Meet the School-Connect Team

We’re happy you’re here to learn more about us. We are a dedicated group of educators, researchers, artists, and curriculum developers committed to creating top-quality, fun, and user-friendly lessons for grades 6-12. Each of us contributes a unique set of strengths, and together, we strive to inspire engaging discussions, meaningful relationships, and lasting academic, social, and emotional skills.

We’re all in this together, and like you, we’re here to equip students for success in school and in life.

School-Connect Executive Director and co-author Dr. Julea Douglass

Julea Douglass, Ph.D.

Executive Director & Co-Author

Julea has been developing curriculum for more than 20 years and has loved teaching School-Connect at local schools in TX and CA. Before School-Connect, Julea worked at the Character Education Partnership (CEP) and the U.S. Dept. of Education. Julea is lead author of the Character Education Evaluation Toolkit, a finalist for CASEL’s 2007 Zins Award for Early Career Contributions to SEL Practice, and a graduate of Harvard’s School of Ed (M.Ed.) and UVA’s Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology (PhD). Julea is a grateful mom of two teens so she gets extra intel into the high school experience these days.

School-Connect co-author and Executive Director Emeritus, Kathy Beland

Kathy Beland, M.Ed.

Co-Author & Executive Director Emeritus

Kathy is the original author of Second Step (1988-97), lead author of the Eleven Principles Sourcebook: How to Achieve Quality Character Education in K-12 Schools (2003), and writer/executive producer of 12 award-winning videos. Kathy was program director at the Character Education Partnership (CEP) and assistant director & teacher at Santa Barbara Middle School. Kathy was honored with CEP’s 2009 Sanford N. McDonnell Lifetime Achievement Award. Kathy is semi-retired and happily grandparenting. Julea and Kathy co-founded School-Connect together in 2003.

School-Connect co-author and EQ Launchpad Director, R. Keeth Matheny

Keeth Matheny, M.S.

Co-Author & EQ Launchpad Director

Keeth (“Coach Rudy”) is an award-winning educator and nationally recognized speaker and trainer. Keeth is a 25+ year teacher, author of ExSELent Teaching (2022) and recipient of CASEL’s Mary Utne O’Brien Award for Excellence in Expanding Evidence-Based Practice of SEL and the National Dropout Prevention Network’s Crystal Star Award. Keeth’s work has been featured in countless webinars, articles, and conferences. He is also the founder of EQ Launchpad training hundreds of schools and providing ongoing "lighthouse projects" PD for deep work in building a supportive learning community.

Jamie Medcafé, Ed.D.

Associate Director

Jamie received her doctorate in education leadership. She also has a masters in counseling and has spent time supporting teens in classes and therapeutic settings. Jamie is mom to a precious little girl, and in her free time, loves creating art, traveling, and reading.

School-Connect Director of Implementation Support, Steph Nichols

Steph Nichols, M.Ed.

Implementation Support Director

With 10+ years of classroom experience, Steph is a champion for helping students feel connected through positive relationships at school. She served as her campus’s AVID Coordinator, SEL Facilitator, and Teacher of the Year. Yet, her favorite roles are that of coach’s wife and mom to four young kids.

Donella Reinl, M.Ed.

Strategic Solutions Director

Donella was a public school educator for 25 years, first as a teacher and then as a middle school principal. She has a heart for helping kids, especially on at-risk campuses. Donella loves traveling (25+ countries and counting), hiking, and reading.

Mary Carey, M.S.

Customer Support Director

Mary has 18 years of experience as a professional counselor and worked for the TX Dept. of Rehabilitative Services to help individuals with disabilities get support services. She’s a proud grandmother to Caitlyn and Pete, and loves listening to a good book whenever possible.

School-Connect Director of Finance and Accounting Operations, Carli Kane

Carli Kāne, CPA

Director of Finance & Accounting Operations

Carli handles all financial matters. She has a background in corporate accounting and also brings her diverse experience in the advertising, design, and construction industries. She likes to explore new places and her favorite sport is tennis.

Stephannie Reyes, B.A.

Operations Director

Stephannie has a B.A. in psychology and has a passion for education and technology. She has experience in office management as well as working with children. On the weekends, you can find her trying new restaurants or playing her favorite video game - The Sims.

Consultants

We are grateful for our amazing team of consultant partners who play a key role in helping us develop our comprehensive, quality curriculum. We truly value the collaboration we share with them, and we're lucky to have them on our team as they're as passionate about what they do as we are.

Erica Rascon

Mindfulness Expert

Eric Graham

Cinematographer, Director & Video Editor

Zoe Graham

Video Graphics

Simon Kane, Solutions Architect and College Professor

Simon Kāne

Solutions Architect & College Professor

Mayra Pavon

Graphic Artist

Miranda Crimbring

Marketing

Knowledge Hub Speakers

Each of our featured Knowledge Hub Speakers specializes in their respective fields and brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a fresh perspective to your classroom.

Robin Johnson

School Counselor

Frankie Mendoza

Educator & Dean

Leslie Oduwole

Educator, Admin & Coach

Kori Sanchez-Smith

20-year Educator & PD Trainer

Eva Garza-Nyer

College Counselor