MARY K - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Enrollment Management Officer
Alex Szmutko joined the team in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the University of Dallas in 2015 and spent two years working in both politics and the nonprofit sector before entering graduate school in 2017. She then earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas in 2019 and her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2023. Alex is thrilled to re-enter the world of Catholic education, which she has sorely missed since her undergraduate days. Outside of work, Alex enjoys reading, watching films, and biking around Austin with her husband Carl.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Engagement
Alicia joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in July 2012 and served as the Director of Advancement, leading fundraising efforts. She currently serves as Director of Community Engagement and is responsible for special events, parent volunteerism, communications, and building a joyful culture. Before coming to St. Gabriel's, Alicia served Ascension Seton for 17 years in various roles from fundraising, volunteer management, pediatric ethics, and Mission Integration. A mother of four, and a life-long Texan, she holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from St. Edward's University.
Amanda joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2020. Amanda graduated with her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and teaching credential from Texas Tech University. Amanda has spent thirteen years learning in the Catholic school system herself and is elated to give back to the loving and supportive environment that made her who she is today. In her free time, Amanda loves walking the boardwalk downtown, boating with friends, traveling and exploring all the amazing activities that Austin has to offer!
A native Texan, Karakourtis joined St. Gabriel's in 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Baylor University. She taught at The Duke School for Children in Durham, NC before being a stay-at-home mom to three amazing human beings. She loves creating a classroom atmosphere where children feel deeply known. One of Amy's goals is to help her children understand that making mistakes means you are trying and continuing to try when things are hard is something to celebrate!
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Auxiliary Programs
Amy Taylor, a native Austinite, joined St. Gabriel's in 2023 bringing 10 years of experience in leadership and event programming. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Texas at Austin and loves working in education. She enjoys spending time with her husband and son, running trails, reading the newspaper, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement
In selecting a school for her children, Andy de Waal left no stone unturned. But, the moment she toured St. Gabriel's she knew her family had found their educational home. Seven years later, she is proud to combine her love of this community and professional expertise in service of our Sabers. As graduate of The University of Texas and former major gift officer for UT, Andy has a passion for education and helping people find their own philanthropic interests to help change lives.
Ashley Gonzalez is one of the loving Pre-K 4 assistants and Dance Teacher at St. Gabriel's. She joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2019. Mrs. Gonzalez loves teaching because she enjoys influencing and assisting her students to reach their full potential. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Mrs. Gonzalez earned her Bachelor's Degree in Dance Education from Texas State University. In her spare time, she loves to spend quality time with her husband, Christopher and step-daughter, Nevaeh.
Ashley Navarro joined St. Michael's Catholic Academy in 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2016. Ashley has experience in brand identity and marketing design, and is currently working on her graduate degree in Communication Design through Texas State University. She is your typical cat mom and WILL show you cat pictures.
Job Titles:
- Director of Technology & Lower / Middle School Facilities
Audra joined St. Gabriel's in January 2016. She has over 25 years experience working in the non-profit and educational sectors, including positions in advancement, enrollment management and IT. Audra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental & Systematic Biology with a minor in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a Master of Information Systems from Kennesaw State University, Georgia.
Audrey has been working at St. Gabriel's since August of 2020 as a Kindergarten Assistant. She earned her bachelors degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Texas Tech University in 2016. Since graduation, Audrey has worked as a math interventionist, preschool teacher, special education aid, and then kindergarten assistant. Audrey has always known she wanted to help children, she loves to see the wonder and amazement in their eyes as they succeed and become more independent.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Students and Director of Service Learning
Barb Creed has been a life-long educator with more than 25 years of educational experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University and an Master of Education in Administration and Supervision with a concentration in Catholic School Leadership from Marymount University. From a young age, Barb wanted to be a teacher and still loves the joy that comes with helping students succeed. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and enjoying the outdoors.
Becky Canelos joined the St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2023. She has over 15 year experience as a classroom teacher. Becky is thrilled to be a part of the 3rd grade team and this school family! She is a native Austinite and earned a bachelor's degree in Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her passion for teaching came from an early desire to help others and make a positive impact in the world. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and dog, being outdoors and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Head of School
Betsy Buisson-Fusselman joined the SGCS family in 2013 and served as a Kindergarten Assistant before transitioning into Administration. She grew up in Southwest Louisiana and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Betsy believes her "why" is to do God's work at St. Gabriel's with a servant's heart. She is also grateful to have met her husband at SGCS, with whom she shares two fur babies, Jacques-Imo and Mignonne.
Cary Porter joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2021. He is passionate about music's ability to connect while teaching us to strive for the highest ideals in our imagination, purpose, and abilities. Cary earned his Bachelor of Music in Performance from Baylor University and Master of Music in Performance from Yale University. He brings over 22 years of teaching experience to St. Gabriel's. Outside of school, you will often find Cary in the kitchen, continuously exploring his love for cooking.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- President of Preod LLC
Catherine McGuinness is President of Preod LLC, a boutique executive search firm focused on general management, finance and corporate services assignments for clients ranging from F500 through to start-up companies. Her earlier career experiences include ten years with Dell as well as five years with global search firm Heidrick & Struggles. Specific to the Austin business community, Catherine previously served as a trustee of the Austin area Chapter of the Society for Information Management. Catherine and her husband, Don Neville, moved to Austin from New York twenty-five years ago. Their daughter, Maeve Neville, currently matriculated at Texas A&M, is an alumna of St. Gabriel's Catholic School (2014- 2016). Catherine and her family are members of the St. John Neumann parish community. Catherine graduated from Fordham College of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and later served as the President of the Fordham University Alumni Association. Catherine is the author of Emperors' Clothes, a satirical novel.
Cindy Miller joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2005, bringing with her a range of teaching experiences over the course of her 30 years in the field. Cindy loves to teach our intermediate students because she enjoys the opportunity to participate with students in their educational journeys. Having grown up in Wyoming, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Wyoming and her Master of Arts in Psychology and Theatre Arts from Texas State University.
Cirenia joined St. Gabriel's in August 2012 as the school's Accountant. She has over 20 years of total work experience and over 10 in Education. Cirenia holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accounting from the University of North Texas. She loves working in education because she believes a good education is the pathway that helps achieve life goals. When away from work, Cirenia enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. Her passions include attending sporting events, reading, and cooking.
Claire Young joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Tech University. Claire has worked as a substitute teacher and a preschool teacher. While raising her children in the DC Metro area and more recently in Austin, Claire has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and volunteering at her children's schools. Claire and her husband Michael have three children, two of whom attend St. Michael's Catholic Academy. In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching her kids play sports. She enjoys volunteering with local animal and wildlife rescue organizations.
Job Titles:
- Head of School
- Member of the Ex - Officio Members of the Board of Trustees
Colleen Lynch is St. Gabriel's Catholic School + St. Michael's Catholic Academy Head of School. She has been an educator for over 25 years and a part of the St. Gabriel's family since 2014. Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Business Relations and East Asian Studies from Brown University and her Master of Education in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. She is an avid runner, adores traveling, and loves being mom to two amazing children. Colleen is passionate about all things related to our school and helping children, teachers, and families along their educational journeys.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Human Resources
Coni Butler is a CPA in the state of Texas with 30 years combined experience in public accounting, manufacturing, and non-profit corporations. She is a graduate from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Coni enjoys the opportunity to serve as a leader at St. Gabriel's because it allows her to combine her faith and business acumen, building an institution with long-term viability that furthers the mission of the Catholic Church.
Courtney Edwards moved to Texas from Iowa with her husband in 2023 and has loved what Austin has to offer. Joining St. Gabriel's + St. Michael's Athletics in February 2023, Courtney joins us with a background in graphic design and marketing, earning her BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in advertising at Iowa State University. While working closely with the Iowa State athletics department throughout college, the fast-paced action of sports is what drew her to the athletic coordinator role. Ensuring all teams are cared for and well-represented in our community is a top priority and one that makes her job challenging, but well rewarding.
Dan Whitcomb joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. Originally from Seattle, he earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington. He went on to earn his Master's degree in education from Notre Dame de Namur and taught in the San Francisco bay area. His love for travel and passion for teaching took him abroad to teach internationally in both Spain and Germany. Dan has over 12 years of teaching experience in elementary homeroom and PE. When he is not at school, he loves to travel with his family, exercise, play music, eat all kinds of delicious food, lazily float a river on a hot day, and watch his Seattle sports teams.
Dana Polk joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2015. She is passionate about helping each child find success and joy in their learning experiences. Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from North Texas State University and Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in reading from Texas A&M. She is a certified Reading Specialist in Texas. Dana brings over 25 years of teaching experience to St. Gabriel's. When not at school, she enjoys being with family and listening to great Texas bands.
Danielle Willyard graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and has been teaching for 13 years. Throughout her career, Danielle has had the privilege of instructing diverse students across multiple grades, in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Danielle believes that mistakes are stepping stones to growth and that learning from them cultivates resilience and academic excellence. As a result, her students develop a growth mindset where they are encouraged to explore, discover, and evolve as lifelong learners. Outside of the classroom, Danielle's heart belongs to her husband, Jim, and two children, Jack and Rivers. She loves new adventures with her family and traveling to coastal destinations.
Deborah Teten has over 20 years of teaching experience. She attended The University of Texas at Austin and Sam Houston State University receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching. Deborah loves teaching because she feels it is an honor to play a small role in the education and development of young learners. Seeing them grow not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and spiritually fills her heart with joy.
Diana Hobbs first joined the St. Gabriel's family from 2015-2018 as the 8th Grade Algebra and Geometry teacher before relocating to Dallas, TX for a few years. She excitedly rejoined the St. Gabriel's community in 2021 as the 8th grade Algebra and Geometry teacher, Math Department Chair, and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) sponsor. Diana earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and is a certified 7-12 secondary mathematics teacher. When Ms. Hobbs is not helping her students see the beauty and value in themselves and mathematics, she is enjoying the Austin outdoor trails and lakes.
Dr. Laura Lopez brings extensive experience and a diverse background spanning over two decades in education. Her previous roles include classroom teacher, Department Chair, Curriculum Director, and Head of Lower School. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Xavier University, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University, and a Doctorate in Mathematics Education from The University of Houston. Laura actively engages in animal rescue efforts, volunteering with Best Friends Animal Society and the SPCA. Despite spending 14 years in Houston, she maintains a robust connection to her hometown of Chicago, where she passionately cheers on the Cubs and (Da) Bears!
Eduardo Garcia joined the team in 2023. He holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in Design Studies in Mexico City at Centro de Diseño, Comunicación y Televisión. Eduardo has worked as an educator for over 20 years at several Texas school districts and higher education institutions including The University of Texas at Austin where he served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the Division of Student Affairs. Most recently, he worked at international schools in South Korea and Mexico as well as at The American School Foundation in Mexico City where he taught and developed a design program. He and his wife Lara and have two amazing boys, Oliver and Mateo, and a lively little dog, Pepe.
Elizabeth Jardeleza and her husband Rob are the parents of four; three graduates of Catholic independent schools and one current St. Gabriel's fifth grader. They are parishioners of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. During her 22 years as an educator, Beth has held a variety of positions including classroom teacher (grades first through fifth), student support teacher, and reading specialist. She began her career in 1990 with the Montgomery County Public School system in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. While Beth's husband Rob was an active Naval Special Warfare officer, she was employed by Virginia Beach City Schools. The family relocated to Evanston, Illinois in 2007. In Chicago, Beth served as the primary school reading specialist at Sacred Heart Schools, a Catholic independent school which is a member of the International Network of Sacred Heart Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD in Elementary Education and Master of Science in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University.
Erika Siebeneicher returned to the St. Gabriel's family in 2022. She began her teaching career at St. Gabriel's in 2004 after graduating from St. Edward's University with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Erika has been any early childhood educator for over 8 years. She has always wanted to be a teacher and loves the enthusiasm of her young students. Erika grew up in Austin where she met her husband in high school. She has two teenage children, a son and a daughter. Erika enjoys travel, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family.
Eva Cardenas is from Laredo, Texas and moved to Austin in 2020. She attended catholic school as well as public schools both in Mexico and USA. Eva is a dentist in Mexico and a medical assistant in the US. She has worked with children most of her life as she grew up mainly in a hospital setting due to her father being a pediatrician and former Chief of the Health Department in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Mexico. As a hobby, Ms. Cardenas does cosmetic micropigmentation, cooking, sudoku, reading, learning a new trade, and exploring restaurants. She loves working with children because she will always be a child at heart and being around them and watching them bloom into great human beings is very rewarding.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Advancement Operations
Evie Cascarano joined the team in May 2023 with over 15 years of Advancement experience. She graduated from St. Edward's University with a degree in Organizational Communication and Leadership with a certification in Nonprofit Management. Evie brings a wealth of knowledge of the Catholic school system as an employee, parent, volunteer, school board member, and mentor. She is an alumni parent of SMCA ('18 & '19) and loves to travel, garden, watch movies, and spend time with her family. Evie is blessed to be working in a community where she can continue to strengthen her Catholic faith while advancing the mission of the school.
Job Titles:
- Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid
- St. Gabriel 's Catholic School As the Director
Farah Golab joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School as the Director of Religious Education in 2013. Previously, she served as the Director of Religious Education at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Houston, TX. Sharing her faith and incorporating it into the mission of SGCS is a passion Farah feels blessed to live out each day. In 2016, she began her role as Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. Farah earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin, holds a Masters of Arts in Theology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and has earned her Certificate for Admission and Enrollment Professionals (CAEP) from the Association of Independent School Admissions Professionals.
Coach Gary Anderson began his teaching career in 1986. He earned a master's degree in Educational Administration and has taught Physical Education at all levels. In 1980, while attending the University of Northern Colorado, Gary began coaching high school football and basketball. He and his wife relocated from Colorado to Texas in March of 2020.
Heather Vallilee is St. Gabriel's 3rd grade ELA teacher. She joined the St. Gabriel's community in 2020, bringing with her 20 plus years of teaching experience. Heather loves teaching because she loves seeing the joy in children's faces when connections are made and experiencing the excitement when learning is made fun. In her spare time, you will find Heather spending time with family and watching her daughter play volleyball.
Herica Grimaldo has shared her love of cooking with the St. Gabriel's community since 2007 and has enjoyed watching hundreds of SGCS students grow over the years! When she is not in the kitchen creating a delicious masterpiece, you can find Herica strolling through the old towns of Mexico, reading a good book, or enjoying a long walk with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Athletic Director
Jay Tiangco joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2016, bringing with him 9 years of teaching experience. He is committed to being a passionate teacher who strives to make his areas of expertise simple, interesting, enjoyable, and important for his students. A native of Manila, Philippines, Jay earned his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences/Organizational Systems Development from De La Salle University.
Jeff McGee joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School and St. Michael's Catholic Academy in 2022, leading the alignment of the athletic programs. He holds a master's degree in recreation, sports administration, and education. As the former Director of Athletics for Physical And Outdoor Education at Thaden School in Bentonville, AR, Jeff excels at building relationships throughout the athletic and academic programs and with the families. Jeff and his wife Ashley have two children, a son named Hampton and a daughter named Adalyn.
Jen Webel joined St. Gabriel's in 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Scientific Illustration and minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia, Athens and an Master of Arts in Art Education with a focus in New Genre from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Jen loves sharing the joy of artmaking with children! She is married with two children, both of whom attend St. Gabriel's, and loves animals.
Before moving to her current role in 2021, Jeni Messina taught 2nd Grade for six years at St. Gabriel's. She brings sixteen years of private school experience to our community. A native of Minnesota, Jeni earned her Bachelor of Science of Elementary Education from The University of North Dakota. When she is not planning an event, you'll find Jeni in the mountains skiing, watching her children play sports, or looking for the best sushi in town.
Jenni Teague joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2017 as a Kindergarten Assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development with a Specialization in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin. Jenni has over 15 years of teaching experience and loves to see the joy and excitement children have about learning new things. She enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage son who attends St. Michael's Catholic Academy.
Jennifer Morris joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Jennifer enjoys sharing her love of science with students. When not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Jen Webel joined St. Gabriel's in 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Scientific Illustration and minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia, Athens and an Master of Arts in Art Education with a focus in New Genre from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Jen loves sharing the joy of artmaking with children! She is married with two children, both of whom attend St. Gabriel's, and loves animals.
Jill Varnell joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. Jill comes to St. Gabriel's with 28 years teaching experience with the last twenty in early childhood. She loves the curiosity of young children! Jill and her husband have two adult children and as a family, they enjoy hiking in our amazing National Parks. When she is not at work, you can find her birding, playing tennis, or reading on her front porch.
Karen Broaddus joined St. Gabriel's in 2022 with over seven years of experience in education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development with a specialization in special education from The University of Texas at Austin. Karen began her career teaching 5th and 3rd grades before taking a pause to raise her family. She returned to teaching in 2020 and truly enjoys the process of learning. One of Karen's favorite things is to help a student find their unique voice or opinion and to show them how to creatively express and share that viewpoint with others. When not in the classroom, she enjoys photography, art, music, traveling, and spending time with her family and her dog named Charlotte.
Kate joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in August 2023. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Education (concentration in teaching and curriculum for Pre-K to 8) from the the University of Virginia. Kate also earned a culinary arts degree while teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is excellent at helping middle school learners use language to effectively communicate what they know and advocate for themselves, as well as their loved ones. Kate has lived in New York City and San Francisco, is an avid traveler, cook, conversationalist, and all around curious explorer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Religious Education
Kathy Roy has been a part of the St. Gabriel's parent community since 2011, joining the staff in 2018. Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Texas State University. Kathy enjoys trips to the beach as well as Longhorn football games with her husband and two children.
Katlyn Hellmer graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a certified EC-12 Art educator. She joined St. Gabriel's expanding art program in 2020 and now teaches Pre-K- 1st grade Art as well as the 2D Art elective for 5th-8th grade. Kati is passionate about student self-expression and believes a successful classroom is where students have voice and choice in their creative process.
Katie Chloun graduated from McNeese State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for eight years and loves what she is doing. Katie became a teacher to work with students and encourage their curiosity about the world of science. When she isn't teaching, she is spending time with her family. Katie enjoys going kayaking with her family and looking up new and fun things to do in Austin.
Katlyn Hellmer graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a certified EC-12 Art educator. She joined St. Gabriel's expanding art program in 2020 and now teaches Pre-K- 1st grade Art as well as the 2D Art elective for 5th-8th grade. Kati is passionate about student self-expression and believes a successful classroom is where students have voice and choice in their creative process.
Job Titles:
- Teacher & Associate Dean of Students
Kelly Jenks joined the St. Gabriel's Catholic School community in 2022 after teaching history for five years in Colorado. She earned her Master of Education in Education Leadership and Policy from Boston College and her Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Colorado State University. Kelly has a passion for bringing students closer to Christ through her work and helping kids explore their curiosity in the classroom. When she is not teaching, Kelly enjoys cooking, hiking, and exploring Austin!
Kelly Linder joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2017, bringing with her 8 years of teaching experience. Kelly felt a calling to be a teacher from a very young age and loves getting spend her day with children. A native of Austin and graduate of Westlake High School, Kelly earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University. Kelly and her husband, Ty have two young children, Leighton and Luke, who love attending St. Gabriel's Catholic School.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Teacher & Director of Mission & Identity
Ken Jordan serves as the Director of Mission and Identity and integrates the school's Catholic mission and identity in advisory, retreats, and through student leadership opportunities. Ken joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2019, bringing with him 5 years of teaching experience. He loves teaching because he believes that it provides a life-changing opportunity to build relationships, inspire life-long learners, and discover God in all things. Ken is a native of Connecticut and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Education at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He also completed a joint program offered through Harvard Business School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in School Management and Leadership. When he is not teaching, he is visiting great restaurants in Austin or planning his next vacation!
Kirsten Funderburk has been working in education since 2005. She has her Bachelor of Science in Library Science and Information Technology from the University of Maine. She chose school librarianship because she enjoys bringing stories to life and helping children fall in love with books. Kirsten has lived all over, including Norway and the U.K., and loves to travel whenever she can. Although Maine is her favorite state, her heart is in Montana with her grandchildren and she visits them as often as she can. In the meantime, Kirsten is thankful for Facetime! She has lived in Austin since 2010 and feels blessed to be working at St. Gabriel's Catholic School.
Krista Hastings joined our school community in 2021. She has come to us from California and is learning about all the greatest spots around Austin. Krista has an Master of Arts in Reading and Instruction from San Diego State University and over 25 years of teaching experience. She loves inspiring kids to become lifelong readers and writers!
Kristen Dalton, a native Austinite, joined St. Gabriel's in 2016 and has over seven years of experience in education. Kristen earned her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and loves teaching because of the joy and enthusiasm she is blessed to witness in her young students. When not in the classroom, Kristen enjoys spending her time with her son and dog, relaxing at home, or working on a furniture refinishing project.
Kristen Wentworth joined the school family in 2020, bringing 10 years of teaching experience to our community. She grew up always wanting to be a teacher and feels so blessed to be living out her dream! A native of Pasadena, CA, Kristen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Special Education from California State University, Chico. When not teaching, you'll find Kristen spending time with her family, looking for the best tacos in Austin.
Lark Pickell, a native Austinite, has been a part of the St. Gabriel's parent community since 2018, joyfully joining the staff in 2023. She has served in a variety of roles at the school over the years ranging from Substitute Teacher to President of the Parent School Association. Lark feels blessed to be a part of this community and is thankful to get to work in such a nurturing and faith-filled environment. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University. Lark enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and children, two dogs, and two cats.
Leah Esparza has worked in Catholic schools for over 15 years and became a member of the St. Michael's family in 2013. She loves being a part of an independent Catholic school community and meeting the phenomenal students and families who make this community so special. Leah takes great pride in working with others to advance the mission of the school through fundraising and alumni relations. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Texas Tech University. Leah, her husband, and three boys enjoy outdoor adventures, travel, and spending time together.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Head of Middle School
Lili Silva joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2023. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Texas A&M-Kingsville and a master's degree in Latin American studies from The University of Texas. Lili received her teaching certification in 2005 and brings extensive experience educating primary and intermediate students. Her goal is to motivate students to learn and think critically in a safe, fun, and enriching environment. Lili strives to inspire students to be kindhearted individuals and passionate lifelong learners. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with family, living her faith, listening to music, reading, crafting, and dreaming of traveling the world.
Lisa Larsen joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2006, bringing with her 25 years of experience as an educator/counselor. She loves counseling in the educational environment because she feels passionate about guiding and supporting students and parents through all of life's challenges and developmental milestones. In her spare time, Lisa loves to spend time with her friends and family, sing, play flute, read, travel, laugh as much as possible.
Job Titles:
- Learning Support Specialist
Lisa Oggero joined the SGCS community in 1999 and is one of the founding teachers at St. Gabriel's Catholic School. She loves teaching children in a Catholic school environment and believes The Holy Spirit was her guide who led her to St. Gabriel's. Lisa treats each of her students like the unique child they are by nurturing and guiding them on their academic journey. She earned her Bachelor of Science with a Reading Endorsement and Kindergarten Certification from Texas A&M University.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Head of Lower School
Lorna joined St. Gabriel's in 2010 as the Administrative Assistant to the Head of Middle School. After several years, Lorna transitioned to Administrative Assistant to the Head of School as well as administrative support to the Advancement Team. Lorna grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to the US mainland to attend Iowa State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and a minor in Psychology. Lorna loves to travel, especially to visit family and friends in her native Puerto Rico.
Lydia Lowry is a proud Texan with 35 years of teaching experience. She graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Education and is passionate about teaching our Catholic faith. Lydia and her husband have two sons, and together they enjoy spending time at the ranch, hiking, and traveling. She loves the outdoors and imbues a great love for nature as a means of understanding the beauty of God more deeply.
Maddie Cloud joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2020. She graduated from St. Edward's University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Maddie has always felt called to teach and sees it as a way to make a positive impact in the world. She is a Colorado native but has moved back and forth between Texas and Colorado many times. When she isn't teaching, Maddie enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and making art.
Mallory Eastwood is a native Houstonian who recently relocated to Austin. She has many years of nursing experience but is particularly drawn to school nursing. Mallory was a stay-at-home mom to her two sons who are now college graduates. She went back to work in 2016 when her boys went off to school. When Mallory isn't working, she is trying to learn her way around Austin, watching Netflix, or playing guitar. She is very excited to get to know the St. Gabriel's student body and looks forward to having a healthy year ahead for everyone.
Mariah Sanchez returned to St. Gabriel's in 2022 after being a substitute and full-time teacher here for 4 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Texas State University in San Marcos. Mariah loves helping students see the joy in learning by relating lessons to everyday situations.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Enrollment Management
Mariana Creixell has been part of St. Gabriel's since 2013; as a parent volunteer, a substitute teacher, and as part of the enrollment department. She is passionate about Catholic education, having earned all of her degrees in Catholic institutions. After earning her Master of Business Administration, Mariana worked in marketing for The Estee Lauder Companies across several brands. Her favorite part of the day is talking with families about St. Gabriel's amazing community, and her personal experiences as a parent.
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Support Services
Mary Anne McDaniel joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2019, bringing with her 10 years of teaching experience. She loves to teach and is excited and honored to share her enthusiasm for lifelong learning with her students. Mary Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Transylvania University, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee, and a Masters in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Texas State University.
Job Titles:
- Teacher and Dean of Humanities
Mary Helen Acosta's 18+ years in education brought her to St. Gabriel's in middle school administration, but her devotion for developing students as readers and writers quickly led her back to the classroom where she promotes authentic literacy practices and cross-curricular application of skills. Mrs. Acosta holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rice University, and master's degrees in Public Administration (Texas A&M) and Education (UT Arlington). She is a certified Reading Specialist in Texas.
Job Titles:
- Learning Support Specialist
Mary Scanlon joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2022. She earned her bachelor's from Franciscan University with a degree in dual license - early childhood education and intervention specialist and a masters in special education from California Lutheran University. Mary is passionate about helping students reach their full potential and succeed both in and outside of the classroom. She comes from California and enjoys being outside and traveling in her free time.
Matthew Glover joined St. Gabriel's in 2018 and has brought over 10 years of experience in professional IT from Helpdesk, Network Administration, Network Engineering, and IT Security roles. During his time here, Matthew completed Google Administration and Fortinet NSE certificates and moved into the IT Manager role, where he is responsible for all faculty, staff, and student technology needs, live streaming, and network administration. He continues to learn and grow as an IT professional. Matthew has three children with his wife Winnie and enjoys crazy whirlwind weekends with everyone. He has a passion for photography and videography, which led him to obtain his FAA certification to fly drones.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- General Counsel at Backflip
Michael Toth is General Counsel at Backflip, a real estate technology startup. Before joining Backflip, Michael was General Counsel at REX, a Texas state court judge, and a senior counsel at the Texas Attorney General's Office. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in history from Stanford, and a J.D. and master's degree in history from the University of Virginia. After law school, he served in the United States Marine Corps and remains active in the reserves. Michael and Carolina's three school-aged children, Fabiana, Lorcan, and Mireille, attend St. Gabriel's Catholic School.
Michelle Estep is driven by an immense love of children to provide the most holistic educational experience possible for all of her learners. She, having over 11 years of teaching experience, is passionate about guiding children to expand their natural talents while providing opportunities for further discovery of mind, body and soul. Ms. Estep is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and holds a Bachelors of Arts and a Bachelors of Journalism.
Mike Scallon joined the St. Gabriel's family in the school's first year, 2000, bringing with him over 30 years of teaching experience. He also coaches robotics at St. Michael's Catholic Academy. Mike loves to teach because he believes that it is his calling. Born and raised here in Travis County, Mr. Scallon is a 7th generation Texan. He earned his Bachelor of Science from St. Edward's University. Mike loves to fish, hunt, and compete with his Treeing Walker Coonhounds in his spare time.
Milla Nyaga joined St. Gabriel's in 2018. She graduated from Tyumen Music College in 2004. In 2008, Milla earned a masters degree in Instrumental Music Performance at Tyumen State Academy of Fine Arts. In 2017, she earned a masters degree in Education with Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction with All-Level Certification in Music from Houston Baptist University. When not teaching music, Milla enjoys reading, surfing, hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ex - Officio Members of the Board of Trustees
- Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Monica Agostini joined the St. Gabriel's Catholic School family in 2011 and brings 25 years of teaching experience to the community. Ms. Agostini hopes to help students find their voices through writing. She was born in Italy but grew up in New Orleans, LA. (Go Saints!). She earned her Masters of Education with a specialty in reading from Loyola University. Ms. Agostini speaks English, Italian, French, and Dutch.
Monica Hruschka returned to Austin and joined the St. Gabriel's family to teach 7th Grade Math in 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Pacific Lutheran University and Master of Science from Angelo State University. Monica taught math, science, and German to middle and high school students in Connecticut for nine years. She enjoys sharing her love for learning with her students as well as learning from her students.
Montana Cooper joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, N.L. and has done some projects in the field. However, Montana found a love for teaching through her servitude as an LCCII catechist since 2014, which led her to teaching Spanish at other schools in the Austin area. Outside of the classroom, Montana enjoys spending time with her family at her favorite restaurant, Curra's Grill, where she met her husband, Joe, knitting socks or sweaters for her daughters, or walking her dogs.
Jacqui Glenn has supported students from PK-12 across the US for more than 20 years. She previously served as an outdoor educator, teacher, dyslexia and learning specialist, and Director of Service Learning and Student Support. Jacqui is a Master Teacher for the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) Beginning Teacher Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Western Michigan University, her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from University of Alabama, and her Certificate in School Management & Leadership from Harvard University. Jacqui, her husband, and three daughters are outdoor enthusiasts; she also enjoys traveling, yoga, and reading.
Nick Butler began working at St. Gabriel's in 2017 as an after-school counselor. Since then, he has worked as a Pre-K 3 Assistant Teacher, Middle School Math Assistant Teacher, Summer Camp Counselor, Substitute Teacher, Middle School Receptionist, and now works in the IT department. Born and raised in Austin, Nick grew up attending St. Theresa's Catholic School and has been a part of their church community for 20 years. He later graduated from Anderson High School in 2017 and attended both Austin Community College and the University of Arkansas, earning a degree in journalism. When he is not working, he enjoys camping, hanging out with his pets, and making music with his friends.
Job Titles:
- After School Receptionist
Paula Johns, a native Texan, joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. She has over 37 years of customer service experience in the airline industry, caring for and serving others at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines as a flight attendant. Paula attended The University of Texas at Arlington. She enjoys spending time with family and grandchildren, cooking, music, watching football, and traveling. Paula believes through faith, prayer, and our Lord's guidance, she has been blessed to join St. Gabriel's Catholic School family.
Preston Elmore joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. He holds several certificates in IT and networking. Preston loves helping people with their technical issues and making sure that they have the right technology to assist them in their work. He loves attending service and bible studies and doing volunteer work around the city.
Job Titles:
- Director of Auxiliary Programs
Riley Litherland joined the SGCS community as a teacher in 2013 and was named the Director of Student Activities in 2016, now serving as Director of Auxiliary Programs. He is passionate about providing opportunities for students to find and pursue their passions outside of the classroom. Riley earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from The University of Texas at Austin and his Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Russell Thompson started at St. Gabriel's full time in January 2022 as our Campus Security Officer. He retired from the Travis County Sherriff's Office after serving 30 years. During that time, he worked various assignments including traffic enforcement, lake patrol, narcotic interdiction, and as a school resource officer for Westlake High School and Del Valle High School. He has a Master Peace Officer License and is continuing to provide safety and security to the students and faculty. He was born in Texas and loves to travel but has no plans of ever leaving. He has lots of hobbies and two golden retrievers that take all of his free time.
Sasha Murphy joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2018, bringing with her 10 years of teaching experience. Sasha loves teaching because she enjoys helping children achieve their best. Their joy and curiosity is contagious. Born and raised in Houston, Sasha earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Houston. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family & friends, see live music, craft, and just enjoy life.
Sean Williams has 10 years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Southwestern University, a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from UC Irvine, and an Master of Arts in English from Texas State University. Sean spent many years as a ceramic artist in Austin. His wife Kelly and he have two grown kids. Sean spends his free time making pottery, playing guitar, and reading about history. His love of learning keeps him excited about teaching and sharing with young minds.
Sophia Gibson joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2022. She received a bachelor's degree in communications and sociology from Texas State University. Sophia has dedicated over 5 years to education and child care. She started off teaching Robotics and Engineering through The Boys & Girls Club. Sophia later went on to study Montessori and is currently earning her certification. When Sophia is not teaching, she is raising hens in her backyard, gardening, or coming up with something new to bake.
Sophie Hong joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2014, bringing with her 10 years of teaching experience. She loves to teach because she enjoys making a positive impact on students' lives. A native of Taiwan, Sophie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a Master of Arts in English and American Literature from National Taiwan Normal University, and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. In her free time, you'll find Sophie enjoying a book or movie and planning her next trip with her family.
Stephanie Cowan joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in 2004 and taught for 6 years before moving to Eanes ISD for 13 years. She felt a calling to return home to St. Gabriel's where her heart truly belongs. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Texas State University as well as a master's degree in Education from Concordia University. She has a passion for helping students find their love for math through an innovative teaching style as well as creating a unique and welcoming classroom setting. She and her husband (also a math teacher) have 5 children. Stephanie enjoys watching her children's love for life flourish through the arts, sports, and academics!
Stephanie Lucie is the parent of a 2020 St. Michael's alumna. Most recently, Stephanie served as general counsel and chief compliance officer at Austin Ventures, where she continues to handle some legal matters. She has served as senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, corporate secretary, and head of human resources, with over three decades of experience working with publicly traded and privately held companies, as well as leading law firms in New York City and Houston. Stephanie previously served on the board of directors of LifeWorks and SafePlace. She is a founder and past president of non-profit legal organizations in Houston and Austin. Stephanie is the editor of Scagel Handmade, published in 2010, and is currently writing a biography about a well-known knifemaker. At SMCA, she has served as vice chair and chair of the corporate governance committee, among other committees. She and her family hosted a student from China, as well as a student from Spain. Stephanie received her J.D. from Duke University School of Law, where she served on the Duke Law Journal, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Suzanne McManus started as a caring Kindergarten Assistant at St. Gabriel's Catholic School and is currently teaching first grade. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Gifted and Talented education. Suzanne joined the St. Gabriel's Catholic School family in 2018 and brings with her an understanding of sensory issues and the social/emotional needs of younger children. She loves being with first graders and helping them grow.
Swapna Deepak holds a masters degree in Chemistry and a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Calicut in India. She completed her UTeach certification program from the University of Texas at Austin and obtained her Texas Teaching certification for teaching science, K-12, in 2012. During her 14 years of teaching, Swapna has always been excited at the opportunity to create and put to use inquiry-based, generative, and project-based lesson designs which resonates well with any enthusiastic learning community.
Thom Herbeck joined St. Gabriel's in 2021 after spending the previous 17 years teaching social studies in Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at Lake Forest College in Illinois and his Master of Arts in Social Studies Education from Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago. Thom loves to bring history to life through thoughtful class discussions and connections to the present day. Some of his greatest pleasures in life have been coaching and watching his son and daughter compete in sports.
Thomas Marino joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2014. Originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, Mr. Marino earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Keene State College in Keen, New Hampshire. He loves to teach because he is a lifelong learner and wants to motivate students to have the same passion for learning. When he is not teaching, Mr. Marino loves to explore the Hill Country with his wife and daughter.
Tracy Robson, MSN-RN, BC-WHNP, is the school nurse for St. Gabriel's Catholic School. She has over 20 years nursing experience and is dedicated to providing compassionate care to the students and staff. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and completed her Master of Science in Nursing- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner degree from University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys spending time with her children and family, gardening, traveling, and doing craft projects.
Van Tracy has been teaching at St. Gabriel's since 2017. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. After 10 years as a professional actor and musician, Mr. Tracy changed course and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Fordham University Law School in New York City. His insatiable passion for the arts finally dictated a departure from his 10+ year legal career and a return to the fine arts in the fall of 2017 when he joined SGCS.
Yadira "Yadi" McCarter joined the St. Gabriel's family in 2020. She loves to teach Spanish because she loves seeing students' reactions when learn new things and especially when they develop the confidence to speak Spanish without fear of making mistakes. Yadi earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Bogotá. She has been teaching grades K-8 for over 6 years. Yadi has one son. In her spare time, she enjoys running marathons, hiking, trying different restaurants around town Austin.
Yolanda McElhaney received bachelor degrees in Spanish and Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, as well as her masters in Elementary Education from Texas State University. Yolanda became a teacher to be a positive educational influence for her students while creating a fun, safe, and loving environment for them to experience while learning. Mrs. McElhaney resides in Buda with her family and enjoys spending her time cheering on her three sons at their various sporting events.
Yvette Alvarado joined St. Gabriel's Catholic School in January 2023. She brings 28 years of experience, recently retiring from public education where she taught elementary, middle, and high school levels as well as worked in administration. Yvette earned both her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education and her master's degree in Special Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and holds a Principal certification. She loves spending time with family and friends, baking, sewing, and the outdoors. She and her husband have three young adult children.