ERS Team
Valentina Tovar Schelhaas
Valentina supports district leaders in making strategic, research-informed decisions to drive equity and improve student outcomes. Since joining in 2022, she has led and contributed to projects focused on school scheduling redesign, compensation modeling, ESSER impact analysis, and long-term strategic planning. Her recent work includes partnering with the Texas Education Agency on teacher retention analyses across ten districts and developing a principal evaluation and compensation system grounded in effectiveness. Valentina also worked with Metro Nashville Public Schools to redesign high school schedules and graduation requirements to better meet student needs, and with Dallas ISD—where she once taught—to conduct a districtwide resource equity diagnostic and surface key racial equity priorities.
Prior to ERS, Valentina was a Public Policy Fellow in the Boston Mayor’s Office, supporting initiatives like the Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools and the launch of the Children’s Cabinet. She previously taught 9th grade social studies at North Dallas High School and served as a Best-in-Class Coalition Fellow, helping diversify the teacher workforce in North Texas. She holds a B.A. in Political Science (with minors in History and Economics) from Texas A&M University and an Ed.M. in Education Policy and Analysis from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Outside of work, Valentina enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking new recipes, exploring restaurants, and traveling.
Previous Experience
Rappaport Public Policy Fellow
Boston Mayor’s Office
Public Policy Fellow
National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement
Social Studies Teacher
North Dallas High School
Best in Class Coalition Fellow
Community Foundation of Texas and Commit Partnership
Intern
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Education
B.A., Political Science
Texas A&M University
Ed.M., Education Policy and Analysis
Harvard Graduate School of Education