ELA Distance Learning

CTE Distance Learning

Science Distance Learning