Shady Oak Staff
Joyce Trigger, Director: Joyce Trigger founded Shady Oak Christian School in June 1987. She received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and her MS in Education from the University of Houston. Joyce Trigger and her husband, Tom, have 2 daughters. Brandie works and goes to school in Houston and Polly lives in New York City and works at New York University in their Study Abroad Program. Joyce enjoys crafts of many kinds, reading, gardening, Christmas, fitness swimming, and your children!Bridget Hilbe, Assistant Director: Bridget is starting her 17th year as our Assistant Director. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. Bridget and husband, Dave, have been married for 29 years. They have 3 sons, Joshua, 25, Sean, 23 and Timothy, 19. Joshua graduated from the University of South Carolina and is now a Law Student at the University of Houston, while middle son, Sean graduated from St. Edwards University and now works for the Coastal Resources Division of the Texas General Land Office in Austin. Timothy will be starting his sophomore year at the University of Houston, and is the assistant JV Lacrosse Coach at Strake Jesuit. Sean and Timothy attended Shady Oak, and all three boys have worked here. Bridget enjoys time with her boys, traveling, reading, exercising, cooking for all her boys and shoe shopping with Debbie Elmer. Linda Rocha, Readiness Teacher: This fall, Linda will be starting her 23rd year with Shady Oak. Linda has a Child Development Associate Credential from Wharton County Junior College. Linda and husband, Ruben have 3 children: Rebecca 30, Albert 25 and Catherine 16, who is a Junior at BF Terry High School. In her spare time she enjoys sewing, reading, trying new recipes and attending Catherine’s sporting events.Natasha Font, Readiness Teacher & Spanish Teacher: Natasha Font will be returning for her 6th year at Shady Oak. This year will be her 5th year as a Readiness Teacher. Natasha has been actively involved in early childhood education for the past 13 years either through teaching or volunteering. She completed her CDA program and is currently enrolled in classes at Wharton County Junior College to receive her Degree in Early Childhood Education. Natasha has 5 children: Ava (7) will be in 1st Grade at Shady Oak; Elijah (10) will be in 4th grade at Jane Long Elementary School; Jonah (16) will be a junior at George Ranch High School; Patricia (21) will be a sophomore at Wharton County Junior College; and Justin (23) will be a senior at Texas State University in the Fall. Natasha enjoys crafting, attending her sons sporting events, gardening, painting old furniture and spending time with her family. Patricia Font, Readiness Assistant: “Miss Tricia” is excited about joining the Readiness Team as the 3 day a week assistant. She has worked at Shady Oak for the past 3 years as a substitute, in after school care, and in the school age summer program. She is currently attending Wharton County Junior College to pursue a career in education. Patricia loves babying her two dogs, Chloe (a miniature dachshund) and Sandy (a pit bull). She enjoys running, spending time with her family, and floating the Guadalupe River.Mara Derharoutian, Readiness and Pre-K Assistant: You may know Mara as Mrs. D. She substitute taught in pre-k and Readiness for over a year. Mara enjoyed working with the children so much she has joined the pre-k and readiness teams as an assistant teacher. Mara received a B.A. in Biology from Texas A&M University and worked in the oil and gas industry where she met her husband, David. Mara and David are blessed with two children, Ben, 9, and Carly, 5. In the past, both Ben and Carly have attended and thrived at Shady Oak. Mara enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and connecting with her girlfriends. Dawn Wells, Pre-K Teacher: Dawn is a lead Pre-K Teacher, returning for her 13th year at Shady Oak. She received her Child Development Associate Credential from Wharton County Junior College. She taught Mothers’ Day Out at First Baptist across the street for 9 years. Dawn and husband, Jim, have been married for 27 years. They have three children: Jake 25, Josh 23, and Jenna 21. Dawn enjoys the beach, her dogs, home projects, the Home & Garden Channel, and spending time with good friends.Amy DeMarco, Pre-K Teacher: Amy joined the Shady Oak family last year. She is a Pre-K teacher on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She has worked with young children since 1998. Amy has completed 2 years at Houston Community College and is attending the University of Houston in the fall to complete her BS in interdisciplinary studies (only 4 more semesters). Amy resides in Rosenberg with her husband, Marc. They have been married 13 years and love to travel to Florida to fish, snorkel and relax on the beach. She grew up in the Houston area and has the privilege of spending time with her family. Amy enjoys cooking and entertaining family and friends. She also enjoys spoiling her nieces, Rachel, 8 years, Laylah, 2 years and Alexandra 2 months! Sarah Garza, Pre-K Teacher: Sarah begins her third year as part of the Pre-K team and is excited about being a Lead Pre-K teacher this year. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from U of H and a Masters Degree from Texas Women’s University. Sarah has volunteered at Sacred Heart teaching CCE classes and Vacation Bible School. She has been married for 13 years and has been blessed with Samantha (12) and Gabriel (7). Samantha is attending Reading Jr. High and Gabriel is a 2nd grader at Shady Oak. She enjoys spending time with her family and all their activities, reading, and looking for shells on the beach.Debbie Elmer, Pre-K Assistant Teacher: After being a homemaker and stay-at-home mom for 18 years, Debbie begins her 5th year at Shady Oak, as a Pre-K assistant. Debbie has a Child Development Associate Credential. She and her husband, Dan, (who have been married for 25 years) have 2 sons. Michael is a Senior at Texas A & M; Bryan, is a Junior at University of Houston. Bryan is a Shady Oak alumnus. In keeping with her Cajun heritage, she loves to cook, and also enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening (she has a Master Gardener Certification), beading jewelry, Sudoku Puzzles, and shoe shopping with Bridget Hilbe.Kathy Strode, Primary Teacher: Kathy will be our Bridge Teacher this year. She has taught Readiness for 2 years, Pre-K for 15 years and has been the Kindergarten Teacher for the past 2 years. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lock Haven State College in Pennsylvania. She is beginning her 20th year at Shady Oak. Kathy and her husband, Dan, have been married for 35 years. They have 2 daughters; Erica is an English teacher at Elkins High School, and Lindsay works as a professional photographer. Both girls are graduates of Texas Tech University. Both daughters have worked at Shady Oak in the summers. Kathy loves bowling, show tunes, theatre, and all God’s creatures, great and small!June Schroeder, Primary Teacher: June is our Kindergarten / First Grade Teacher. June was born and raised in Scotland where she received her Dip. Ed. from Aberdeen College of Education. She taught for 6 years there, and several years in Mother's Day Out programs in the U.S. when her children were small. She is beginning her 24th year at Shady Oak because she loves the school’s philosophy and it’s a joy to work here. June and husband, Gary, have been married for 32 years. They have two grown children. Her son, Greg, attended Shady Oak and is trying his hand at a variety of jobs until he figures out what he really wants to do! Daughter, Dawn, was a summer-time Teacher for many years at Shady Oak. Dawn died very unexpectedly last spring. She will always be remembered for her laughter, her joy of living and her sense of fun. She was passionate about children's education, particularly for those children with learning differences. She continues to be June's inspiration. June’s interests include gardening, reading, sewing, knitting, all kinds of puzzles and making time for friends.Carrie Fix, Primary Teacher: Carrie received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado and her MS in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver. She has taught in Colorado, Washington, and in the Fort Bend ISD Schools. For Carrie’s 10th year at Shady Oak, she is returning as our second grade teacher. Carrie and husband, Tim, have been married for 25 years and have 2 children. Julie, 21, is a senior at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, and Charlie, 19, will be a sophomore at The University of Houston. Both children attended Shady Oak. In her free time, Carrie enjoys her favorite leisure activities - playing with her golden retriever Riley, reading, computers, knitting, beading, mosaics, and painting.Nicole Peffley, Primary Teacher: Nicole returns this year as our third grade teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Science Composite Teaching Certificate at Texas A & M University. She has taught a variety of science subjects for over 10 years. Nicole and her husband, Nick, have 2 girls: Zoie, 10, and Edie, 8. Zoie, a former Shady Oak student now attends the 5th grade at Frost Elementary, and Edie will be in 3rd grade here at Shady Oak. When Nicole is not studying for her graduate school classes, she stays busy cooking, beekeeping, gardening, scrapbooking, and playing with her family.LeAnn Bravo, Primary Teacher: LeAnn is looking forward to moving to the Primary building to be the fourth grade teacher this year. She taught 4th grade in Cali, Colombia for two years. She has been a teacher since 1997 after graduating from Sam Houston State University with her BS in Elementary Education. She also helps her husband, Charlie, with their home remodeling company. They have an eight year old son, Terrie, who will be in third grade at Shady Oak. LeAnn enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and watching Terrie play soccer. She is an active board member with the Lone Star Association for the Education of Young Children helping to train fellow early childhood professionals and support the education of children in and around Fort Bend County.Natascha Odom, Primary Assistant & Physical Education Teacher: Natascha returns to Shady Oak this year not only as the second and third grade assistant, but also as the new PE teacher! She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Concordia University in Austin and her teaching certification in Elementary Education from U of H. She taught for eight years in Fort Bend ISD before deciding to be a stay-at-home-mom. Natascha and her husband, Charles, have two children. Chase will begin 2nd grade at Pecan Grove Elementary and Brooklyn is entering Kindergarten at Shady Oak. She enjoys sailing, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.LeAnne Womack, Primary Assistant: Le Anne is excited to be joining Shady Oak this year as the second and third grade assistant. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from Mc Neese State University in Lake Charles, LA. She has been a stay at home mom for 7 years and has dedicated a lot of her time staying active in her children's classes. Le Anne and her husband, Matt, have two children. Corbyn is in the 1st grade at Williams Elementary and Kenzie is in Bridge at Shady Oak. She enjoys bargain shopping, eating out and spending time with her friends and family.Nancy Wenzel, Primary Assistant: Nancy is returning to Shady Oak as a Primary School aide after living the past two years in Istanbul. She began working as a Kindergarten aide in 2000, and has also served as the Primary school art teacher from 2007-2008. She graduated from Bassist Institute with a degree in Interior Design. In 2007 she completed her studies with the HANDLE Institute and became a certified HANDLE Screener. Nancy and her husband Jim have 4 children, and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first two grandchildren. Heather Guill, Primary Building Administrator: Heather returns to Shady Oak for her 4th year on the staff as the Building Administrator in our Primary School. In recent years, she has served on her church staff as Preschool Education Associate and director of Veggie Tales Summer Day Camp for preschoolers. She has also worked with children in numerous volunteer programs for over 10 years. Heather currently attends Wharton County Junior College where she is working toward a degree in Nursing. She and her husband, Jeff, have three children. Jacob is a senior at Travis High School. Colton, previously a Shady Oak kid, is now in 5th grade at Oakland Elementary, and Emma is in first grade at Shady Oak. When Heather is not involved in activities with her children, her interests include reading, traveling, photography, and scrapbooking.Stephanie Wheatley, Primary School Art Teacher: Stephanie is excited to be returning to Shady Oak for her third year as the Primary Art Teacher. Her connection with the school stretches back 12 years when her son and daughter attended. She has helped create numerous Christmas fantasy rooms, assisted with “Branching Out” summer programs and made items for Shady Oak auctions and fund raisers. She was born and raised in England and received her Masters in Library Management from the University of Wales in 2001. She has worked with children in numerous volunteer programs for over 11 years and has also worked at Faith United Methodist Church in Richmond as the Children's Ministry Assistant. Stephanie and her husband have 3 children: Brody (20) who is in the US Marines, Grant (18) who attends The Monarch School in Houston and Erica (15) who attends Travis High School. Stephanie's interests include all kinds of arts and crafts, baking, reading, traveling, keeping fit, drinking tea and most recently, scuba diving!Cathy Wesley, Multi-Cultural Program Coordinator: Cathy returns for her third year as our Multi-Cultural Program Coordinator. She received her B.A. in History/Political Science from the College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio. Cathy and her husband John have two children: Drew, a sophomore at George Ranch High School, and Cameron, a 3rd grader at Shady Oak. Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking and dreaming of far-away places! She is an active member of the National Association for Multi-cultural Education (NAME). Brandie Trigger, Wellness Consultant: (Miss B) joined Shady Oak in the summer of 2007 as Wellness Consultant and taught alongside Mrs. Strode in the 5-day Pre-K class for the 2007-2008 school year. Brandie has a degree in Nutrition from UT Austin and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2001. Her practice focuses on supporting health and wellness for adults and children with massage therapy and nutrition consultations. Additionally, she contributes to the Shady Oak monthly newsletter with current information on nutrition and health. Brandie is now attending The University of Texas at Houston School of Nursing and will be graduating in December 2011. Miss B loves swinging, swimming, and singing- especially the Shady Oak Birthday song!
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