High School Staff
- Eric Mann, High School Director, Math Teacher, & Head of Math
- Brenda Balzaldua, Spanish Teacher & Head of Foreign Language
- Chris Day, Spanish Teacher
- Lisa del Rosario, Dance Teacher
- Kelly Dickens, Math Teacher
- Marshall Escamilla, Music Teacher & Head of Performing Arts
- Jaclyn Faulker, Athletics Director
- Fred Fong, Math Teacher
- Mike Franz, Coach
- David Heroy, Science Teacher & Outdoor Leadership
- Kelley Janes, Science Teacher & Head of Science
- Sam Jones, Humanities Teacher
- Suzanne Koett, Photography Teacher
- Marc Lionetti, School Counselor & Vocal Music Director
- Jack Montagna, Coach
- John Mulvany, Art Teacher
- Ashleigh Pedersen, English Teacher & Head of English
- Ryan Phillips, Humanities Teacher & Head of Social Studies
- Brandon Price, Math Teacher
- Joe Sokolik, Humanities Teacher
- Alex Thomas, Film & Literature Teacher
- Etienne Vidal, Martial Arts & Health Teacher
- Liza Wilson, French Teacher
- Dave Wofford, Humanities & Yoga Teacher
- David Yeakle, Drama Teacher
Eric Mann, High School Director, Math Teacher, & Head of Math
After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I moved to Tempe, Arizona. Out west, I felt compelled, truly compelled, to be a teacher. I started teaching at a charter school for visual and performing arts in downtown Phoenix. Several years into my teaching career, I was inspired to learn and do more mathematics. I embarked on a Masters program at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. At the Space Institute, I worked as a Research Assistant, building prototype software for sorting and visualizing data from jet engine tests. I also studied topics and problems from mechanics (physics), functional analysis, and number theory. After graduate school, I worked as a computer engineer for National Instruments in Austin. While troubleshooting, developing, and marketing software, it became abundantly clear my heart had already been won by math and teaching. All of which led me here.
At Khabele, I teach high school mathematics, and I serve as the High School Director. Over the years of teaching at Khabele, I have entertained a few side projects. I developed software tools and curriculum for high school math and science teachers with Education Service Center Region XIII. I also worked for an online curriculum and learning company called Thinkwell. Recently, I have been at work on a paper with a mathematician from Argentina on a new pedagogical approach to high school algebra and geometry. Last but not least, I have been leaving math in sidewalk chalk in public places and keeping a blog about it. I love to read: fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, classics, and even comic books. Most importantly, I love our school’s mission, our community, and I love creating opportunities for people to learn. As people, we seem to have more power than we know. I love the magic of honoring agreements—in doing so we honor people and their power.
Brenda Balzaldua, Spanish Teacher & Head of Foreign Language
I was born in Monterrey, Mexico, where I earned a B.A. in Business Administration. I have worked in private industry as well as in the public sector. The most rewarding part of my career has been owning my own business, a language institute, for the last 12 years. Now, I am proud to be part of the Khabele community. Best teaching practices are part of my daily lessons. The methodology I utilize in classes is Accelerated Learning, for which I was trained and certified at the University of Houston and Suggestopedia-Desuggestive teaching, for which I was trained and certified in Vienna, Austria by its creator Dr. Lozanov. By using music, art, freedom of expression, and love, I can now create an enjoyable and safe environment for people to learn, grow and free their minds of previous negative experiences with the learning process. Watching the creativity, calmness and smiles of others while sharing and learning with them is one of the most rewarding feelings of my life. I love learning languages and I enjoy very much the cultural aspect of them. I consider myself a life student who will never stop learning and sharing the love for languages and the love for life. For me, the present day is the best day to learn, laugh, admire something, and share a smile.
Chris Day, Spanish Teacher
I am originally from Monroe, Louisiana. After graduating from Louisiana State University in 2006, I spent the 2006-2007 school year teaching English at an elementary/middle school in Toledo, Spain. I have worked as an adult ESL teacher and middle school Spanish teacher since returning from Spain. I am thrilled to be a faculty member at the Khabele School.
Lisa del Rosario, Dance Teacher
A native Texan, I trained at the Margo Marshall School of Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, and as a Presidential Scholarship student at the University of Texas. I went on to live in the Philippines and dance with the Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Bayanihan. My eclectic style is exemplified through my teaching modalities as well as in my choreographic work in performance. I teach at Ballet Austin Academy, Tapestry Dance Company Academy, and Core Therapy & Pilates. I also dance with local performing companies: DA! Theatre Collective, Califa Collaborative Arts, and The Sheep Army. I had the honor of being nominated for Best Short Work and Best Dancer for the Austin Critics Table Awards and Outstanding Choreographer for the B. Iden Payne Awards. In addition, I am also a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner.
Kelly Dickens, Math Teacher
Being and working with teenagers and children brings me joy. I love being surrounded by people (students and staff) engaged in continual learning and growth. I completed a B.A. in Mathematics at UT-Austin, concurrently earning a Texas Teacher’s Certification in Secondary Mathematics and supporting myself by private tutoring. After teaching for Eanes ISD, I detoured into actuarial mathematics. While working as an actuary for 15 years, my wife Linda and I started our family. Our older son, Michael, started at Khabele in sixth grade, and was soon joined by his brother, Joel. Being a part of this community inspired me to return to teaching, and Linda to serve on the Board of Directors. I am so grateful to have a vocation in which I am called upon to share what matters most.
Marshall Escamilla, Music Teacher & Head of Performing Arts
After graduating from Bowdoin College with an English degree in 2002, I quickly relocated to Austin, where I have lived ever since. I soon started a band, the Unbearables, with which I have recorded and released three albums, and performed all over the country. In the summer of 2003, I found a position at the Khabele School and I decided that this was the job for me, and that this school would come to transform my life. Originally hired to teach Math, I quickly discovered that my true educational passion lay in sharing music with students, and have managed to build Khabele’s music program from the ground up. I have turned Khabele’s music program into a cornerstone of the Khabele method. Our music program has won several awards at the TAPPS District and State competitions, has performed for school and public events, and features three jazz ensembles, a choir and drum ensemble, and a world music ensemble. I am proud to be Khabele’s “first hire” outside of the three founding members.
Jaclyn Faulker, Athletics Director
Fitness and competition is my life’s passion. I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember, and my dedication to swimming earned me a scholarship to study and compete for the University of Texas here in Austin. I graduated in 2007 as a decorated athlete and with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I have always had the desire to work with people and to inspire others. A career in education has always been something I wanted to pursue, but this community inspired me to make it a reality.
Fred Fong, Math Teacher
I came from Hong Kong and studied for two years at University City High School in St. Louis, Missouri. I was touched by my teachers who inspired me to learn and to excel through academics. After graduating from high school, I studied Electrical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. I finished a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1986. After that, I spent 15 years working for Silicon Valley engineering firms. I did not forget my promise to my high school teachers that one day, I would retire early so that I could teach and pass on the values that they had instilled in me throughout the years. I left Northern California and migrated to Austin, Texas with my family. I was lucky to serve one year in Cisco’s community fellows program where I helped AmeriCorps City Year to improve their network infrastructure, and served the community of San Antonio. After that, I studied at Texas State University, San Marcos for one year to get my Masters degree in Education and my teaching certification. I taught one year at Del Valle High School, and was voted the best math teacher by students and teachers. I taught for seven years at Lake Travis High School, and was nominated by students for the Teacher of the Year award. I also created a Robotics class thanks to a school grant. I began teaching at Khabele’s High School in 2011. I teach one session of Pre-Calculus in the mornings. I am honored and feel truly blessed to be part of the Khabele community.
Mike Franz, Coach
Born and raised in California, I received my B.S. degree in Psychology from U.C. Santa Barbara. After finishing my undergraduate education, I traveled the world for ten years, seven of which were spent managing a bicycle tour company in Paris, France. Now settled in Austin, I am thrilled to be teaching and coaching at Khabele. In the classroom, I am passionate about inspiring others to learn and seek knowledge. On the sporting field, I emphasize hard work, teamwork, and understanding the strategy of sports. I am honored and grateful to be part of the Khabele staff and community.
David Heroy, Science Teacher & Outdoor Leadership
I’ve been at Khabele since 2008, and I absolutely love it. In addition to teaching Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science, last year I started the Outdoor Leadership Program here at Khabele. A few career highlights include: sampling “Gatorade” yellow groundwater at a Superfund toxic waste sight in Baltimore; four weeks of field work in Bangladesh researching the Ganges River delta; watching humpback whales breach while sampling “Ice Age” marine sediment on two trips to Antarctica; presenting original research at Cambridge University that was written-up in the journal Science and Discover.com; and publishing five peer-reviewed papers on the history of glacial retreat of the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet, a global warming “hot spot.” One of my proudest accomplishments was starting Blackwood Nature Camp with my wife in Hempstead, TX. I have a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Rice University, a M.S. in Marine Science from William and Mary, and a B.A. in Geology from Colgate University. I have a beautiful wife named Erica, a two-year-old daughter named Cleo, and a baby named Marion, and we all love hiking and swimming in and around Austin.
Kelley Janes, Science Teacher & Head of Science
I will begin my fifth year teaching at Khabele. This year’s lineup includes Physics, AP Physics, and Astronomy. I am also proud to serve and the Director of Math and Science. Much of my formal science education was done in Bellingham, Washington at Western Washington University, where I left the creative writing department and landed happily in the physics department. My studies have taken me to Southern Chile, Baja California, Italy, Mauna Kea, and the McDonald Observatory, which I find to be the happiest place on earth. In my spare time, I can be found practicing Ashtanga yoga, listening to Radio Lab or This American Life, conducting experiments in my kitchen, and oogling over baby Abe, second grader Henry, and my handsome husband, Nate.
Sam Jones, Humanities Teacher
I am a teacher, pure and simple. Teaching is my passion, my art, my mitzvah. I have taught in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, and in graduate programs. I have taught in Massachusetts, Vermont, Kansas, Nepal, Japan, New York City, Kansas City, and now in Austin. I have taught writing, literature, fifth grade, philosophy, neuroscience, history, analysis of teaching, multicultural history and literature, foundations of education, martial arts, and coached basketball in Nepal. I received my B.A. in English Literature at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts; my M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Oregon; and my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Kansas. I worked at the Kansas State Department of Education for 14 years and was the state liaison to the Native American community in Kansas. At the State Department I was part of a team that encouraged educators to consider the issues of traditionally underachieving populations, multicultural education, cooperative learning, community-based schools, parent involvement, teacher expectations, gender issues, and school improvement. There, I developed a series of annual conferences called Kansans of Color, and another annual conference on Native American education called Council Fires. I also conducted yearly No-TV Weeks in elementary schools throughout the state and traveled as a roaming storyteller, a habit that culminated in a statewide conference on multicultural storytelling. When not teaching or telling stories, I can be found on 360 riding my bike or at Barton Springs or at any of the music venues in town.
Suzanne Koett, Photography Teacher
My obsession with art, photography and making pictures began at 14. Since then I’ve applied the camera as a tool to create a visual language, mostly demystifying the human condition, life and also to be understood. Originally from the SF Bay Area, I graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Fine Art Photography in 2001. As a contemporary fine art photographer, I show my work both locally and nationally. (http://suzannekoett.com/). I feel fortunate to be a part of a community where I can instill passion, creativity, self-awareness and to foster an environment where students are free to experiment with their ideas and to be understood through their art.
Marc Lionetti, School Counselor & Vocal Music Director
I received my undergraduate degree in Music Education from Northwestern University, and spent the following few years touring around the country performing at colleges with an a cappella singing group. Eventually, I grew weary of traveling (and the fact that there wasn’t much good vegetarian food to be found on the road), and settled down to become a full-time music teacher at a small progressive high school near San Francisco called The Athenian School. After eight years of directing the choral program at Athenian, I felt an inner calling to interact with students as a counselor in addition to as a teacher. That calling ultimately led me to the Educational Psychology department at the University of Texas at Austin, where I received a Masters of Education in Counselor Education. I began serving as Khabele’s school counselor in 2009. These days, in addition to counseling and directing the chorus at Khabele, I regularly perform around town as lead guitarist and backup singer with The Lost Pines, a bluegrass/Americana band. I also teach a weekly Kundalini yoga class at Yoga Yoga, and have a daily yoga & meditation practice.
Jack Montagna, Coach
John Mulvany, Art Teacher
I am an artist, teacher, and writer, originally from Ireland who has been living and working in Austin for eight years. I graduated from the College of Art, Design and Print in Dublin, Ireland in 1990 before completing a second diploma in art and design education at Crawford College of Art in Cork, Ireland. I have been teaching art and design for 14 years. As an artist, I have exhibited in Ireland, the UK, Germany and the United States and my work is in many private collections throughout the world including that of the former Irish Prime Minister. In addition to my work as an artist and teacher, I am a founding member and editor of Cantanker Magazine, Austin’s only full-color magazine devoted exclusively to visual art. I live and work in east Austin with my wife, my two sons and two cats.
Ashleigh Pedersen, English Teacher & Head of English
I studied English and photography at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I started to really fall in love with the South, the beautiful old city of Richmond, and writing fiction. After a post-college year spent working as the world’s worst journalist and waiting tables, I headed north to the University of Pittsburgh to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in fiction writing.
During my three years as a graduate student, I was fortunate enough to hold a Teaching Fellowship. Though I have worked countless jobs over the years (from full-time nanny to photographer to a brief stint as a stonemason), no line of work has ever been as stimulating, gratifying, and fun as teaching. After finishing up my degree in Pittsburgh in 2009, I moved to Austin with dreams of hot weather, cold springs, and a teaching job—and in 2010, I was overjoyed to find a place at Khabele. The challenges of teaching high school students provided me with a truly rich and transformative first year. I am deeply grateful for my personal, professional, and creative growth since arriving at Khabele—and I am excited to take on more challenges and growth this second year.
While teaching, I also continue to pursue my dreams of writing and publishing novels. My short fiction has been featured in The Iowa Review, New Stories from the South: This Year’s Best 2010, and my short story “Small and Heavy World” was recently named one of the “100 Distinguished Stories” in The Best American Short Stories 2010. I am hard at work on a novel and a collection of short stories. Other pursuits high on my list of priorities include dancing shamelessly, meandering aimlessly around bookstores, discovering new music and seeing live music, practicing yoga, singing karaoke, swimming, camping, whitewater rafting, and spending as much time as possible in the lovely outdoors.
Ryan Phillips, Humanities Teacher & Head of Social Studies
Originally from Kansas City, Mo, I graduated from Texas A&M with a BA in English and History. After graduation I joined the Public Policy Research Institute as a research associate studying the effects of poverty on sentencing guidelines in the State of Texas. After the report was complete, and probably read only by me, I left Texas for Annapolis, Maryland where I graduated from St. John’s College with an MA in Liberal Arts. While at St. John’s, I became interested in the nature of happiness, specifically in what makes me happy. Much to the horror and surprise of every teacher who had the misfortune of having me as a student, it became clear that my passion lies in education. Upon graduation I joined the staff of The Touchstones Discussion Project, a non-profit specializing in collaborative learning methodologies, where I ran discussion groups with inmates at the Maryland House of Corrections and The Juvenile Detention Center in Baltimore. In 2008 I became the Director of School Programs for Touchstones in charge of teacher training and program development. Over my time with Touchstones I had the honor of working with thousands of teachers and professionals from around the world including Brazil, Haiti, Burma, and Jordan, where I spent two weeks last fall as a consultant to the Ministry of Education. This will be my first year at Khabele, teaching World Literature and Government and Economics.
Brandon Price, Math Teacher
My passion is helping young people form Mathematical questions—to develop a curiosity about numbers, structures, and relationships. Even (or perhaps especially) the most trivial question can lead a student down a rabbit hole that might one day change the world. I still possess a journal entry from fourth grade that described a completely unique way of testing whether one number was divisible by another. I held on to my strange invention until a college professor finally helped me algebraically prove its truth, and my hope is that I can also provide learning opportunities for my students to create and invent. As far as my professional background, I earned my BA in Mathematics from Baylor University, and an MA from the University of Texas in Mathematics Education. I worked as a statistical analyst while attending graduate school. I have also led summer robotics courses for elementary-aged children. I oscillate among teaching Algebra, Geometry, Statistics and Middle School Mathematics.
Joe Sokolik, Humanities Teacher
My passion for history emerged while I was enrolled as an engineering student at the University of Texas. My degree plan required me to take a course on Early American History. Thanks to the efforts of one inspiring professor, I developed an insatiable thirst for knowledge and made up my mind to become a history educator. After graduation, I managed to bumble around for a while as a freelance jazz musician, traveling frequently while teaching social studies classes in Texas during the warm summer months. In August of 2007, I was scooped up by the Khabele School, and was instantly transformed by the school’s thriving culture. Every passing day I am honored to work with such a talented, dedicated staff and to be surrounded by so many sharp young minds. Now in my fourth year at the Khabele School, I teach high school U.S. History classes and am available as a tutor in the humanities. Outside of the classroom, I aspire to begin work on an MA and geek out over stacks of history books while continuing to pick up gigs playing bass.
Alex Thomas, Film & Literature Teacher
I studied English Literature and Film Studies at the University of Kentucky before coming to the University of Texas at Austin for an MFA in Film Production. Since arriving at Khabele in 2010, I have absolutely loved getting to form relationships with and teach students in 6th grade English, Middle School Film, and High School Film. We make movies, play grammar games, read, write, and edit—all of my lifelong passions. What I value most about Khabele is that we get to learn in a community that cultivates high expectations and hard work as well as love and tons of laughter in the classroom.
Etienne Vidal, Martial Arts & Health Teacher
My heart-centered approach to youth facilitation and teaching has opened doors for me all around the world. Within the past eight years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to over five different countries teaching Capoiera Angola classes and facilitating youth programs for schools and non-profits. I have developed and led service projects, camps, after school programs, international exchanges, conferences, youth groups, healing arts classes, talking circles and now curriculum development, and teaching at the Khabele School. My focus has been to inspire and encourage young people to engage in self-discovery. Guided by the teachings of my ancestors, I have devoted myself completely to creating safe, healthy and empowering spaces for youth to recognize their inner potential and their own personal design. All of this is done through the creative and healing arts of dance, musicality, self-defense, and awareness of holistic health. My teachings are rooted in the principles of responsibility, courage, appreciation and respect. This is my second year at Khabele and I will be teaching Capoiera Angola and High School Health. My wife and I have had the wonderful opportunity of developing the character curriculum that will be offered to the Khabele staff and students this year. I am very enthusiastic about the infinite potential of life and all that is being offered to us right now.
Liza Wilson, French Teacher
I have a Master of Arts in Foreign Language Education from UT Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Rhodes College. Before I came to Khabele, I was a Field Support Specialist for Region XIII Service Center, which gave me the opportunity to observe and support first year teachers in the alternative certification program. I have also consulted for Head Start in Austin on the subject of coordinating childcare services among Head Start programs, public pre-Kindergarten programs, and day care centers. I am the former director of Le Lycee Francais d’Austin, a French pre-school and elementary school in Austin. This is my first year at Khabele.
Dave Wofford, Humanities & Yoga Teacher
I spent 10 years studying qigong, bodywork, music, and yoga while finishing my Philosophy degree at UT. During this period I made a living by managing a qigong school comprised of 200 students in five states, and later as an employee at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin. All of these experiences helped shape my approaches to both individual and organizational wellbeing, and served as litmus tests for my beliefs about business, education, and community. I started teaching at Khabele in 2006. I have at various times taught, advised, and served as Dean of the High School and Assistant Director. This year, I’ve decided to complete my Master’s degree in counseling, and I’m happily returning to the classroom while I do so. I am deeply grateful to work with such inspiring students and staff .
David Yeakle, Drama Teacher
Back in the 20th century, I was an active company member with Fort Worth’s innovative Hip Pocket Theatre for a dozen seasons. Since 1995, I have been the Producing Artistic Director of Tongue and Groove Theatre in Austin where I have produced and directed more than 30 productions. My stage adaptation of The Red Balloon received two Austin Critic’s Table Awards and five B. Iden Payne awards in 2008, plus a special citation for outstanding achievement in original animation. I remounted The Red Balloon in May, 2010, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Austin. I have studied commedia dell’arte at the Dell Arte School of Physical Theatre in California and Mask technique with Donato Sartori at Centro Maschere in Abano Terme, Italy. An associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, I hold a BFA in modern dance from Texas Christian University and an MFA in directing from the University of Texas. Since 1986, I have been on the Texas Commission on the Arts Artist-in-Education roster. I have directed and taught workshops across the country and have been on drama faculties of the University of Texas at Austin, Texas Wesleyan University, and am currently an adjunct associate professor in the Drama department at Austin Community College.
