Student Solutions Team

Denise serves as Manager of TASB Student Solutions, where she leads a dynamic and innovative team committed to helping school districts navigate compliance requirements, strengthen programs for special populations, and improve organizational effectiveness. Drawing on extensive experience across multiple educational roles, she brings a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges districts face in meeting the diverse needs of students.

Denise specializes in program reviews, executive coaching, and professional development. She utilizes these activities to partner with district leaders to enhance systems, streamline processes, and implement practical solutions that enable educators to focus on what matters most: student success. She brings a collaborative approach and strategic perspective to helping school leaders address complex challenges while building effective, student-centered practices that support positive outcomes for all learners.

Denise joined TASB in 2019 and enjoys working with districts across Texas to strengthen programs, foster continuous improvement, and support leadership effectiveness. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, a Master of Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

Contact: denise.carter@tasb.org

Karlyn Keller is director of Student Solutions, where she leads a team of education professionals who partner with school districts to strengthen services for students with disabilities and other special populations. Her work focuses on helping district leaders improve programs, address operational and compliance challenges, and implement practical systems that support both students and staff.

Keller brings more than 30 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, school counselor, educational diagnostician, campus administrator, director of special populations programs, and assistant superintendent in both traditional and charter schools. Her areas of expertise include special education program review, workload and staffing analysis, organizational effectiveness, capacity building, and School Health and Related Services (SHARS) in Texas. She joined TASB in 2015.

Keller earned a Doctor of Education from the University of North Texas. She also holds master’s degrees in educational administration and gifted and talented education from the University of North Texas, as well as special education and counseling from Texas A&M University–Commerce. She earned a bachelor’s degree in cross-cultural communication from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and a bachelor’s degree in education, with concentrations in special education and psychology.

Contact at karlyn.keller@tasb.org.

Mary McFarlin is a Senior Consultant with Student Solutions, where she partners with school districts to strengthen programs, improve operational efficiency, and support student success. Drawing on extensive expertise in special populations services, compliance, data management, and organizational systems, she helps educational leaders identify practical solutions to complex challenges.

McFarlin specializes in program reviews, workload staffing analyses, records and data management processes, and the development of efficient systems that support both student outcomes and district operations. She is passionate about helping educators navigate regulatory requirements, improve organizational effectiveness, and create sustainable practices that serve students and staff effectively.

McFarlin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas A&M University-Central Texas. Contact at mary.mcfarlin@tasb.org.