Educational Excellence and Leadership

After earning her Associate's Degree from Cedar Valley College and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Dr. Cora immediately paid it forward to her community as an English teacher for the DeSoto Early College High School program. As a role model for her generation, she has achieved prestigious accolades, including the 2019 Teacher of the Year and the 2020 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award. Her innovative teaching methods garnered widespread recognition, with features in Southwest Now magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and multiple WFAA segments.

Dr. Cora's commitment to excellence extends to her own continuous learning. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she earned her Master's degree in Educational Leadership. With aspirations of becoming a principal and superintendent, she returned to UTA to earn her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this journey, she took on expanding leadership responsibilities within DeSoto ISD, including supervising the curriculum department for secondary reading and language arts for grades 6-12. Today, she serves as Vice Principal of Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School and Fine Arts Academy, where she continues to lead and inspire students, teachers, and families in their pursuit of academic excellence.

Community Engagement and Progressive Leadership

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Cora has been a driving force for positive change in DeSoto for over twenty years. She co-led the critical City of DeSoto 2020 Census Campaign, ensuring the community received proper representation and resources. Recognizing the need for youth literacy development, she founded the Literary Scholars program, which significantly increased literacy growth across DeSoto.

Dr. Cora's leadership has been recognized by elected officials at every level. In 2019, the late DeSoto Mayor Curtistene S. McCowan personally selected Dr. Cora to lead youth engagement initiatives for her re-election campaign. State Representative Aicha Davis invited Dr. Cora to develop a musical presentation with her students that was broadcast statewide during a virtual State Board of Education meeting. Representative Yvonne Davis asked Dr. Cora to speak at a Dallas County Census awareness event, where she articulated the importance of complete community participation in the count.

A Heart for Service

Dr. Cora's commitment to service extends to every aspect of her life. She serves as a board member for the Entrepreneurs Scholarship Program (ESUME), where she volunteers her expertise to evaluate scholarship applicants, ensuring deserving students receive opportunities to pursue higher education. In this capacity, she also designs marketing materials to promote the program's mission and serves as the emcee for the organization's annual gala, helping to raise critical funds and awareness for student scholarships.

Dr. Cora's commitment to service extends to every aspect of her life. She is a devoted daughter who actively supports her senior parents, assisting her mother with community arts events like Jazz in the Sanctuary and joining her father at local high school sporting events to cheer on her students. During holiday breaks, she serves her neighbors by maintaining their yards free of charge, embodying the spirit of neighborly care that defines DeSoto at its best.

As an active member of New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, Dr. Cora sings in the choir and provides DJ services for church and community events. Her faith guides her principle of selfless service to others.