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.

Teri Fickling

Dean of Curriculum

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

M.A., Literature, Texas State University

Ph.D., English, The University of Texas at Austin

Teri serves as Dean of Curriculum at Kirby Hall and is an assistant professor of instruction in English at The University of Texas at Austin. She holds a BA in English from UT Austin, an MA in literature from Texas State University, and a PhD in English from UT Austin, specializing in 17th and 18th-century British poetry. While in pursuit of her PhD, she worked as an administrator at UT’s Writing Center. She has long been involved in the Kirby Hall community: between 2006-2016, she taught English at Kirby Hall in grades ranging from 4th-12th. She enthusiastically joined the Kirby Hall School Board of Directors in 2019 and has returned to a more hands-on administrative position as Curriculum Dean this academic year. She enjoys serving teachers as an instructional coach to support their implementation of curriculum.

Jared Dailey

Lower and Middle School:

Computer Science, STEM, IT and Athletics

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

Teaching Certification: Mathematics and General Education

Jared has been at Kirby Hall School since 2006. He teaches Math and Science as well as coordinates the MakerSpace program and heads up the technology department. 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.

Sarah Jane Devins

School Counselor

B.A., Sociology, University of South Carolina

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

Sarah Jane is a 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 now works part-time 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

B.S., Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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. 

Erika Watson

Staff Assistant

B.A., Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Erika brings to Kirby Hall a strong background in education and her joy of working with children. She graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Elementary Education along with a minor in Mathematics. She has previously taught Kindergarten as well as 2nd and 4th grades. Erika recently relocated to Austin from Oxford (in the United Kingdom) for her husband’s work at The University of Texas. While in the UK, Erika was an instructor for 5th grade at a primary school there. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the city’s parks and playgrounds with her two young daughters, Cora and Rhea. 

Hillary Thompson

Librarian

B.A., Nutrition, Health & Society, Louisiana State University

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.

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.