Faculty & Leadership
Alex George Founder
Alex George, the “idea man” approached Donna Underwood in the Spring of 1997 to help him with one of his historically numerous ideas: he wanted to open a school to help families whose children struggled in school. At that time, Alex owned eleven McDonald's restaurants and hoped that corporate would see the importance of his idea of placing educational services centers near their restaurants. Even though that idea didn’t materialize, Alex opened LearningTECH/Quest School next to his 165N McDonald’s in June 1997; in 2000, the center moved to its present location at 2401 Oliver Road. In 2017, LearningTECH/Quest School changed its name to QuesTECH Learning. The Alex George Family has been instrumental to QuesTECH Learning's 20-year history of success.
Donna Underwood Executive Director
Donna Underwood has been the director of QuesTECH Learning since its 1997 inception. Having taught in public and non-public schools for twenty-eight years, Donna united with Alex George, QuesTECH Learning's founder, to build the foundation for this educational services center. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a B.A. in English/journalism and the University of Louisiana at Monroe with an M.A. in Education/English, Donna coordinates all programs at QTL. “My favorite part of the day is instructing middle school students in the language arts. Teaching them the power of words is truly rewarding,” Donna suggested. “Also, student success, teacher development, fundraising, assessments, and after-school/summer programs are important to the community, which QuesTECH Learning serves.” In addition, Donna has a passion for ACT preparation including Speed Reading; she and Mary Katherine Murphy do ACT prep for students and teachers in seven Northeast LA parishes. In her leisure, Donna enjoys her family, especially her three grandchildren, one great-grand, needlepoint, and reading.
Kevin Branson Principal
Kevin Branson was appointed Principal in 2017, having formerly served as QTL Assistant Director. Mr. Branson came to QTL from Monroe City Schools (MCS) where he worked in special education and school administration. Prior to his time with MCS, he was a regular education teacher in Morehouse Parish. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. Mr. Branson is certified in elementary education as well as special education. Kevin also has experience in educational technology deployment, training, and consulting. He enjoys riding his motorcycle to school almost every day, as it sets the tone for a new and exciting day.
QuesTECH Learning
Stephanie Blackmon Operations Manager
Mrs. Stephanie has served since 2017 and is now QuesTECH Learning’s Operations Manager. She is a liaison to all aspects going in and out of QTL and does so with excellence. Mrs. Stephanie loves working at a school where she can watch students acquire their academic and social needs! When she’s not working at the school, Mrs. Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband Cody, daughter Anna Beth, son Brody, and two puppies.
Lindsey Boughton School Secretary
Lindsey Boughton, QuesTECH Learning’s school secretary, began working with us in 2021, in and out of the classroom. In addition to managing QTL’s front desk, she will be teaching art, talented art, homework lab, and after-school tutoring. When she’s not at QTL, Mrs. Boughton is spending time with her husband Matt, her children, Kennedy and Cooper, and her two pups.
Conni Broadnax Teacher/ Tutorial Coordinator
Ms. Conni, a graduate of Saint Xavier University and Concordia University-Chicago, began at QuesTECH as a tutor and is now a full-time teacher and after-school tutoring coordinator. She has more than 20 years of experience in education, primarily in Special Education. Conni holds a BA in Criminal Justice, a MA in Special Education K-12, a MA in General Administration and Leadership, and an MBA in School Business Management. Ms. Broadnax thoroughly enjoys working with the students and watching them grow as individuals, academically and socially.
Kari Counselman Teacher
Kari Counselman, a Louisiana Tech graduate in Elementary/Special Education, has taught at QuesTECH Learning for twelve years. Having taught all subjects during her tenure at QTL, she currently teaches math, fourth through sixth grades. Mrs. Counselman has attended the NICERC training in the past to enable her to better use technology in her classroom. “I love the students I work with because they are all so unique and present me with challenges daily. I couldn’t imagine a day when I wouldn’t welcome the challenge of molding and helping young minds. QuesTECH Learning's staff is full of love and enthusiasm for children and academia, therefore making it a wonderful place to work and learn. We work together as a team to ensure our students receive the best possible education,” Mrs. Counselman commented.
Christie Elkin Teacher
Mrs. Ekin taught Pre-K for 22 years in the parish and began teaching at Quest in 2021. Currently, she is teaching QTL’s Learning Lab, enabling her to remediate our learners’ math and literacy needs. “I love that QTL’s a small school with small class sizes where I can teach to each child’s individual needs; I love my co-workers. The kids at Quest are awesome, too,” Mrs. Elkin stated. When she’s not teaching QTL learners, she is spending time with her husband, 3 kids, 2 kitties, and 2 bunnies!
Melissa Guthrie Teacher
Mrs. Guthrie taught in the parish for 20 years and began teaching with us in the fall of 2023. Currently, she is teaching QTL’s science and social studies class for our elementary students. Mrs. Guthrie is excited to work in a smaller classroom environment so that she is able to meet the needs of her learners best. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time with her husband Jimmy, her sons Joby and Jake, her daughters Jill and Jenna, and her dog Gracie!
Emily Hart Teacher’s Assistant
Mrs. Emily began working with QuesTECH Learning in 2019. She has been a vital member of the QTL staff by helping one-on-one with students and in the Learning Lab. Now, she works in the second-grade classroom, assisting in reading, language, and math. She leads the enrichment class, BAYA: Beautiful as You Are. When she’s not at school, Mrs. Emily loves to spend time with her husband Michael, daughter Madelyn, and dog Sophie!
Toni Hicks Teacher
Toni Hicks, a sixth through eighth gradel math/pre-algebra teacher at QuesTECH Learning beginning in 2004, is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She enjoys working with these learners “to help them reach their dreams through their education.” Mrs. Hicks has consistently reached the needs of her learners, both socially and academically.
Brandon Hobbs Teacher
Mr. Hobbs graduated from LSUA and began teaching at Quest in 2018. He currently teaches social studies and science to QTL learners and loves sharing his passion for learning through fun social studies projects and science experiments. When he is not teaching, he enjoys spending his time in health and fitness activities!
Pam Jungina Teacher
Pam Jungina earned her B.A. in English education from NLU in 1981. After teaching English and French for 36 years, she is now retired from the Louisiana public school system. With her years of experience in instructing English grammar, literature, written composition, and ACT/LEAP prep, she is enjoying her journey of educating young learners at QuesTECH Learning. She shares her passion for reading and writing with students and experiences the broadening of young minds. For Ms. Jungina, the ultimate reward of teaching is seeing students embrace the joy of the written word.
Sandra Rousseau Teacher
Sandra Rousseau, a graduate of Louisiana Tech, taught in the public system for almost thirty years before joining the QuesTECH Learning family in 2008 to teach reading and enrichment classes. After public school retirement, Sandra traveled with her husband and decided she still had much more to give today’s youth. Her school choice was QuesTECH Learning. She has been an invaluable reading educator to QTL learners.
Judy Riley Teacher
Judy Riley, a language and reading educator with over 35 years of experience joined QuesTECH Learning this school year. Previously teaching at Grace Episcopal, she teaches language for grades, 3-6. When asked about why she chose Quest, Mrs. Riley stated, “I’ve always known from the outside how wonderful of a school QuesTECH Learning was, but when I came to observe, the students impressed me. Seeing how comfortable they are here and how they feel about their school made me want to make this school my new teaching home. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to teach here!” Through her high expectations and fun learning environment, Mrs. Judy helps her learners to find their passion for learning.
Tiffany Weiss Teacher/ Social Media Coordinator
Mrs. Tiffany, a graduate of ULM with a Bachelor’s in Communication, Advocacy, began her teaching career at QuesTECH Learning in 2019. She currently teaches second-grade learners reading, language, and math. In 2022, she obtained her certification as an Orton-Gillingham Practitioner at the Associate Level. This certification enables her to work with individuals who may have learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, to help them with their reading and literacy struggles with the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Also, Mrs. Tiffany serves as our social media coordinator. When she’s not at school, Mrs. Tiffany loves to spend time with her husband Kyle and two puppies!
QuesTECH -Higher- Learning
Mary Katherine Murphy Teacher
Mary Katherine Murphy has been teaching and tutoring at QuesTECH Learning since 2003. She graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and from ULM with a Master’s in teaching. She instructs math and science at QuesTECH Higher Learning. With Donna Underwood, Mary Katherine teaches ACT preparation workshops throughout Northeast Louisiana. Additionally, she tutors high school and college students in math and science. “I love watching students’ faces light up when all the pieces fall into place, and the concept that once confused them finally becomes clear.”
Enaya Kouhany Mentor
Enaya Kouhany has been an invaluable member of the QuesTECH Learning family for eighteen years as an instructor/tutor in high school math and science courses as well as in ACT, HiSET, and ASVAB test preparation. Currently, he is a mentor in the blended learning environment of QuesTECH Higher Learning.
Board of Directors
Guina Elliot - President
Tom Kennen - Treasurer
Donna Underwood - Secretary Pam Smith Amanda Lyon
Valerie Finley
Christi Howard, M.A., CCC-SLP
Kim Sherrill
Pam Smith
Dr. Terry Thomas
Mike Walsworth
QuesTECH Learning is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors comprised of respected community members.
