Strategic Partners and Advisory Firm for the Texas Education Market
We are a bipartisan strategic advisory firm working with government leaders, school districts, and education technology providers to strengthen public education in Texas.
Our current initiative around effective use of technology in public schools
RTE is advancing the effective, responsible use of technology in schools across the United States, through an independent framework and bipartisan model legislation for how technology serves every child, in every classroom.
Our Leadership Team
Mike Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Mike’s extensive career in the U.S. education publishing, technology, and curriculum market spans over 30 years of senior-level sales and marketing experience, Mike has held C- Suite positions in seed stage, growth stage, and established education companies like School Specialty, Scholastic , iLearn and as a key partner of consulting firms Focus Marketing and Education Market Experts. He specialized in growing sales revenues by expanding market presence, developing distribution channels, and creating competitive sales and marketing strategies to startup and global education companies. He also serves as a trusted advisor in sales and marketing for innovative ed-tech companies and currently serves on the Expert Panel with the Education Research and Development Institute, SXSW Launch Advisory Panel, Start Ed Mentor, BETT-London Global Presenter in 2025 and Managing Principal of US Education Advisory Group.
As founder and CEO of Texas Education Alliance, Mike brings his leadership and deep expertise, knowledge in the Texas market to help education companies navigate the nuances of strategic business development, state and district relationships, government affairs, and state agency processes that are unique to the great state (country) of Texas.
Mike and his family live in Austin, TX and have a deep passion for the state and the city of Austin that includes raising his children in Texas public schools, playing shortstop for a local sandlot baseball team or spending time at the family ranch in Spicewood, TX.
Jennifer Stevens
President
Jennifer Stevens is a passionate advocate for education reform, representing educational organizations, ed-tech companies, private schools, and nonprofit child advocacy groups, including Texas Against Fentanyl, Moms for America, The Tucker Project, Coaches vs. Overdoses, National Child ID, and Charles Haley’s Tackle Tomorrow. Her work is centered on strengthening the nation’s educational landscape while ensuring children receive a values-driven, high-quality education in safe and healthy learning environments.
A recognized leader in education policy and regulatory advocacy, Jennifer has played a key role in securing equitable funding, modernizing curriculum standards, and advancing legislation that supports families and communities impacted by the fentanyl crisis. Her commitment to reform is driven by a belief that schools should prioritize academic excellence, parental involvement, and student well-being.
Jennifer works extensively at both the state and federal levels, collaborating with lawmakers to advance policies related to curriculum standards, school accountability, school choice, and early childhood education. Her influence extends across Texas and into numerous other states, where she helps mobilize stakeholders and build coalitions for meaningful, lasting change.
Dr. Cristina Meléndez
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Cristina Meléndez is a strategic advisor and urban education expert who helps companies, nonprofits, philanthropic funders, and government agencies navigate the complexity of large public school systems — and translate that access into lasting impact.
As former Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, Dr. Meléndez held senior leadership responsibility across one of the most consequential and hardest-to-reach institutions in American public life. She led district-wide initiatives, forged cross-sector partnerships with philanthropy, technology, and nonprofit leaders, and built the operational and political relationships that move work forward in urban school systems.
Through Beyond Limits Consulting, she brings that insider expertise to clients who need more than market intelligence they need a trusted guide. Whether advising an edtech company on district entry strategy, helping a foundation sharpen its urban education portfolio, or positioning an organization for City Hall engagement, Dr. Meléndez offers the credibility, relationships, and strategic clarity that accelerate results.
Dr. Meléndez holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, two Master’s degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
Wendy Erikson
Strategic Advisor - Events & Higher Education
Wendy Erikson leads event strategy and creative marketing for the Texas Education Alliance, designing the intimate, high-end gatherings that bring K-12 decision makers together with EdTech executives. She brings 15+ years of experience across education, EdTech, and media - with a track record of building events that offer new insights, new connections, different perspectives and engaging experiences.
Before joining TEA, Wendy founded Expert Atlas, a platform connecting EdTech companies with higher education leaders through curated in-person and virtual programming. Earlier in her career, she led partnerships and events for Penske Media Corporation, SXSW EDU, ASU & LA Tech Week, Pearson, Strategic Education, the University of Chicago, and the University of Michigan Executive Education - where she built thought leadership programs across LATAM and Europe. She also negotiated and launched Camp MasterChef in partnership with Endemol Shine, the production company behind MasterChef and MasterChef Junior.
Wendy holds an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona and a BA in Finance and Political Science from DePaul University. She is a Certified Digital Event Strategist (PCMA), speaks fluent Spanish, and is an empty nester turned digital nomad.
Our Affiliated Initiative
RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Technology should make classrooms safer, smarter, and more human. Responsible Technology in Education works with districts, educators, and edtech providers to put ethics, student privacy, and wellbeing at the center of how technology is chosen and used in schools.
From model legislation to on-the-ground guidance for school leaders, RTE helps turn responsible-use principles into policy and practice that works for every student, family, and community.
Model legislation and policy for responsible technology in schools
Guidance for districts adopting AI and new edtech
Student data privacy and digital wellbeing
Partnerships between schools and responsible providers
Boots on the ground!
We spend every day with our pulse on the Texas Education Market.
With over 100+ years of our collective experience in Texas politics and understanding current school district priorities, we provide strategic positioning, state representation and advisory recommendations for the Texas Education Market.