Ashley Johnston
Teaching Fellow (substitute)   

 B.A. Political Science & History, Texas A&M University 

Ashley graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Political Science and History. As a student, she wrestled with the idea of becoming a lawyer or even a museum curator; however, through her volunteering experiences at a College Station elementary school she learned her true passion was empowering students. Ashley is excited to be working with SHINE’s second, third, and fourth graders this year, helping to give them the tools they need to continue on the path to college

Joan Kaminsky 
Pre-Kindergarten 3 Co-Teacher 
jkaminsky@kipphouston.org

A.A. Elementary Education, The College of Lake County

Joan Kaminsky was a teaching fellow last year at SHINE in the Pre-K 4 class. She came to SHINE with 16 years teaching experience in Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and a bridge between Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten. Joan lives with her husband and has two daughters, ages 20 and 26. She is currently attending LeTourneau University in Houston majoring in Early Childhood - Grade 4.

Shalisha Kemp
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teacher
skemp@kipphouston.org

B.S. Child and Family Development, Texas Southern University

Shalisha Kemp stands as a teacher willing, eager, and full of creativity and imagination to help young children get prepared for the world ahead of them. She stands virtually prepared to go out into the world of education and mold early childhood minds into the next generation of teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and even the next president of the United States.

Syreeta Lazurus
Third Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
slazurus@kipphouston.org

B.B.A. Marketing, The University of Texas at Austin 
B.A. Spanish-Hispanic Studies, The University of Texas at Austin

Prior to her tenure at HISD, Syreeta was on a completely different career path altogether. Syreeta was a Business Enterprise Account Executive for NORTEL, a premier telecommunications company.  Though Syreeta’s background is in Business, she continuously had a desire to leave a legacy for upcoming generations, which would encompass her career path.  She had a clue of the stakes involved, as she had worked on the Marketing team, as a student recruiter, with Teach for America.  With that, she took a step out on faith, and entered the area of mentoring and teaching with Teach for America, in the classroom. “It is a blessing to have my career also be my passion and my purpose!” she remarks.  I love everyday of it and STILL wouldn’t change it for the world.

Anne Lyneis
Third Grade Teacher 

B.A. Psychology, University of Vermont

Anne is excited to be joining the SHINE team as a third grade teacher.  Before coming to SHINE Anne was a member of the 2006 Teach for America corps in South Louisiana where she taught second grade for three years. Anne is passionate about working to ensure that every child receives an excellent education and strongly believes that every child can and will learn. Outside of school, Anne likes reading, cooking, traveling and being outdoors.

Eli Mims
Second Grade Co-Teacher, TFA Corps Member
emims@kipphouston.org

B.A. Sociology, University of Notre Dame

Eli Mims enthusiastically joins the KIPP SHINE Prep in her first year as a 2008 Teach For America Corps Member.  She believes that social inequity is, in large part, perpetuated through educational inequity.  She is excited to join a team and family that fights that systematic inequity and is proving that all children can and will learn.

Norma Mottu
Learning Team Teaching Fellow & Librarian Fellow
nmottu@kipphouston.org

B.S. Business/Management (BSB/M), University of Phoenix

Norma Mottu is a member of KIPP SHINE Prep’s original faculty. Before coming to SHINE she worked in the private sector at Enron Corp. and Linbeck Corp. in Houston, Texas. As a parent of KIPPsters and a teacher fellow, she strongly upholds the “ALL of US WILL LEARN” mission and is an avid believer in educational equality. She envisions all her children obtaining a college education and will do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality. Before 2018, she hopes to be the founding director of KIPP University. She states, “By having a KIPP University available to her children it will ensure that all original and future SHINEsters attain a college education.” It is her mission to empower students to become life-long learners and instill within them the knowledge that they can reach any goal. Her motto is, “Shoot for the MOON. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” (Les Brown)

Melissa Moussalli
Special Education Coordinator
mgamble@kipphouston.org

B.S. Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.Ed. Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Special Education, University of Houston

Melissa Moussalli, a Teach for America alumni, taught PPCD (Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities) for three years in the Houston Independent School District. While at her placement school, Melissa started a reading mentoring program for her students as well as an inclusion based early childhood science lab. As the Special Education Coordinator at KIPP SHINE, Melissa works with teachers to provide in-class support to students with special needs. She is especially passionate about developing individual and classroom positive behavior techniques so that all students can experience success. Melissa believes that All Children Can Learn and is committed to working with SHINEsters of all ages.

Kari Mullen
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teaching Fellow

B.A. Biblical Studies, Trinity Western University (British Columbia)

Kari graduated from Trinity Western University in British Columbia in 2003.  She discovered her joy for teaching when she joined AmeriCorps Volunteers teaching health, safety, and disaster preparedness through the American Red Cross in Seattle, Washington.  Other youth volunteer experience along with six summers spent working with kids at summer camps has inspired Kari to be a teacher that brings enthusiasm, creativity, and team building opportunities to the classroom.  Kari and her husband's recent move to Houston from the Northwest has led Kari to KIPP SHINE where she is excited to be a teaching fellow!  Kari also enjoys singing, soccer, cooking, and reading.

Cait Murphy
First Grade Teacher
cmurphy@kipphouston.org

BA Psychology, Johns Hopkins University

Cait Murphy started her teaching career as a Teach For America corps member teaching special education in HISD. After two years in HISD, she worked with Teach For America as a Program Director. In this role she supported new PK-1st grade and SPED teachers. This year, Cait wanted to come back into the classroom to have a direct hand in working with students and watching them achieve goals. She is motivated by the knowledge that all children can succeed and will do everything in her power to assure the children at SHINE are able to reach their goals.

Megan Murphy
Learning Team Teaching Fellow
mmurphy@kipphouston.org

B.B.A. Business Management with minors in Health and Public Administration, University of Texas at San Antonio

 Megan comes to KIPP SHINE Prep after working over three years in the for-profit world, including jobs in logistics, fashion and marketing. Through a series of events and the inspiration of her nephew, she realized that her ultimate goal in life is to make the world a better place by influencing children in positive ways and showing them a pathway to success. She believes the continuation of knowledge directly enhances your quality of life and helps to facilitate positive changes in the world. Outside of the classroom, Megan volunteers to educate the community about important health issues, travel and discover new music. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”-Mahatma Gandhi

David Nasser
Third Grade Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher
dnasser@kipphouston.org

B.A. History, The College of William and Mary
B.A. Hispanic Studies, The College of William and Mary

 David has been teaching in various capacities since 2003, when he was a 3^rd grade bilingual teacher in HISD.  Since then, his journey through the teaching profession has seen him teach 4^th grade bilingual, 6^th grade World Cultures, 7^th grade Texas History, and 8^th grade U.S. History. Dave is excited to carry on  SHINE’s emphasis on music, values, and cultural capital with the Princeton Tigers and UNC Tar Heels as their reading and GK (general knowledge) teacher. 

Sheer Nisman
Kindergarten Teaching Fellow
snisman@kipphouston.org

B.A. Anthropology, CUNY Hunter College

After graduating with a degree in cultural anthropology, Sheer Nisman spent half a year traveling in various countries and is now at SHINE for her first year of teaching. She is excited to enter the field of education at a school that is so connected to her core beliefs about empowering individuals and communities through learning. She sees SHINE as an amazing place for personal and professional growth. She loves cultures, languages, books, music and film, travels, and exploring outdoors.

Mary Okoli
Founding Teacher 
Third Grade Math and Science Teacher
mokoli@kipphouston.org

 B.A. History, University of Houston

Mary Okoli has taught for six years and is the recipient of the prestigious Kinder Excellence in Teaching award. Before joining the KIPP team, she worked for four years in the Acres Homes Charter District in Houston. As a KIPP parent, Mary knows that all students can and will learn when provided with quality instruction. Her passion is geography and history and it is exciting to walk into her classroom and observe her children locating the 50 states on the US map using geographic terms such as the prime meridian and lines of latitude and longitude when locating different countries. Mary believes that practice and reinforcement through homework fosters a sense of responsibility, independence and hard work. Her parents report to her that, not only do their children do their homework all by themselves each night, but they also make homework a priority when they get home. Mary is a relentless achiever and is never satisfied or complacent with her teaching abilities. She is constantly “raising the bar” in student expectation by asking herself, “Why not?” She never underestimates a child’s ability to understand and learn and fosters an environment of high expectations.   As the words of her Tarheel chant say: “From elementary, middle, high school and college, we never stop learning and seeking knowledge."

Amelia Page
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teacher
apage@kipphouston.org

B.A. History, Yale College
M.Ed. Teaching, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Amelia Page is thrilled to be part of the SHINE team and family. Prior to coming to KIPP, she taught seventh grade social studies in Honolulu for two years through the Teach For America program. Amelia is passionate about not simply struggling to close the achievement gap, but working to ensure that no such gap ever exists for her young students,.  Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, vegetarian cooking, and learning her way about Houston.

Precious Parks
Pre-Kindergarten 3 Teacher & Grade Level Chair
pparks@kipphouston.org

B.S. Human Development and Family Studies, University of Houston Central
M.S. Early Childhood Education, University of Houston Clear Lake

W.B Yeats said that, "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." My purpose at SHINE is to light fires within children so that they become the change they want to see in their homes, communities and beyond.

Stefani Patch
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teaching Fellow
spatch@kipphouston.org

B.A. Mass Communications- Broadcasting, Texas State University

Stefani is excited to be a part of KIPP SHINE Prep this year.  After a previous career in marketing, she is eager to dive head first into the education field.  Before returning to her home town of Houston, Stefani lived and worked in NYC.

Susan Pearson
Pre- Kindergarten 4 Co-Teacher, TFA Corps Member
spearson@kipphouston.org

B.A.  Business, Calvin College

Cielo Perez-Campos
Kindergarten Spanish Teacher
cestrada@kipphouston.org

B.S. Law, University: Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico

Cielo Perez-Campos was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, where she studied law at the school of “Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan” for five years and graduated in 1999. She worked in several schools in Mexico and taught different subjects such as grammar and history of Mexico. In 2003, she moved to Houston, TX. She has worked in after school programs, and taught Spanish at West University Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, as well as at the “FS Language” company. Cielo loves the Spanish language and loves to teach it. She wants to leave her mark on the students.

Cynae Punch
Kindergarten Teacher & Miles Fellow, 2008
cpunch@kipphouston.org

B.A. Spanish, Howard University
M.Ed. Teaching English as a Second Language, Regent University
Ed.M. in School Leadership/School Development, Harvard University

Cynae Punch, originally from Houston, Texas, is a recent graduate of the School Leadership Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  In addition to having a seven year career in K-12 education, she has also held an adjunct faculty position as an ESL instructor within the Houston Community College System. Cynae is a proud graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC where she was a recruited track and field athlete. In her spare time, Cynae enjoys playing with her three golden retrievers, and taking in the magnificence of visual arts.

Daniela Reyes
Pre- Kindergarten 4 & Kindergarten Spanish Teaching Fellow
dreyes@kipphouston.org

B.A. Education, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
M.Ed EC-4th Bilingual Education, University of St. Thomas

Daniela has always enjoyed working with children. She thinks it is extremely important to have great expectations for children and she believes in SHINE’s mission. She is also aware of the importance of learning another language. Daniela was born in Quito-Ecuador were she has always worked with children. She moved to Houston in August 2006 to pursue her master’s degree. She is excited about her work at KIPP SHINE Prep.

Tiffany Rubner 
First Grade Teacher, TFA Corps Member 
trubner@kipphouston.org

B.A. History with a minor in French, College of the Holy Cross

Tiffany Rubner, a 2007 Teach for America Corps Member, moved to Houston from Boston, Massachusetts. She taught Kindergarten this past summer, and is excited to be teaching first grade. She wants each of her students to believe in themselves, and seeks to encourage their love of learning. She is passionate about history, and hopes to share that with her students. Tiffany is working to lead each of her students to achieve as much as possible this year, and to enter second grade above grade level. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys dancing and exploring Texas.

Gabriela Ruiz 
Assistant Office Manager
gruiz@kipphouston.org

Gabriela Ruiz, who is originally from McAllen, TX, decided to move to Houston two years ago and was privileged to join the SHINE office team.  She loves working and being part of the SHINE team and family because she truly believes in SHINE’s mission. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her son (a SHINEster), traveling and going to the movies.

Courtney Sartor
First Grade Teacher, TFA Corps Member
csartor@kipphouston.org

B.A. Journalism, Southern Methodist University
B.A. Political Science, Southern Methodist University

Courtney Sartor is new to SHINE this year. She graduated from Southern Methodist University and is a 2008 Teach For America corps member. Courtney is a firm believer in equal educational opportunity for all students and is extremely dedicated to KIPP’s mission. Her love of reading guided her decision to teach lower elementary school. In the classroom, she shows her students that she has high expectation for academics, behavior and character. Courtney is very excited to be working with the exceptional students, parents, teachers, and staff members at SHINE.

Marthe Schreitmueller
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teaching Fellow
mschreitmueller@kipphouston.org

B.S. Early Childhood Education, Auburn University

Marthe Schreitmueller recently moved to Houston from Rhode Island to work for KIPP SHINE Prep.  She graduated from Auburn University in May 2007, and returned home to Rhode Island to work as a lead teacher in a Head Start program for one year.  She gained a lot of useful practice and information through the experience at Head Start and is thankful for the opportunity to continue to grow and learn with KIPP SHINE.

Cyndi Sheu 
Kindergarten Teacher
csheu@kipphouston.org

B.S. Consumer Science and Merchandising, University of Houston, University Park

Cyndi Sheu is in her fourth year of teaching at KIPP SHINE Prep. Before becoming a teacher, Cyndi had been in the Small Business Administration Lending for 11 years at a major financial institution. Cyndi had been tutoring kids throughout elementary and middle school. She finally decided it was time to pursue her dream to become a teacher 4 years ago. She would like to eventually go into education administration. She seeks to make a difference with each child that she comes into contact with. Outside of the classroom, Cyndi loves to read, travel, shop and spend time with her family and friends.

Deborah Shifrine 
Founding Teaching Fellow (2004)
School Leader (2008)
dshifrine@kipphouston.org

B.A. Political Science, Goucher College
M.Ed. Educational Leadership, National-Louis University

Deborah Shifrine has worked in the field of education since 1998 and is a member of KIPP SHINE Prep’s original staff.  Deborah joined SHINE’s faculty as a Pre-Kindergarten 4 teaching fellow in 2004 and taught Kindergarten before moving into the role of Dean of Early Childhood in 2007. In 2008, Deborah transitioned into the role of School Leader when Aaron Brenner became the Head of Primary Schools for KIPP Houston.

Prior to joining the staff at SHINE, Deborah worked with AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps. In Florida, she served both as a member of, and also coordinated an early intervention literacy program in elementary schools across Hillsborough County. In Rhode Island, she directed a statewide professional development program in service-learning for K-12 teachers. Deborah is committed to developing her students into independent thinkers who understand that they all have the potential to be change makers in their communities even at a young age. 

Haley Simonton 
Second Grade Teacher 
hsimonton@kipphouston.org

B.A. Anthropology, minor in African-American Studies, University of Texas 

After college, Haley joined AmeriCorps as a Bilingual Literacy Tutor in two First Grade classrooms. After AmeriCorps, she taught for two years in Austin as a Bilingual Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Following her move to Houston, she taught at Shearn Elementary where she was Bilingual Teacher of the Year. She loves to travel and has a love for languages. Haley hopes that her students will excel academically and love deeply. 

Melissa Stanley
Second Grade Teacher

B.S. Marketing, Louisiana State University
M.A. Teaching, Christian Brothers University

Melissa is a 2007 Teach for America Corps member, and recently completed her two year commitment in Memphis, Tennessee. She has spent the past two years teaching third grade, and she is very excited about transitioning to second grade.  Having grown up in Houston most of her life, she is thrilled to be moving home where she can continue to work towards closing the achievement gap.  Melissa realized her love for teaching when she began working as a swim coach in high school.  She looks forward to motivating and instilling a passion for learning in each one of her students.

Jason Swilley 
Second Grade Teacher
jswilley@kipphouston.org

B.A. Telecommunications with an emphasis in Film Studies, Baylor University

Jason Swilley, an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) alumnus, worked with the Youth Empowerment Service Center and the San Bernardino County school system in Southern California. While in California, he established partnerships, community collaborations, and strategic developments with local, county, and state organizations and leaders for the advancement and successful emancipation of San Bernardino County’s foster youth population, as well as being a constant activist for the reformation of education policies concerning at-risk youth. Jason also tutored 3^rd graders in an after-school program for Project Life Impact in the heart of San Bernardino, CA. He strongly believes in a progressive egalitarian education for all children of this nation, and is committed to passing on his love for history, cultural differences, and social studies to all students that pass by his desk. Outside of the classroom, Jason loves to read, play chess, write poetry, and travel and has spent extensive time in Central America, especially Costa Rica.

Carrie Tahu (Cameron)
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teaching Fellow

B.A. English Literature, Educational Studies, Rhodes College

Carrie is entering her first year of teaching and is excited to develop professionally by working alongside an experienced teacher at KIPP SHINE. She discovered her love for teaching and for students by working as a volunteer tutor and classroom assistant in elementary schools surrounding her college campus in Memphis. Spending four years serving the Memphis community has given Carrie the conviction that all children can learn, and she is excited to be a part of the KIPP Houston team in striving to provide children with the high-quality education they deserve.

Joy Taluyo
Founding Teaching Fellow (2004)
Spanish Program Director & Third Grade Spanish Teacher
jtaluyo@kipphouston.org

B.S. in Biology, University of Georgia
B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, University of Georgia
M.A. in Hispanic Language and Culture, New York University

Joy Taluyo is a member of KIPP SHINE Prep's founding team. Prior to teaching at SHINE, Joy worked as a research assistant for two years in a plant pathology laboratory at the University of Georgia before leaving to pursue her Master’s degree in Hispanic Language and Culture. During her graduate studies she also served as a Spanish tutor for New York University’s Study Abroad Program in Madrid, Spain. Joy strives to create a classroom environment that promotes a love for learning and an appreciation for all languages and cultures. Each day she works to instill in her students the belief that all of them have the potential to achieve any goal that they may set for themselves. Joy works with the Spanish team to continue to strengthen and build KIPP SHINE Prep’s Spanish Language Program. Outside the classroom Joy currently serves as a board member on the University of St. Thomas Dual Language Advisory Board. She collaborates with UST on various projects and presentations as the University of St. Thomas builds on its partnership with KIPP.

Cicely Taylor
Project Manager & Assistant to the Head of Primary Schools, KIPP Houston
ctaylor@kipphouston.org

B.A. Anthropology, Colby College

Cicely has been inspired by the message of KIPP since she heard a speech given by the founders David Levin and Mike Feinberg at the 1994 Teach for America Summer Institute. With a background in teaching and most recently working with early childhood aged students, she was excited by the formation and mission of KIPP's first early elementary school, SHINE. Upon moving to the Houston area she made it her mission to become involved with KIPP SHINE, first as a volunteer and now as a parent and project manager. She believes that the value education component advocated by KIPP helps to nurture the future leaders of tomorrow.

Stacy Tea 
First Grade Teacher 
stea@kipphouston.org

B.B.A. Marketing with a minor in Asian Studies, University of Houston

Stacy Tea is in her third year here at SHINE. She came from a corporate background with financial planning, recruiting, and management experience. With her passion to enrich the children's lives, she left a lucrative career to pursue a passion in teaching. She believes that all children can learn and works to inspire the children to grow into educated, creative, and loving adults. Beyond the classroom, Stacy loves to spend time with her daughter, Audrey, and travel around the world such as Italy, France, Japan, Tahiti, and Mexico.

Nick Timmins
First Grade Teacher, TFA Corps Member
ntimmins@kipphouston.org

 B.S. Advertising/Public Relations, Texas Christian University

Nick is a 2008 Teach For America Corps Member and is thrilled to be a part of the SHINE team and family. Originally from Omaha, Neb., Nick came to Texas to attend college at TCU. While in college, Nick worked as a camp counselor and director for four summers at YMCA camps in Omaha and Fort Worth. He discovered his love for working with children during these summers and after graduation, decided to join the movement to do his part to close the achievement gap. He believes that education is the key to freedom, and it is this belief that motivates and drives him every day. He is excited to see all the endless capabilities of his students come into fruition this year!

Kimberly Underwood
Kindergarten Teacher

B.A. French and African Studies, Wittenberg University

Kim was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed working with children as a nanny, camp counselor, and swimming instructor.  After completing a double major in French and African studies, she spent a year teaching English as a Second Language to elementary students on the French-speaking island of Martinique.  After returning to the US, Kim worked as an assistant teacher at a Montessori school in Pennsylvania, during which time she decided to pursue education as a career.   She joined the 2006 Teach for America – Houston corps, where she taught kindergarten at her placement school for three years before joining the SHINE team.  Kim believes that a quality education for early childhood students will ensure they have a bright and successful future.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling, walking her dog, and spending time outdoors.

Jasmine Walker
Pre-Kindergarten 4 Teacher

B.S. Elementary Education, University of Missouri - Columbia

Jasmine has always had a passion for education. After receiving her degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, she was accepted into the 2006 Teach For America - Houston corps. During her corps commitment she taught 6th – 8th grade English Language Arts for beginning and intermediate English language learners. For the past year she has worked on Teach For America's Human Assets team. She is really excited to be returning to her first love, early childhood education and working more directly with the mission of educating all students.

Karen Wiborg
Second Grade Co-Teacher, TFA Corps Member
kwiborg@kipphouston.org

B.A. Theology with a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society, University of Notre Dame

Karen Wiborg is currently beginning her KIPP journey as a second grade teacher. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she joined Teach For America as an individual dedicated to working relentlessly to end educational inequity. She firmly believes that a person is empowered from within when they find the delicate balance of passion and education.  With the belief that every child is born with passion, she could not be more proud to be a part of KIPP, an organization that instills the desire to learn in each and every child, thus empowering them fully. She never ceases to be amazed by each child’s individual personality and will never give up on pushing each individual to their highest potential.