Superintendent

In the Fall of 2019, Mr. Armard Anderson was appointed Superintendent of Richard Milburn Academy. His career began in 2000 as a Career and Technology classroom teacher with Grand Prairie ISD and Fort Worth Can Academy. Over the last 19 years, he has served in many capacities including most recently acting as the Director of School Operations at Trinity Basin Preparatory. He has also served in Waco ISD as assistant principal, Crowley ISD as assistant principal and principal; principal and Director of Risk Management at Richard Milburn Academy, and as an independent educational consultant for Advantage Academy Charter School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Executive Director of Instructional Operations

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.

Chief Financial Officer

Tammy Padilla is the Chief Financial Officer and joined the RMA team in September 2018. Tammy comes to us with 23 years of accounting experience. Her experience in school finance started in 2008 when she took a position working for David Robinson at The Carver Academy. In 2012, David Robinson made the decision to partner with IDEA Public Schools to provide a greater impact on children in the San Antonio Area. Tammy has expanded her school experience to work for three public school districts and achieved her TASBO certification as a Registered Texas School Business Administrator.

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!

Director of Special Education

Annette Stevenson is in her third year with Richard Milburn Academy and 44th year in public education. She completed her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and her Master of Science degree at Texas A & M - Corpus Christi. She taught secondary special education for three years and then spent the next twenty-six years working as an educational diagnostician and counselor in a variety of settings including small rural school districts for several years and then two large ISDs in the greater Houston area, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and Klein ISD. She retired from the ISD world in 2005 and moved to the Austin area where she worked with struggling charter schools to develop and supervise their special education programs. Prior to coming to RMA she served as a principal of a high school in the Georgetown area for six years. Under her leadership she led the school, which had been rated “Unsatisfactory” by Texas Education Agency, to become a very successful, popular, and flourishing program. Greater than 90% of the students at this school were At-Risk for various reasons. Despite that designation, the students responded to the structure and encouragement the school provided. More than 30% of all of the students earned multiple college credits while enrolled as high school students and many of these earned Workforce certifications prior to graduation from high school. She is excited to be at RMA and assist with their mission to ensure all students succeed!

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 from 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.

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.

RMA Killeen Principal

Ms. Bredt grew up in the central Texas area and graduated from Copperas Cove High School. She earned a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, a Post Baccalaureate Degree in Education from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton, and a Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Arlington. Ms. Bredt has dedicated her life to the education of students in the area working for CCISD and KISD. She has worked as a classroom teacher, interventionist, dyslexia teacher and instructional coach. Ms. Bredt joined the RMA Killeen Team in the fall of 2017. She enjoys attending local community events, gardening, cycling, and fishing.

RMA Amarillo Principal

Mrs. Gerhardt graduated from Frenship High School in Lubbock Texas, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and her Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech. Mrs. Gerhardt has taught science in both elementary and middle school, empowered other teachers as an educational consultant for several statewide conferences and Texas Education Service Centers and coached K-12 teachers as a Curriculum and Technology Coach. She began her career with RMA at the Midland campus as their Instructional Coach before she relocated and took on the Principal position at the RMA Amarillo Campus. Mrs. Gerhardt enjoys nature while hiking and camping. She considers herself a “science nerd” and loves spending time with her husband and three teenage kids. Her daughter just started her sophomore year at West Texas A&M University in Canyon and her two sons are juniors in High School.

RMA Corpus Christi Principal

Ms. Hanna is a life-long resident of Corpus Christi and graduated from Mary Carroll High School. She earned an Associate’s Degree from Del Mar College and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A & M University Corpus Christi. She also holds a Masters degree in Education Leadership and is currently a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree in Education Leadership. She has a long career working with at-risk students as an English teacher at the Teenage Mothers School (TAMS) Alternative High School and then Coles High School. She worked for CCISD for many years as a specialist in the central office in various capacities. She joined RMA Corpus Christi in the Fall of 2018 and is enjoying her second year leading the Corpus Christi campus, which is growing and planning a move to a new building in 2020! In her spare time, she enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her children and three grandchildren.

RMA Fort Worth Principal

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 Principal 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 Principal

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 Pasadena Principal

Mrs. Nix graduated from Knippa High School and attended Sul Ross State University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She taught first through fourth grades. She later received her Master’s of Education in Counseling also from Sul Ross State University and again went back to Sul Ross to get her certification in school administration. As a counselor in her beloved hometown and alma mater, she also coached cross country for two years where she had a runner qualify for state cross country both years. After twenty years in education, as a teacher, counselor and coach, Mrs. Nix was offered the opportunity to lead the RMA Pasadena campus. Mrs. Nix’s husband Tod Nix is currently the Principal at the RMA Houston campus. Their family consists of four boys, John Henry Contreras III (24), Isaac Contreras (19), Brady Nix (34), and Brendan Nix (31). John Henry recently graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Accounting and Isaac is currently working part-time and taking classes at San Jacinto College Central Campus. Brady is recently married and received his Bachelor’s degree from Schreiner University and is working on getting into Law School. Brendan is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and is working in the insurance industry. They also have two adorable fur-babies Jack and Bella. In her spare time, Sandra enjoys spending time with family and friends and taking long walks with Jack and Bella. She also loves keeping up with former students and parents.

RMA Lubbock Principal

Mrs. Ewerz is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sports Science and History. She also holds a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. Mrs. Ewerz has served as a coach, teacher, assistant principal and principal at the high school and middle school levels during her over twenty years in education. She and her husband, John, have six children and eight grandchildren.

RMA Midland Principal

Mrs. Debra Theesfield began her career at RMA in August 2018 as principal of RMA-Midland. Previously, she taught English and AVID at Ector Junior High in ECISD followed by several years as Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at Bonham Middle School in ECISD. Mrs. Theesfield holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. She believes in the power of a growth mindset and strives to help students and teachers see the vast potential they hold. Mrs. Theesfield enjoys reading and creative writing, as well as spending time with her husband and children. You can follow her professional blog at www.mrst72.blogspot.com

RMA Odessa Principal

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. On her way to becoming the School Principal 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.

Exec. Administrative Secretary - Superintendent

Exec. Administrative Secretary - Technology, Facilities, and Finance

Exec. Administrative Secretary - Instructional Operations

Administrative Secretary & HR Support

Finance Specialist

Network Administrator

Info Tech Support Specialist

Info Tech Support Specialist

Student Records Manager

LSSP

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 SHARS Clerk

SPED Instructional Services Coordinator

Instructional Services Coordinator

Instructional Services Coordinator

PEIMS Liaison

Counseling Coordinator

Special Programs Coordinator

Distance ELA Teacher

Distance Math Teacher

Distance Math Teacher

Distance Teacher

Distance Science Teacher

Distance Social Studies Teacher

Distance Career & Technology Education Teacher

Distance Career & Technology Education Teacher

Distance Career & Technology Education Teacher