Meet Our Middle School Staff

Braxton Allison | 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Allison joined K12 in 2018. He has seven years of previous experience in education working with students in grades Pre-K through 12th. Mr. Allison earned a BS in exercise science with physical education from Lubbock Christian University (2010) and an MA in educational leadership from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (2016). He holds teaching certifications in the state of Texas in history, social studies, supplemental ESL, physical education, as well as a principal certification.

Michelle Billings | 6th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Billings has worked for K12 since 2014. Before joining K12, she worked in brick-and-mortar classrooms for eight years as a team lead and as a math specialist, as well as a 4th and 5th grade teacher. Ms. Billings received her bachelor’s in elementary education from Brigham Young University and worked on a master’s degree in math education at BYU.

Amy Branson | 7th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Branson has taught math for 16 years. This is her fifth year teaching online. She has BS in health education and a minor in mathematics education (and driver’s education) from Brigham Young University.

Heather Brown | 8th Grade ELA Teacher

Ms. Brown joined K12 this year. Previously, she taught in a traditional school setting in Southeast Texas for three years. Ms. Brown graduated from Lamar University in 2013 with a BA in English and a minor in writing. She later received her teacher certification in secondary English and special education.

Anna Castillo | 6th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Castillo joined the K12 team in 2018. She brings to K12 six years of teaching experience. Mrs. Castillo graduated from the University of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in science.

Carla Chaisson | 7th Grade Texas History Teacher

Ms. Chaisson joined the K12 team this year. She is a fourth-year teacher with experience working as an urban planner over 12 years in both the government and nonprofit arenas. Ms. Chaisson earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and ethnic studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds certificates in social studies (4–8 and 8–12), special education (EC–12), and middle grades generalist (4–8).

Keli Christodolou ”Ms. Christy” | 8th Grade Computer Literacy Teacher

Coleen Colca | 6th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Colca joined K12 in 2018. She has three years of experience in brick-and-mortar middle school as a long-term substitute. Ms. Colca earned her BA in interdisciplinary studies (education) at the University of Houston, Downtown. She holds certificates in 4–8 generalist with ESL, family and consumer science (aka, home economics) for 6–12.

Katie Davis | 6th–8th Grade Math Interventionist

Ms. Davis joined K12 this year. She earned a BA in interdisciplinary and an MS in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University and holds certificates in EC–8 education.

Alyson Denard | Middle School English Language Arts Interventionist

Ms. Denard joined the K12 team in 2018. She brings more than four years of experience in education. Ms. Denard earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She is a certified ESL teacher for grades Pre-K through 8th.

Ashley DeSkeere | Middle School Advisor

Ms. DeSkeere joined the K12 team in 2014. Prior to K12, she taught kindergarten in Frisco ISD for nine years. She brings more than 14 years of experience in education. Ms. DeSkeere earned a BA in education from Texas State University. She holds certificates in early childhood education–8th grade.

Jennifer Eikenhorst | 7th Grade Math Teacher

Mrs. Eikenhorst joined K12 in 2016. She has over 10 years of experience teaching middle schoolers in a variety of subjects including TX history, literature and math. Mrs. Eikenhorst earned a BA in education in middle school studies from Stephan F. Austin University. She is also in pursuit of her master’s in special education to serve diverse learners. She holds certificates in general studies 4–8 and math 4–8.

Emily Galyon | Middle School Health Teacher

This is Ms. Galyon’s sixth year with K12. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts, as well as many teaching certifications.

Gurtej Grewal | 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Grewal joined the K12 team in 2018. She taught 7th grade language arts for five years in a brick-and-mortar school and substituted for a number of years prior to that. Ms. Grewal graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and from Sam Houston State University with a master’s in curriculum and instruction. She holds generalist 4–8 and ESL certifications.

Deborah Harris | 8th Grade English Teacher

Ms. Harris joined K12 December 2015. She brings more than 30 years of experience in education and leadership development. Ms. Harris has earned a BS degree in secondary education from the University of North Texas. She has earned her gifted/talented certification from Southern Methodist University.

Stephanie Hill | 8th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Hill joined the K12 team in 2015. During her time with K12, she has taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from Sam Houston State University. GO Bearkats!

Charlotte Holloway | 7th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Holloway has a Bachelor of Science in history and biological science from East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M at Commerce, Texas. She has a Master of Science in library science from University of North Texas. Ms. Holloway has taught middle school science for 17 years: 13 years at Garland ISD and four years for K12. She is very excited to be teaching in the virtual classroom as a 7th grade science teacher! She loves working with students and their families and is looking forward to having a successful year with all of you!

Monique Jackson-King | 8th Grade Academic Advisor

Ms. Jackson-King has worked with four different K12-powered schools and has eight years of experience as an educator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Riverside and found an unexpected love for supporting and encouraging students in 2010 when she switched career fields to best serve her family. In all interactions with her students, she strives to instill in them the truth that they are worth the self-investment into their education.

Juliet Jones | 6th Grade Teacher

Ms. Jones joined K12 in 2010. She has 21 years of experience teaching. She has a master’s degree in cross-cultural education. She is a Spanish speaker.

Lindsey Keaton | 6th Grade ELA Teacher

Ms. Keaton joined K12 in 2016. She graduated from West Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in education. This is her 9th year of teaching middle school English.

F. Blair Litaker-French | 7th Grade Special Education Teacher

Ms. Litaker-French joined K12 in 2018. She has many years of special education experience and has worked and currently holds certificates in three other states. Ms. Litaker-French earned her BA in elementary education and her MEd in special education from the University of Florida. She currently holds a certificate in special education for the state of Texas.

Stephen Maddox | 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Maddox joined K12 in 2012. He brings more than 10 years of experience in education along with 25 years in private business. Mr. Maddox has a BS in geology from New Mexico State University and an MS in geology from the University of Houston. He has a certificate as master technology teacher, as well as certificates in 6–12 science, 3–12 technology, and 4–8 general education.

Lakisha Marc-Charles | 7th Grade English Teacher

Ms. Marc-Charles has been teaching since 2006. She earned a master’s degree in literacy from University of Texas at Arlington in 2014. She holds certificates in language arts, reading, and social studies, and ESL. Mrs. M-C attributes all her organizational and leaderships skills to her prior service in the U.S. Air Force.

Erin Mason | 8th Grade Advisor

Ms. Mason has been with K12 since 2011. For nearly 20 years, she has been in the education field, with experience in brick-and-mortar high school, tutoring, and online teaching. Ms. Mason earned a BA in English from Lamar University and holds a certificate in secondary English language arts.

Prissy Metting “Ms. Prissy” | 8th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Prissy brings with her more than 25 years of teaching experience. Being married to a career Navy sailor, she has taught in many schools and in three different states. But she returned to her home state of Texas as soon as she could. She earned her BS in mathematics at the University of Texas at San Antonio and her MEd at Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. Her and her husband live a mobile lifestyle in a RV, frequently traveling around our great state of Texas. She is an avid dog lover and enjoys learning new things. She holds lifetime certification in 6–12 secondary mathematics.

Jennifer Pinkerton | Middle School Math Team Lead Teacher

Ms. Pinkerton joined the K12 team in 2014. She brings more than 10 years of experience in education. Ms. Pinkerton earned a BA in education at Texas A&M University. She is certified to teach all subject areas in grades 1–8.

Leigh Radichel | 8th Grade American History Teacher

Mrs. Radichel joined the K12 team in 2012. She has a BA degree in education from UNC Charlotte, as well as a gifted endorsement and a reading endorsement from RESA in Georgia. Mrs. Radichel has taught several different elementary courses as well as 6th grade social studies.

Tiffany Rieves | Middle School P.E. Teacher

Ms. Rieves joined the K12 team in 2016. She earned a BS in human resource development from Texas A&M University, and an MEd in curriculum and instruction from Sam Houston State University. She holds certificates in early childhood education, physical education, and business education.

Michelle Robison | Middle School Advisor

Ms. Robison joined K12 in 2015. She has experience in elementary education and has taught 5th grade science and special education. She spent the last few years as a high school advisor and is excited to move to middle school this year. Ms. Robison has a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and is certified to teach EC–6th grade general education and K–12th grade special education.

Jessica Rodriguez | 5th Grade Math/Science Teacher

Ms. Rodriguez joined the K12 team in 2014. She brings more than 24 years of experience in the field of education. Ms. Rodriquez moved from California to Texas in 2012 and brings with her a background in teaching 5–8th grade math and science. She has earned her BA in education from the University of Concordia, St. Paul and holds a clear credential for K–12 grade with an emphasis in CLAD (ELL).

Jennifer Rye | Middle School Art Teacher

Ms. Rye joined the K12 team in 2014. She earned her BA in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Dallas with a focus on education. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree at her alma mater in humanities and education.

Lauren Stewart | 7th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Stewart joined the K12 team in 2018. She has nine years of experience teaching science and sponsoring student clubs, such as Student Council and Science UIL. Ms. Stewart earned a BS in biology and a BS in cytogenetics from University of TX at Houston-School of Public Health. She holds certificates in middle school and high school science, generalist 4–8 and health K–12.

Leroy Thompson | 8th Grade Math Teacher

Mr. Thompson joined the K12 team in 2013. He is a retired veteran of the United States Air Force with over 20 years of military service. He holds three associates of applied sciences’ degrees from the Community College of the Air Force. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Phoenix. He also holds certificates in 4–8 grade generalist and 4–8 grade mathematics.

Angela Turner | 8th Grade Science Teacher

After 30 years classroom teaching in junior high and high school, Mrs. Turner joined K12 in 2016. She received her BS from Sam Houston State University. Later she received her MEd in curriculum and instruction-science education from Texas A&M University.

Amy Velten | 8th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Velten joined the K12 team in 2012. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education, eight of them in virtual education. Ms. Velten earned a BA in multidisciplinary studies from Concordia University-Texas. She holds a Texas classroom teacher certificate for mathematics in grades 6–12.

Inez Ventura | Middle School Advisor

Ms. Ventura joined the K12 team in 2008. She brings 10 years of experience in education, starting in our special education department, to our high school advising team and as of 2018, happily joining the middle school team. She also helps with community service projects, our state testing coordination in Houston, and our graduation ceremony. She has a heart for people and helping.

Kristine Verghese | Middle School Advisor

Ms. Verghese joined the K12 team in 2016. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Texas Woman’s University. She brings over six years of experience serving in the social services sector catering to children and families, disabled and elderly Vietnam veterans, senior citizens, as well as the homeless population.

Ana Villarreal | Middle School Lead Advisor

Ms. Villarreal started with K12 as a contracted staff member of the testing administration team in 2014 and has served in the advising team since. She brings more than 10 years of experience in public service, community outreach, and education. Ms. Villarreal earned an associate degree in social work from the Texas Southmost College and a BA in government and public service from the University of Texas at Brownsville/UTRGV. She also has over 10 years of experience in nursing and four years of healthcare administration.

Andrea Walker | 8th Grade Teacher

Ms. Walker joined K12 in 2013. She brings 13 years of experience in teaching and child advocacy experience, leadership, and management in the education and business fields. Ms. Walker has her BA in education and MA in education leadership from West Texas A&M University. Throughout her years in education she has been a mentor, department head, and taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Ms. Walker holds certificates in 4–8 reading, EC–4, and 4–8 generalist and is scheduled to complete her leadership and ESL tests in November.

Trisha Whitehurst | 8th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Whitehurst is excited to be a new member of the K12 team. She has a BA in English from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and she is pursuing an MA in technical communication from Texas Tech University. While she has been teaching 8th grade science, she has special training in ESL and reading comprehension from her university studies in English.