Misty Mathis: Finding Community on Both Sides

For Misty Mathis, Headwaters has always been more than just a school—it’s a community that has nurtured her family for over 15 years. She first encountered Headwaters as a parent in 2009, when her daughter Kate began at the Primavera Campus. Her son Levi followed in 2014. In 2017, Misty joined the staff herself.

What drew her to Headwaters was clear and powerful. “I wanted my children to be in an environment where they would be respected, seen, and known by the adults,” Misty explains. “The emphasis on peace education and fostering an intrinsic drive to learn drew our family to this school.”

Over the years, the school has grown and evolved, but Misty believes its soul has stayed the same. “The guides who now work with my son at the middle school know who he is as a learner and a person—just as the YCC guides did when he was a toddler.”

Misty’s professional background reflects a lifelong commitment to supporting the development of children and families. Her interest was sparked in a child development course at the University of Texas at Austin. That early curiosity led her to a part-time role at a Montessori school in North Austin, where she was first introduced to the powerful principles of Montessori education.

She later pursued a Master’s in Professional Counseling at Texas State University–San Marcos, and went on to work with children, adolescents, and adults in clinical settings. Eventually, her path brought her back to education, where she rediscovered the joy of teaching and began her leadership journey—now in her fourth year.

The decision to formally join Headwaters as a professional was rooted in what she had already seen as a parent. “After observing the depth of care and attention my own children received, I realized I could surround myself with like-minded colleagues who not only share my passion for working in the service of children, but also lean into a profession where authenticity, direct communication, and growth are the norm.”

Being both a parent and staff member has only deepened Misty’s appreciation. “Sometimes getting a peek behind the curtain can change your perspective about a place,” she shares. “For me, working at Headwaters affirmed what I had believed to be true. The adults here are truly dedicated in their efforts to educate each child in both academics and social-emotional learning.”

She adds, “Just as we do with the children, guides and administrators give each other grace and space to learn and grow. I feel so lucky to be in a community of colleagues who truly care about one another’s well-being.”

When prospective families ask what makes Headwaters different, Misty’s answer is rooted in her experience on both sides. “At Headwaters, your child will be seen and known. They will be challenged to grow and encouraged to be curious. Their academic journey will take place in a classroom culture grounded in community, where guides work to create a sense of belonging for all children.”

Misty continues to find inspiration in Dr. Montessori’s vision of education as a pathway to peace. “Her understanding of the child’s role in building a more compassionate world remains deeply relevant today.”

Outside of school, Misty enjoys a rich family life with her husband and their two children. She especially loves attending musicals with her daughter, who began college at Simmons University in Boston, and watching soccer with her son, now an 8th grader at the River Campus. The family are frequent attendees at Austin FC II games.

For Misty Mathis, Headwaters isn’t just where she works—it’s the place that helped raise her children, the place where she continues to grow, and the place where community lives at the heart of everything.