Meet the A+UP Team

Leadership Team

A middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard smiling, wearing a dark blazer over a checkered shirt, standing against a neutral background.

Kap McWhorter,
Superintendent

KMcWhorter@ aplusup.org

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Kap McWhorter serves as Superintendent of A+ Unlimited Potential (A+UP), a Houston public charter school dedicated to helping students reach their full potential through personalized learning, strong relationships, and real-world experiences.
Kap has spent the past nine years at A+UP, serving as Principal, Head of Schools, and now Superintendent. During his tenure, he has helped lead the growth of A+UP from a small middle school into a unique secondary school model serving student through both middle and high school. Under his leadership, A+UP has built a culture of high expectations and personal connection while achieving strong academic results, including three academic distinctions at the middle school and an A rating with six academic distinctions at the high school from Texas Education Agency (TEA). A+UP High School also provides every student with access to college coursework, professional internships, and a pathway to earn an associate degree or industry certification before graduation.
Kap hold a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Theology and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Houston Baptist University. His career in education began as a speech teacher, where he developed a passion for helping students discover their purpose, and use their gifts to make a difference in their communities.

Is married to his college sweetheart, Wendy, and they have three children, Knox, Max, and Camille. He is passionate about building schools where students are known, challenged, supported, and prepared to lead lives of purpose.

A smiling woman with braces, wearing a denim jacket and sitting outdoors with greenery in the background.
Professional headshot of a smiling African American man with a beard, wearing a blue blazer and red shirt against a gray background.

lleonard@ aplusup.org

Serving children has always been my passion and purpose. From a young age, I felt a deep calling to serve, uplift, and guide young people toward becoming the best versions of themselves. This calling led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Sociology with a focus on Adolescent Development. My graduate work centered around how civic engagement and mentorship can serve as powerful tools to prevent youth delinquency, deepening my commitment to supporting young people through meaningful relationships and community connection.
My vision has always been to be a vessel of love, service, and purpose, impacting change in ways that honor God and uplift others. I strive to lead with compassion, listen with empathy, and act with unwavering dedication, especially in spaces where resources are limited and hope is most needed.
When I found A+ Unlimited Potential, I immediately knew it was where I was meant to be. The mission, vision, and culture of the school aligned seamlessly with my core beliefs and my passion for serving youth. For nearly seven years, I have had the honor of working in almost every capacity across our campus. Each role has allowed me to pour into our students, build strong relationships with families, and contribute to a learning environment rooted in love, equity, and high expectations.
I believe that life is fragile and time is sacred, so I live and lead with intention. My greatest strength is showing up fully and authentically for those I serve. At A+UP, I am committed to continuing this journey of service, empowerment, and transformation, helping every student believe in their potential and build a future they can be proud of.

LaTrice Leonard,
Principal

Dwayne McCarty,

Assistant Principal

& Assessment Coordinator

DMcCarty@ aplusup.org

With over 15 years in education, Coach McCarty has established himself as a passionate leader, innovator, and advocate for student success. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Coach McCarty is widely recognized as a turnaround specialist, having led the transformation of three schools previously identified as “Needs Improvement.” He is also the author of Keys to Academic Intervention, a resource equipping educators with proven strategies for at-risk students.

Guided by the belief that every student can learn regardless of ethnicity, background, or circumstance, Mr. McCarty brings a wealth of knowledge in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and academic intervention. His mission is to ensure that all students are challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Terrie Roberts,

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troberts@ aplusup.org

Terrie brings a wealth of experience across industries, giving her a unique perspective and a versatile skill set. Her career has included corporate travel, business and operations management for a multimillion-dollar packaging company, and corporate event planning, where she coordinated large-scale events. She also owned and operated her own Hawaiian-themed food truck, Mahalo Munchies. Each experience strengthened her customer service expertise and her ability to manage complex operations with creativity, resourcefulness, and grit. And here’s a little secret—Terrie is also a former professional athlete. Ask her about it sometime; you’ll get a great story!

Today, Terrie serves as the Business and Operations Manager for A+UP Charter School, helping keep the heartbeat of the school running smoothly. Her responsibilities span finance, human resources, enrollment, facilities, technology, procurement, and campus safety. Terrie brings a practical approach, a creative spirit, and a deep commitment to the school community.

Business & Operations Manager, Director of Enrollment and Finance Lead

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Kendall Benford-Ijeoma
Registrar, Student Data (PEIMs)

kbenford@ aplusup.org

When you walk through the middle school doors at A+UP, the first smiling face you’re likely to see is Kendall Benford. She began her journey with us as a receptionist and, through her dedication and talent, has grown into an indispensable part of our team.
With a background in early childhood development, Kendall brings patience, empathy, and strong organizational skills to her role. She has a natural ability to multitask and manage the many moving pieces of a busy campus while keeping both parents and students at ease. Clear, effective communication is always her top priority, ensuring that families feel welcomed and supported every step of the way.
For Kendall, the greatest joy of her work is watching scholars grow into confident young adults—knowing she plays a part in their journey from the very first “hello” at the front desk.

Christine Guidry
School Lunch Program Lead and Front Office - High School

CGuidry@ aplusup.org

Christine Guidry comes to us from A+UP’s afterschool program. Her compassion for our students, and her background as a paralegal made her the perfect fit to head up the new high school.

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A woman with short gray hair smiling, wearing a light green top, a black cardigan, and a silver cross necklace, standing against a dark background.

Knox McWhorter,
Administrative Assistant

KnoxMcWhorter@ aplusup.org

Knox comes to us as a student from Sam Houston University.

Coaches

  • Drew Campbell

    HISTORY TEAM
    Middle School
    Coach Drew
    dcampbell@ aplusup.org

  • Ashley Darden

    MATH TEAM
    Coach Darden
    adarden@ aplusup.org

  • Sarah Delgado

    MATH TEAM
    Middle School
    Coach Sarah
    sdelgado@ aplusup.org

  • Matthew Edoho

    History Team
    High School
    Coach Matthew Edoho
    MEdoho@ aplusup.org

  • Marchello "Chello" Gothe

    PHYS ED. TEAM
    & BASKETBALL COACH
    Coach Chello
    mgothe@ aplusup.org

  • David Hill

    SECURITY
    Campus Wide
    dhill@ aplusup.org

  • Everett Johnson

    ART TEAM
    CoachJohnson
    evjohnson@ aplusup.org

  • Ingrid Kelley

    SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM
    Coach Ingrid
    ikelley@ aplusup.org

  • Jose Laguna

    SPANISH TEAM
    Coach Laguna
    jlaguna@ aplusup.org

  • Bree Murray

    MATH TEAM
    Middle & High Schools
    Coach Bree
    bmurray@ aplusup.org

  • Brandon Parker

    SCIENCE
    High School
    Coach Parker
    bparker@ aplusup.org

  • Daesha Parker

    Houston Community College Assistant
    High School
    Coach Day
    dparker@ aplusup.org

  • Akilah "KiKi" Prince

    SCIENCE TEAM
    MIddle School
    Coach KiKi
    aprince@ aplusup.org

  • Tezlynn Tillmon

    ENGLISH TEAM
    Middle School
    Coach Tillmon
    TTillmon@ aplusup.org

  • Argelia Venegas

    English Team
    Coach V
    avenagas@ aplusup.org

Board of Directors

  • Stephen Amante

    BOARD TREASURER

  • Jess Arnold

    BOARD SECRETARY

  • Tom Elsenbrook

    BOARD TRUSTEE

  • Elbert Johnson

    BOARD TRUSTEE

  • Greg Sangalis

    BOARD TRUSTEE

  • Kathy Welch

    BOARD PRESIDENT

  • Chris Wolski

    BOARD TRUSTEE

Contact us.

information @aplusup.org
713.955.7557

2410 Hamilton Street
Houston, TX 77004