Meet Our Team

J. Gavin Dickson has over twenty-five years of educational experience, including teaching, campus administration, and District Director/Coordinator of Federal Programs and PEIMS. He has served educators and administrators through multiple venues including the Texas Charter School Association, Texas Association of School Business Officials, the TEA Charter School Summit, multiple Texas Educational Service Centers, and individual charter schools. Mr. Dickson seeks to empower Texas Charter Schools by partnering in their mission, ensuring their story is told, and remaining student centered.

With over 30 years in an education setting, Connie McCulloch has a compassion to see others succeed, especially students to realize their full potential in school. Working closely with West Texas key civic and political leaders she was appointed to start-up Communities in Schools. Serving as Board Chair, she formed valuable partnerships with key civic leaders and multiple schools. She authored a booklet “From the Classroom to the Workplace”, to be distributed to over 30,000 students. As a speaker for higher education, she developed presentations to help connect students, that lived in impoverished areas, with the community to continue their education. Winning the National Pinnacle Award twice she was recognized for outstanding achievement by the Governor. Her passion continues with Dickson Educational Services mission for student success.

Rena Hearn is a high qualified PEIMS specialist with over 8 years of PEIMS experience. She is outgoing, organized, creative, and joins the JGDES team eager to help schools in the area of PEIMS. Her ability to quickly identify needs and ensure the success of those she works with makes her the perfect match for engaging with our schools. Ms. Hearn loves to see others succeed and reach their goals and feels blessed every day to assist our schools with their needs.

Ms. Schulz has three years’ experience in Human Resources and two years’ experience as a paraprofessional in public schools. She is ecstatic to be back in Human Resources serving our member schools. She is thrilled to combine her love of education with her strengths in Human Resources to better serve schools.

Crystal Kacala came to Dickson Educational Services with over 10 years of experience working in both general and special education within ISDs. She serves as the TSDS and Unique ID specialist in addition to helping mediate communication on behalf of the LEA with local service centers, software providers, and parents to help allow LEAs to focus on educating students.  She absolutely loves being able to get to know each LEA and helping in any way she can. Her favorite part of the job is the relationships she is able to build while working alongside the schools we serve.  At the end of the day her heart is full knowing that she can play an important role in helping students succeed.

Gail Steptoe has served Texas Public Schools for over 13 years with experience in student enrollment, database management and customer service.  Since 2010, she has expertly managed student information software and systems within a charter school, and continues to provide superior support for diverse needs. Aside from her knowledge about data quality and best practices in education, she is committed to serving students and their families.

Ashley Stephens came to Dickson Educational Services with over 15 years of experience with ISDs and Charter Schools both individually and as part of the Education Service Center Region 11 handling payroll, human resources and PEIMS. She serves as a Human Resources Assistant and Payroll. She is excited to be part of the Dickson Educational family and looks forward gaining knowledge from the team around her. She is excited to bring her shining personality, fantastic sense of humor and love of all things pink to the team (as well as business office knowledge and experience).

Leah Brooks came to Dickson Educational Services after spending the last 8 years in Information Technology.  Her background as an Army Veteran Firefighter and Police officer gives her a unique perspective into the world of Human Resources and PEIMS.  She is excited to join the team using her many talents and skills to build upon the Dickson family.

Lindy Dickson originally started her education career as an ESL teacher in Seoul, Korea and continued at a Fort Worth private school.  A graduate from Hardin Simmons University, Mrs. Dickson is fluent in both English and Spanish and passionate about empowering parents to be involved in their student’s education.  She now serves her family as a home school parent and part-time tutor and mentor.