Kay comes to Shorkey with a vast experience in the educational arena with more than 24 years of experience. Kay recently resigned her position with the University of Texas System in Austin. She worked as a Reading Technical Assistant for The Institute for Public School Initiatives. Kay has worked with more than 60 school districts and 300 schools in her job duties as a consultant and trainer. Kay has provided professional development and training for educators across the country. She has coordinated teams of consultants and worked at the local, state, and national level on projects to support schools with federal and local funding implementations.

Kay enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She stays very busy volunteering and going to school to further her education. Kay is a life- long resident of Nederland, Kay is married to husband Bruce DeCuir who has been employed employed twenty-five years with Nederland Independent School District. Kay has two children. Kasey Tanner, daughter, age 25 currently works for Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas as a Speech Pathologist. Kirby Tanner, son, age 19 attends Lamar University where he is majoring in Biology with a minor in Music. Kirby is planning to attend Parker Chiropractic College in one year.

Kay is a graduate of Nederland High School and Lamar University.

Education:

• Graduate of Nederland High School, Nederland, Texas (1981)
• Graduate of Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, (2009) Masters in Education, Graduate of Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, (1985) with B.S. Elementary Education and Generic
• Special Education K-12
• Recipient of Will L. Smith Scholarship, Outstanding Senior Work (1985)
• Lions Club International Exchange Student
• Graduate work at St. Thomas University, Houston, Texas, Dyslexia, Spelling Situation, and Alphabetic Phonics
• Currently working on M.Ed. at Lamar Academic Partnership, Beaumont, Texas
• Worked with Texas Education Agency in partnership with UT System
• Worked with Children’s Learning Institution, Health Science Center UT System, Houston.
• Worked with Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts, Division of University of Texas, Austin
• Worked in partnership with USA Today

Memberships and Organizations:

• First Baptist Church, 1983-present (Personnel Committee Member)
• International Feed the Children Mission
• National Staff Development Council- 2005-2006
• National Council Teachers of Mathematics, 1999- 2009
• Member of National Educators Association 1985- present
• Member of Texas State Teachers Association 1985- present
• Texas Association of Curriculum and Development, 1999- present
• International Reading Association, 1998-present
• Association of Compensatory Educators, 1999-present
• National Association of Partners in Education- 1998-present
• Council for Exceptional Students, 1983- present
• Parent Teacher Association, 1983- 2008
• Member of Texas Real Estate Commission 2007- present
• Member of National REALTORS Association 2007-present
• Member of Mid-County Board of REALTORS 2007-present
• Member of Orange County Board of REALTORS -2007 present
• Member of Beaumont Board of REALTORS 2007- present