Primer and Lower School Faculty Directory

Shannon Crafton

Primer (Pre-K4)

B.A., Psychology, Texas State University

Teaching Certification-EC through Sixth Grade

Shannon originally hails from El Paso and graduated from Texas State University in nearby San Marcos with a degree in Psychology.  She recently completed her Teaching Certification at Huston-Tillotson University here in Austin. Shannon has taught Pre-K for the past two years at a non-profit preschool but has experience working with children of all ages through her volunteering at an emergency children’s shelter. She is passionate about social emotional learning and believes it is important for all children to express themselves and learn via exploring, creating, and discovering! Her main goal as a teacher is to help each child develop positive self-esteem and teach them to be unafraid. Outside of her classroom, Shannon loves hiking, swimming, hanging with her sweet dog Winston, crafting, sewing, and anything artistic–she even has a small Etsy shop to showcase her creations.

Jesse Bohnert

Kindergarten

B.S., Elementary Education, Indiana University

Prior to moving to Austin, Jesse was a first grade teacher at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis. With ten years of teaching experience, she is also a certified Lindamood-Bell and Orton-Gillingham tutor. Her goal in the classroom is to provide a positive learning environment that fosters students’ social and academic advancement while promoting a growth mindset. Jesse enjoys crafting, reading, and exploring the city with her husband and their two children.

India Rohmann

Kindergarten

B.S., Applied Learning and Development, The University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Certifications-EC through Sixth Grade, ESL Supplemental

India is one of our Kindergarten teachers and comes to Kirby Hall with a degree in Applied Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin. She has also taught students at the Pre-K and Second grade levels as well as holds an ESL supplemental certification. In her free time, India loves reading and swing dancing!

Terry Parks

First Grade

B.A., Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Certification-General Education

Terry has been teaching since 1994 and came to Kirby Hall School in 2004. She has also taught at Hyde Park Baptist and St. Francis Schools here in Austin. As an educator, she feels it is important to learn and implement new ideas and methods in her classroom in order to consistently be teaching to the whole child, as well as to all styles of learners. She enjoys furthering her own education through books and workshops, particularly in the areas of social and emotional development. One of her main goals each year is to guide her students in being supportive of one another and appreciative of the gifts that each individual brings to the group. In her spare time, Terry can be found reading a book, trying out a new recipe, or exercising. She also loves the theater, museums, and interesting food and restaurants. Terry especially cherishes spending time with her two lovely daughters, Avery and Eliza, who both attend Kirby Hall.

Gloria King

Second Grade

B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas A&M University

Teaching Certification-General Education and  ESL

Gloria joined Kirby Hall in 2018. This is her ninth year of teaching elementary students. Before that, she spent several years as a stay-at-home mom with her own two children while remaining active in education through substitute teaching and volunteering in the classroom. Gloria is also an ESL-certified instructor and works diligently to inspire, motivate, and engage her students each and every day. Outside of Kirby Hall, Gloria loves to read, travel, volunteer, and be with her family. 

David LaLonde

Third Grade

B.A., Art History and Architecture, Savannah College of Art and Design

M. Arch., Architecture, Savannah College of Art and Design

David shares with his students an especially unique perspective because he was once a student at Kirby Hall School himself, graduating from here in 1986. He went on to study both art history and architecture in Savannah before his love of travel inspired him to teach in Asia and the Middle East for several years. David taught at both the elementary and middle school levels and also mentored fellow instructors who were just starting their own teaching careers.  Additionally, he has presented many seminars overseas on positive ways to engage students of all aptitudes and learning differences. With his extensive knowledge of living and working internationally, David instills in his students a deep awareness and sensitivity to other cultures while opening their eyes to many other colorful global traditions and cultures. Following his time abroad, David is thrilled to be back home in Austin and at Kirby Hall. Outside of school, he is an active member of his church community, loves working on his home renovation projects, and can be found spending time with his beloved dog Milo.

Paige Arnell

Lower and Middle School, Language Arts and Literature

B.A., English, University of Dallas

M.A., English, Middlebury College

We are grateful to have welcomed Paige back to Kirby Hall School for her second tenure teaching. She taught Upper School English here several years ago prior to staying at home with her four young children — Althea, Ella, Wren, and Whitman — who are now all students at Kirby Hall as well. Paige received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in English and has been teaching for nearly ten years. 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 or sneaking in a few quiet moments to herself reading and writing.

Jared Dailey

Lower and Middle School, Math, Science, Technology 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.

Joe Rumrich

Lower and Middle School, History

B.S., Restaurant Management, Purdue University

Teaching Certification–Elementary through Eighth Grade History

Joe has been sharing his passion for many topics and eras throughout our country’s great history with Kirby Hall students since 1994. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in restaurant management and earned his teaching certificate from The University of Texas at Austin. When not at school, Joe enjoys watching his two nephews play sports, reading, cooking, exercising, and rooting for the NY Yankees. During each summer, Joe can be found kayaking, biking, and hiking near his family’s home, 300 yards from the scenic Niagara River.

Martha Peters

Third Grade through Upper School, Spanish and AP Spanish

B.A., Spanish, University of Missouri, Kansas City

M.A., Romance Languages and Spanish Literature, University of Missouri, Kansas City

Martha is a native Spanish speaker, originally from Mexico, with over twenty years of language instruction. She comes to Kirby Hall School from Headwaters School (formerly The Khabele School) where she was an Instructor and Director of the Foreign Languages Department.  In addition to teaching introductory levels through Spanish V, she taught Spanish B, Standard Level and Higher Level, of the International Baccalaureate program. Señora Peters’ experience in language instruction encompasses a diversity of ages and settings, which also includes teaching adults in continuing education programs offered by community colleges, as well as private instruction to business executives. Moreover, her experience is not limited to classroom instruction but includes several examples of curriculum development for Spanish programs newly- begun or requiring complete overhauls. Señora Peters and her husband have a daughter, son, and two grand cats.  She is excited to join the Kirby Hall community, and share the rich cultures of Latin America and Spain through cooking, art, music, literature, and dance!

Joseph Houston

Fifth Grade, Middle and Upper School, Mathematics

B.S., Secondary Mathematics Education, Stephen F. Austin University

Teaching Certification–Eighth Grade through High School Mathematics

Joseph attended Stephen F. Austin where he studied mathematics education. While in college he acted as his dormitory president, was active in the Judo club, and participated in several community service organizations. Following graduation, Joseph began tutoring in math before a five-year career teaching at Lufkin High School where he taught a range of courses from Algebra 1 to Pre-Calculus. He then served as a teacher for Algebra 2 classes at Diboll High School. Most recently before joining Kirby Hall, Joseph traveled the country working as a wind turbine technician where his problem-solving skills were put to good use troubleshooting issues for and repairing windmills.  Joseph is excited to be a part of the Kirby Hall community and share his love of math (and problem-solving) with his students.

Michelle Escuder

Lower, Middle and Upper School, Drama and Music

B.A., Theater, Florida State University

Michelle joined Kirby Hall School in 2007 and is thrilled to be teaching music and drama to all of our students for her 13th year! At Florida State University, she was active in the university’s theater, music, and opera programs. Michelle has been a performer in both theater and opera for the majority of her life and is currently very active in the Austin musical theater scene. Most recently she performed with City Theater and maintains an active audition and performance schedule. While at Florida State, in addition to performing on stage, Michelle held the Theatre Seat in the fifty-fourth Student Senate and performed technical duties in numerous theatrical productions. Her students benefit from Michelle’s extensive and varied performance and technical theater experience as well as her ongoing training at the Actor’s School and through Austin Shakespeare. When not teaching or performing Michelle enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Red, and volunteering as a foster for multiple animal rescue organizations. 

Vincent Paul Martinez, Jr.

Lower, Middle and Upper School, Art

B.F.A., Studio Arts-Painting, Texas State University

Vincent is a local artist, art teacher, and central Texas native. After graduating from Texas State with a degree in studio art, he moved to Austin to collaborate with the vibrant creative community here. While working as an Americorps mentor and tutor with Communities in Schools in east Austin, Vincent developed a new passion for sharing the creative process with youths and fellow community leaders. He would continue this new found passion by building art curriculum for the Austin Parks and Recreational ‘Totally Cool Totally Art’ teen outreach program, the Mexican American Cultural Center, the Asian American Resource Center, and as an art teacher at Hernandez Middle School in Round Rock. Outside of teaching, he can be found painting, reading, writing, and practicing yoga. Vincent enjoys teaching at Kirby Hall School and sharing the magic, rich history, varied mediums, and foundations of art with his students.

Elizabeth McGinnis

Primer through Second Grade, Spanish

B.A., Spanish, Scripps College

Elizabeth joins Kirby Hall as the Spanish teacher for students in Primer through Second grade. She has previously taught bilingual Pre-K and Kindergarten in AISD as well as Spanish classes for Eanes ISD and Parkside Montessori. Additionally, Elizabeth spent nearly three years teaching English online to children in China and has experience as a Lindamood-Bell reading instructor. In her spare time, Elizabeth is working towards her Master’s Degree in Spanish Linguistics from New Mexico State University. When not teaching or studying, she enjoys yoga, hiking and visiting the beach.

Kitric Dixon

Lower, Middle and Upper School, Physical Education and Athletics

B.S., Kinesiology, California State University San Marcos

M.S., Education, California Baptist University; Teaching Certification-Physical Education 

Coach Dixon joins us at Kirby Hall having relocated from California where he had extensive experience working in youth sports. He is a lifelong enthusiast of athletics, having excelled in many sports himself, and served as a high school football strength and conditioning coach as well as a youth boxing instructor in Southern California.  Prior to his career in education, Coach Dixon was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He was also stationed in Japan where his leadership role entailed ensuring that his platoon met designated Weight and Physical Conditioning standards. While in Japan, he enjoyed volunteering as the basketball coach for a local middle school near his post.

In his free time, Coach Dixon loves spending time outdoors with his family, cheering on his own three children in their sports activities, learning about other cultures and languages, and trying new foods. He is looking forward to doing his part to help develop healthy and mentally and physically strong students here at Kirby Hall.