Administration:

Superintendent- Cinnamon Henley

B.S. Applied Learning and Development
M.A. in Educational Administration & Community Leadership
AMS Certified Montessori teacher
13 years experience in teaching and leading
Former Montessori Trainer & Consultant
Texas Principal Certification
Texas Superintendent Certification
EC-4 Texas Teacher and ESL Certified
Joined ADS team in 2005

Principal- Leigh Moss

ADS Co-Founder
Current 4th-6th Grade Instructional Coach and Team Leader
B.A. in Liberal Arts
Masters in Elementary School Education
General Special Ed. Certification
GT Endorsement
Taught at Central Park East School in Harlem
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2005

ESL Coordinator & 2nd-3rd Grade Administrator/Team Leader- Claudia Pepper

BS Multicultural Studies
Born and raised in Colombia until transplanted to New Orleans
13 yrs experience teaching children K-6th
Certified Health Educator for Louisiana Dept of Health and Hospitals 2.5 years
Owned business for 4 years writing custom children’s books and thematic units for home schooling parents and corporate settings
Volunteered in Africa with homeless and mentally-challenged children
Fluent in English and Spanish
Joined ADS team in 2005

Reading Specialist & Kinder-1st Grade Administrator/Team Leader- Kelly McRee

ADS Co-Founder
B.A. in Elementary Education
Model Clinical Specialist Student Teaching Project (North Carolina public schools)
Former Educational Director for The Children’s Discovery Center preschools in Austin
K-6 (North Carolina and National) Certified Teacher
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2005

Campus Staff & Program Coordinators:

Business Manager – Lydie Jessin

License in Sciences of Education at the Sorbonne University, Paris
Associate degree in International Trade, Political and Economical sciences
10 yrs experience tutoring French, teaching preschool and directing a bilingual Montessori program
Assistant teacher in a stroke recovery center and language teacher for adults
Voice-over for French educational tutorials
Founder of Miles of Hope, volunteered a year throughout Central and South America for Childhood Cancer Awareness
Volunteer at Workers Defense Project to protect immigrants’ workers rights
Fluent in English, Spanish, and French
Joined ADS team in 2009

Front Office – Deborah Freeman

B.A. in English
Experience as office manager, technical writer, editor, translator, investigator, and farmer
ADS parent since the school’s first year
Joined ADS team in 2010

Lauren Gentry- School Counselor

Ph.D. in School Psychology
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (L.S.S.P.)
M.A. in Psychology in Education
B.A. in Psychology
Joined ADS team in 2011

Special Education Coordinator - Meghan Guion

Special Education (K-12) Texas Certification
Generalist 4-8 Texas Teacher Certification
7 years Special Education PreK – 8
Worked with Special Populations for 11 years
4 years experience in Therapeutic Recreation and Outdoor Recreation
High and Low Ropes Course Facilitator
Trained in PECS communication and ABA experience
2 year experience as a mom
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS Team in 2009

Librarian / Dyslexia Coordinator – Elizabeth Switek

BA in Geology/Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
MS in Geology
MLIS in Library and Information Sciences
Certified Archivist since 1998
Preschool teacher, 6 years
Scottish Rite Dyslexia Trained
Catalyst behind the ADS Library and Volunteer Librarian
Joined ADS team in 2007

Aftercare Director – Jamie Lewis

9 years experience with children (all ages)
Pursuing degree in Early Childhood Education, minor Early Childhood Development
Experience as Teaching Assistant
Joined ADS team in 2006

Kindergarten/ First Grade Co-teaching Teams:

Kim & Jen

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher – Kim Masi

B.A. in Radio/TV Production
Masters in Education
6 years early childhood experience
2 yrs experience working with children at Habibi’s Hutch Natural Childlife Preserve
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
English as a Second Language Texas Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2006

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher – Jen Adams

B.S. in Eduation from the University of Texas at Austin
20 years K-5 teaching in AISD and NYOS Charter School
Director of Anderson Creative Learning Center and Appletree Childcare
Published poet and lyric writer
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS Team in 2011

Amanda & Heather

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher- Amanda Parrott

B.A. in Social Science
Masters in Education
K-6 Oregon Teaching Certificate
EC-6 Texas Teacher Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
ESL Certification
Experience teaching in various grade level classrooms
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2009

Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher- Heather Middleton

B.S. in Biology
Texas Medicinal Certified Herbalist
Teaching Assistant- Austin Science and Nature Center Preschool
Art Teacher- Dougherty Arts Program
Gardener and Teacher- Austin Botanical Gardens
EC-6 Texas Teacher Certification
Special Education Certified
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
In-house Substitute ADS 2006- 2008
Joined ADS team in 2009

Erica & Christie

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher – Erica Kane

B.A. in Home Economics
Masters in Child Development
Professor of Child Development in India (13 years)
Taught in Early Childhood for 19 years
Teacher Certification in India
Bilingual Speaker (Hindi)
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher (HOUSE)
Joined ADS team in 2005

Kindergarten / First Grade Teacher – Christie Stinson

B.A. in English
3 years teaching experience
EC-12 Texas Special Education Certification
EC-4 Texas Teaching Certification
English as Second Language Teaching Certification
2011 UT Summer Institute: Activating Learning through the Arts.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Lila & Tina

Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher – Lila Haham

MA in Curriculum and Instruction, specialization in Multilingual Studies
8 years experience teaching children, including French and Spanish Instruction as well as English as a Foreign Language
Newswriter for a children’s newspaper in France
Fluent in English, French, and Spanish
EC-4, Bilingual Texas Teaching Certificate
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2009

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher – Tina Roberts

BFA in Theater Arts with a minor in Education
Currently pursuing a Masters in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
English as Second Language Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
Secondary Texas Theater Arts teacher certification
Gifted and Talented Endorsement
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Second & Third Grade Co-teaching Teams:

Kate & Angie

Second/ Third Teacher - Kate Holton

B.A. in English
Minor in American Sign Language
4 yrs experience working with children at Habibi’s Hutch Natural Childlife Preserve
Assistant Director at ADS (2007-2010)
EC-12 Special Education Certification
English as a Second Language Certification
EC-6 Texas Teacher Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2005

Second/Third Teacher – Angie Snapp

B.S. in Education
9 years teaching EC-6th
Special Education (PK-12) Texas Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Faith & Natalie

Second/ Third Grade Teacher – Faith Gay

B.A. in Studio Arts
K-6 Highly Qualified Texas Teacher Certification
7-12 Highly Qualified Art Teacher Certification
7 years childcare & teaching experience, PK-7
Arts & Technical Director, DJ Camp (K-7), Marfa Ballroom
Locally and internationally-represented Visual Artist
Resident DJ
ADS parent since 2009
Joined ADS team in 2011

Second/ Third Grade Teacher – Natalie Graham

BFA in Studio Art from University of Texas at Austin
Certified hypnotist and Life Coach helping both children and adults
2 years early childhood experience
16 year bookstore experience specializing in Children’s Literature, Art, Mythology and Folklore
6 years experience teaching Kinder-5 th grades
4-8 Texas Teaching Certification
EC-12 Special Education Teacher Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2006

Jason & Jason

Second/Third Grade Teacher – Jason Phelps

6 years teaching experience
Waldorf-Trained Teacher
EC-8 Texas Teacher Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Second/ Third Grade Teacher – Jason Silverberg

B.A. in Radio/TV Production
Masters in Education
6 years experience teaching
2 yrs experience working with children at Habbi’s Hutch Natural Childlife Preserve
EC-4 Texas Teacher certification
English as a Second Language certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2007

Angela & Babita

Second/ Third Grade Teacher – Angela Wolf

BA in Humanities
8 yrs teaching experience
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
English as Second Language Certification
Blind & Visually Impaired Teaching Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Second/ Third Grade Teacher – Babita Wolfkill

B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies
Montessori Education Certificate, Houston Montessori Center, May 2004
7 years Early Childhood Experience
7 years experience teaching Elementary
EC-4 Texas Teaching Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
English as a Second Language Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Fourth & Fifth Grade Co-teaching Teams

Kate & Karen

Fourth/Fifth Grade Teacher – Kate Franklin

BA in Cultural Anthropology
Masters in Education
EC-6 Texas Teaching Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
English and Second Language Certification
6 years experience teaching elementary education including PE and Music
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS in 2009

Fourth/ Fifth Grade Teacher – Karen Salwerowicz

B.A. in Biochemistry, Minor in Chemistry
Oklahoma State Teaching Certificate
4-8 Math and Science Texas Teaching Certification
EC-12 Special Education Teacher Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Katie & Amity

Fourth/ Fifth Grade Teacher – Katie McKay

BA in Elementary Education, Minor in Psychology
Pursuing Masters in Curriculum & Instruction
Heart of Texas Writing Project Co-Director and Teacher Consultant
National Board-Certified Teacher
9 years experience teaching K-5
EC-6 Texas Teaching Certification
EC-8 Texas Bilingual Teaching Certification, Spanish
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2011

Fourth/ Fifth Grade Teacher – Amity Taylor

B.A. in Religion, Minor in Elementary Education
7 years experience teaching
EC-4 Texas Teacher Certification
Ec-12 Special Education Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Amber & Emily

Fourth/ Fifth Grade Teacher – Amber Pleasant

B.A. in Environmental Science
EC-12 Texas Teacher Certification
EC-12 Special Education Texas Teacher Certification
Gifted and Talented Certification
English as a Second Language Certification
6 years experience teaching
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Fourth/ Fifth Grade Teacher – Emily Navarrette

B.A. in Anthropology, Minor in Spanish
Masters in Anthropology from Stanford University
Teach for America Teacher 2005-2007
3 years teaching experience
Latino Community Rights Honors Award
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Marcee & Holly

Fourth/Fifth Grade Teacher – Marcee D’Amora

BA in Elementary Education
13 years experience teaching 3rd-5th grade
Elementary Self-Contained (grades 1-8) Texas Certification
Elementary English (grades 1-8) Texas Certification
Gifted and Talented Texas Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2008

Fourth/Fifth Grade Teacher – Holly Rutherford

BA in Theatre
M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
9 years experience teaching
EC-4 Elementary Texas Certification
All-level Theatre Teaching Certification
Hearing Impaired Certification
English as Second Language Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2010

Sixth Grade Co-Teaching Team

Frankie & Jamie Lea

Sixth Grade Teacher – Frankie Allmon

B.A. in English, Minor in Women’s Studies
M.A. in English
PhD Candidate in English Literature, Victorian Studies Certificate
Minor in Higher Education/Student Affairs Administration
9+ years Experience Teaching Upper Elementary Students
Teach For America Team Leader and Community Group Facilitator 2004-2006
Teach for America, National Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, 2005
Associate English Instructor, Indiana University 1997-2003
Probationary Texas Teaching Certification 4-8
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2009

Sixth Grade Teacher – Jamie Lea Abdullah

BA in Business Administration, Minor in Agricultural Communications
4th year teaching 4th-6th grade
ACC Technology and Inclusion Special EducationTeaching Assistant
4-8 Texas Generalist
Teaching Certificate
Special Education K-12 Texas Teaching Certificate
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2009

Special Area Teaching Staff:

Music:

Lower Grade Music Teacher – Jerry Brown

Master of Music Education, May 1973
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bachelor of Music and Theatre Education, May 1969
Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas
Texas Certificated Music Teacher (Grades PK – 12)
Kodaly Certification, July 1979
Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Texas Teaching Certification: Secondary English (Grades 06 – 12)
Texas Teaching Certification: Secondary English Language Arts (Grades 06 -12)
Texas Teaching Certification: Secondary Speech Communications (Grades 06 -12)
Texas Teaching Certification: Secondary Theatre Arts (Grades 06-12)
30+ years experience teaching children K-5th
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2011

Upper Grade Music Teacher – Karl Lundin

B.A. Music, Minor in Psychology
EC-12 Music Texas Teacher Certification
EC-12 Special Education Teaching Certification
ESL Teching Certification
Kodály Certification
Pursuing Masters degree in Music Education
Working drummer/percussionist
Strong background in Music Therapy
4 year experience teaching music
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Music Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2007

Visual Art:

Second-Sixth Grade Art Teacher – Jenny Arffmann

B.A. in Visual Arts
Former tour guide for Metropolitan Museum of Art
Yoga Ed Certification
Radiant Child Trained
Probationary Art Teachign Certification
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Art Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2006

K-1st Science & Art Teacher – Rory Foster

B.A. in Education
9 Years experience Teaching 2nd-7th
1-8 Texas Certified Teacher
Texas Reading Teacher Certification
Texas Art Teacher Certification
English as a Second Language Certification
EC-12 Special Education Teaching Certification
Gifted and Talented Trained
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2007

Science & Gardening

Second/ Third Grade Science & Gardening Teacher – Rebecca Vore

B. A. in Business Administration
Graduate Studies in Applied Geography and Environmental Management
Certified Jr. Master Gardener Specialist
Gifted and Talented Endorsement
Waldorf Trained
9 years experience teaching gardening and science
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2005

Fourth-Sixth Grade Science Teacher – Rashid Amrani

B.S. in Applied Learning and Development
9 years experience teaching 2-7th grade
Gifted and Talented endorsement
EC-4 Certified Teacher
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
ADS Technology Professional Development Coordinator
Joined ADS team in 2005

Gardening Teacher – Basia Breslin

Cedars Montessori
Joined ADS team in 2010

Physical Education & Social Skills:

Physical Fitness & Social Skills Teacher - Kim Hiles

B.S. in Physical Education
EC-12 Physical Education Certification
EC-12 Special Education Certification
NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher
Completed Behavior Coach Endorsement program with Region XIII
Credentialed Mediator
Behavioral Management CEU certification
5 years experience as Behavioral Coach
Former Afterschool Leader at Austin Montessori
Former life-skills teacher
Joined ADS team in 2006

Instructional Assistants:

Teaching Assistant- Joy Canul

15 years experience working with children ages infant to 5th grade
Pursuing Bachelors at Texas State University in Elementary Education, minor in Early Childhood Education
Volunteered with individuals with Special Needs
2 years of substitute teaching in Fort Worth ISD
Joined ADS team in 2009

Teaching Assistant- Allison White

AA in Sociology
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Paraprofessional
Autism training through Region XIII
Pursuing Education degree at Texas State University
Home educator for 6 years
2 years experience with vision therapy for my son
Parent of an ADS Graduate and ADS 2nd grader
Joined ADS team in 2010

Nina Janes- Interventionist

B.A. Theraputic Arts for Children
AA Theatre and Dance
Probationary EC-6 Texas Teacher Certification
Probationary EC-12 Special Education Certification
Former Pre-school Teacher 4 years
Former City of Austin After-school Dance and Drama Teacher
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher
Joined ADS team in 2011

Staff Bio’s