Emily Neal has joined the FotoFest staff as the new Coordinator of Literacy Through Photography. 

She has had experience teaching and administering  the Literacy Through Photography curriculum since 1996 when she was the Bilingual Instructional Specialist for a Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.  She has both teaching and administrative experience within Texas public schools and has also taught and developed programs for a private school in Unidad Educativa de Pasteje in Mexico. 

In 1984 and 1990 she was awarded Teacher of the Year for her school and in 1990 was one of three finalists for district Secondary Teacher of the Year in Fort Bend Independent School District.  Her administrative work with the Volunteers In Public Schools led to recognition by the City of Sugar Land which declared May 11, 2000 as “Emily Neal Day” for her work for children.

In 2000 – 2005, she joined her husband’s business organization to help him prepare for a required JD Powers audit.  She led a strategic plan initiative to strengthen both internal and external infrastructure within the business in order to increase productivity and customer service.  The J D Powers audit resulted in a perfect score.  During this time customer service ratings were increased, employee educational certifications were completed, and the business won numerous awards. The business was ultimately sold and Emily facilitated the transition of the organization to the new ownership.

In 2007, Emily Neal began teaching again with at-risk children at Velasquez Elementary School in Lamar Independent School District.  She used the Literacy Through Photography curriculum to address the socio-emotional and academic needs of her students who were in the 1st  through 5th grades.