Kay came to Shorkey Center with a vast experience in the educational arena with more than 27 years of experience. Kay resigned her position with the University of Texas System in Austin to come to work at Shorkey Center. She worked as a Reading Technical Assistant for The Institute for Public School Initiatives and then as a Response To Intervention Coordinator for Regions V and VI in Texas. 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 twenty-nine years with Nederland Independent School District. Kay has two children. Kasey Tanner-Vernon, daughter, age 29 works for Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas as a Speech Pathologist. Kirby Tanner, son, age 23 attends Parker Chiropractic University in Dallas, Texas.

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
• Graduate work at St. Thomas University, Houston, Texas, Dyslexia, Spelling Situation, and Alphabetic Phonics
• Worked with Texas Education Agency in partnership with UT System
• Worked as a  University of Texas Systems Administrator- Deparment of Public School Initiatives
• 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:

• Texas Association of School Board - 2011- present
• Nederland ISD School Board Member - 2011- present
• Texas Real Estate Broker- 2010- present
• Nederland Chamber of Commerce- Individual
• Beaumont Chamber of Commerce- Shorkey
• Advisory Board Member of SMORE- Single Moms Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered- 2011-present
• 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
• 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 Beaumont Board of REALTORS 2007- present
• Women's Council of Realtors
• First Baptist Church, 1983-present
• International Feed the Children Mission