Our Leadership Team
The students and families of Transformation Waco's five campuses have unlimited potential, and it is our staff's honor to serve them. These are the staff of Transformation Waco, a lean and experienced team managing day-to-day operations and support for our campuses. Additionally, more than 350 dedicated teachers, leaders, and support staff work within our five campuses. Together, we are Transformation Waco.
Dr. Robin McDurham is the Chief Executive Officer for Transformation Waco, an in-district charter partnership with Waco ISD. Over the past 20 years, she has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Executive Director, and assistant superintendent in Waco, Texas. She has also served as a Waco City Council Member and Mayor. Her work as an educator and elected official prepared her to plan and implement a community school model for Transformation Waco, which coordinates partnerships between the schools and other community resources. Transformation Waco's integrated focus on academics, youth development, family support, health, social services, and community development leads to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. Dr. McDurham is married to Doug McDurham, and they have two sons, Dakota and Zane.
Dr. Karen Hassell is the Executive Director of School Leadership for Transformation Waco. Dr. Hassell joined Waco ISD in 1990 and served in various roles, including assistant principal, principal, Title I specialist, and professional development director before her retirement in 2012. After retirement, she became a Professional Service Provider (PSP). She worked with low-performing schools in Waco and across the state to improve students' outcomes and improve school accountability ratings. In February 2020, Dr. Hassell joined Transformation Waco on an interim basis and made that move permanent in July 2020.
Dr. Hassell earned both her Bachelor in Secondary Education and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baylor University. Her Master's of Education is from Texas Christian University. She believes that every student deserves exceptional educational experiences every day and is passionate about supporting school leaders and teachers as they deliver on our mission of equity and excellence through access to high-quality grade-level curriculum and instruction.
Josh Wucher is the Chief Communications Officer for Transformation Waco, which is responsible for to guiding Transformation Waco’s message and communications strategy across the Zone’s website, social media accounts, and other channels reaching internal and external audiences. He previously served as executive director of communications for Waco ISD and as a communications specialist in Belton ISD. Following three years working as a morning anchor and reporter for KWTX News 10 here in Central Texas, Josh completed his master’s degree in communications at Baylor University. He earned his bachelor degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Florida.
Sarah Pedrotti is the Executive Director of Student Advocacy for Transformation Waco, an in-district partnership with Waco ISD. Sarah's work encompasses supervising wraparound services for the zone, ensuring students have academic success. Sarah is a proud Baylor University graduate, earning her B.S. in Education and her M.S. in Education Administration from Tarleton State University. She has been a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and director for Waco ISD for the past 18 years. Her passion is to ensure that every student and family has equitable access to education.
Everette Taylor is the Zone Director of Professional Development for Transformation Waco. Mr. Taylor joined Waco ISD in 2020 and served as J. H. Hines principal. Prior to moving to Waco, he served in the Houston area as a principal at three Elementary schools. Mr. Taylor holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Lamar University, and a Master’s degree from Prairie View A& M University in Educational Leadership. He is currently working towards his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. He believes that all students are entitled to opportunities and experiences that provide learning, inspiration, and motivation to achieve in all fields of human endeavors.
Catelia has worked for Waco ISD for eight years and currently serves as Transformation Waco’s Nonprofit Systems Coordinator. She earned her B.S. in Family and Consumer Science from Baylor University in 2014 after graduating as valedictorian of WISD’s A.J. Moore Academy class of 2009. As a native Wacoan, Catelia is dedicated to improving the well-being of Waco’s children and families. She remains grateful for the community resources that allowed her to achieve her educational and professional success. As such, she’s prioritized expanding the accessibility of similar opportunities to others. Catelia serves as an Inspiración Board Member, Hispanic Leaders’ Network Board Member, United Way Community Advisory Board Member, and District IV representative on the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. In her spare time, you can find her with her husband, Eduardo, and daughter, Elena, exploring the town, attending community events, reading books at Pinewood Coffee Bar, or hiking the trails at Cameron Park.
Elizabeth has worked in Waco ISD since 2012. She received a bachelor degree in business administration from University of Texas at Tyler. She's a proud wife and mother of two, and she enjoys time at the soccer fields watching her children play.
Larryl Curtis is the Director of Extended Learning and Enrichment Programs. His primary job oversees the planning, coordinating and implementing the after-school and summer programming across all Transformation Zone campuses. Before this year, he served as the principal of the G.L. Wiley Opportunity Center. He is starting his twenty-seventh year in education. Before moving into administration, he taught History and Government at University High School. In his career, he has served as an assistant principal at G.W. Carver Academy and as the Discipline Compliance Officer and Investigator for the Waco Independent School District.
Dr. Melissa Ishio is Transformation Waco's director of wraparound services. Melissa holds a bachelor's and master's degree in social work, a master's degree in public policy and administration, and a Ph.D. in social work, all from Baylor University. Her work includes establishing program sustainability, building social work pipeline services, and designing/implementing strategies that capture program metrics. Melissa believes humans' ability to create positive change is our greatest natural resource and that education is one of the most effective agents for making that change!
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
