About Us

Our staff is here to answer your questions about our classes and process for meeting your requirements.

Program Administrator - J. Wester

J. Wester is the owner and educational director for all Texas Court Classes® online and in-person (Zoom) courses. A New Orleans native, she graduated from Southern University at New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She then began educating children in Houston & Spring Independent School Districts in 2009. Ms. Wester furthered her education by going on to study law at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. Ms. Wester is currently a full-time attorney with her own practice located in Houston, Texas. She is also licensed to practice federally in the Southern District of Texas. Her primary focus is criminal matters on the state and federal levels. Ms. Wester strongly believes in rehabilitation through education. Because of this, all Texas Court Classes online courses and curriculum was designed by licensed Texas educators and current practicing attorneys who are all well versed on the Texas Penal Code and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Ms. Wester has been a certified mediator since 2004 & certified teacher since 2009.

Attorney Wester is a proud member of the Texas Probation Association, certified by the National Association of Shoplifting and Theft Addiction Specialists, she is a Certified Anger Management Specialist (NAMA)and is good standing with the Texas State Bar Association (TBN 24090784).

Ms. Wester is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to provide the Texas Drug Offender Education Program (DOEP), Driving While Intoxicated Education (DWIE), and Driving While Intoxicated Intervention (DWII) as required by Texas DPS.

Curriculum Specialist - Jamaur Barnes

As a Manager of Family and Community Engagement, Jamaur drives innovation in direct partnership with school districts, communities, and families across the Houston region.

Jamaur spent time in nonprofit management, as a Community Engagement Manager for some of Houston’s largest organizations: establishing sustainable 501c3s, leading project management, and bridging the gaps between social, academic, and civic organizations in Second and Third Wards, as well as South Houston.

He spent ten and a half years in Title One schools across Spring and Houston I.S.D.s, teaching General and Special Education, Gifted and Talented, E.S.L. and Emerging Learners. He has served in a capacity of leadership roles from District Teacher of the Year, to Campus Culture Specialist, and Community and Family Liaison. Through his passion, he was able to establish several cultural and family programs which still run-in districts today.

An Alumni of one of Texas’ few Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Prairie View A&M University, Jamaur studied Journalism and Behavioral and Political Sciences. He is also active in postgraduate advocacy and service through various alumni networks, including his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

TDLR Number: 105563

Instructor - Lisa Gilbert

DOEP Instructor – TDLR #4890
Certified Teacher with Teach Louisiana
Certified Teacher with Texas Education Agency
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD
Master in Curriculum and Instruction from University of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA
Certification as a Reading Specialist –  EC – 12th Grade
Certification as  English as a Second Language Instructor (ESL) – EC- 12th Grade
Certification in Reading and Writing 4th -8th Grade

Instructor - Walidah Staley

Walidah Staley (Nicholson), M.Ed., holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Clemson University, a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maryland, and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Claflin University. Ms. Staley has over 25 years of experience as an educator in secondary and post-secondary settings. During her tenure as a classroom professional, she led school improvement efforts and designed programs to increase parental involvement.

Ms. Staley served as principal trainer and instructional designer providing credentialing and professional development workshops for a healthcare organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded iTeachiTutor, an organization helping parents and students maintain and gain academic success during this time of academic turmoil. She also partnered to start Planning Diversity,Inc., a small business that has made great gains with diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and in the workplace. Ms. Staley is a world traveler, lifelong learner, and forever educator with ongoing endeavors that have made her an empathic proponent of racial equity and cultural diversity both in and out of the classroom. She believes as Maya Angelou did, “if you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”

TDLR Numbers: 105393-105376

Instructor - Krischell Sam

DWI-Intervention Instructor #5007
Certified Teacher with Texas Education Agency
Associates of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Bachelor’s of Arts in History at Prairie View A&M University

Instructor - NeKyla Franklin

DWIE instructor 
TDLR LICENSE NUMBER 1504
Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas
Master of Arts in Sociology
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Bachelor of Science in Family Life Education: Child Development  

Instructor - Tommie Harris

DOEP Instructor #5067

A Langston University graduate from Spencer, Oklahoma, with a degree in Corrections and a minor in Criminal Justice. I’m proud to be a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Working for Texas Court Classes, I have the privilege of helping people move forward in life and focus on positive changes for a better future. Together, let’s make a difference and empower individuals to overcome challenges and embrace brighter possibilities.”

Instructor
Fanesha Washington

DWIE Instructor TDLR #4788
Licensed Private Investigator with Department of Public Safety
Bachelors of Science Criminal Justice
Masters of Science Legal Studies

Instructor
W. Staley

DWIE & DWII Instructor 4834
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Clemson University
Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of MD
Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Claflin University
She founded iTeachiTutor through which she is a private tutor.

Admin Assistant
Jan Wester

-U.S. Department of Logistics Agency Lead Instructor for 10+ years
-Associates Degree in Pharmacy Technology US Air Force
-Bachelor of Business Administration Hampton University 
-Master’s of Business Administration Central Michigan University