Angela Jay-Turner
Director
Welcome to a new year at The Rock Enrichment Academy. I am blessed to work with amazing teachers that have poured their hearts into planning lessons for your children and have helped grow this program from one campus with 35 students (K-5) to six campuses, now with Pre-K through High School. We will cherish each day with your kiddos as we aim to foster the love of learning and help create servant leaders, young hearts more prepared to make a bold impact to better the world and those in it. I pray your children to leave campus each day not only with greater knowledge of the subjects taught but most importantly, a deeper understanding of God’s love and with skills to practically apply it. Mrs. Jay-Turner loves Thai curry, coffee, anything white chocolate, and the color Cornflower Blue and her birthday is July 12th.
Mrs. Cynthia Haker
Pre-K – RR
Hello! My name is Cindy Haker and I’m so excited to teach Pre-K again at the Round Rock campus. I was born and raised in South Texas. I have a degree in International Business from the University of Texas in San Antonio and was certified in Bilingual Education EC-4. I started my teaching career in the Grand Prairie School District as a 3rd grade Bilingual Teacher and later taught 2nd grade. I eventually moved into a more focused role where I worked with struggling readers until my husband’s job brought us to Central Texas. Since then both my daughters have attended the program and I’ll be starting my 6th year teaching at The Rock. The curriculum for our Pre-K students is Christ-centered and focuses on pre-emergent reading and writing as well as educational centers. Students will enjoy lessons with number and letter themes, explore the Spanish language, participate in science activities and experiments and have fun learning through play. I love to see the curiosity of children and to provide them with opportunities for their confidence to grow as they explore the world around them.
Mrs. Stephanie Nikel
Pre-K & Science – RR, CPW
Hello! My name is Stephanie Nikel and this will be my third year working at TREA. My family and I moved to Round Rock in March of 2019 from Colorado. I have two little girls who are 3 and 5 years old. I love teaching children and I have a passion for overseas missions work. I have done a couple of trips to Rwanda, Thailand, Barbados, and Mexico where I have helped lead and teach VBS programs to school-age children. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from The California State University of Fullerton. I definitely have a heart for helping others! In my free time, I love going to the beach, working out, getting coffee, and hanging out with friends and family. I am so excited about this opportunity at TREA this year. I love coffee, pastries, dark chocolate, Mexican food, and drinking kombucha. My birthday is August 6th.
Mrs. Maria Rodriquez
Pre-K, PE, Spanish – RR, CPW
Hola y bienvenidos a la clase de Español! My name is Maria Rodriguez and I will have the privilege of coming back for my tenth year to serve your children as The Rock Enrichment Elementary/Middle School Spanish, and Preschool teacher. Throughout my journey, I have seen firsthand the amazing work of our Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of my students. I thank our Lord for every year that he has allowed me to teach his children. My heart’s desire is to encourage your children and teach them about the love of God. I have a high level of compassion and patience for all my students and commit to demonstrating God’s love in everything that I say and do. I look forward to getting to know each of your children and thank you for allowing me the blessing to be a part of their lives. Mrs. Rodriguez loves chicken, drinking coffee, dark chocolate, and the colors salmon and red. Her birthday is June 22nd.
Mrs. Heidi Raynor
Art, Science, STEM – CPW
My name is Heidi Raynor, and I am thrilled to be teaching my third year at TREA. My family and I moved to Austin (Round Rock) in January of 2018. I have 6 years of experience substitute teaching, 8 years of classroom experience, and 7 years working as an assistant to the art teacher at our former school in San Diego. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and have been tutoring Jr. High students for approximately 7 years, primarily in math (Algebra). As a grade school student, I would “play school” often. In high school and college, I took multiple career decision-making courses and tests, all recommending teaching. I had denied my God-given desire to teach until, finally in 2012, I began my journey in the classroom. I quit my job in banking after 12 years and a degree. My career in banking also helped me realize my desire to help people (and children) find THEIR God-given gifts. I love this challenge with all of my heart! In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors. The Raynor family loves hiking, fishing, and almost anything outside; we have a true love of nature. I am excited to spend another year at TREA! Mrs. Raynor loves Mexican food, drinking Kombucha, and the colors red, beige, teal, and black. She is dairy-free! Her birthday is October 8th.
Ms. Shea James
Photography & Yearbook – CPW
Hello! My name is Shea James, I am the Photography & Yearbook teacher at CPW for MS & HS on Tuesdays. I’m looking forward to teaching my students this year and inspiring the next generation of journalists and photographers! I have always had a special interest in photography and creative arts from a young age and decided to pursue my passion by going to Midwestern State University to achieve my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Photography & Printmaking. I currently run my own, full-time business as a photographer and social media marketer for local small businesses in Austin, but I have always wanted to extend my knowledge and teach what I have learned over the years to younger students. Capturing amazing moments in time with my camera is one of my favorite things to do and I’m so blessed to be able to make a career out of my love for photo and digital media! Outside of being a business owner, I enjoy spending lots of time with my huge family, my amazing boyfriend, and my adorable dogs. Ms. James is vegan/plant-based, loves fruit and veggies, HTeaO drinks, and her favorite color is purple. Her birthday is December 6th.
Coach Kaderli
PE – CPW
Hello! I’m Coach Kaderli and I’m so excited to be working with your children this year. I previously worked at the other Cedar Park location years ago and loved it! But in 2018 my Personal Training Business was taking off and God had a new plan for me. I opened up my HIIT Training Gym and focused primarily on that for 4 years. It was fun, stressful, a blessing, and crazy hard all at once. Toward the end of 2021, I felt a tug in a new direction. After a lot of prayer and talks with God, I decided to close my business and go back to one on one training. I currently work with children, couples, women, and lots of seniors. My daughter is graduating this year and I needed more flexibility in my schedule to be there for her. So when this opportunity presented itself, I knew it was meant to be. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns.
Ms. Ariadne Reuel
Science, World Religions – CPW
Hi, my name is Ariadne Reuel. I’m a mother of two and have been homeschooling for over two years. I moved here to Texas from Japan 5 years ago. I lived in Japan for ten years and my children are half Japanese. I have been teaching all ages different subjects for over 20 years now. I graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a BFA. My hobbies include Christian Apologetics and sciences, deep theological Bible study, and gardening. I was born again as a Christian in 2004, praise be to God. My passion is for Jesus and to do all for God’s glory in this life.
Mrs. Jisela Lomas
Spanish – RR, CPW, GT
Hola! My name is Jisela Lomas. I have been teaching Spanish at the Round Rock and Cedar Park locations since 2017. This year I will be also teaching at the Georgetown Location and I am so excited to be also teaching cooking with culture where we will be learning about Spanish speaking countries, their traditions and food. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised in Mexico in a small town named Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas.
In 2001 I moved to Corpus Christi Texas where I lived for 14 years. I’m currently living in Pflugerville, Tx with my husband Daniel and 3 kids Denisse, Jesenya and Daniel. I love teaching Spanish to my students and sharing about the Mexican culture. I enjoy listening to Spanish music, dancing and spending time with my family and dogs.
Mrs. Susana Rivera
Spanish – CPW, GT
Hola, mi nombre es Susana “Susy” Rivera. I am so excited to have your children in my class! As a native puertorrican, I am extremely proud of my heritage and I am thrilled to share some of my culture with my class. We are going to learn Spanish through activities such as: singing, rhythm, playing some instruments like “maraca & güiro”, reading bilingual books, art projects, color, shapes, numbers and more. Some of my background includes, theater and drama which I will integrate as part of my teaching technique. I am looking forward to work with your children as they learn about the beauty of Spanish culture. Bienvenidos!
Mrs. Cassie Larsen
Music – CPW
I am very excited for my seventh year of teaching music at The Rock Enrichment Academy for the 2023-24 school year. I will be teaching music at CPW. One of my favorite roles is teaching Pre-K music, playing guitar, and incorporating puppets, scarves, bean bags, drums, and parachutes….My first goal in all my classes is always to foster a love of music within each student. I began playing piano at the age of 8, and learned the organ as a teenager, becoming a church organist at age 14. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities with a Music Emphasis. I was a piano accompanist and alto singer in my college concert choir. Once I became a stay-at-home mom, I started a Music Makers class in my home. I then taught a music class at my children’s preschool and also ran a home preschool. I began teaching piano lessons in 2012. I have also led the children’s choir at my church and worked as a piano accompanist for KidsActing musicals. I also direct musical summer camps. I homeschooled my kids for several years, during which time I directed a full-scale musical production of “Annie” at a homeschool co-op. I have four children, three boys, and a girl ranging from ages three to thirteen. My husband shares my passion for music as he also composes choral music and has a rich tenor voice. He has been my sound effects and lights manager for my musicals. We enjoy making musical arrangements and singing in the choir together. Our family loves exploring the Austin greenbelts with our active dog, we volunteer as animal feeders at Pioneer Farms, and try to stay sane with the crazy chaos of four kids and several pets. I look forward to another great year at the Rock! Mrs. Larsen loves brownies, Reese’s peanut butter cups, hot cocoa, and Wendy’s. Her birthday is May 6th.
Mr. Keylan Haynes
Acting Improv, PE – CPW
My passion for sports started since I was young. I’ve played almost everything from football, basketball, baseball and soccer. In high school, I decided to focus on one sport and played two years of varsity football at Cedar Ridge High School. From there, I decided to transition to a new passion; acting and teaching. I found a huge enjoyment in teaching the youth. Whether it’s teaching improv, robotics, acting, stop motion movies or P.E. No matter the subject, I feel the common denominator is I enjoy teaching. However fitness has not left my life. I currently work at a health food truck where I prep meals for professional bodybuilders and have learned the power of clean food energy. I started by teaching improv to 7-15 year olds at summer camps and on winter breaks. Shortly after that, I was hired as a youth acting teacher and taught many courses like Robotics, Lego master building, and stop motion movies just to name a few. Looking forward to teaching at The Rock!
Mrs. Arielle Nicole
Ukulele, Guitar – CPW
Hello, I am Mrs. Arielle Nicole and I am excited to be bringing my music lessons to The Rock Enrichment Academy for the ’23-’24 school year. I come from a musical family and I had a guitar in my hands before I could walk or talk! I spent nearly ten years traveling the country playing my music before settling down to teach and record from my home studio in Bee Cave, Texas. The guitar is my first love but I also teach piano, drums, ukulele, bass, voice, songwriting, and music theory lessons.
Mrs. Jennifer Rochelle
English – CPW
My name is Mrs. Jennifer Rochelle. I am very excited to join the TREA team of educators as the Upper School ELA teacher for the 2023 – 2024 school year! I am excited to be able to teach students of this rigor and to share my special passion for literature and writing with them. This will be MY first year at The Rock, but at least one of my four children has attended since 2013. I have been a part of children’s education in some form or fashion since 1996 when I began assisting in the kindergarten classroom of a private school in Lewisville, Texas where I was born and raised. I worked there through college, graduating from The University of North Texas with my Bachelors in Education, with an Early Childhood certification and an English Language Arts discipline, in 2000. I even student taught with teachers who had been my own elementary and middle school teachers! Upon graduation I moved to Austin and began teaching Kindergarten RRISD. After marrying, I left RRISD to stay at home as a foster parent. For the next 8 years we were an active foster family. All four of my children, now 17, 14, 13, and 12, are adopted from foster care. After we finalized our daughters’ adoptions in January 2014, we built and moved to our “forever home” on 10 acres in Leander where we have chickens and dogs and cats and other critters. I knew I wanted to homeschool my own children long before I even felt called to become an educator! For the past 12 years, 1 or more of my children have homeschooled. Each of my children have multiple learning differences which I have learned much about inorder to best teach them. I am a big believer that every child learns differently and I have always worked to make the educational experience fit the child instead of the child fit the educational experience! I hope and plan to always bring that into my classroom when I teach. I myself am dyslexic and have ADHD. I am quite happy with my unique neurodiversity! I am passionate to help my students discover their personal God designed uniqueness and to embrace these things about themselves! Even when these unique things may sometimes seem to make things more challenging…I desire to teach a love of learning more than a “checklist” of skills. I believe a student can and will develop every skill they need as they move through life and follow Christ’s plan for who He has them to be. Mrs. Rochelle loves books, coffee, and dark chocolate. Her favorite color is green and her birthday is September 22nd.
Mr. Mark Fantacone
Physics, Bible Study, Golf Club – CPW, GT
Hello! My name is Mark Fantacone. I love Jesus, I love kids and I love teaching. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a good mentor for kids through teaching at The Rock Enrichment Academy! I teach Bible and “Phun with Physics” in the Upper School on Tuesdays at the Cedar Park West campus and on Wednesdays at the Georgetown campus. We will be studying the Gospel of John in the Bible class. “Phun with Physics” is an activity-based class where we do fun science activities around Physics principles. I grew up in Syracuse, NY and went to college at the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating with a BS degree in Computer Science. I got to Texas as soon as I could through a job with IBM, where I worked for 30 years in the software group, retiring in 2013. I’ve lived in Austin since 1996. Since retiring from IBM, I’ve kept myself busy doing various things including teaching, financial coaching and volunteering at my church. I love staying active, and am an avid hiker, golfer, snow skier and traveler. I look forward to another exciting year of teaching at the Rock! My birthday is February 15th.
Mrs. Melissa Peebles
Science – GT
My name is Melissa Peebles and am a graduate of The University of North Texas with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in both General Education and Special Education. I am certified in these educational fields as well as Technology and English as a Second Language. Additionally, I have many years of experience teaching Gifted & Talented students as an inclusion teacher and campus liaison. God has blessed us all with unique abilities and strengths, and it is my job to help a student utilize these in order to strengthen other areas. As an educator I am passionate about gifted education, as well as whole brain, hands-on learning. I am a wife and mother and in my spare time like to try my hand at being an amateur crafter, photographer and cook. I cannot live without books and absolutely love that my son and husband are also both voracious readers. As a family we love to travel and recently spent time abroad in England, Scotland and Italy this summer. We live a simple life in the North Austin area, and enjoy the rich culture and natural gems the central Texas region has to offer.
Mrs. Kandyce Robison
Music & Art – RR, CPW
Hi, my name is Kandyce Robison and I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful community of teachers, staff and the families at The Rock Enrichment Academy. I will be teaching Music and Art for K-6 on Mondays in Round Rock, and Pre-K on Thursdays in Cedar Park. I am married with 2 boys, Bennett age 4 and Ethan 11 months. We have lived in Cedar Park since 2000. I am an Austin native born right here in Austin. My mom was born in Austin as well. I have an adult son who is 24, a graduate of Texas A&M, and is now married. He also lives in the area. When I was 11 years old my goal in life was to be married, have children, and become a teacher. God has blessed me with the desires of my young heart. I pray that my life would shine as a light for Christ, and I ask daily for guidance from the Holy Spirit. My dad was a minister and I grew up in the church but seven years ago the Lord spoke to me in a profound way and I surrendered my life to Him in areas I had not previously. I have a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas State University. I worked in public schools in the area of Special Education Prek-12 for 5 years until my 4 year old son was born. Staying home with him has been wonderful and I knew going back into teaching would look different. During that time I found my love for art, music, spending time outdoors, and all the richness and wonder that sparks the heart and mind of young children. I found the Charlotte Mason philosophy which I lean towards in my teaching style. Every subject I look at from a Biblical Worldview and the Bible, God’s Word, Christ, as the foundation on which I stand. I found Fortis Academy in Liberty Hill in 2021 and taught there for one year until having my son in September of 2022. Then I took last year off to spend time with him. I felt the nudge to teach students again this year when I found The Rock Enrichment Academy. I feel blessed to be entrusted to teach your students this year and I’m very excited to see the amazing things to come.
Mrs. Alyson Pirotina
Music – GT
Mrs. Alyson welcomes you to Musical Madness and Musikgarten this year! “Ms. Alyson” as she is affectionately called by her students, has taught in the Round Rock area for 24 years. She created a Christian-based preschool music program called Sing A New Song in 2002 and has dedicated her career to serving God’s children through song. Over the last two decades she has directed various children’s choirs and started the Williamson County Children’s Choir. She has also taught classes with Christian Youth Theater (CYT Austin) and Arts Avenue in Georgetown. In 2020 Ms. Alyson received her Level One Teaching Certification with the Institute for Vocal Advancement (IVA) and is one of a few teachers in her area trained in this method. Alyson holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and is a classically trained pianist, an accomplished flautist, and professional vocalist. In addition, she is a certified Musikgarten© instructor, specializing in their Cycle of Seasons and God’s Children Sing programs. Alyson is active in music and teaching in the Diocese of Austin and at St. John Vianney Catholic Church where she is a certified Cantor with National Pastoral Musicians. In addition to owning and operating her music studio, Ms. Alyson has been coordinating part-time children’s education programs for twenty years. She opened her first independent preschool program in 2004, partnering with a local dance studio in Leander, Texas. She began collaborating with churches in 2007. Blessed Educational Environments, LLC (BEE) was founded as her programs expanded to include multiple locations throughout Williamson County. Ms. Alyson has been married since 1994 to Fred Pirotina. She has a daughter, Bianca, who is currently working on becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy. When she isn’t singing, or playing the piano she enjoys going to live music events, spending time with her two chihuahuas and traveling as much as possible. Her favorite color is green; favorite food, Italian and favorite drink is peach tea. Her birthday is March 18.
Mrs. Amanda Hartman
Pre-K – CPW
Hello! My name is Amanda Hartman and this will be my first year with TREA. My oldest daughters (10 & 6) will be returning for their second year and my youngest daughter (4) will be attending her first year. I will be teaching Pre-k at the CPW location and I am really excited about joining this wonderful team. I was born and raised in Baytown, Texas. My neighbors were predominately Hispanic, so I had the luxury of learning the beautiful Spanish language and eating authentic cuisines on a regular basis. Speaking two languages has allowed me the honor and privlage of translating in many scenarios, whether it be helping someone in a store, giving directions to someone who is lost or dedicating ten years to an orthodontist who treated many Spanish speakers. Teaching and working with children is something I have always been very passionate about. My love language is acts of service, so I am hoping to shower your children and those around me with that gift. My family and I attend Hill Country Bible Church and I had the pleasure of co hosting Backyard Bible Club with my wonderful neighbors the past three years. I am looking forward to getting to know each one of my students and using their strengths to build a wonderful foundation for our class to grow on. My birthday in June 2nd and my favorite things are Mexican and Chinese food, chocolate covered almonds, smoothies and anything mint green or blue.
Mrs. Michelle Buterbaugh
Social Studies – RR
My name is Michelle Buterbaugh and I am a mom of four with a Master’s degree in Education. I was born in Taiwan and lived there until I finished up 3rd grade. My family then relocated to Indonesia, and we lived there for 6 years. Since then, I’ve traveled all over the world to China, Singapore, HK, South East Asia, and Eastern US States (MD, PA). I can speak 3 languages fluently, and another 3 from having to take language classes in school. With that being said, I feel like I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of both Western and Eastern education systems having gone through it myself. I am excited to bring forth the best of both education worlds into the classrooms! I love Italian food and sweet tea and my favorite color is sky blue. August 30th is my birthday.
Mrs. Marla Alupoaicei
Pre-K – CPW
Teacher Bio