Middle School Faculty/Staff

List of 24 members.

• 

  Carlisha Bell 

  Wellness Guide

  Bio

  I earned my B.S. at the University of Kansas in Middle/Secondary Social Studies education. After several years as a High School History teacher and soccer coach in Evanston, Illinois I decided to take the advice I'd been giving my students to pursue their dreams with gusto and headed on down to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue an MFA in screenwriting and enjoy a far more favorable climate. After years of working as a director of educational videos, a teacher and tutor across a wide range of subjects and ages, and a free-lance writer, I found my way back to classroom teaching as a direct result of discovering the Headwaters learning environment. The focus on authentic self expression and deep engagement with educational content creates an atmosphere in alignment with my preferred styles of teaching and learning. In addition, as a Middle School guide, I am fortunate to work with my target audience of young people. In general, this age group has the incredible ability to engage with complex ideas, an openness to and capacity for deepening emotional intelligence and immense curiosity about the world and how they fit into it. Exploring topics with them from history, to screenwriting, to conscious movement practices and beyond is a delight for me.
• 

  Victoria Broderick 

  Science Guide

  Bio

  I grew up in San Antonio in a family of artists and educators, observing the stars and any animals and insects I could find. As an undergraduate I studied Art History and Natural Sciences at the University of Texas. I then received my Master’s in the Art of Teaching Museum Education from the George Washington University. Later in New York at the American Museum of Natural History, I managed, created and led hands on interactive courses in Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Climate Change, Geology, Life Sciences, and Paleontology. I also created and led programs at the New-York Historical Society, Brooklyn Children's Museum and Rubin Museum of Art, and have recently consulted in the education and exhibits departments at the Blanton Museum of Art, Hill Country Science Mill, DoSeum, and McNay Museum of Art. Over the years I have also led multiple professional development workshops and conferences in education theory, best practices in informal STEAM education, and working with diverse audiences and English language learners. 

  
  I believe that the learner controls the learning, and that everyone is both creative and a scientist naturally, especially young people. They observe, classify, question, challenge, create, imagine, experiment, and wonder. As the “guides on the side”, we help spark their curiosity to find, follow and dig at their own questions about themselves, the world and the Universe. 
  
  I spend my off time hiking with my family, and try to learn new things everyday.
• 

  Alex Chew 

  Film Guide

  Bio

  After receiving an MFA in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin, I found a home at Headwaters in 2010. I’ve written, directed, produced and edited films that have played at South by Southwest, Austin Film Festival, Texas Black Film Festival, Austin Comedy Film Festival, and a few others. In 2013, I founded the Austin Youth Film Festival with another local film instructor, which allows all middle and high schoolers in Texas to showcase their work at the Alamo Drafthouse, compete for prizes up to $1,000, and meet inspiring filmmakers (including Richard Linklater!). Our film department focuses on learning about film through theory, history, and culture. We also make movies that have gone on to play nationwide at Alamo theaters, festivals, and on our Youtube channel “Headwaters Student Films.”  You should definitely subscribe to the channel and check out some of our music videos, documentaries, dramas, horrors, comedies, and experimental fare.
• 

  Chalimar Chieza 

  Social Studies Guide

  Bio

  I have had a passion for teaching for as long as I can remember. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Business Administration, however most of my free time was spent working with students in economically-challenged areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Recently, I have headed community service efforts to contribute to Hurricane Katrina victims, soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, earthquake survivors in Haiti, and local Austinites in need. I love teaching, sports, reading, gardening, cooking meals from scratch, and photography. Most of my extra time is spent with my two dogs, Otis and Tyson, watching the History Channel, or playing soccer and sand volleyball with friends. I am excited to be a part of Headwaters School teaching faculty where they value creativity and dynamic learning environments.
• 

  Paul Cronin 

  Director of Studies, Grades 6-12
• 

  Nora Dock 

  International Studies Coordinator
• 

  Lisa Dubuque Wood 

  Director of College Counseling & Senior Class Sponsor
• 

  Shekema Dunlap 

  English Guide

  Bio

  Shekema Dunlap holds a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education from Georgia State University in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. With over 13 years of teaching experience, including two as Founder and Lead Instructor of IFE Academy of Teaching & Technology, Shekema has taught every grade level of English Pre-K-12, including both AP courses. Currently, Shekema serves on the Secondary Section Steering Committee for the National Council of Teachers of English.

   

  In 2011, Shekema was named Georgia's 2011 Milken National Educator. Dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching," "Milken Educator Awards targets early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future" (https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/about). The following year, Shekema became the first African American and first woman of color named a Lowell Milken Center Fellow, which honors the best and brightest Milken National Educators. Her work inside the classroom has been featured in The Congressional Record, on CNN, and in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has been published in the Huffington Post, NY Times, ASCD's InService, and NCTE's English Journal.

   

  Last but not least, Shekema is an ordained minister and is pursuing an M.A. in Biblical Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family therapy. Upon recently relocating to Texas to serve as a member of Headwaters' faculty, she now resides in Manor with her husband Deante (who works in IT leadership for Whole Foods' SW Region) and their children.
• 

  Roberto Germán 

  Middle School Director

  Bio

  Roberto has a B.A. in English Literature from Merrimack College where he grew a love for education. After graduating in 2003, he served as the Home & School Coordinator supporting underserved students in the community in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He continued his own education with a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and Administration from Boston College while also serving as the Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Development at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts. In 2013, Roberto then served as Assistant Principal at Guilmette Middle School (Lawrence, MA). In 2014, he and his family moved to Austin. Over the past four years, Roberto has shared his expertise as Director of Students Affairs and Services at nearby Magnolia Montessori for All.
• 

  Thomas Gibson 

  Math Guide

  Bio

  I graduated in 2010 from Texas State University with a degree in Sound Recording Technology; not the most typical route to get into teaching but glad I found my way.  I started my teaching career at an International Baccalaureate school called Iduma Elementary in Killeen, Texas and was granted the Teacher of the Year award my third year there.  I’m in my fourth year at Headwaters and had the honor of being the middle-school student choice Teacher of the Year my first year here. I love my job and it’s a gift to enjoy coming to work each day.
  
  

  My wife Sara is a pediatrician and recently finished her pediatric residency at Dell Children’s Hospital!  Outside of school, I like to make videos, run, swim, lift weights, do freelance voice-over work, and learn new cooking ideas. I also enjoy reading up on the topics of faith, education, sociology, and some fiction every now and then.
• 

  Laura Gordon 

  Photography Guide

  Bio

  My love for teaching became apparent while working as a teaching assistant in college. I graduated with my BS in Photographic Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology where I focused on the technical qualities of image making and utilizing photography for scientific research. My personal work combines my love of science with fine art practices, using photography as a tool for creating visual narratives. Prior to moving to Austin, I taught Digital Art, Filmmaking, and Photography at a magnet arts high school in South Florida. I am very excited to be focusing on teaching photography at Headwaters School and helping students develop (pun intended) their photographic eye. Outside of the classroom, I love competing with my team in Trivia Night and playing with my dog, Taffy. "
• 

  Paul Lambert 

  Math Guide

  Bio

  Learning and teaching are at the core of our family culture. My mother was a teacher and high school counselor, my brother is a teacher, and my wife is a teacher and university academic counselor. I have been an educator for sixteen years–thirteen as a teacher and basketball coach, and the last two teaching special education mathematics. I am passionate about the Houston Astros, solar energy, and spending time with my family. I am excited to guide my students to build the skills they need to become their best, authentic selves.
• 

  Marc Lionetti 

  HS & MS Counselor

  Bio

  I received my undergraduate degree in Music Education from Northwestern University, and was a full-time music teacher for eight years at a small progressive private school in the San Francisco Bay Area. After that time, I felt an inner calling to interact with students as a counselor in addition to as a teacher. That calling ultimately led me to the Educational Psychology department at the University of Texas at Austin, where I received a Masters of Education in Counselor Education in 2008. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas, and I have been serving as Headwaters School counselor (and vocal music guide) since 2009.  In addition, I am certified as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level, with specialized training in Kundalini yoga.  Outside of my work at Headwaters, I also perform music regularly around town with various bands, and teach private music lessons.
• 

  Terra Lynch 

  Learning Specialist/Middle &High School Spanish Guide

  Bio

  I come from a long line of teachers, but it wasn’t until I moved to New York City that I became one myself. I taught Humanities, Spanish, and Music Appreciation at high school in Manhattan. I got my Master’s in Social Studies Education from New York University, and became an affiliate of the School Reform Initiative. Since moving to Austin several years ago I have been an instructional coach, a tutor, and a volunteer.  I return to NYU each summer to teach a Facilitative Leadership Seminar for school administrators and teacher leaders.

  My brain changed when I became an educator, and now I can’t stop thinking (and talking) about teaching and learning! My experiences living in Brazil, Spain, and Egypt attuned me to the challenges of language learners.
  
  My years in project management help me think about lesson planning, data, and outcomes. I am constantly looking for creative ways to make teaching more effective and efficient, and to make learning engaging and equitable for all kinds of students. As the parent of dyslexic children, I am especially attuned to the needs of those who may not succeed in a traditional classroom–I even became trained in Dyslexia Therapy at the Rawson Saunders Institute to better understand and support their learning. As a graduate of an International Baccalaureate program myself, I felt a connection to the Headwaters School. I am so happy to be the Learning Specialist at the River Campus, collaborating with thoughtful teachers in ways to meet the needs of our diverse students.
  
  

  When I’m not talking about education, you can find me reading, cooking, leading a robotics team, or on the greenbelt with my husband, our two children, and our energetic dogs. Please stop and say hi!
• 

  Selena Martinez 

  Music Guide

  Bio

  I am a graduate from Texas Lutheran University with a B.M. in Music Education. I am a saxophonist in both Jazz and Classical settings, as well as a Mariachi vocalist and guitarist. My education experience includes Elementary Music Education in Del Valle ISD, volunteer teaching in Middle and High School Mariachi programs, and teaching private instrument lessons.
  
  This is my first year at Headwaters and I cannot express how much I already feel like this is where I am meant to be. To teach our youth how to reach others through musical expression is priceless and it is my passion. Music is a language that I truly love sharing with the world. I have a devotion for embracing cultures through music, and love sharing the appreciation of diversity with my students. Most importantly, my goal is to give all of my students the opportunity and encouragement to give themselves and others joy through music.
• 

  Martha Melendez 

  Spanish Guide

  Bio

  I am originally from Los Angeles, California, but I lived in San Francisco for a large part of my adult life. My passion for foreign languages came at an early age for me. My maternal language is Spanish and as a child, I lived in Mexico. When my family returned to the U.S., I was able to understand English, but I didn’t know how to speak, read, nor write it. I was therefore put in ESL classes in elementary school and before I knew it and before anyone expected it, I was completely literate and fluent in English. I loved it! From then on, my parents were very strict on keeping Spanish the household language and English whenever we were outside of the home. In high school, I was given the opportunity to appease my appetite for foreign languages and took up French. I went on and graduated from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO with a Masters in French and have travelled extensively around France and Western Europe. I am excited to be a part of the Headwaters community and I hope to inspire and transfer that same passion for languages onto my students.

• Dennis Morehead 

  Maintenance & Transportation
• 

  John Mulvany 

  Art Guide

  Bio

  I am an artist and art educator originally from Ireland who has been living and working in Austin for the last 20 years. I have been teaching art for 25 years and this is my 11th year at Headwaters where I teach studio art in the IB program, the high school and middle school.

  
  

  Teaching art in collaboration with young people at Headwaters School has been my most rewarding and inspiring experience in education.I graduated from the College of Art, Design and Print in Dublin, Ireland with a Fine Art degree, and I also have a degree in art and design education from the Crawford College of Art in Cork, Ireland. As an artist my work has been shown in Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the U.S. I was featured in the 2009 Texas Biennial and was nominated for best artist in the 2009 Austin Visual Arts Association awards. I was a founding member and editor of Cantanker, an art magazine and non-profit art organization and am a regular participant on the East Austin Studio Tour.

  
  

  I live in east Austin with my wife, Monique, and our two sons, Henry and Cormac, who are students at the Creek Campus.
• 

  Genevieve Okpara 

  Science Guide

  Bio

  I come from a family of teachers, so maybe my love for teaching runs in my genes? Who knows? I absolutely love the energy involved in working with kids and I’m a scientist at heart, constantly asking questions and observing the world around me…so teaching science just made sense!  Best decision I’ve ever made…behind choosing the right husband, of course. 
  
  Long before falling in love with Headwaters and this holistic approach to education, I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Biological Sciences. Why Rhode Island? Well, I was offered a full-ride athletic scholarship for volleyball. After university, I found myself back in my home state of California, but in Northern California this time, where I taught 7th Grade Life & Health Science as well as 9th Grade Biology at a top-ranked high school in the heart of Silicon Valley. After a few years of teaching in public schools, my husband and I made the decision to soul-search a bit and travel the world. I traveled through Southeast Asia and Europe for 2 years with my husband, immersing myself in different cultures, eating a plethora of different foods, and getting certified to teach yoga in Bali.

   

  I love mindfulness, yoga, sports (obviously volleyball), cooking, farmer’s markets, and flea markets, and I’m passionate about health & nutrition.
  
  

  I strive for my classroom to be a safe space where students can learn through exploration and curious inquiry without judgment. I want to show my students that the world is their classroom… Sigh, as I’m writing this, I can’t wait for them to walk through these doors!
  
  

  I’m so grateful to be a part of this Headwaters family and look forward to teaching and coexisting with this community in a way that is so closely aligned with my personal beliefs.
• 

  Paula Pacotti 

  River Campus Manager

  Bio

  I am excited to be joining the Headwaters' community as the River Campus Manager. I have a bachelor of science degree in Architecture Studies from the University of Texas. I had a home remodeling and design business for many years, which comes in handy managing the old buildings on the River Campus. I also have managed several popular restaurants in Austin.

   

  I live close to downtown with my husband, two teenage children, and my mom. I grew up in the Northwest Florida panhandle on a small farm. I have brought the small farm mentality to the city. I have chickens, cats, dogs, and grow a lot of my vegetables. I enjoy reading, cooking, and running; in fact, I am running my first half marathon in January 2020. 

   

  What has drawn me to Headwaters is the community. I began substituting across the campuses and was impressed by the commitment of staff and administrators to help the students think and speak up for themselves. I believe those are valuable lessons to teach our kids today, and I am proud to be part of a community that cultivates values.

  
• 

  Hilda Reilly 

  Spanish Guide

  Bio

  I love the Spanish language and have been teaching it for over 20 years. I have been a foreign language instructor in different settings: universities, private, charter and public schools in Mexico, Ecuador, and the United States. Through these years the driving force has been to see my students experience the language and succeed at being proficient in Spanish. I was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and my undergraduate work is in Spanish Literature from Tecnológico de Monterrey. I received a Master’s Degree also in Spanish Literature from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and a Master of Arts in Hispanic Linguistics from the Ohio State University. For this academic year, I am thrilled to join Headwaters because the commitment to foster the personal growth of individuals in a global community resonates with my personal beliefs.
• 

  Stephanie Roach 

  Math Guide/MS Athletics Coordinator

  Bio

  After earning my BS in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University, I decided to pursue a masters degree in education on the advice of my dad. Unbeknownst to me, I would quickly fall in love with teaching and influencing the lives and minds of younger generations. Since then, I have earned a MA in Teaching Middle Grades Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University and another MA in Teaching Mathematics Education from Western Governors University.
  
  For the last decade, I have taught various middle and high school level math classes and coached numerous sports at schools in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. I am very excited to be joining Headwaters and guiding students as they build their mathematical understanding. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, running, biking, and any other outdoor activities as well as taking advantage of the amazing restaurants around Austin!
• 

  Tatiana Sokolik 

  Social Studies Guide

  Bio

  I am from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and while I spent most of my childhood there, I also spent time in Monrovia, Liberia. My years growing up overseas taught me to appreciate and value a broad cultural experience, which I seek to impart upon my students by teaching social studies. I received my BA from St. Edward's University in 2008. Although I knew from an early age that I had to become a teacher, I got sidetracked for the better part of a decade in aviation. I am a commercially-rated pilot, and before pursuing a career in education, I got to fly people around and teach other aspiring pilots how to fly planes. Although teaching is my second career, it was always my first choice.

  
  

  My family has been part of the Headwaters community for a very long time. My husband, Joe Sokolik, has taught history at Headwaters for twelve years, and our daughter is in her fourth year at the school. I started working at Headwaters nearly four years ago as the high school volleyball coach, and am very excited to have taken on this new role teaching middle school social studies.
• 

  Michael Stavitz 

  Music Guide

  Bio

  As a 9-year-old, I watched a 6th grader named Dave Coniglio play “Wipeout” on the drums in the school concert, and I was hooked. Dave later became my first teacher, college roommate and best friend. After realizing as a middle schooler that playing shortstop for the New York Mets probably wasn’t in the cards, I focused on music. Growing up an hour north of NYC, I was lucky enough to get to witness and perform a lot of music there. After high school, I decided to further my passion at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I earned a BA in Music Education in 2005. While in Boston I shoveled a lot of snow, played a lot of music, and met the woman whom I would marry. In Boston, I found my passion for bringing the same excitement and inspiration Dave and other teachers brought to me, by teaching music to students of my own. I was able to work as an outreach teacher for Community Music Center of Boston, co-teach percussion at a Puerto Rican cultural center with one of my professors, work with kids at a Boys and Girls Club, as well as lots of private instruction. I also got the the opportunity to join a great band and tour the country for the better part of two years. After pretending to be a rock star for a bit, my wife and I decided to completely uproot our lives and move to Austin in 2011. The snow literally followed us as far south as Memphis but we finally made it. I had the great honor of joining the amazingly talented staff at Armstrong Community Music School in 2011, and for the last 6 years have taught there, been involved with some of their many outreach programs, and joined the Austin music scene. In October 2015 my wife and I had our first child, Elliot. I will very likely show you pictures of him whether you ask or not.
  
  

  I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Headwaters community, and can’t wait to share my passion for all things musical with students and teachers alike.