About.

The Castleberry ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization composed of community leaders and businesses, working together to enhance the quality of education in the Castleberry Independent School District. 
 
Private donations to the foundation benefit students and teachers by supporting activities not funded by tax dollars. The foundation’s innovative teaching grants allow teachers to take a more creative approach to education and dream bigger.  Student scholarships are awarded annually to help ensure that Castleberry ISD graduates continue their path to success, even after they leave the district.
 
Grant and scholarship recipients are chosen carefully by our voluntary board of directors and community partners on an anonymous basis to ensure every student, teacher or staff member is judged on merit.

Established in July 2017

Transforming education together means that we all help to make a collective impact to our educational ecosystem.  ​

Our Goal

The CISD Education Foundation is dedicated to providing teacher grants and student scholarships within CISD. ​

Board of Directors 

Erika Starnes
Chairman of the board

​Erika Starnes is married to the love of her life, John Starnes, and has two wonderful children, Kaitlin (14) and Joshua (10). She is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and currently works as an accountant for MHMR of Tarrant County. She enjoys serving her community as a parent volunteer for Cub Scouts and Texas Girls’ Choir. Her leadership roles include President of CISD Education Foundation and Vice President of Membership for Castleberry Band Boosters. Erika enjoys quality family time, as well as camping, hiking, and horseback riding.

John Ramos
Superintendent of Schools 

John Ramos has been in education for 19 years and has been the Superintendent of Castleberry Independent School District for the past 3 years. He currently serves on the Executive Board for Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools (TAMS), is an active member of Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), is an active member of Texas Association of Community Schools (TACS), and a member of United Way.
John served as the Superintendent of Lamesa Independent School District and is also a native of West Texas. Mr. Ramos received his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University, a Master’s Degree from Lubbock Christian University, and is currently working on his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University.
John began his career teaching English/Language Arts and coaching in grades 8-12 before entering administration. He served as an assistant principal and principal at the middle school level, and as a principal at the high school level. In addition, he also served as the director of human resources.
Mr. Ramos’ first priority is to be a servant-leader for the children, parents, and staff at Castleberry ISD. His passion is the key ingredient in what makes Castleberry ISD thrive as they strive to become a model school district.

Alfredo Morales
Board Member 

Alfredo's main background is in business banking. Alfredo has prior military, management and mortgage experience.  Alfredo  is committed to his customers both outside and inside the companies that he has worked for.  Alfredo believes in establishing a strong foundation with ties throughout the community.  

Renee Smith-FAulkner
Vice President of Grants & Publicity/Media 

Renee is a 1982 Castleberry graduate. She holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Education from TCU and a Master's Degree in Learning Technologies from UNT. She has worked in
Castleberry ISD for 27 years and currently serves as the Associate Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. In April of 2015, the Texas Library Association (TLA) honored Renee by awarding her Administrator of the Year for the state of Texas. 

Dr. Zarina Blankenbaker
Board Member 

Dr. Zarina Blankenbaker joined Tarrant County College June 1, 2017 as the new Northwest Campus President. An accomplished leader in higher education, Dr. Blankenbaker has devoted more than 24 years to innovative leadership and learning excellence as a faculty member, advisor, financial counselor and administrator. She recently served as Executive Vice President at Richland College, the largest of seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College district. She served as the second highest-ranking administrator next to the College President.  As the Chief Learning Officer, Dr. Blankenbaker developed the College as a center for innovation in promoting student learning in a technology-enhanced environment. 

Jeanna Ratnayake
Secretary

Jeanna Ratnayake, District Manager with Aramark has nearly 20 years industry experience.  As District Manager, Jeanna supports the Aramark North Texas Education K-12 market.  During her career at Aramark, Jeanna has held positions of increasing responsibility in High Education, Healthcare and K-12 businesses.  Jeanna is known for her ability to build strong performance based relationships with her clients, evolving organizational cultures and driving outcomes to the highest levels.  She attributes  these strengths to her past leadership experiences in Aramark flagship business accounts such as Baylor University, Baylor Scott and White Healthcare System and Lewisville ISD.  In addition to her professional experience Jeanna is a passionate advocate for public education and causes benefiting children.  Jeanna has served on the Lewisville Education Foundation Evening for Education Gala Committee for 5 years and has chaired the event décor and theme committee for the past three years.  Jeanna volunteers annually to support center improvements at the Buckner Children and Family Services Center in Dallas. She has previously served on the advisory board for Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity  at Baylor University and supported their national philanthropy, CASA.  
​Jeanna has a BS in Hospitality Management and Public Relations from Kansas State University.  She resides in Trophy Club, TX with her husband, Dilshan, daughter, Claire, sons, Dylan and Andrew, and their beagle, Oso.   Her children attend Northwest ISD Schools.

Barbara walker
Board Member

Barbara has more than 25 years of experience in all facets of Public Relations. She joined EECU in January 2016 to oversee the Community Relations programs of EECU, the largest community based credit union in North Texas.
Prior to her work with EECU, she had extensive corporate communications experience with Verizon overseeing philanthropy, community relations, employee, executive & board communications, media relations regulatory & legislative communications and shareholder services. She is an Accredited Business Communicator, A.B.C., from the International Association of Business Communications, and has received national and regional awards for excellence in corporate communications. Barbara has a public relations/marketing degree from Northern Arizona University.

Allen Pennington
Board Member 

Allen is a native of River Oaks and a 5th generation Texan. He graduated from Castleberry High School in 1975. He received his B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1977, summa cum laude, with concentrations in economics and finance. In 1981, he received his J.D. (law degree) from Notre Dame, cum laude. Today, Allen is an active commercial trial lawyer in Fort Worth. 

Mike Edwards
Board Member

Mike Edwards has been in retail for over twenty-five years in the DFW area.  Mike is passionate about building connections with his customers and community.  He takes pride personally knowing his customers and volunteering within the communities he has worked.  Mike enjoys spending time with his family and friends.  Mike has been married to his wife, Julie, for twenty-four years, and has three children and one grandson. In his spare time, Mike enjoys the outdoors and watching his youngest play college volleyball.​

DeAnne Page
Treasurer 

Mrs. DeAnne Page is a graduate of the University of Phoenix where she earned both her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Master's of Business Administration.  She began her career at Dell City ISD as a Payroll/PEIMS  clerk, and finished her four year tenure as a Business Manager.  Mrs. Page has also worked at ESC Region XI in payroll as well as financial services for the Business Service Department, and also served as the CFO for Lindsey ISD.  
Mrs. Page is married to Chris, and they have three children, Michael 21, Kimberly 18, and Matthew 15.  DeAnne serves as Executive Director of Financial Services for Castleberry ISD. ​

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Marylou Martinez
Board Member

Mary Lou Martinez was born and raised in North Fort Worth.  She graduated from North Side High School. She attended Tarrant County College and Texas Wesleyan University.   She married her high school sweetheart, Tony. They have been married for 37 years and have 3 sons, 1 daughter in-law and 2 grandchildren.
As a child, Mary Lou grew up in a close knit neighborhood of Rosen Heights. She lives her passion for community & neighbors still today.  As early as elementary school Mary Lou was encouraged by her mother to participate in events. “Don’t complain, if you don’t take part in planning events." Then her mother would follow with “El que no habla, Dios no lo oye” (he who does not speak, God doesn’t hear)
Mary Lou made sure she was involved at school & church activities with her children. Her involvement led to a surprising opportunity in the years ahead.
In December 2004, Mary Lou was appointed to the Castleberry Independent School District Board of Trustees, becoming the first Hispanic to serve as a Board member for the district. She has served 14 years on the board.  During her tenure on the CISD Board; she has shared in many district accomplishments:  establishment of a JPS School based clinic to serve the medical needs of the students, successful bond election of 2010 that supported the construction of 2 new elementary schools and renovation of existing campuses.
Other community service organizations include:  Nuestro Kimbell Committee member, JPS Salud Council and past Historian for the Hispanic Women’s Network – FW Chapter, recipient of the chapters “Rising Star Award” in 2008 in recognition of community service.  She has served on the HWNT education committee.  Mary Lou is the Special Events Coordinator for North Beverly Hills Neighborhood Association since 2008 and part of the leadership team that won 2008 & 2010 “Spirit of Fort Worth” neighborhood awards and 2009 Neighborhood of the Year in the category of Revitalization by NUSA (Neighborhoods USA)
Mary Lou is employed as an outreach worker for North Texas Community Health Centers, Inc. Through her job she is able to work closely with many community members.  Mary Lou sees herself as a community advocate. Her passion is connecting those in need with assistance. She is dedicated in doing her part in supporting and serving the community.

Jarett Jackson
Board Member

Jarrett “Jay” Jackson is a Fort Worth native who has a deep passion for public service. Jay attended Southwest High School and later went on to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, TX where he got a dual degree in Political Science and Communications. During his time in college he has worked on multiple projects to improve campus life for all students, including creating a mentor program for freshman students to better learn the campus and get adjusted to student life. Jay has worked under State Representative Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass), State Representative Chris Turner (D-Arlington), and the Wendy Davis for Governor campaign, and is currently serving as a Field Representative, in Fort Worth’s own, Congressman Marc Veasey’s office. Since moving back home to Fort Worth, Jay has been deeply involved with the community he loves. He has served on the McDonald YMCA board in the heart of Southeast Fort Worth, and he has also worked with organizations like the Southeast Fort Worth Inc. and Historic Stop Six Initiative to help revitalize neighborhoods, businesses and schools. Jay has always had a passion for helping kids and hopes to continue that passion by working with the Castleberry ISD Foundation.

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We're Here for the Students of CISD

Castleberry ISD Administrators were facing the challenge of financing quality, public education.  So with the efforts of key district personnel and a core group of concerned citizens, the idea for an education foundation to support CISD came to fruition.  The education foundation concept was presented to the CISD Board of Education where it received unanimous support.  On July 27th, 2017, the Castleberry ISD Education Foundation was established as a public, non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax status kicking off its Employee Giving Campaign and a Community Meet and Greet in September of 2017. ​

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