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Tonya Haddox, Principal |
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Email: thaddox@ptaaschool.org |
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Education and Experience: This is my 22nd year in education. I taught grades 5-8 math for 14 years and am starting year 8 as an campus administrator. I grew up in Mesquite and am thrilled to be back to support the community that helped me to become the person I am. I graduated high school from North Mesquite then attended Eastfield Community College and Texas A&M in College Station for my Bachelor degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. My focus was reading and math in the middle school grade levels. I completed my Masters degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont. I have a family that I love dearly. My husband, David, have been married for over 20 years! My daughter Haley is starting her Junior year in high school and is in a collegiate program as well. She is a Letterman in Powerlifting! Dawn Rae is in 7th grade and is a cheerleader. Karsen is a fifth grader and is an avid baseball and basketball player.
I believe that every student can succeed with the right tools. I want to show all students and families that through struggle, we grow. Life isn't always easy but when you are successful, you learn the benefits of hard work. I want to work with our PTAA community to grow and continue learning!
Google Classroom PTAA/Mesquite ADMIN Code: ynvjth2
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Brooke Cook, Assistant Principal |
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Email: bcook@ptaaschool.org |
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Education and Experience: Dr. Cook received a Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of North Texas, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and Principal Certification from Texas A&M University Commerce, and her Doctorate in Leadership and Learning with a Specialization in Education Administrations from the Aspen University. She has been an educator for over 15 years. Her classroom experience includes facilitating various populations in American History while at Mesquite ISD. In addition to teaching, Dr. Cook has served as a member of the curriculum writing team, an administrative intern, an At-Risk Coordinator, and Testing Coordinator. Dr. Cook’s ‘why’ is based on her belief of growing the capacity of others by first building meaningful relationships and second by using data as the guide. |
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Anna Alonso, 9-11th Grade College Facilitator |
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Email: lalonso@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: I’m Ms. Alonso, I graduated from University of Texas at Tyler with an Education Degree. I’ve been in education for three years. I am a very big family person and love to help with students in the youth group at church. I have always wanted to work with students and help further their careers. |
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Jeff Andres, 6-7th Grades Art Teacher |
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Email: jandres@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Jeff is a new middle school art teacher making his teaching debut with PTAA. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of North Texas, with a background in graphic design and custom framing. He is currently working on his alternative teaching certification. Mr. Andres brings real world experience to the classroom with 4 years at different ad agencies. His hobbies include playing guitar, making his wife laugh, quoting movies, and making bad jokes- but he still laughs at them (story of his life!) His goals are to get students engaged in creative problem solving, put smiles on their faces and hear laughter from their mouths! His moto is “Take what you do seriously without taking yourself seriously.” |
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Emily Becker |
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Email: estewart@ptaaschool.org
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Wilfrido Bejarano, 8th Grade Spanish Teacher |
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Email: wbejarano@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: I was born in Venezuela and landed in the beautiful city of Omaha, Nebraska where I resided for 32 years. So, YES, I love the cold weather and mostly SNOW. I earned my Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and my Bachelor of Science in International Business Management from Bellevue University. I have been teaching Elementary and Middle school since 2013. I enjoy golfing and flying fishing. My favorite place to visit is the Rocky Mountain National Park, in particular staying at Estes Park, Colorado. I also enjoy visiting Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. |
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Stephen Burnett, 8th Grade History Teacher
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Email: sburnett@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Mr. Burnett graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both History and Government. Mr. Burnett also has a law degree from the University of Texas and practiced law for many years prior to becoming a teacher. He is certified in Social Studies 7-12 and is very much looking forward to sharing his love of history with his U.S. History classes and his knowledge of government with his high school government classes. |
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Matthew Catchings |
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Email: mcatchings@ptaaschool.org |
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Christy Frauman, 6th Grade Science Teacher |
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Email: cfrauman@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Christy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with minors in Chemistry and Agribusiness as well as a Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Texas Tech University. She is certified in Generalist 4th-8th grade. She was economic research associate at Texas Tech before teaching science. She is excited to share her love of science! |
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Robyn Harden, 8th Grade Math Teacher |
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Email: rharden@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Ms. Hardin graduated from Dallas Baptist University. She has been teaching math for over twenty years, and she absolutely loves the interaction with the kids. She believes math is like working a puzzle....trying to find the missing pieces, and it is thrilling when she see kids realize they can fill in those missing pieces and connect those dots.
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Daniel Hedding, MS Music |
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Email: dhedding@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Mr. Hedding received his Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from Liberty University. He worked as a middle school chorus director for the past two years in public schools. Dan moved to Texas from Virginia this summer to work at PTAA this year. He is enjoying being back in the Midwest and learning about Texas culture. He is also excited to be a part of such a thriving and growing community at PTAA! |
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Emily Hendrickson, 9-11th Grades ELAR Teacher |
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Email: ehendrickson@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: Ms. Hendrickson has a B.A. in English from Texas A&M University. She is ELA 8-12 and ESL supplemental certified. Ms. Hendrickson has been teaching for 10 years and is in her fourth year at PTAA. She loves spending time with her family and dogs. She loves reading and sharing her passion for literature. She believes that reading and writing is what connects and empowers people. |
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David Hernandez, 9-11 Computer Science Teacher |
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Email: dhernandez@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: Mr. Hernandez has been teaching math and science since 1988. He has taught classes with students ranging from 4 years to 20 years in math, computers and science. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology (1985) and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics (1990) from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Masters in Education at Texas A & M at Commerce. He works hard for student understanding and their success. |
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Kat Hernandez, Instructional Aide |
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Email: khernandez@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Kat Hernandez earned her Associates in Science in 2017. She was a substitute teacher for 3 years before becoming the PTAA Para Inclusion Aide and Swim Coach. This is her 2nd year being a part of the PTAA team. In the summers, she enjoys coaching a swim team and teaching swim lessons. |
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Jesse Hinrichs, PE/Coach |
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Email:jhinrichs@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: Mr. Hinrichs graduated from Whitworth University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology, and from Texas Tech University with a Masters degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He has a passion for working with youth and his goal is to inspire and encourage students to develop and pursue a lifestyle of healthy |
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Sane Hubbard, PE Aide, Coach |
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Email:shubbard@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Coach Hubbard graduate from University Texas at Austin with my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. This is my 3rd year in education. I was a substitute teacher for 2 year with Mesquite ISD. I’ve coached and trained in all sports levels including elite athletes. My goals is to help each students understand the lifelong benefit of living healthy lifestyle, through creative thinking and fun energetic movement/ activities. |
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Therasa Jackson, MS PE Coach and MS Girls Sports Coach |
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Email: tjackson@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Middle school PE Coach and Middle school girls sports Coach. This is my 5th year in education. First year teaching. I graduated from Texas Woman's University. I have played and coached sports on all levels including professional. My goal is to help students learn and grow individually, and also learn to trust themselves so that they can push themselves to the next level. |
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Jordan Johnson |
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Email: jjohnson@ptaaschool.org |
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Elizabeth Jones, 8th Grade STEM Teacher |
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Email: ejones@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: Ms. Jones earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A & M University at Galveston in Structural Engineering. She worked for six years as a Structural Engineering for Oil and Gas firms in Houston, Texas. This is her first year teaching and is excited to share her passion for STEM. |
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Shiba Mathew, 7th Grade Math Teacher
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Email: smathew@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Shelbi graduated with Bachelor's in Biology and minored in Chemistry from Texas Tech University. She is certified in Generalist 4-8 and has taught both math, now and science and now is teaching PTAA students 7th and 8th math. Shelbi enjoys showing real world connections to math and helping students see the relevancy of mathematical thinking in everyday life. |
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Steven McCune, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher |
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Email: smccune@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: Steven McCune received a BA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1993 and a Texas Teacher Certification from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. He is certified to teach history; sociology; social studies composite; earth and life science; special education; and English as a second language. He has worked and traveled around the United States and the United Kingdom. Steven has 10 years of teaching experience in Texas public schools. He has also returned from 6 years of teaching Western Culture and Government at major universities in the People’s Republic of China. |
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Mackenzie Murphy |
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Email: mmurphy@ptaaschool.org |
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Thomas Nudd |
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Email: tnudd@ptaaschool.org |
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Jamie Odom, 9-11th Grades College Facilitator |
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Email: jodom@ptaaschool.org
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Education and Experience: Entering her third year of teaching, this is Mrs. Odom's second year at PTAA as the Lead College Facilitator. She was born and raised in Mesquite, and graduated from North Mesquite High School. Mrs. Odom is currently working to complete her degree to teach high school Biology. She is a mom of three, two of which are fraternal twins, and has been married for 14 years. |
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Dong Phan, 7th Grade STEM Teacher |
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Email: dphan@ptaaschool.org
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| Education and Experience: I graduated from UTDallas with a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and Minor in Psychology. I worked as a Documentation Specialist for a probe card production company then became a Math tutor for Eastfield College Learning Assistance Center. I returned to UTDallas to earn my Teaching Certification, taught Developmental Mathematics at Eastfield as a Adjunct Faculty. This will be my third year at Pioneer Tech and am very excited to share my enthusiasm with technology and computer science with everyone. Outside of school, I enjoy gadgets, audiobooks, small personal project, and adapt to new technologies and ideas. |
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Michaela Pinegar |
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Email: mpinegar@ptaaschool.org |
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Bethany Prather |
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Email: bprather@ptaaschool.org |
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Kristi Renteria |
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Email: krenteria@ptaaschool.org
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Education and Experience: Mrs. Renteria attended Baylor University for three years, but ultimately graduated from Henderson State University with a B.S. degree in Biology. This is her 3rd year teaching middle school science. She grew up in Mesquite and graduated from Mesquite High School. Currently, she lives in Rockwall with her husband, three children, and lots of animals on her small farm. |
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Kristi Riddles |
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Email: kriddles@ptaaschool.org |
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Thomas Riehl |
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Email: triehl@ptaaschool.org |
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Education and Experience: Thomas’s teaching career of nearly 20 years has allowed him to combine two of his passions in life—teaching and the arts. His love for Art was cultivated in high school by a teacher who invested deeply in his life. Thomas took that passion to Baylor University, where he received a B.F.A. in Fine Arts, with an emphasis in graphic design. In addition to techniques in Ceramics, Painting, Drawing and Photography—he became proficient in computer design programs and was hired by Baylor prior to graduation, to do graphic design. After 8 years in the industry, he returned to Baylor to earn his B.S. of Education, to do what he always wanted to do—teach! Thomas has taught all levels (K-12), and his resume includes positions at Waco High School, Sierra High School (Colorado Springs/District 2), most recently investing 7 years as part of the only charter school in Texas offering the Expeditionary Learning (EL) model, serving as part of the school’s leadership team. |
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Charise Romeo |
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Email: cromeo@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: I have been blessed to teach ages 0-24 for the past 18 years. I have taught many science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, AP Biology and AP Environmental Science. During the summer and winter breaks I love traveling to different countries, doing scientific research, and making crochet fashion. Degrees: B.S. in Biology and M.B.A |
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Shawn Ross |
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Email: sross@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: After Mr. Ross graduating from University of North Texas, he lived and worked in Beijing, PRC. After four and a half years of teaching English to some of the most amazing Chinese students he returned to Texas and became a Chinese language teacher. |
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Teresa Sanchez |
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Email: tsanchez@ptaaschool.org |
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Samah Shaffer |
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Email: sshaffer@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Mrs. Shaffer teaches 6th and 7th grade science. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas, and recently returned to UTD to obtain her teaching certification. She left her Career in Human Resources Management to teach at PTAA after realizing teaching science to kids was a lot more entertaining than teaching grown ups to fill out paperwork. |
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Christine Smart, English II, IV/Practical Writing/College Facilitator |
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Email: csmart@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Mrs. Smart is beginning her 3rd year at PTAA, and her 8th year of teaching. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She worked as a high school theology teacher, for two years in private schools. She later obtained her certification in 4-8 generalist and started teaching in public charter schools in Richardson, TX in 2015. She received her 7-12 ELAR certification in the 2018. Christine is currently working on her Masters in English through Texas A&M Commerce. |
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Gavin Stewart |
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Email: gstewart@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Mr. Stewart is a native Texan who graduated Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas in 2016 with a social studies composite degree. There he was involved in the University band as well as an international award winner in Model United Nations. Mr. Stewart was honored with Most Outstanding New Secondary Teacher at HPU, and Teacher of the Month during his Student Teaching. He is an avid reader and board game enthusiast. |
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Teloa Topping |
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Email: ttopping@ptaaschool.org |
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Adam Trent, World Geography |
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Email: atrent@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with my Bachelors Degree in Management in 2007 and received my MBA in 2009. I have been working in Sales and Marketing for 13 years and this will be my first year teaching. I’m excited to instill passion and humor in my students while teaching World Geography. |
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Katherine Vega Zayas |
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Email:kvega@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Ms. Vega is from Puerto Rico. She is a very active person, love outdoor activities and spending time with family, especially her new baby and her dog. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, hiking, road trips and staying home to cook. She moved to Ohio in 2013 to complete her Master's Degree and in 2017 she moved to Texas, where she taught for 2 years in CHISD. Very excited for this second year at PTAA and looking forward for a great year!
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Nathan Viles |
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Email: nviles@ptaaschool.org |
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Brittney Washington |
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Email: bwashington@ptaaschool.org |
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Anita Williams |
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Email: awilliams@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: Anita Williams was born in Dallas and grew up in Garland, Texas where she graduated from Naaman Forest High School. Williams was active in many sports, school, and community activities in Garland including UIL band, track and field long jump, cross country, and basketball. At NFHS she assisted the women’s basketball team to achieving multiple undefeated district records and various championships, including a Regional Championship in 2008. In 2014, she was inducted into the Garland Sports Hall of Fame for her team’s achievements in 2008 as the first team in Garland to compete in the Final Four. As a student athlete in high school, Anita was also a volunteer coach of a second-grade basketball team in Garland where she quickly became passionate with the process to assist and witness growth. Over the last 11 years, she has coached a variety of teams and skill levels ranging from second to twelfth grade boys and girls. Simultaneously, Williams has taught for 5 years now in the DFW area, grades 6th through, since graduating from Hardin-Simmons University in 2014.
At HSU she obtained a Bachelor’s of Behavior Science Degree, studies in Speech Communication, Education, and Coaching. At HSU she was also a student assistant coach for the women’s basketball team and assisted in the development of a campus community organization in which she was president. She has also earned certifications in teaching in Speech Communication, English Language Arts and Reading, and English as a Second Language. Her coaching and teaching strategies focus on improving and inspiring youth to become the best they can be by developing their study skills, learning strategy, and building confidence. She believes that persistence and consistency influence the overall growth of an individual. Anita looks forward to assisting youth in their steps to success |
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Qianru Yu |
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Email:qyu@ptaaschool.org |
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Jessica Zervakos, 7th Grade ELAR |
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Email: jzervakos@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: This is my 19th year in education. I have spent a majority of my time teaching 6-12 Theatre and directing UIL One-Act Play. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications/Theatre from Oklahoma Christian University and my Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and English from Texas A&M International University. I have two children, who are my pride and joy. My youngest is a Senior this year and a budding musician, which is part of the reason I love rock ‘n roll so much! My oldest is my theatre kid who shares my passion for film and the stage. And I can’t forget my furbaby, Bert. He’s quite the snuggle-bug! In all seriousness, I absolutely love teaching. I am truly blessed to be able to share my passions and joy with children. I believe with all that I am that we can be whatever we want in this life. We simply need people to believe in us and help us believe in ourselves. I am so very excited to be a part of the PTAA family this year! |
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Connie Jones, Academic Counselor |
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Email:cjones@ptaaschool.org |
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Education and Experience: Ms. Jones holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Texas at Dallas in History, and a Master’s of Science in Counseling Studies from Capella University. She taught secondary English and social studies for eighteen years at several area private schools. Ms. Jones has worked as a case manager with TRIO at Cedar Valley College, and served as the Secondary Administrator of a North Texas Charter School. For the past nine years, Ms. Jones was the secondary counselor for a North Texas Independent School District Alternative School. She is married with two adult children and two grandchildren. She is a long term resident of the North Texas area. |
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Maria Flores, ISS Aide |
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Email: mflores@ptaaschool.org |
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| Education and Experience: I’m Mrs. Flores I grew up in California then moved to Texas. Work at an elementary school campus for 19 years as elementary data controller. Attended Eastfield College and earned my Associate Degree extended my education and transferred to Grand Canyon University in addition received a Bachelor’s degree in Science Applied Management. This is my 2nd year at PTAA school as ISS teacher. |
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Alma Mendez, Office |
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Email: amendez@ptaaschool.org |
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