Our Team

Our team members are leaders in their fields with a combined total of 40 years of experience. 

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Shayla Adams-Stafford

FOUNDER /CEO

​Wellesley and Duke Grad
National Award Winning Educator

Shayla Stafford is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been recognized by the White House for her achievements in Project Based Learning. Shayla is the CEO and founder of RemixEducation, an education training organization that has provided more than 100 students in Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. with positive youth development programming. Shayla graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and received a master’s degree in teaching from Duke University.

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Estefania Ortiz

CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER

​Stanford Computer Science Grad
Worked at both Facebook and Microsoft

 Founder of several tech companies with VC funding; worked as a software developer for Microsoft and Facebook. Advanced level experience in Python and Java for Big Data; Node.JS, React, Angular, Flask, and other frameworks for Web Development; Swift for IOS.

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Dr. Kshawna Askew

LEAD PSYCHOMETRICIAN

UNCG Grad
Worked with ETS, Expert in test development

Dr. Kshawna Askew is a nationally renowned leader in psychometric evaluation. She previously worked with ETS and the National Board of School Counselors.

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Rochelle Scott

Consultant

 Rochelle Scott is an administrator, consultant and motivational speaker who
specializes in working with other educators to find innovative and sustainable
ways to transform teaching and learning. Her areas of expertise include
designing innovative learning experiences, K- 5 literacy programs, culturally
responsive teaching, alternative education, professional learning and
community building. During her 17 years in education, Rochelle has served
both traditional elementary and alternative education. In 2016, she took on a
role as a literacy coordinator for the district supporting 42 elementary schools
and literacy teachers. Rochelle has served in several capacities during her
tenure in education such as instructional specialist, elementary principal,
Eureka Math Trainer, 21st Century School Facilitator, Arts Integration
Specialist and district support specialist.
Rochelle is called to change the lives of educators and students by supporting
them through innovative frameworks in education. As an alternative school
administrator, Rochelle has been focused on shifting the culture of Minority
Students in education. She has coined the phrase, “Change the Culture!
Change the Mind!” Rochelle has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education,
a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, and is pursuing a Doctorate in
Organizational Leadership.

  • Andre Daughty

Andre Daughty

Consultant

Andre Daughty’s educational journey truly began after hearing Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
state, “If you observe children, they will teach you how to teach them.” That phrase
shifted Andre’s philosophy of education. By observing the students in his own classroom
at the elementary, secondary, and post-graduate level, he differentiated curriculum and projects based on his students’ interests. His workshops and professional development seminars involve high energy, practical ways to use today’s strategies, collaboration, and fun stories to help connect the content to the attender’s lives. He enjoys inspiring all through workshops, speaking engagements, seminars, and embedded coaching
experiences.

  • James Campbell

James Campbell

Consultant

James Campbell started his teaching career in Baltimore City Public Schools. His experiences in Baltimore City created a desire in him to make education meaningful and accessible to all students he encountered. During his over 15 years in education, he has served as a Founding Faculty of three schools; Academy for College and Career Exploration (Baltimore), St. Georges Technical High School (Delaware), and Arabia Mountain High School (Dekalb County, GA). Those experiences taught him to be flexible, patient and willing to take initiative.

James spent six years as a member of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School and the Mount Vernon Institute for Innovation (MVIFI). His time at MVPS allowed him to grow as a design thinker and test how design thinking can be used in the classroom. His work with MVIFI and IDEO’s Teacher’s Guild gave him opportunities to coach and train educators in the design thinking process. Currently James serves as the STEAM Interdisciplinary Specialist at the Atlanta Girls’ School. In this role he works to assist teachers with developing curriculum, engaging students in meaningful STEAM opportunities and building community relationships.

Throughout James’s teaching career he has used Project Based Learning as a process to give his students access to Voice and Choice in the classroom. He also uses PBL as a method to assist teachers with developing meaningful lessons and units. James is excited about PBL because of its direct connection to authentic work for all students.

James is an empathic educator who believes the role of education is to serve students, so they can serve the world. He provides workshops and learning experiences at schools, conferences and virtually.

  • Karnada Lewis

Karnada Lewis

Consultant

Based currently in Keithville, LA. Karnada L. Lewis has a diverse background within the
Education and Social Services fields. Ms. Lewis is a former Special Education Teacher, MentalmHealth Professional, and as a Recreational Therapist. Karnada has served as a
paraprofessional and special education teacher to students with Autism within the self-contained setting and as an inclusion teacher for students with learning and physical disabilities for 8 years.
She has worked 6 years as a mental health professional assisting individuals that have mental health issues in gaining needed life skills in order to navigate life properly. Also, she has been working in the field of recreation therapy for 12 years assisting those individuals with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, or elderly individuals regain various life skills through meaningful fun activities. This diverse background has given her the ability to develop a strong formula to assist others by facilitating life lessons through planned activities and flexible lesson plans. She believes that PBL coupled with engaging/meaningful activities is a powerful and transforming instructional strategy that, when leveraged appropriately, dispels opportunity disparities and empowers ALL stakeholders to become lifelong learners. Karanda currently working as a Recreational Therapist serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. Ms. Lewis has worked for the State of Texas as a Texas Advisor servicing individuals to gain benefits. Karanda’s work revolves around establishing a safe space for teachers to innovate and develop the skills to decolonize curricula, build culturally responsive learning experiences, gain clarity of how to engage individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and assisting with eliminating myths around students of color. Karanda gained Bachelor of Leisure Studies with concentration in Therapeutic Recreation from Grambling State University, Masters Health Service Administration from Mississippi College and
Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University

Specialties:
Special Education Services
Differentiation
Movement & Recreational Therapy
Lesson Design
Project-Based Learning

  • Lacrecia Terrance

Lacrecia Terrance

Consultant

Lacrecia has been in the education field for 20 years serving in many capacities; a classroom teacher, Academic Dean, Math Coordinator, District Curriculum Coordinator, District/ School Curriculum Specialist, District STEM Coordinator, District Title I coordinator, STEM/Innovation Director, and High Principal. She lives to inspire, motivate, change, and impact student lives by offering them a greater future through the lens of education.

Allowed the opportunity to excel further and extend student educational studies, Lacrecia implemented the first Cyber Engineering Academy in Louisiana. Through research and curriculum development she was able to extend her professional studies through this experience. Having implemented Project Based Learning at every level (teacher, administrator, and district), her hope is to bring the knowledge and insight gained through these various educational experiences to the Adaptivex to build upon and share the importance and process of Project Based Learning.

Lacrecia has been recognized as Teacher of the Year, Recognized Teacher by Carnegie Learning for participation in a RAND study for showing significant gains, and is a STEM Trainer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Administration.

  • Lauren McKenzie

Lauren McKenzie

Consultant

Ms. McKenzie’s career started in 2008 at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School. She has been recognized as a Highly Effective and Expert Teacher by DCPS. She was selected to join the Teacher Leadership Initiative in 2015 where she led her peers in writing instruction, Common Core implementation, PARCC test preparation, and culture building. During her career, Ms. McKenzie has also served as Student Government advisor, assistant Ski Coach, and a Restorative Justice Facilitator. Ms. McKenzie has participated in over 600 hours of restorative justice training and has held teacher trainings for the DC Charter Board, Harvard University- D.C. Alumni Chapter, Educational Pioneers, and Safe Takoma.
Currently, Ms. McKenzie works as a high school English and Social Studies teacher and department chair at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School and an Adjunct Professor in the Education Program at the University of the District of Columbia. She graduated from the University of Maryland College-Park with an honors degree in Government and Politics and a concentration in African American Studies and Advocacy for Children. She continued her education at Trinity University and earned a master’s in teaching English and Social Studies.
Teaching is in Ms. McKenzie’s blood and she comes from a line of educators including her grandmother the late Ardis Orr, grandfather the late Dr. Joseph A. Orr, former assistant superintendent of instruction for the Palm Beach County schools, the late Juanita Orr who served as an educator across the world for over 40 years, and Tomeka McKenzie, Assistant Principal at Anacostia High School.

  • Matinga Ragatz

Matinga Ragatz

Consultant

Matinga Ragatz is a multiple-award-winning educator, keynote speaker, and consultant using education for positive social change. Her experience as a teacher and instructional innovator has led her to redefine learning and has developed a trusted voice through which she strives to revolutionize the way children learn and the way teachers teach. Matinga’s international background inspires a unique perspective on classroom instruction, learning, and innovation.
Her passion for teaching has led her to work to inspire, support, and influence creative educators worldwide. In 2017, she founded a school in rural Tanzania for Masai children as well as other education projects in West Africa. Among many accolades, Matinga has served as Michigan Teacher of the Year and has been inducted in the US National Teacher Hall of Fame.

  • Melanie Davis Sanchez

Melanie Davis Sanchez

Consultant

Known for her selective word choice even in casual conversation, Melanie is a staunch advocate when it comes to assisting others with acquiring lifelong reading and writing skills. Melanie has held many instructional roles such as professor, presenter, reading interventionist, even as mentor teacher in addition to conducting demonstration lessons to assist classroom teachers with effective implementation of strategies. She has been recognized for her efforts in education such as Top 10% of Teaching excellence in Houston ISD in English Language arts instruction (top 10% based on state and national data), Teacher of the Year recipient for HAABSE, Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators, Houston ISD Fan Favorite Teacher of the Year. She has also received the distinction of being a Houston ISD District teacher of the year award recipient, Superintendent Schools region. Melanie has also served as a secondary education science fair judge for Environmental Sciences, has served as a sports coach and writing club coordinator. She actively serves as a parent volunteer with the University of Houston College of Engineering department.
Melanie has earned her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University-Shreveport, her Master’s degree from Centenary College of Louisiana and is currently pursuant of an M.S. in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
With over 17 years of successful teaching experience, this veteran educator’s goal is to continue to bridge the gaps in learning for all students, no matter their race, gender, disability, or address.
Melanie resides in Texas with her husband, sons, and pets, Bella, Jordan, and Dexter Morgan.

  • Melissa Patrick

Melissa Patrick

Consultant

Melissa Patrick, (she/her) MSW is an educator and social worker. For more than 20 years she has been dedicated to advancing racial and social justice in schools and organizations. Melissa is the Founding Owner and Principal Consultant of Equity & Expectations℠ a consulting firm that provides training and coaching. Since 2001 she has been partnering with school districts in the Boston area, teaching educators in dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools how to practice Cultural Proficiency and promote equity and achievement for all students, especially traditionally underserved students (e.g. students of color, ELLs, ethnic minorities, etc.).
Ms. Patrick is an antiracism trainer and expert facilitator of brave conversations. She has a deep understanding of systems of privilege and oppression and how they influence people, schools, and communities. She has honed her skills through life experience and by listening and learning from others. She has worked with Dr. Peggy McIntosh author of Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack of White Skin Privilege and founder of the National SEED Project. As well as with Dr. Valerie Batts, co-founder of VISIONS and a leading Modern Antiracism scholar.
Through her career, Ms. Patrick has taught at graduate-level courses on multicultural education and antiracism pedagogy served on the Advisory Council of The Education Cooperative (TEC), and is an instructor with Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students (IDEAS). Ms. Patrick holds a BA from the University of Rhode Island and an MSW from Columbia University. She resides in Massachusetts with her three amazing teenagers.