Governor Greg Abbott has announced the appointment of three individuals to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). Heather “Hex” Lightfoot has been reappointed, while Gregorio Mata and Oscar Ocuto, Ed.D., have been appointed as new members. Their terms will last until January 31, 2031. The board is responsible for overseeing all services at TSD, including budget preparation, policy adoption, and appointing the superintendent.
Heather “Hex” Lightfoot from Austin is a mother of three children with varying hearing abilities and an advocate for Deaf and DeafBlind Texans. She works as a transition consultant on the Texas Deafblind Project and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Deaf Children. Lightfoot holds a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Gallaudet University and a Master of Education in special education with a focus on orientation and mobility from Texas Tech University.
Gregorio Mata, based in Edinburg, works as an operations and data associate at Activating Change. He participates in the Texas School for the Deaf District Advisory Committee and volunteers as a team lead for the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential. Mata earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Gallaudet University and his Master of Public Administration from Lamar University.
Oscar Ocuto, Ed.D., from Manchaca, is an assistant professor of Education at Gallaudet University. He is involved with several organizations including the National Association of the Deaf, American Association of University Professors, and serves on the Gallaudet University Faculty Development Committee. Ocuto received his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English and a Master’s degree in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University; he also holds a Doctorate in Deaf Education from Lamar University.
