2025 ACET Officer Elections
The Association for Compensatory Educators of Texas (ACET) is built on the dedication and leadership of its members. It’s time to elect new officers who will help guide our mission forward! Below, you’ll find information about each open position—NAFEPA Representative, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, and President-Elect—along with this year’s nominees.
Take a few moments to learn about each candidate, then cast your vote to help shape the next chapter of ACET’s leadership. Scroll down to meet the nominees and submit your ballot!
Association for Compensatory Educators
Meet the Nominees.
Shape the Future of ACET.
Review each nominee’s bio and introduction video. Voting will take place at the 2025 ACET Fall Conference.
President-Elect Nominee
Brande Bass
I am Brande Bass with New Caney ISD, and I am running for President-elect. Many of you have known me since I have been coming to ACET Conferences for 17 years now.In those 17 years I have served as Regional Director, Alternate Regional Director, Chair for the Awards Committee, on the Scholarship committee (still serving), on the Program Planning Committee and currently as the Parliamentarian. I have also served as president for many clubs and organizations in my community for nearly 20 years. I believe with that experience I can well serve the ACET membership as President-Elect.
As President-Elect I would like to:
- Start a collaboration for mentors/mentees outside of fee service programs at region centers to lift-up new FPD with a mentor to develop their growth mindset.
- Bring back learning strands for new FPD and experienced FPD at our conference to help them develop the areas they serve in their districts.
- Have online learning materials, resources and videos posted on our ACET website for new FPD to learn year-round.
The best thing I can say about ACET is everyone here cares about – Supporting students and supporting compensatory programs. Support is always going to be what ACET does best!
Treasurer – Nominee
Paul Covey
Paul Covey has worked in education for 36 years and is currently the Director of Federal and State Programs in the Ysleta ISD in El Paso, Texas. In this position, he manages ESSA Title programs, SCE Funds, and past ESSER funds. He also mentors principals in creating and managing all facets of campus budgets.
Previously, Paul was a campus administrator for 22 years, serving as principal for 16 years. During that time, he was recognized as Texas Computer Education Association’s State Administrator of the Year and received the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Department of Education. He was also the principal of a National Blue Ribbon School. Paul holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Paul is currently the ACET Alternate Regional Director, is a facilitator for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has served on the state board of the Texas Middle School Association, and serves as Regional Director for the Charles Butt Foundation, where he recruits administrators to join Raise Your Hand Texas and become involved in educational advocacy.
Parliamentarian – Nominee
Demetric Wells
NAFEPA Representative – nominee
Tami Knight
Tami Knight began her career as an elementary teacher, spending ten years in self-contained, multi-age, and departmentalized classrooms. Those early experiences in the classroom fostered her deep commitment to supporting educators and students across all levels.
She went on to serve as an Instructional Specialist for six years while completing her master’s degree, then joined ESC Region 15, where she has proudly worked for the past eleven years. During her time at the ESC, Tami completed her Ph.D. while helping districts implement and manage federal programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). She is passionate about collaboration and empowering educators to improve outcomes for all learners.
IIn addition to her ESC work, Tami serves as an adjunct instructor at Angelo State University, teaching graduate courses in Curriculum and Instruction.
Education:
B.S., Angelo State University – Elementary Education (Math)
M.Ed., Lamar University – School Administration
Ph.D., Texas Tech University – Educational Leadership Policy
