Our Team
From teacher assistants, master teachers, directors, and support staff, Pre-K 4 SA is a family united in a singular mission — to develop high-quality early childhood education for all children in San Antonio.
Dr. Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
Sarah Baray, Ph.D., is Chief Executive Officer of Pre-K 4 SA with more than 30 years of experience in education. Before joining Pre-K 4 SA, she was a professor at Texas State University, where she directed the Ph.D. in School Improvement program. Earlier in her career, she served as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in Austin ISD.
Dr. Baray holds a Ph.D. in Executive Public School Leadership from The University of Texas at Austin, where she also earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree. A scholar-practitioner, she focuses on educational equity and the impact of high-quality early learning on long-term outcomes. Active in the San Antonio community, she serves on several nonprofit boards and received the San Antonio Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Award in 2020.
Admin Assistant, Rachel Dickens
Larissa Wilkinson
Larrisa Wilkinson is Deputy CEO of Pre-K 4 SA and is committed to expanding access to high-quality early learning by driving strategic expansion, innovation, and systems-level growth across San Antonio’s early learning landscape. She formally served as the Director of Professional Learning and Program Innovation for Pre-K 4 SA, architecting scalable teacher credentialing pathways, overseeing grants and professional learning, and strengthening district-level and community-based early learning leadership. Prior to joining the City of San Antonio, she was the Founding Director at the University of the District of Columbia Early Childhood Lab School.
Wilkinson has also served as a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten educator in both public and charter schools in Washington, DC. Her expertise in policy, research, and practice is reflected in her success expanding access to high-quality centers, cultivating leadership capacity, and advancing systemic improvements in early education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Psychology from Trinity University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Education, Policy and Planning at The University of Texas at Austin.
Admin Assistant, Rachel Dickens
Paul Chapman
Paul Chapman is the Chief Operating Officer of Pre-K 4 SA with more than 30 years of experience in organizational leadership, system design, and communications. At Pre-K 4 SA, Paul oversees daily operations while driving long-term strategies that strengthen early childhood education across San Antonio. His work emphasizes building scalable systems, operational excellence, and community partnerships that ensure high-quality learning for all children.
Prior to joining Pre-K 4 SA, Paul served as Vice President of Strategy and Communications for San Antonio’s award-winning DoSeum, where he helped elevate the museum into a nationally recognized leader in hands-on learning. Earlier in his career, he guided Fortune 100 companies as an advertising and marketing strategist, creating high-performing campaigns that connected global brands to their audiences.
Recognized for his ability to bridge strategy with execution, Paul has dedicated his career to helping organizations grow their impact, communicate with clarity, and design systems that create lasting change.
Admin Assistant, Andres Soto
John Green-Otero
John Green-Otero’s career spans roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, district administrator, leadership coach, national speaker, and education consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and certification in neuro-sequential models in education.
Green-Otero’s expertise includes equity of access, innovation, brain-based pedagogy, and collective impact. He has served on numerous advisory councils and boards including Partners in Education, Any Given Child, and was vice-chair of the city of Austin’s Early Childhood Council. At Pre-K 4 SA, he focuses on creating innovative, developmentally safe learning environments that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and equitable opportunities for all children.
Admin Assistant, Charnise Johnson
Tonda Brown
Tonda Brown began her career as a sixth-grade teacher with Austin Independent School District before transitioning to early childhood education, where she taught pre-kindergarten for 10 years. She later advanced into leadership roles, partnering with community organizations and launching an Early Childhood Department at Manor Independent School District.
Brown joined Pre-K 4 SA as Director of the East Education Center before moving into her current role. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Guidance and Counseling, a Master’s degree in Education with Principal certification from the University of North Texas, and an Early Childhood endorsement from Huston-Tillotson University. Brown has been recognized as Manor ISD Administrator of the Year, received the Early Learning Together Award for work with children with special needs, and was honored by United Way of Austin. She also serves on the board of Avance San Antonio.
Admin Assistant, Charnise Johnson
Gina Apostolou
Gina Yvette Apostolou leads with a focus on high-quality early childhood education and strong family partnerships. She joined Pre-K 4 SA in 2023 as a Professional Learning Specialist after more than a decade with Austin ISD as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development with Honors from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas State University. Apostolou is dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences for young children and cultivating a school community that supports both students and their families.
Admin Assistant, Yolanda A-Galvan
Patricia Betancourt
Patricia Betancourt oversees daily operations, staff development, and program implementation at the West Education Center. Since joining Pre-K 4 SA in 2013, she has played a key role in instructional leadership, family engagement, and accreditation.
She began her career as a Head Start teacher with San Antonio ISD and later advanced into leadership roles at Pre-K 4 SA. De Saro earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master’s in Education Leadership and Policy Studies, both from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She also holds certifications in Principalship, Bilingual Education, and EC–4 Generalist.
Admin Assistant, Diana Vigil
Monica Gonzalez
Monica Mojica Gonzalez brings more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, beginning her career working with infants and toddlers before teaching in Head Start programs. She joined Pre-K 4 SA in 2013 as one of its first Master Teachers and went on to serve as an Instructional Specialist supporting educators in implementing the HighScope curriculum. Today, as Head of School for the South Education Center, she leads with a focus on fostering a nurturing, engaging, and collaborative environment for young learners and their families.
A first-generation college graduate, Gonzalez holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education through 4th grade and a master’s degree in Leadership. Her expertise in the HighScope curriculum and dedication to empowering educators define her leadership approach. She is passionate about building strong relationships with children, families, and staff to create meaningful early learning experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Admin Assistant, Cynthia Hernandez
Eusebio H. Gonzalez
Eusebio H. Gonzalez brings more than 20 years of experience in education, having served as a middle school math teacher, curriculum implementation specialist, and academy assistant principal. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Mathematics from the University of the Incarnate Word and a Master’s degree in School Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
His passion for early childhood education stems from his belief that the foundation for lifelong learning and achievement begins in the earliest years of schooling.
Admin Assistant, Jennifer Patlan
Cashelle Johnson, Ph.D.
Cashelle Johnson, Ph.D., brings nearly 20 years of experience as an educator and certified instructional leader. She has extensive expertise in educational administration, curriculum development, staff collaboration, and fostering a school culture of continuous improvement. A strong communicator and team builder, Dr. Johnson is dedicated to supporting teachers and promoting multicultural awareness to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning.
Dr. Johnson earned a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of the Incarnate Word and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Capella University. She holds Texas certifications in Principalship (EC–12), Generalist (EC–4), and Special Education (EC–4). She is an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Passionate about early education, she believes it lays the foundation for lifelong success by shaping children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
David Villareal
Joe De La Rosa
Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
Paul Aleman
Larrisa Wilkinson
Paul Chapman
Gina Apostolou
Patricia Betancourt
Tonda Brown
Monica Gonzalez
John R. Green-Otero, M.Ed
Manuela Haberer
Cashelle Johnson, Ph.D.
Joe De La Rosa
David Villareal
