Jennifer White - Head of Middle School          

 

After spending 15 years with the Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Missouri, Jennifer White joins the EWS faculty as the Head of Middle School. Jennifer relocated to the Bayou City with her husband, Adam, and two children, Ben and Anabelle. When not watching the kiddos play sports, Jennifer hopes to join a new book club or two, and is eager to settle into the EWS community.

 

"Being a division head has been a life-long career goal of mine - one that I have been preparing for and looking forward to forever (it seems)!"

 

Jennifer is not entirely new to Texas as she earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Texas Christian University before heading out west to complete another bachelor's degree in education from the University of Colorado Boulder. Jennifer then migrated north for a master's degree in education from the University of Kansas.

Caroline Sarnoff - Director of Admissions          

 

EWS has a fresh face for all potential new students and families with Director of Admissions Caroline Sarnoff. Caroline comes to EWS after serving as the Director of Admissions for the Art Institute of Houston, and she is anxious to get know our current and future families, as well as their extended families.

 

"It's a remarkable feeling when you can help make a difference in a child's life. Here, I'm given the chance to help families make constructive decisions regarding their educational paths. If I can play even a small part in the positive growth and development of our young people it will be truly satisfying." 

Karen Brock - MS Math          

 

Joining us from the Big Apple, MS Math Teacher Karen Brock will have to change the way she pronounces Houston. After spending several years in the advertising world, Karen completed a mathematics degree with a concentration in secondary education from Stony Brook University, and a master's degree in pure mathematics from Lehman College before entering the classroom.

 

"From the moment I first came to EWS to visit, I knew I wanted to be part of the school. There was something wonderful and different about the school and the community. The people within the community genuinely love to learn and support others, and I'm very excited to be here!"

 

Karen will have no trouble acclimating to Houston quickly as she is also passionate about golfing and eating delicious foods. 

Jared Curtis - MS Science          

 

After spending the past five years in Fort Bend ISD, new Jaguar Jared Curtis will take over teaching Life Science and coaching duties for Middle School Boys Soccer. Jared made the decision to leave the public sector for additional opportunities to teach his students to love science.

 

"The students here are great, and I'm really looking forward to engaging in the experiential teaching and learning aspects that EWS offers."

 

Jared's own love of science is apparent with his bachelor's degree in biology from Brigham Young University, and his master's degree in science education from the University of Houston. When not speaking the language of science, Jared can also be heard speaking Tongan, a Polynesian language, in which he is fluent.

Lea Kaminstein - MS History         

 

Middle School History Teacher Lea Kaminstein is nearly through her first summer in Houston after moving from the Bellevue School District in Seattle, Washington. Lea is not a complete stranger to the Gulf Coast heat as she graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's degree in political science before heading north to complete a master's degree in teaching from Seattle University.

 

When not making homemade jewelry in her spare time, Kaminstein will be working hard to become a member of the EWS community as a 7th Grade history teacher.

 

Johnny Nichols, Jr. - MS Performing Arts         

 

Johnny Nichols, Jr. joins EWS from Lutheran South Academy in Houston as he takes on MS Theater Arts, A Capella Ensemble and MS Vocal Music. Johnny will also be busy in the Becker Theater as the Music Director for all 2012-13 theater productions. The commitment to the Theater Department was definitely one of the main sell points for Johnny on his journey to EWS.

 

"The thriving arts community that has already been established, along with the 'different' atmosphere at EWS are phenomenal, and I look forward to raising the bar even higher."

 

Johnny is raising the bar even higher for himself as he hopes to finish a master's degree in music in December from Texas Southern University. Johnny also holds a bachelor's in vocal performance from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

 

Wylie Stemple - MS Math         

 

New MS Math Teacher Wylie Temple joins EWS as one of two new additions to the MS Math Department. Wylie holds a bachelor's degree in aviation management from Ohio State University, along with a licensure in middle school education for math and social studies from the University of Dayton. Wylie will not be bound entirely to the classroom as he will also serve as the head coach for the Middle School Girls Basketball Team, and as an assistant coach for the Varsity Softball Team.

 

"I came to Emery/Weiner because the school fit perfectly with my ideas about how a great school should be. I'm looking forward to meeting all of my students, and to getting on the court to meet all of my players."

 

Off the court and field, Wylie can be found watching any and all sports, cooking and flying airplanes.

Andrew Sudano - MS History         

 

History Teacher Andrew Sudano has traded in his California lifestyle for the Houston heat after leaving The Willows Community School in Culver City, California.

 

"I wanted to join EWS because I was previously teaching 5th grade history, which covers everything. At EWS, this was the perfect opportunity to transition into teaching my favorite subject exclusively, as well as to work with older students. When I interviewed, I taught a sample lesson and met students. I was really impressed with how intelligent, enthusiastic and engaged the majority of the students were both inside and outside of the classroom."

 

Andrew will already feel partly at home at EWS as he is college buddies with current EWS teacher Zach Coffin and former EWS teacher Ben Stern. Andrew graduated from Bowdoin College with a bachelor's degree in anthropology.

Michael Taylor - MS Art         

 

Middle School Art Teacher Michael Taylor does not confine his art to just painting and drawing. As a multimedia visual artist and performer, Michael has exhibited his artwork and poetry at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Go Down Art Center in Nairobi, Kenya and at the TEDx conference at NASA in 2011. His art runs the gamut from video and object installations to wall relief structures, and he is anxious to share these skills with impressionable young artists.

 

"EWS is the most progressive and collaborative middle and high school I've seen in the past decade, and I wanted to be part of the creatively structured education program. Now that the year has started, I'm looking forward to the beautiful surprises waiting in everyone's imagination."

 

Michael holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Houston. His dedication to the arts is so extreme that he has no time for any pets of his own, but he does love walking other people's dogs and cats!

Leigh Umstattd - MS Learning Support         

 

With two years under her belt at YES Prep in Houston, new-hire Leigh Umstattd is anxious to help fill out and restructure our Learning Support Department. With a bachelor's degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas, Umstattd has revamped the EWS Advisory program and looks forward to getting to know her students in a different classroom setting.

 

"When I visited EWS, I immediately felt a different sense of community amongst both the students and the staff. I wanted to be a part of a school where students felt they could be themselves and express themselves, and I think EWS exemplifies that. Developing relationships with students is critical in being able to support them."