Administration Directory

Helen Roberts

Executive Director

Helen joined Kirby Hall in 1998 as part of the administrative staff. She developed a close working relationship with Head of School and Founder Beverly Rase, serving as her unfailing right hand for several years. Helen has worked diligently with faculty, parents, and students to advance the school and uphold the mission of Kirby Hall ever since. In 2014, when Mrs. Rase retired, it was only natural that the Board of Trustees appointed Helen as the new director.

Having originally discovered Kirby Hall in 1991 as a parent when her daughter entered kindergarten, Helen uniquely understands both the parent and student perspective. She gave generously of her time as a volunteer at the school prior to transitioning into her administrative role. Helen then joyfully graduated from the mother of two of her own to the adoptive mother of hundreds over her years here. 

Her two daughters Sasha and Emily, both graduates of Kirby Hall, went on to have very successful college careers at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University.

Helen was born and raised in New York City. Prior to entering the field of education, she had a 19-year career with the Internal Revenue Service in the Treasury Department, including serving as a Security Analyst and Assistant Chief of Publishing Services in the Boston District Office.

Emily Roberts

Director of Admissions

B.A., Sociology, Texas State University

Emily joined Kirby Hall School in 2018 as the Director of Admissions. Having been a student here at Kirby Hall from kindergarten through graduation in 2011, she is familiar with and passionate about what it means to be part of the Kirby Hall family. Emily graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas State University with a degree in Sociology.  She is delighted to have returned to Kirby Hall as a member of the administration and to share her love of the school with prospective families. In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family.

Paige Arnell

Dean of Curriculum

B.A., English, University of Dallas

M.A., English, Middlebury College

 

We are grateful to welcome Paige to the position of Dean of Curriculum after having been an English instructor here at Kirby Hall across many grade levels for several years.  Paige received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in English and has taught in private schools for more than a decade. As her own children entered school, she became obsessed with learning about pedagogy and all the different ways that how we teach impacts what students learn.  She is working towards becoming a certified reading specialist and is passionate about ensuring that both students and teachers are equipped with the resources they need to succeed. What she enjoys most about Kirby Hall is the loving and supportive atmosphere and that students are academically challenged within a community that honors and recognizes them as individuals. When not in the classroom, Paige can be found exploring the outdoors with her children (Althea, Ella, Wren and Whitman) or sneaking in a few quiet moments to herself reading and writing.

Jared Dailey

Lower and Middle School Mathematics, STEM and Athletics

B.A., Mathematics, The University of Texas at Austin

Jared has been at Kirby Hall School since 2006. He teaches Math and STEM and coordinates the MakerSpace program. Jared also serves as a passionate and enthusiastic coach for many of the school’s athletic teams. Prior to joining Kirby Hall, Jared spent two years as the Educational Coordinator, zookeeper, and night watchman at the Austin Zoo. Jared loves all things logical (sometimes even the illogical), sports, and nearly any activity that involves friends and the outdoors. He also loves spending as much time as possible with his family–daughter Greta, son Nolan, and wife Kristin.

Connor Hollis

Middle School Lead

B.A., French and Linguistics, Rutgers University

Connor has worked as a French and ESL instructor in both middle and high schools, and comes to Kirby Hall from his most recent position in Pflugerville ISD. He received his B.A. in French and Linguistics from Rutgers University, as well as earning his M. Ed., in Foreign Languages and ESL Instruction, also from there. He enjoys spending time with his husband Carson, and their cat, Chickpea, and is a tea enthusiast who can frequently be found at West China Tea in North Austin. 

Sarah Jane Devins

School Counselor

B.A., Sociology, University of South Carolina

M. Ed., Counselor Education, The Citadel Graduate College

Sarah Jane is certified and licensed, as an associate, Counselor. She grew up just outside of Boston, MA with two sisters. Sarah Jane graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of South Carolina in 2016. She then achieved her Master’s in Counselor Education from The Citadel Graduate College (2018-2020) in Charleston, SC, where she lived until moving to Austin in 2021. Sarah Jane has worked as a School Counselor in AISD at an Elementary School and used her Counseling skills as a Coach while pursuing her licensure. She has also worked as a Psychotherapist and Psychometrist as well. She truly has a love for children and enjoys working with students and teaching them academic, personal, and social/emotional skills.

Claire LaChance

Financial Officer

M.S., Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

Claire is originally from Massachusetts and joined Kirby Hall School in 2008. She earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute followed by an M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Claire spent fifteen years working in engineering before relocating to Austin. After her distinguished career in engineering, she trained in accounting, where her analytical and precise mathematical skills have served her well.

Alyssa Drury

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

B.A., French and International Relations, Lake Forest College

Alyssa shares with Kirby Hall School her nearly two decades of marketing experience from a variety of fields. She studied French and International Relations in Chicago and then spent several years working in public relations there prior to returning to her home state of Texas. She most recently served as an independent communications specialist before joining Kirby Hall.  Away from school, Alyssa enjoys multiple books clubs, traveling, spending time with her husband, and keeping up with their two busy daughters. 

Hillary Thompson

Librarian

Hillary joins us at Kirby Hall having completed her Bachelor’s degree at Louisiana State University. She is currently in the process of obtaining both her Masters of Library and Information Science and her certification in the Texas Teachers of Tomorrow Program (ELAR 4-8). She loves working with children and has a passion for books and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for reading with all of our Kirby Hall students! Hillary is new to Austin and enjoys exploring all that the city has to offer in her spare time.

Kylee Nitschke

Staff Assistant

Kylee joins Kirby Hall with enthusiasm for great service and organization! She has spent the last 11 years working in massage therapy and wellness. Kylee owned and operated the ONYX Wellness and Massage Therapy Center and prior to that she was the owner of the Mercantile Zero Waste Goods Company. Kylee also taught cheerleading and gymnastics to children and adults of all skill sets. In her time away from Kirby Hall, she loves spending time outside with her young son, Iroh, crafting and being involved in minimal-waste activism and lifestyle workshops.

Javier Medina

Facilities Manager

Javier has been with Kirby Hall School since 2012 and has become a beloved member of the Kirby Hall family. He was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico before moving to Austin over 20 years ago. Javier has two daughters, one son, and three grandsons. In his time off, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, cooking his specialty chile rellenos, and playing futbol with friends and family.