Caroline Bell, President
Caroline is a former educator who taught kindergarten for most of her career. She is an active retiree, volunteering at a local food pantry, mentoring first graders in reading, and singing in the choir at Western Hills Baptist Church. She is also an avid geocacher, often traveling long distances to find a cache!
info@literacyconnexus.org
Angela Childers, Vice President
Angela overcame her own reading struggles in school and is the second generation of an immigrant family. Right out of college, she began working with adults who were struggling with reading or the English language. This ignited her passion for helping those with literacy needs. She has been involved in literacy the past 14 years, and is excited to be a part of helping churches help others with literacy needs. A financial analyst at a mortgage company, she is a member of Watermark Community Church.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Lynda Bertram, Secretary
Lynda is an attorney who, upon retirement, earned a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on reading and health literacy. A former board member of Literacy Texas, she also delivers Meals on Wheels, participates in Daughters of Abraham, and presents non-profit workshops through CNM-Connect and other groups. A member of All Saints Episcopal Church, she is avid about reading and yoga.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Steve Seabury, Treasurer
Steve has served as a high school teacher, a field missionary with the IMB, and most recently as Director of Texas Partnerships(Volunteer Missions Promotion). Steve is retired from the BGCT but is still active in mission service and promotion. He currently is on the staff of Church at the Crossing, Aledo, serving as Missions Director
info@literacyconnexus.org
Gerardo Arredondo
Gerardo lives in Arlington, TX, and is Branch Manager for Scholastic Books. Gerald Arredondo is new to the DFW, he grew up in Lubbock Texas. He is the Operations Manager for DFW area with Scholastic Book Fairs. Gerald is a former President of the Lubbock Boys and Girls Club, past member of Literacy of Lubbock. He has been a member of youth sports Baseball, Softball, Football, and Wrestling. He is also a member of St Vincents’s De Paul and the Knights of Columbus.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Joy Edwards
Joy is a member of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. She directs our T-shirt book bag ministry. See Joy’s easy T-shirt bag directions here on our website. Native Texan, born in Big Springs, grew up in Odessa. Joy is a graduate of Baylor, TCU, and Texas Woman’s University. She served as a first grade teacher as well as professor of education at Texas Wesleyan. She is the owner of Joyful Creations.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Shelley Lowe
Shelley owns Monkey and Dog Books, a children’s bookshop in Fort Worth. She has taught Latin and English, and comes with experience directing both literacy and ESL programs. She teachers Sunday school at St. John’s Anglican Church. Shelley loves reading, gardening, needlework . . . and cookies!
info@literacyconnexus.org
Jana Marbut-Ray
Jana is a former educator and school principal who currently serves as Director of Operations for Parker County Center of Hope, located in Weatherford. Center of Hope offers a variety of assistance to individuals and families. She also volunteers with her church, Lakeshore Drive Baptist, and enjoys traveling.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Sue Matkin
Sue is the Vice President for Information Services and Manager of the Income Council for the United Way of Tarrant County. She manages the Earn Well initiative which, among other things, improves the financial stability of low income working families. Sue brings experience from both education and the nonprofit sector. In addition to Literacy Connexus, she serves on the boards of the Women’s Policy Forum, the Tarrant County Emergency Food and Shelter Program, North Texas Asset Funders, and Strong Families Coalition.
info@literacyconnexus.org
Shewanda Riley
Shewanda, an assistant professor of English at Tarrant County College-Northeast, is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in English literature. She also serves on the steering committee of the Northeast Tarrant County United Way. She belongs to the Message Church in Bedford, likes to read, travel, and bake, and loves singing karaoke!
info@literacyconnexus.org
Linda Waggoner
Linda Waggoner received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Sociology and her M.ED. at Texas Tech University with teaching certificates in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Early Childhood-Handicapped. She’s been teaching literacy ever since. She is teaching three High School Equivalency classes: two at Tarrant County Jail Greenbay Unit for Fort Worth ISD, and one at Tarrant County College, Trinity River.
info@literacyconnexus.org