KDAC Advisory Council

Aarolyn J. Casillas is a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education with more than 30 years of experience advancing equity, child welfare, and family empowerment. A relentless advocate for children’s rights, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that every child—especially gifted and talented minority boys—has the opportunity to thrive in inclusive, nurturing learning environments. 

As the founder and CEO of Aarolyn’s Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to early education advocacy and community service, Aarolyn has mobilized educators, policymakers, and families to reimagine equitable early learning. Her leadership extends from classrooms to legislative halls, where she has shaped child welfare reform, drafted trauma-informed policy, and secured federal funding to sustain programs that change lives. 

A certified CASA/Guardian Ad Litem, Aarolyn brings a trauma-informed, equity-centered lens to her work, standing alongside children and families navigating systemic barriers. She has designed and led programs such as Birth-to-Three, Early Intervention, SEL, and Home Visitation, integrating culturally responsive leadership, multilingual learner support, and innovative gifted identification strategies. 

Her scholarship and publications on equity in gifted education and child welfare policy continue to influence national conversations. Her symposium presentation, Rooted in Resilience: Trauma-Informed Best Practices, has become a touchstone for educators and advocates alike. 

Aarolyn has been a member of KDP since 2008. Aarolyn’s impact is amplified through her service on multiple boards and professional honor societies, including Kappa Delta Pi’s Knowledge Development Advisory Council, Golden Key International Honor Society, and the Council for Exceptional Children. She is also a board member for Prevent Child Abuse America and elected board member for Prevent Child Abuse Hawai’i. 

Currently pursuing her PhD in Early Childhood Education at Walden University, Aarolyn’s research focuses on the early identification of gifted and talented minority boys. For her, this work is more than a profession—it is her calling. Whether advancing trauma-informed legislation, mentoring emerging leaders, or championing equity in early education, Aarolyn is unwavering in her pursuit of a future where every child’s potential—especially that of gifted minority boys—is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated. 

Citlalli Franco is a second-grade bilingual teacher in Texas with a passion for empowering others and creating meaningful change. A graduate of Angelo State University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2023 and has been teaching for two years. 

Citlalli has been an active member of Kappa Delta Pi for four years and currently serves on KDAC, now in her second year. During her tenure as president of the Mu Gamma chapter at Angelo State, she was recognized as a Distinguished Chapter Officer in 2023 for exemplary leadership and dedication. 

Committed to advocating for those who feel unheard, Citlalli brings compassion, determination, and a unique perspective to KDAC. She strives to foster equity and inclusion both in the classroom and in the community. 

Alzahraa Mady is a committed STEM educator with more than 12 years of experience teaching high school physics and chemistry. She is currently pursuing an EdD in Instructional Technology at the American College of Education. Alzahraa holds a Master of Education in STEM Education and is certified as a STEM Educator. She has taught students in Texas, Florida, Qatar, and Egypt, integrating technology and innovative teaching methods to foster academic success and student engagement. 

Her teaching philosophy revolves around delivering clear and effective instruction tailored to diverse student needs. She focuses on creating an inclusive learning environment through differentiation, hands-on experiments, and engaging lesson plans. Alzahraa also supports students’ academic growth outside the classroom through tutoring, enrichment opportunities, and extracurricular involvement. 

In addition to her teaching duties, Alzahraa actively contributes to professional communities, holding memberships in Kappa Delta Pi, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Association for Science Teacher Education. She is dedicated to continuous growth in her field, attending professional development events and collaborating with colleagues to enhance teaching practices. 

Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh is a force in education—an advocate, innovator, and visionary leader dedicated to reshaping classrooms into spaces where every student feels valued and every educator feels empowered. A National Board Certified Teacher, professor of teacher education, and international speaker, Michelle has spent over two decades at the intersection of equity, engagement, and educator well-being, transforming learning experiences for teachers and students alike.

As a Jamaican immigrant, Michelle knows firsthand what it means to navigate a system that wasn’t built with everyone in mind. That personal journey—filled with both struggle and resilience—has fueled her life's work: creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments where no student feels unseen and no teacher feels depleted. She is the founder and CEO of LCT-E Learning Solutions®, an educational consulting firm that has equipped over 45,000 educators and leaders worldwide with strategies for fostering empathy, equity, and excellence in the classroom.

Through her groundbreaking EQUAL Methodology™, Michelle has helped schools reimagine their approach to student engagement—particularly for historically excluded learners. At the same time, her Restful Teacher® and Empty 2 Empowered™ programs are revolutionizing the way educators and leaders approach self-care, ensuring that the very people shaping the future of education are no longer running on empty. 

Michelle’s impact extends far beyond the K-20 classroom. She has shaped international conversations through her contributions in Edutopia, Education Week, and ASCD, reviewed and secured funding for high-impact educational initiatives, and held leadership roles with organizations such as Kappa Delta Pi and Microsoft Education. A sought-after speaker, she has taken the stage at leading conferences, including International Society for Technology in Education, National Council for Teachers of English, and Learning Forward, championing the intersection of AI, inclusivity, and teacher well-being.

Her work is more than a career—it’s a calling. Whether mentoring emerging educators, developing AI-driven equity strategies, or coaching women education leaders, Michelle is relentless in her pursuit of a more just, engaged, and empowered educational system.