Shine Staff
Shine staff and volunteers include administrators, teachers from private and public schools, and Middle School students. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, kids get an engaging experience that builds confidence and crucial skills.
Executive Directors
Diana Clemens
Co-Executive Director
Diana has been with SHINE for three years, but this is her first as co-executive director. She retired from teaching in May 2023 after 30 years in public schools in Austin ISD. Over that time, she taught grades 1–5 and an opportunity to mentor fellow teachers. Diana loves the beach — it's her happy place! Her favorite musical is "Mamma Mia" and would like to be a bartender someday.
Chris Ernest
Co-Executive Director
Chris has been a part of the Shine team for eight years. In addition to co-leading Shine, he also teaches 8th grade students. During the school year, Chris serves as the Middle School Dean of Students at Trinity Episcopal School, where he has been for the last five years. He loves his family, Jesus, friends, food, and sneakers. When he is not teaching, Chris likes to explore new parks and restaurants with his wife, Avi, daughter, Caliyah, and son, CJ.
Meet the Staff
Tara Black
Tara has been teaching for 14 years (mostly in early childhood education) and currently teaches at Jordan Elementary AISD. She's a foodie who loves to travel. Coincidentally, Tara has the same birthday as her mom and her aunt! She is in her second year with SHINE.
Abigail Flores
Abigail has been teaching for five years in Austin ISD at Govalle Elementary School. Her favorite foods are Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, and she loves to travel. Abigail has two sons. Summer 2024 will be her first year with the SHINE program.
Rosa Jacobs
Rosa teaches 6th grade social studies and coaches 7th and 8th grade soccer, volleyball, and track at Matthey Middle School in Southside ISD in San Antonio, Texas. She has a master's degree and has been teaching for nine years. In her late 20's, she hosted "Magazine Show," a Spanish travel show that aired 6 or 7 episodes. Rosa has co-written a screenplay and seen a traditional bullfight in spain. She is in her first year with SHINE.
Henry Jaeger
Henry has been teaching for 15 years, and he currently works at Govalle Elementary School. He loves country music concerts, gardening, and spending time outside. Henry has six pets (plus some outdoor fish). This is his ninth year with SHINE.
Jose Maganda
Jose originally wanted to be an FBI agent after college, but he decide to become a teacher instead! He has been teaching for 17 years and has taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade. This year, Jose decided to take a break from the classroom and works as a content interventionist at Hart Elementary. He loves sports and does not like chocolate.
Bob McVerry
Bob has been teaching for 20 years and is a Special Education Teacher at Guerrero Thompson Elementary. He has taught in Asia, the West Indies, and Central America, and he is learning Spanish at Austin Community College. Though Bob really enjoys teaching, he did not like school as a child. He has worked with SHINE for the last five summers.
Cosijopi Toledo
Cosijopi has been teaching for 7 years. He has taught 5th and 2nd grade and recently became a SPED bilingual resource teacher. He currently works at J. Houston Elementary and is in his second year with SHINE. Cosijopi's first name comes from the Cocijo, the Zapotec God of Rain and Thunder (basically Mexican Thor). Cosijopi loves road trips so much that he had a "road trip wedding" where family and friends drove from Austin to Yosemite National Park.
Jessica Valls
Jessica has been teaching for 21 years, and her current campus is Jordan Elementary School. She likes sports and traveling and is a self-described sneaker addict. Jessica is in her second year with the SHINE program.