Leigh Alonso, 9-12 College Facilitator
Education and Experience: Ms. Alonso graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Science in Education. This will be her 4th year at PTAA and 6th year in education. She is a big family person and loves to help with students in the youth group at church. Ms. Alonso has always wanted to work with students and help further their careers. She will also be the middle school volleyball coach this year. Volleyball has always been her sport since she was in 3rd grade.
Jeff Andres, MS Art
Education and Experience: This is Mr. Andres’ 4th year at PTAA and in education. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of North Texas in Communication Design, with a background in graphic design and custom framing. He is certified in teaching EC-12 and brings real-world experience to the classroom with 4 years at different ad agencies. He has been a past member of The Dallas Society of Visual Communicators. His hobbies include playing guitar, vinyl records, playing with his dogs, drawing, making his wife laugh, quoting movies, and making Dad jokes. His goals are to get students engaged in creative problem solving as he believes them to be artists and visual storytellers. He just might have the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk in his class. He loves putting smiles on their faces and hearing laughter from their mouths. His motto is “Take what you do seriously without taking yourself seriously.”
Emily Becker- Stewart, Dyslexia/English 3
Education and Experience:
David Bentley, PE Aide
Education and Experience:
Amy Bridgins, Special Populations
Education and Experience: Amy graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, with a BA in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology and is certified in Special Education EC-12. This will be her 3rd year at PTAA as the Special Education Teacher; her 5th year in education.
Amy Brown, 7 Flex
Education and Experience: Amy Brown attended TCC and Texas Wesleyan University. This is her first year at PTAA and she is looking forward to all the exciting things in store for this school year. When not in the classroom you can find her traveling with her husband and sons or by the closest lake.
Jacob Catchings, H.S. Choir/Piano
Education and Experience: Mr. Catchings (AKA Baby Catch or Catch 2.0) graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business. He is an aspiring musician, who plays piano/synthesizer, has experience with an assortment of percussion instruments, sings, writes music, as well as produces music. He has over 20+ original songs in the working. One of his major life goals is to build his own recording studio to produce his own music as well as to work with other artists.
Matthew Catchings, H.S. Computer Science/College Facilitator
Education and Experience: This is Mr. Catchings (AKA “Catch”) 3rd year at PTAA; 12th year as a teacher and 22nd year in the world of education. He graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Information Systems Security. He enjoys creating music (singer/songwriter/piano/guitar) as well as enjoying being an avid motorcyclist.
Bonnie Catlett, 6 Math
Education and Experience: She is a graduate of Illinois State University. She has been an educator for over 26 years, within 2 states, and 3 foreign countries.
Courtney Collendrina, PE Aide ccollendrina@ptaaschool.org
Education and Experience:
Diana Cunningham, 8 Flex
Education and Experience: This is Diana Cunningham’s first year in education and she is excited to begin her new adventure in the world of teaching. She comes way to PTAA from a 15-year career in Finance working in Financial Crimes Compliance and Risk Operations; additionally, she maintains her professional license as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Ms. Cunningham is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication and minor in English Literature. She is currently working on her alternative teaching certification. In her free time, she enjoys all things outdoors, antiquing and spending time with friends and family.
Roderick Davis, Coach
Education and Experience: Graduate of Grambling State University Fall 1993; Previous work experience: Denton High School Denton ISD- Health Education / Coached Football, Basketball & Track; H. Grady Spruce High School Dallas ISD – IPC (Integrated Physics & Chemistry) / Coach Football & Soccer; Newman International Academy – Cedar Hill / 5th and 7th grade Science / Technology / Edgenuity – Statistics / 6th-grade co-ed Soccer / 7th grade Boys basketball / Jr. High & High School Track.
Amber DeJesus, 8 English
Education and Experience: Mrs. De Jesus currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in English. She has started the process of enrolling in the University of North Texas to start working on her Master’s of Library Science in the Spring of 2023 semester. She currently holds a certification for 7-12 ELAR. This will be her fourth year as a secondary English teacher teaching in middle school.
Asia Duff, 8th grade Science
Education and Experience: Ms. Duff is a native of Dallas, TX where she attended Wilmer Hutchins High School and then graduated a year early from A. Maceo Smith High School. She went on to college at Prairie View A&M University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice. Ms. Duff has always had a passion for teaching and coaching kids and has been a twirling coach to kids for the last 7 years. Twirling being one of her passions, she has decided to start a twirling team at PTAA. This is Ms. Duff’s 1st year teaching and 1st year at PTAA. She is teaching 8th grade Science. She looks forward to a great school year with PTAA.
Liz Garcia, MS Spanish
Education and Experience: I was born in Venezuela, I am married and have two children. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University Bicentenary of Aragua State and obtained a Master in Marketing Management degree from University of Carabobo State, Venezuela. I Have worked in education for more than six years teaching Spanish. I have a passion in being able to teach others how to speak my native language, and for my students to enrich their knowledge and fall in love with the wonderful Hispanic culture.
Abagail Gibbons, HS World Geography & World History
Education and Experience: This is my first year at PTAA. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler. I have previously taught United States History at a community college. I am currently working on my certification in 7-12 Social Studies. I love spending time with my husband and three children. I also love reading and learning new things.
Robyn Harden, 8 Math
Education and Experience: Mrs. Harden 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 she is thrilled when she see kids realize they can fill in those missing pieces and connect those dots.
Emily Hendrickson, HS English
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 12 years and is in her sixth 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.
David Hernandez, Chemistry/ Physics dhernandez@ptaaschool.org
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.
Kat Hernandez Hill, Instructional Aid/ Swim Coach
Education and Experience: Kat Hernandez Hill 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.
Elizabeth Jones, HS Computer Science
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. She is completing her Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from WGU. This is her fifth year at PTAA Mesquite.
Shamaria Knowles, HS PE/Health
Education and Experience: Ms. Knowles graduated from Mesquite Horn in 2011. She went on to get her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Prairie View A&M University. She began substituting in Mesquite ISD. This will be her first year at PTAA teach HS Health/PE and coaching Basketball.
Matthan Lough, MS Choir
Education and Experience: This is Mr. Lough’s 2nd year teaching at PTAA and his 4th year teaching overall. Mr. Lough graduate from Southwestern Assemblies of God University with his B.A. in Instrumental Performance and is finishing up his M.M. in Ethnomusicology from Liberty University. He has played with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Chamber Orchestra, Love Your City Theater, Waxahachie Civic Concert Band, SAGU Jazz band, and many other ensembles. He enjoys teaching and believes that music can transform the lives of students.
Dr. Jesi McMurray, HS English
Education and Experience: Jesi McMurray graduated with her Master’s in English in August of 2016. She is currently finishing up her doctorate in English.
Ariane Mitchell, 6 ELAR
Education and Experience: Ms. Mitchell is a college graduate from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She is currently receiving her teaching certificate through the alternative certification program, ACT Dallas. This is Ms. Mitchell’s second year of teaching as well as her second year at PTAA. She loves spending time with friends and family in her free time. Ms. Mitchell believes that reading and writing is an art form that encourages self-expression and exploration. She is hoping to share her love of reading with her students this year.
Thomas Nudd, 6 Social Studies
Education and Experience: Mr. Nudd earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations and Marketing. He has been teaching for a total of 14 years. When not teaching, Mr. Nudd often reads various books on various subjects of interest and is an avid NPR listener. Your teacher also enjoys creative activities and building a t-shirt brand. This past summer, Mr. Nudd and his wife got into the sport of Pickleball which he proudly admits is now an addiction. He also enjoys bike mechanics and building bikes from the ground up with spare parts.
Jamie Odom, College Facilitator/Assistant Testing Coordinator
Education and Experience: Ms. Odom is starting her 4th year at PTAA; her 6th year in education. She is the lead college facilitator over Mesquite Oates dual credit program. Mother of 3 including a set of twins (twins entering their senior year in H.S.). She also oversees testing over TSI, Microsoft, PSAT, SAT and all state-mandated testing.
Julie Oldham, 8 Social Studies
Education and Experience: Ms. Oldham is entering her 19th year teaching Social Studies and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University. She is currently working on her Masters in Educational Technology from Oklahoma State University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading and dabbles in sketching. Science fiction movies, TV and books, OSU sports and cooking are some hobbies she enjoys. Her real love is connecting with her students through art, history and technology.
Jay Park, 5/6 STEM jpark@ptaaschool.org
Education and Experience:
Dong Phan, 7 STEM
Education and Experience: He graduated from UT Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and a Minor in Psychology. He worked as a Documentation Specialist for a probe card production company and then became a Math tutor for Eastfield College Learning Assistance Center. He returned to UT Dallas to earn my Teaching Certification, taught Developmental Mathematics at Eastfield as a Adjunct Faculty. This will be his sixth year at Pioneer Tech and am very excited to share his enthusiasm for technology and computer science with everyone. Outside of school, he enjoys gadgets, audiobooks, small personal project, and adapt to new technologies and ideas.
Craig Pruitt, Art I
Education and Experience: Education BA in Art, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; MA in Studio Art, Texas A&M-Commerce, MFA, Savannah College of Art and Design (expected graduation Spring, 2023. Mr. Pruitt began teaching as a second career after retiring from General Motors. His teaching certificate was obtained through Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson Texas. He has taught High School Art 1 to both High School and Middle School level. In addition to teaching, Mr. Pruitt is a working artist with multiple exhibitions under his belt. He believes in arriving early, being prompt with responses and most importantly, being patient.
Heather (Regan) Neve, HS Math
Education and Experience: Ms. (Regan) Neve grew up in Mesquite and graduated from Mesquite High School. She received her BA in Mathematics from East Texas State University with a minor in Secondary Education and holds a 6-12 math certification. She has taught both middle school and high school math for 23 years and is looking forward to her first year at PTAA where she will be teaching Algebra I and AQR. Outside the classroom, she can be found cheering on her 2 sons as their #1 fan at their various high school games and events. She also has a daughter and son-in-law who are both college graduates. In addition to spending time with her children, she enjoys church activities, playing tennis, roller skating, working jigsaw puzzles, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys.
Rachel Renteria, College Facilitator
Education and Experience: This is Ms. Renteria’s 2nd year teaching in PTAA, but briefly worked as a substitute before taking on a full position. While in high school, she graduated with an Associate of Science and then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to receive her Bachelor’s in English. She was greatly impacted to give back to her community from the example led by her own teachers and enjoys being able to educate the next generation. She believes that a strong education can open many doors in life. Currently, she lives with her family along with three rambunctious dogs.
Thomas Riehl, Adv. Art/ Athletic Director
Education and Experience: Mr. Riehl’s teaching career of over 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. He 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, Sculpture 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.
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
Maegan Skinner, 8 STEM
Education and Experience: Ms. Skinner teaches 8th-grade computer science. She graduated from Horn High School in Mesquite in 2011, Texas Woman’s University with a degree in English in 2014, and DevMountain Technical Training in 2018. From 2018 on, she worked in the technical realm as first a remote QA tester for Yandex (the Russian version of Google), and then in 2019 as a software engineer in data analytics for a startup called Overwatch Digital Health- a company that tracks and alerts of seizure activity via Apple watches and Iphone app. She still works part-time on a contractual basis for Overwatch and enjoys reaching new technical heights. She has a passion for education and looks forward to taking a technical journey with her students this year!
Christine Smart, HS English
Education and Experience: Mrs. Smart is beginning her 5th year at PTAA, and her 10th 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 obtained her certification in 4-8 generalist and started teaching in public charter schools in Richardson, TX in 2015 as a middle school English teacher. She received her 7-12 ELAR certification in 2018 and currently teaches high school English. She is working on her Master’s in Educational Leadership from WGU and is a published author of the children’s book, The Rings that Sing.
Gavin Stewart, HS Social Studies
Education and Experience: Lord Stewart is in his 6th year of teaching all at PTAA Mesquite. Teaching high school social studies and coaching golf and sponsoring Model United Nations. This year will however be his first year of teaching while also being a new Dad. Mr. Stewart loves to play board games and play with his dog.
Cherie Teeple, Adv. Spanish
Education and Experience: Mrs. Teeple is beginning her 19th year as a Spanish teacher. She graduated in 2002 from the University of Texas at Arlington with her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She has taught all levels of Spanish as well as adult ESL for Navarro College. Mrs. Teeple loves to travel and has taken trips to Costa Rica and Belize with her students. She is hoping that some time in the future she can travel with PTAA students. She is married and has one step-son.
Teloa Topping, 7 ELAR
Education and Experience: Mrs. Topping is returning to PTAA for her 2nd year after military life swept her away to Kauai, Hawaii last year. She is in her 9th year of teaching ELAR and is certified in grades 8-12, AP Literature, ESL, and AVID. She graduated summa cum laude from UT Dallas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literary Studies and will begin working on her Master’s Degree in Instructional Design next Spring. She loves spending time with family, all books, and seeing her students get excited about learning!
Brittney Washington, 8 Science bwashington@ptaaschool.org
Education and Experience:
Cindy Weldon, Spanish I Facilitator
Education and Experience: Ms. Weldon is in her 5th year in the education field. She was a hearing specialist for 27 years prior to starting her teaching career. Ms. Weldon will be facilitating a Spanish course.
Brian Winders, 6 Science
Education and Experience: Mr. Winders graduated from Dallas Baptist University in May 2020 with BAS in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is also working on his graduate degree from Liberty University in Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling. This is his second year here at PTAA and previously worked for Mesquite ISD. Before coming into the education field, Mr. Winders served 6 years in the U.S. Air Force and 6 years of water reclamation treatment.
Rebecca Winders, Facilitator
Education and Experience: Mrs. Winders is beginning her 3rd year in education as a paraprofessional. She is coming to PTAA from Garland ISD, where she worked in the Applied Learning Environment Unit. Mrs. Winders received her Associate of Arts in Teaching from Trinity Valley Community College in the Fall of 2021. She will graduate from the University of Arkansas in the Spring of 2023 with her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in social work, a minor in child advocacy, and a minor in substance use disorders. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is excited to spend this school year with the students here at PTAA.
Jennifer Zaravia, 7 Social Studies
Education and Experience: Ms. Zaravia is a new teacher at PTAA, and this is also her first year teaching. She has a very diverse background. Primarily, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television Production at Biola University, graduating Cum Laude, with a minor in Biblical Studies. Subsequently, she worked for various film production companies in Los Angeles, participated in the Disney College Internship Program, and substitute taught for grades K-12 for three years. Ultimately, she decided to pursue teaching as her career, receiving her teaching credential through CalState TEACH. Ms. Zaravia has a variety of hobbies, such as hiking, traveling, and watching movies. In addition, she has a significant Christmas and Disney obsession. At home, she has a three-year-old daughter, and a very large mystery breed dog/polar bear named Pongo. She spends her weekends mainly chasing these two around. She loves to (try to) make kids laugh, and inspire them to love learning, just as she experienced growing up.
