Faculty

Gail has over 35 years of teaching experience, 25 of which were spent serving the Plano Independent School District. Texas Teacher Certified in grades 1-8, she is a CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist). She received her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. She is also ESL certified and an active member of ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association). Gail attended William Jewell College, Liberty Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Graduate studies were at University of North Texas and Texas Wesleyan University. She has served as an Instructional Specialist, Collegial Coach, and Mentor Liaison to new teachers. Having extensive knowledge of dyslexia assessments, identification, and intervention implementation, she served her previous campus as the dyslexia therapist and reading difficulties interventionist. Gail is the recipient of the Phoebe Apperson Heart Outstanding Educator Award which celebrates achievement in building effective family-school partnerships. Other recognitions include: PTA Lifetime Membership Award, Plano ISD Barksdale Teacher of the Year, and through instructional leadership supported the campus in being recognized as a “High Performance School” by “Just for the Kids” (NCEA National Center for Educational Achievement).

Roni has 30 years of classroom experience in private, Christian education, during which she has taught and/or coached students from grades K through 12. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Baylor University in Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction, respectively. She holds a Texas teaching Certification in General Education for grades K-8, a Special Education Certification for grades K-12, an Early Childhood Certification for Pre-Kindergarten–Kindergarten. She also holds certifications in Dyscalculia and ESL. She loves teaching and helping kids to realize that math can be understood and loved.

Maegan graduated from Dallas Baptist University in December of 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on English, Language Arts, and Reading in grades 4-8. Maegan’s first teaching job was at a private Christian school in Sendai, Japan where she taught 2nd grade students English. Upon returning home to Texas, Maegan worked for one year as a 6th grade Reading teacher in Alvarado, Texas. After moving to Dallas, Maegan started teaching 3rd grade in the Irving Independent School District where she served as a gifted and talented teacher, campus writing liaison, and a district-wide assessment and curriculum writer. Maeagn is also credentialed to teach PreK-6, English as a Second Language, and Gifted and Talented.

Susanne has taught in public school in both Plano and Richardson and serves in the children’s ministry at her church. She holds a Texas teaching certificate in early childhood through 6th grade for general education. Also, she is English as a Second Language (ESL) certified and has gifted and talented (GT) foundation training. Susanne earned her education certificate through Region 10, Texas Education Service Center in 2015 and has a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin. As a supporter of dyslexia education, she served on a roundtable committee to review the State’s Dyslexia Handbook, 2015 edition. Through training from the Momentous Institute, sponsored by the Salesmanship Club, and the Texas Behavior Support Initiative, she helps support the social and emotional health (SEH) of students in the classroom. Susanne enjoys working with students and seeing their growth academically, relationally, and spiritually.

Kevin has over 30 years of experience working in youth athletics. He was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and attended Zion Lutheran and Hillcrest High School. Kevin graduated from SMU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts. He has taught and coached since 2010. He holds a Texas teaching certification in Physical Education for K-12. Kevin has coached high school boys’ basketball for the past 12 years. In addition to coaching basketball, he has also served as head coach of varsity and middle school golf and middle school volleyball, football, and gymnastics. Kevin’s passion is helping all students by being physically active, positively reinforced, identifying and developing their strengths, and the lifelong benefits that this can bring. His coaching foundation is based on the Golden Rule. Kevin’s wife, Mandy, is a speech-language pathologist in Plano ISD. They are blessed with 2 beautiful teenage children and live in Plano. In his spare time, Kevin loves playing golf, listening to music, watching sports, and cooking for friends and family.

Claire began her teaching journey in the elementary music classroom, and shortly after moved to middle school choir and finally to the high school level where she taught high school choir and AP Music Theory. As a choral director, she earned numerous sweepstakes ratings with the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest, superior ratings at Choral Festivals, and had Texas All State Choir participants.

In 2015 Clyne moved to Boston, MA to begin graduate studies in choral conducting at the Boston Conservatory. This experience led her to continue her studies abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London. During her time in the U.K. Clyne served as conductor of The Founder’s Choir and assistant conductor of the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra, leading tours to Poland, France, and Germany.

A native of California, Clyne holds a MM in Orchestral Conducting from Royal Holloway, University of London, a MM in Choral Conducting from The Boston Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University. When not working on musical ventures, Clyne enjoys cycling, swimming, and spending time in nature with family and friends.

Jennie is experienced working with children as a teacher and ministry director. She graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Early Childhood through 6th grade. Over the years, Jennie worked as a learning different educator, children’s ministry director, governess as well as a leader in overseas missions.

Mikki is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with 28 years of teaching experience. Nineteen years were in Plano ISD where she served as a Reading and Instructional Specialist. She is Texas Teacher Certified in grades 1-8 and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Science. Graduate studies were at Wright State University and Texas Women’s University where she completed her certification in Reading Recovery. She received her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Mikki has served her Plano ISD campus as the dyslexia and reading interventionist, as well as the Team Lead for the Academic Specialists. She loves teaching children and finds great fulfillment in seeing them learn.

Teri has over 20 years of experience in Christian education. She has taught middle school science and Bible at a private Christian school in the area, where she most recently served as the Middle School Science Department head. She holds a BS degree from Baylor University in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. She holds a Texas teaching certification in General Education for grades 1-8. She also holds a Music Education certification for grades 1-8. Teri has a special love for middle schoolers. Her primary goals are to help each student develop a love for science as well as to help them develop and grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Laurie Hargrave graduated from Indiana University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Upon graduation, Laurie moved to New York City where she performed professionally for over a decade. Some career highlights include the 25th Anniversary of Evita National Tour, National Tour of Camelot and National tour of Pirates of Penzance (also, City Center Broadway). Laurie moved to Dallas in 2010 and spent the first couple years here in Big D, as a stay at home mom. From 2013-2019, Laurie was the Director and Founding member of a successful children’s Musical theater company, The Park Cities Players. Laurie exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in Musical theater, planned lessons to reflect group and individual needs while utilizing creative instruction. During this time, Laurie was also the Worship Leader for VBS at Park Cities Presbyterian church where she provided spiritual leadership, created a worship curriculum and taught music and worship to over 600 children. In 2016, Laurie developed the theater arts program for Middle school students here at the Heritage School of Texas.  Laurie began teaching part-time and implemented lessons that targeted a variety of learning profiles for students with diagnosed learning differences. In 2020, Laurie became a full-time teaching aide at Heritage and in 2021, Laurie began teaching Middle School History which she simply adores. Laurie’s approach to teaching is to focus on building confidence and academic success in a fun and positive learning environment. She is highly organized and detail oriented with strong creative, problem solving influencing and relationship-building skills. Laurie adapts teaching strategies to remain inclusive to learning styles. Laurie is the proud mother of Hunter and Atlee.

Emily graduated from University of California San Diego in 1993 majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications. After moving to Dallas in 1994, Emily worked in her family’s business and was a stay-at-home mom for her four children. During that time she volunteered at her children’s school, actively participated in Bible Study Fellowship, coordinated her church nursery program, and served on many committees involving children. It was while substitute teaching at various private schools in Dallas that Emily decided to pursue a career in teaching. As Emily says, she finally found her passion through helping children learn and being their biggest cheerleader. In 2014, she began her employment at Heritage School of Texas as a full-time substitute and teacher’s aide while working on fulfilling the requirements for her Alternative Teaching Certification in Texas. After completing her certification requirements of student teaching at Preston Hollow Presbyterian School and George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary, she has now returned to Heritage in a teaching role to serve the learning different population.

Cerene has over 20 years working in education from pre-kindergarten students to adult-age college students. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Christian Education. She enjoys working with students of all ages and loves seeing their faces when challenging topics come together for them.

Zach has taught for over 10 years in both general education and special education. His certifications are in Special Education, General Education, ESL and History. Zach has just completed his Take Flight training to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). His call to teach comes from his observations that the world will try to distract young people from the Word, and that those whom are called must teach them the love of Christ, discernment, and to search for His truth in everything. He earned a B.A. in History from Trinity University in 2003, a Masters of Education in Special Education from SMU in 2020, and completed Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training through the Scottish Rite Hospital in 2022. Zach believes that his spiritual gifts of patience and discernment are instrumental in working with those with learning differences. He acknowledges that teaching is an immense responsibility and is grateful to all of our students’ parents for entrusting the faculty at Heritage with the honor of providing for their children’s education.

Stephanie has taught high school English for 7 years. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Literary Studies and her teaching certificate. Reading and writing are passions that she enjoys sharing with her students and endeavors to instill a similar love and enjoyment of the literary arts in them as well. Her primary goal is to help students grow in their love of learning, understanding of themselves, and most importantly, their relationship with the Lord. Stephanie is also extremely passionate about apologetics and understanding why we follow the Bible.

D’Ann has 15 years of experience as an art educator. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Baylor University in 1993 and a Master’s degree in Art from University of North Texas in 1998. She also interned with the education department at the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University. She taught art (K-4) at University Park Elementary in the Highland Park Independent School District from 1995-2004. She taught elementary and middle school art at the Covenant School of Dallas from 2017-2021. She has taught many summer art camps and traveled the world studying art history, visiting museums, and experiencing a variety of cultures. She loves to nurture and guide young artists through the creative process and teach skills and techniques using various media. She enjoys teaching students to learn to look carefully at nature and to instill wonder in our Creator’s beautiful and intelligent design. Students will make art inspired by God, the Master Artist and other masters from art history.

Joy has 29 years of teaching experience in various roles. She has served as a Speech Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher, Campus Instructional Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

Joy attended Louisiana State University of Shreveport where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She later received a Masters of Education from University of North Texas. She received training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor. Joy is a Texas Certified Teacher in areas of Elementary Self-Contained, Special Education, and ESL (English as a Second Language).

Joy has been a recipient of the Lifetime Membership PTA Award and has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at her previous campus.

She loves teaching children and helping them realize their potential as readers and writers.

Allison graduated from Texas Tech University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Public Relations and Spanish. After graduation, she moved to Dallas where she met her husband and had a short, successful career in Sales and Marketing. Allison has been a stay at home mom with her 3 boys for the past 17 years where she volunteered extensively for their schools, actively participated in Bible studies, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and served on many non-profit boards and committes, including those with the special needs community. As a parent of a son with Autism, Allison has unique insight into the role of teaching children with learning differences. She is happy to be a part of the team at Heritage and also helping these special children build a relationship with Christ.

Adrienne has over 15 years of classroom teaching experience in several different settings; including private, public, and virtual. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a BS in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Mathematics. Her first five years of teaching were in the fourth and fifth grades, respectively. After spending time at home raising her children, she returned to the classroom to teach Middle School Math. She most recently taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Math for Carrollton Farmers Branch in a Special Education setting. She holds several teaching certificates: Self-Contained 1-8, Mathematics 1-8, Special Education EC-12, English as a Second Language EC-12, and a Virtual Teaching Endorsement.