Meet the A+UP Team
Administration
Paul Castro, Superintendent
pcastro@aplusup.org
Paul Castro is the superintendent and founder of A+ Unlimited Potential Charter School. In his 26-year career, he has taught high school English, been the principal of four schools in Houston ISD and worked at KIPP Houston as ahead of schools. Three of his HISD schools earned Recognized status from the state. The fourth was a turnaround school that had failed for 5 years. Paul and his team were able to improve the academic achievement enough to get the school out of Improvement Required in one year. As a kid, Paul grew up moving around a lot and got swallowed up by the school system. As an educator, he committed that his schools would be places that cared about each kid and helped them be their best. A+UP is where Paul’s passion for blending personal development meets his drive to achieve academic growth for all kids. There, Paul and his team of dedicated educators are committed to the work of helping middle schoolers become their best selves and meet their personal unlimited potential. When he’s not hanging out with his three kids, Paul is a wannabe chef who makes great enchiladas and enviable gumbo.
Kap McWhorter, Principal
kmcwhorter@aplusup.org
With over 17 years of education experience as both teacher and administrator, Kap has been able to empower students to change their lives and achieve meaningful impact in their local and global communities. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Theology from Houston Baptist University (HBU). He proceeded to obtain his Master’s in Arts and Theological studies from HBU as well. His career began in ministry and includes work within small churches, local non-profit organizations, and humanitarian relief in Mozambique and Malawi, Africa. Shortly after his time in Africa, Kap began his teaching career as a speech teacher for Humble ISD and launched a new class called Social Action. This course provided tools for students to become involved in making a difference in their communities and opportunities to serve abroad. After successfully launching the Social Action course, he became the Service-Learning Coordinator for 6 years, creating service opportunities for all students for the entire district. For the past four years, he has had the privilege of being the Campus Principal at A+UP. He loves how A+UP is like a family, working directly with students and parents. When he’s not working, he is spending time with his own family. He is married to his college sweetheart, Wendy, and has two sons, Knox and Max, and a daughter named Camille. Fun fact: Kap started a nonprofit organization called Finding Heroes. The goal of this organization is to assist other school districts in launching social action courses.
lschuhmann@aplusup.org
Laura Schuhmann is a veteran educator joining the A+ UP team full-time this year after several years of working with Coaches at A+ UP as a consultant. She has had a wide range of experiences in over 30 years in education, starting as a middle school reading teacher. She taught high school English and speech before becoming a school administrator. Laura has been an assistant principal at both middle school and high school. She has also been an Associate Principal, an Accountability Administrator, and a Middle School Principal (for 12 years). She has multiple years of experience working with teachers, leading innovative programs, and working to develop campus leadership. Her most recent roles include working with schools to improve their state accountability. The most impactful experience Laura has had in her career was participation in a summer leadership program for school administrators through the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Laura is passionate about the power of education and believes every student can grow. She is honored to be able to help A+ UP achieve its goals. On a personal note, Laura is originally from New York. She is married and loves to travel, ski, hike, and cook.
Laura Schuhmann,
Chief Academic Officer
Terrie has worked across multiple industries giving her a broad experience base to call upon. She has worked as a corporate travel agent, operations manager of a packing company, and event coordinator, and has even owned her own (Hawaiian themed) food truck, Mahalo Munchies. Her customer service and business operation skills have been honed over the last 30 years.
Terrie is currently the business operations manager, finance manager and recruiter for A+UP. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.
Terrie Roberts,
Business Operations Manager
Mariah Ochoa, Data Specialist
Mariah Ochoa is the Data Specialist for A+UP. She describes herself as a data nerd with an intense passion for education. She recently completed her Master’s in Data Science & Statistics at the University of Houston. Mariah is ecstatic about utilizing her skills to enhance and personalize education here at A+ UP. In her free time, she enjoys coding, playing video games, or going to parks. Her dream is to set students up for success regardless of the obstacles before them. She says she is living the dream at A+UP.
I am so excited to be joining a family where Unlimited Potential is the mindset. I am finishing my 24th year of service to Houston City school-age children (12 years at the Project GRAD-HISD partnership, 8 years at YES Prep Public Schools, and 4 years in child nutrition/various charter schools); now I am looking forward to working the A+UP virtues for many more years to come. I am married to my biggest fan in my career development, Tharon, and we have 3 children – Karis, Ethan, and Tatum. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where all of my family still resides, but I chose to move to Houston in 1997 to receive a graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Houston and made this my home. When I’m not working, you can find me traveling with my family, enjoying karaoke get-togethers, or enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal (not made by me)! I look forward to meeting and working with everyone!
Nakita Johnson,
Student Services Manager
Kendall Benford-Ijeoma
Front Office
kbenford @aplusup.org
Kendal Benford is a welcoming face as you enter the campus. She has a background in early childhood development which allows her to be sympathetic, great at multitasking, and managing. Effective conversation with student and parent is her top priority. Seeing the Scholar grow into young adults is the highlight of her job.
Jennifer Bunch,
Support - After-School Programs
jbunch @aplusup.org
Jennifer Bunch is the After School Program Director for A+UP. Jennifer has been a program director in many settings, as well as an A+UP parent. Her shared experience gives a unique perspective and allows her to plan and prepare for tutorial and enrichment programs that best suit our families. In addition to organizing and planning effective tutorial programs, she approaches enrichment options with a focus on wellness and fun.
Jennifer was a college athlete. This instilled in her the importance of being on a team and staying active. The lessons she learned on competitive teams are what guide her in the development of programs that help our scholars feel a sense of belonging and accomplishment. Our after-school programs are designed to help students stay engaged and have fun while tutors deliver targeted academic support aligned with individual student needs, high-quality curriculum and instruction, and the regular school day.
Coaches
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Drew Campbell
SOCIAL STUDIES TEAM
dcampbell@aplusup.org -
Jeremiah Dozier
LITERACY TEAM
jdozier@aplusup.org -
Le’Shari Ecby
STUDENT NEEDS TEAM
lecby@aplusup.org -
Rohn Fisher
MATH TEAM
dfisher@aplusup.org -
Kayla Hartman
SUPPORT TEAM
khartman@aplusup.org -
Latrice Leonard
STUDENT NEEDS TEAM
lleonard@aplusup.org -
Andy Lui
MATH TEAM
alui@aplusup.org -
Kap McWhorter
STUDENT NEEDS TEAM
kmcwhorter@aplusup.org -
Bree Murray
MATH TEAM
bmurray@aplusup.org -
Kushia Perry
LITERACY TEAM
kperry@aplusup.org -
Karen Walker
STUDENT NEEDS TEAM
kwalke@aplusup.org -
Chelsea White
ART TEAM
cwhite@aplusup.org -
Merit Youssef
SCIENCE TEAM
myoussef@aplusup.org
Board of Directors
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Kathy Welch
BOARD PRESIDENT
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Jess Arnold
BOARD SECRETARY
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Stephen Amante
BOARD TREASURER
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Michael McDonough
BOARD TRUSTEE
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Tom Elsenbrook
BOARD TRUSTEE
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Elbert Johnson
BOARD TRUSTEE
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June 18. 2024
May 21, 2024
April 30, 2024
March 26, 2024
February 20, 2024
May 16, 2023
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January 24, 2023
December 20, 2022
November 15, 2022
September 20, 2022
August 16, 2022
June 21, 2022
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April 19, 2022
March 1, 2022
January 18, 2022
November 16, 2021
November 3, 2021
October 19, 2021
September 21, 2021
August 17, 2021
July 14, 2021
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June 2, 2021
May 20, 2021
April 7, 2021
March 12, 2021
March 3, 2021
March 1, 2021
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January 6, 2021
December 16, 2020
December 2, 2020
November 30, 2020
November 12, 2020
October 7, 2020
September 9, 2020
September 2, 2020
July 22, 2020
July 16, 2020
June 18, 2020
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February 20, 2024
Contact us.
info@aplusup.org
713.955.7587
2410 Hamilton Street
Houston, TX 77004