Junior Kindergarten
Heather McCaw: Mrs. McCaw graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development/ Family Relations with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Maine and in Louisiana for 5 years before staying at home with her children. She returned to the Kindergarten classroom in 2004 when Live Oak began and developed the Junior Kindergarten program the following year. She is married to Ian, who is the Athletics Director at Baylor University. They have four children: Christy (Rhetoric II), Paul (Logic III), Callie (Logic I), and Corinne (Grammar 5). Teaching and developing the 4 year old program at Live Oak is the fulfillment of a life calling. Heather enjoys children, great literature, the theater and athletics. She can often be found sewing costumes for plays and History Faire productions. Heather teaches on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lauren Burgess: Mrs. Burgess, who taught one of the Grammar Four classes last year, has now joined Mrs. McCaw as one of our Junior Kindergarten teachers. She is originally from the Austin area, but loves that she now calls Waco her home. She is a Baylor graduate (Sic ‘Em Bears) and has taught two years at a public school nearby. This is her second year at Live Oak and she is very excited to be a part of such a wonderful community! Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology and she received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. She is certified to teach Early Childhood through the Fourth grade. Mrs. Burgess enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. She is married to Alec Burgess, an Export Engineer at Time Manufacturing.
Kindergarten
Chesley Maeyaert: Mrs. Maeyaert moved to the Waco area in 2003 to attend Baylor University. She graduated from Baylor in 2006, with a degree in Child and Family Studies. She is certified by to teach grades PreK-4. Mrs. Maeyaert is in her third year of teaching Kindergarten at Live Oak. She is married to Daniel, who is the Project Engineer for Fallas Automation in Waco. The Maeyaert household includes one year old Olivia, 16 year old Becca (Mrs. Maeyaert’s sister), and Chip, their faithful chocolate lab. Mrs. Maeyaert enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading, cooking, and a new-found love of experimenting with sewing and making hair bows.
Meagan Morris: Ms. Morris is in her first year of teaching at Live Oak Classical School. She graduated from Baylor University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Baylor as well. Ms. Morris enjoys being outside, playing with her four dogs, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family. She just recently got engaged to her fiancé, Ty Beard, whom she met while at Baylor. She is very excited to be getting married in May, and is also very excited to be apart of the LOCS family and looking forward to a great 2011-12 school year!
Grammar One
Dawn Holmes:
Noelle Ruzicka: Mrs. Ruzicka has taught for two years for Midway and was an Accelerated Math and Reading Instructor for K through 5th for Belton. She loves spending time with her husband and dog, playing cards and board games with her family and friends, reading, painting and drawing. During the school breaks, she enjoys being involved in mission work involving children in orphanages. Mrs. Ruzicka earned a BA in Elementary Education, an MTS with a concentration in Missions from George W. Truett Seminary. She holds a Texas teacher’s certificate for grades Early Childhood through 4th and has taught third and first grade. She recently married Micah this last summer.
Encore
Shanie Wenzel: Mrs. Wenzel received an undergraduate degree in Journalism/ English/Education from Baylor University in 1988, and a master’s degree in Education along with cerification as a Reading Specialist and Librarian in 1992. For eight years, she was a classroom teacher in a private Episcopal school. During this time, she worked as an adjunct professor at MCC teaching reading skills. She has also taught a children’s literature course at Baylor University. She and her husband Brian have two daughters: Alison in Logic III and Amanda in Logic I. Her family has been a part of LOCS since 2005. This year she is teaching Encore Nature Studies, aiding in music classes, and assisting in the new Ready Bodies lab.
Grammar Two
Michele Jackson: Mrs. Jackson is in her first year of teaching at Live Oak Classical School. Mrs. Jackson taught for seven years in Alabama before moving to Texas. She has taught, Pre-Kindergarten, first, and second grades. Mrs. Jackson earned a BA in Elementary Education from Auburn University. She is married to Chad, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at Baylor University. They have 3 horses and a cat. Mrs. Jackson enjoys children, reading, riding horses, gardening, cooking, looking for antiques, making crafts and projects, and being active in her church.
Kristi Wiethorn: Mrs. Wiethorn is in her second year of teaching at Live Oak, but has been part of the Live Oak family for the last 5 years as a parent of little Falcons. She has a degree in Interpreting (think Deaf) and a degree in Business Applied Science (emphasis in Business Education) from Tarleton State University. Mrs. Wiethorn holds a Texas teaching certificate in EC-6 grade. Mrs. Wiethorn is married to Ronnie who is the General Manager of Centex Foundation Repair in Robinson. They have two sons – Jackson (Grammar 5), and Connor (Grammar 3). Mrs. Wiethorn loves cooking, reading, and watching sports (especially when her boys are playing).
Grammar Three
Tish Tucker: Mrs.Tucker has been teaching at Live Oak since its opening seven years ago. Her loves are children, nature, great literature, and humor! She is affectionately known as Live Oak’s Dr. Doolittle. Mrs. Tucker earned a BA in Christian Education from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA in Christian Education from Southern Seminary, and an MA in Teaching from Spalding University. In recognition of her outstanding teaching, Mrs. Tucker was listed in Who’s Who of America’s Teachers. She holds a Texas teacher’s certificate for grades K through 4th and has taught in Pre-Kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. She is married to Dennis, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary. They have three daughters: Hannah is in Logic II, Sarah is in Grammar 6, and Hope is in Grammar 4.
Ms. Charmaine Dull: This is Ms. Dull’s second year teaching Grammar Three students at Live Oak. She earned her B.A. in Social Science from Cal State-San Marcos, and M.A. in Education from the University of New Hampshire, and teaching certifications in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She grew up in San Diego, CA and moved to New Hampshire to attend graduate school in 2005. While living in New Hampshire, she taught at Walter S. Parker Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts and Oyster River Middle School in Durham, New Hampshire. After spending five years on the beautiful New Hampshire seacoast, she moved to the great state of Texas.
Grammar Four
Alisha Barker: Mrs. Barker has been teaching at Live Oak for two years. Her first year she taught Grammar One and now teaches Grammar 4. She loves reading, writing, hiking, being outdoors, scrapbooking, watching foreign and independent film, and good cup of tea. Mrs. Barker earned a BA in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy and Biblical Studies at Dallas Baptist University. She and her husband taught English in Taiwan for three years before moving to Waco where she earned an MA in English at Baylor. Her husband, Amos, works in Baylor’s financial aid department. They have two children, Justin, 6, and Karis, 4, and another due to arrive in early September.
Becky Guest: This is Ms. Guest’s first year teaching at Live Oak. She comes to us from Houston, Texas where she worked for five years teaching dance, drama, and music to kids at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. She is originally from New England where she attended Gordon College to earn her BA in Youth Ministries with minors in Music and Bible. Ms. Guest is currently working towards her Texas teaching certificate for EC – 6. For fun, she loves all kinds of dance and especially salsa dancing! She is looking forward to her first year at Live Oak and is loving her class so far.
Grammar Spanish
Lizzie Clements: This is Miss Clements’ first year teaching at Live Oak. She loves children, Spanish, and imparting a passion for learning in others. Miss Clements recently earned a BA in Spanish from Baylor University. She teaches Kindergarten, Grammar 1, 2, and 3, and Encore Spanish as well as the new after-school Spanish program, Charla.
Grammar 4 to Rhetoric III Departments
Math/Science
Wendy Cox: Mrs. Cox is teaching Grammar 5 and 6 mathematics. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Education and is certified to teach math and science through the eighth grade. Over the past nineteen years, Mrs. Cox has had experience teaching 2nd-6th grades in public and private schools; has spent several years teaching math, reading and SAT courses at Sylvan Learning Center; has tutored math students in high school and college, as well as having home schooled her own children. She has recently returned from Morocco where she lived for four years with her husband Ben, her son Jonathan (Grammar 6, and her daughter Amy (Grammar 4). Mrs. Cox loves cooking, reading, and being outdoors. Professionally, her greatest joy is derived from instilling competence, confidence and hopefulness in students of all ages who consider themselves to be “math-phobic”!
Meg Bierwirth: Mrs. Bierwirth teaches math in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. She has a B.A. in Mathematics and History from Trinity University, a M.A. in teaching from Trinity University, and a M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has Texas secondary certification in mathematics and history. Previously, she has taught business calculus at Baylor and algebra at UAB. She and her husband Matt, a local pediatrician, have four sons. She has three sons who attend Live Oak.
Katherine Pitts: Mrs. Pitts teaches Chemistry and AP Biology in the Logic and Rhetoric schools at Live Oak Classical School. She graduated with a B.S. in Science Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986. She holds a teaching certificate in composite science. Her first teaching position was at University High School where she taught physical science, physics and chemistry. While her husband Bill was pursuing medical training (1988-1999) she taught physcial science, pre-AP biology and AP biology at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Texas. Additionally, she was involved in the ESL, academic decathon, and Odyssey of the Mind programs and helped to establish the Biomedical Academy, a magnet to introduce children to studies in healthcare and biomedical research. During those years she pursued graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas. Since 1999, when her husband joined a medical practice in Waco, she has primarily enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom of three children (Will-11, Emma-11, and Ellie-9), but she has also served as church outreach minister for First Baptist Church Waco from 2004-2006, and as president of the South Bosque Elementary School PTA from 2006-2008.
Meredith Casas: Miss Casas is in her first year teaching at Live Oak Classical. She teaches Grammar 4, Logic II, and Rhetoric III Mathematics. She graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Math Education and an M.S. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Math Education. She holds a Texas teacher’s certificate for grades 4th-8th Mathematics and a supplemental English Language Learner certificate grades 4th-8th. Miss Casas loves to teach mathematics and Sunday school at her local church.
Kristen Mahand: Mrs. Mahand is in her first year of teaching at Live Oak. Prior to coming to Live Oak Mrs. Mahand taught Science at both the 5th and 6th grade levels. She holds a Texas teaching certificate in 4-6 Science. Mrs. Mahand earned a BS in Academic Studies with scientific emphases from Sam Houston State University. She loves to camp, cook, and be with her family. She is married to Nathan a student at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Together they have two dogs Farley, a 2 year old lab/golden retriever, and Snuggles, an 8 year old beagle they recently adopted.
John Sterchi: Mr. Sterchi teaches Earth Science and Ancient History to the Logic I students. He is also the coordinator of our Science Fair. Mr. Sterchi is in his third year of teaching here at Live Oak.
Marty Graham: Mr. Graham teaches mathematics in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. This is his second year of teaching at Live Oak. Prior to moving to Waco Mr. Graham taught in a (very) small town in Eastern Arkansas. Born and raised in Michigan, Mr. Graham has slowly been making his way southward. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics/Physics/Philosophy from Spring Arbor University in Jackson MI. He then joined Teach For America, which sent him to teach high school in Marianna Arkansas. He has now taught everything from 6th grade to AP Calculus, and is very excited to be a part of the development of the Rhetoric mathematics program.
Humanities
Jennifer Eberlein: Mrs. Eberlein came to Live Oak in the fall of 2006 with her three children who are now in the Logic and Rhetoric School (Andrew RIII, Nathaniel RII, and Annalee LIII). Her first two years she taught Grammar 5 Core classes. The next two year she worked in the office as an administrative assistant. Last year she did a bit of both. This year she is teaching language arts and Bible to both classes of G5 students. From Baylor she earned a degree in secondary education with a focus in English and art and a master’s degree in educational psychology. Last year she earned her certification in elementary education as well. She resides in her childhood home outside of Gatesville on a ranch. Her husband is Christopher Eberlein, the MISD principal of Speegleville Elementary.
Joel Looper: Mr. Looper is in his first year teaching Grammar Six Language Arts and Bible at Live Oak. Among other things, he enjoys great literature, theology and theological humor, and playing music with good friends. Mr. Looper holds a BA in English (creative writing) from Taylor University and MAs in Theology and in New Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He previously was a staff writer at the Daily Reporter, Coldwater, MI.
Margaret Carson: Mrs. Carson is the Assistant Dean of Student Life for our upper school and is in her sixth year of teaching at Live Oak. She is currently teaching Bible and History to both Logic and Rhetoric students. Mrs. Carson has her BA in Religion from Whitworth College and her Master of Divinity from Regent in Vancouver British Columbia. Her husband Nathan is working toward obtaining his PhD in Philosophy at Baylor University, and her daughter Emma is in Kindergarten at Live Oak.
Casey Goff: Mr. Goff serves as the Dean of Student Life in the Logic and Rhetoric Schools and teaches the 1600-1850 history course to Logic III, Rhetoric I. He also teaches the history section of the Capstone course to Rhetoric II. He is a native of Memphis, Tennessee where he graduated from Christian Brothers High School. Casey attended both the University of Mississippi and Christian Brothers University. He received a B.A. in history and minored in English. Before moving to Waco, Mr. Goff taught English and history at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School in Memphis. He and his wife, Heather, have been married for six years.
Carolyn Still: Carolyn Still has been on faculty at Live Oak since the school opened, serving as one of its founders, and teaching in various grades and subjects . She currently teaches Logic 1 Literature/Composition and Rhetoric 1 Bible, and also serves as Dean of Curriculum and Instruction in the upper school. She received a B.S in Education from Baylor with English and history as her teaching fields and holds certification in Texas in grades 6-12. She received the M. A. in Theology with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, she taught high school English in the Dallas area and then in the Scottish school system while she and her husband lived in Glasgow during his PhD studies. Carolyn is married to Todd, who is Professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. Their two sons attend Live Oak, Samuel who is in Rhetoric 1, and Andrew who is in Logic 1. Carolyn is a bibliophile, a lover of most all kinds of music, and enjoys watching her boys play Falcon football.
Mark Montgomery: This is Mr. Montgomery’s first year of teaching at Live Oak. He was born in Alabama, where he studied philosophy at Samford University and received his masters in history education from the University of Montevallo. A summer spent in Tanzania building an orphanage instilled in him the overwhelming desire to devote all of his life and breath to international humanitarian work, leading to further projects abroad. His latest stint with the World Hunger Relief Farm flowed from a wellspring of discontent with the American dream and contemporary culture, and ultimately the desire to understand sustainable agriculture, educate students, and change the world. He taught tenth and eleventh grade American History in the public school setting in Alabama, outdoor education in North Carolina, whitewater rafting and mountaineering in Colorado, and organic gardening in Waco. He is incredibly excited about teaching Civics, Logic, Ancient and Medieval History, and Environmental Science at Live Oak.
Allison Trumble: Ms. Trumble is beginning her sixth year at Live Oak. She teaches Literature-Composition and Latin classes in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. Before moving to Waco, Ms. Trumble graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a B.A. in English. In addition to her years at Live Oak, Ms. Trumble has taught English in public and private high schools, including the AP Language/Composition and AP Literature/Composition courses. While pursuing her master’s in English at Baylor, Ms. Trumble spent six years teaching freshman composition.
Justin Germain: Mr. Germain is a first year Latin teacher here at Live Oak. He has just returned from Ecuador where he spent a year teaching English. He is originally from Fort Worth and served three years as an officer in the United States Air Force. He studied history at the University of North Texas and will soon be completing his Master’s in Ancient History at Southern Methodist University.
Jean Watters: Señora Watters and her husband Steve have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 24 years. Eighteen of those years were in South Asi
Kevin Georgas: Mr. Georgas teaches the Literature/Composition component of the Capstone I Humanities class to the Rhetoric II students. He also teaches rhetoric classes to Rhetoric I and II students. As it happens, he is also the statistician for the Live Oak Falcon six-man football teams!
Fine Arts
Jenny Dougherty: Ms. Dougherty graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a concentration in Photography. This is her fifth year teaching at Live Oak. She also does freelance photography in the Waco area.
Jeanenne Bezerra: Mrs. Bezerra teaches the Grammar School music classes to students in Junior Kindergarten through Grammar 6. This is her second year at Live Oak, but she brings many years of music teaching experience to the classroom including general elementary music and elementary and high school choirs. After receiving degrees in music from Baylor University, Mrs. Bezerra attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary at which time she received chaplaincy training. She is currently serving as the Grammar School chaplain in addition to her responsibilities as a music teacher. Mrs. Bezerra and her husband Sergio have been residents of Waco since coming to Baylor to study music. They have three daughters: Mariana, Alina and Lia.
Kate Sterchi: Mrs. Sterchi began teaching at Live Oak in the fall of 2009, helping teach a few Logic and Rhetoric art classes. This year, Mrs. Sterchi teaches all of Logic and Rhetoric art. She graduated from Baylor University with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. She has a studio in downtown Waco, where she continues to create and grow as an artist.
Jason Dalrymple:
Athletics / Physical Education
Jenny Amos: Mrs. Amos serves as the Athletic Director for Live Oak. She coordinates team sports and teaches PE classes. She is a charter member of Live Oak’s faculty, now entering her seventh year of service. Mrs. Amos received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from Baylor University and received her Masters in Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion from Oklahoma State University. While in Oklahoma, Mrs. Amos worked as a teaching assistant for Oklahoma University as well as Oklahoma State in the HPER and Exercise Science Departments. Before joining the Live Oak staff, Mrs. Amos served as a Program Director for the Waco YMCA and has also served as a gymnastics coach and judge at various levels for the past 25 years. She is married to Richard Amos and has four children: Kaitlyn, Kally, Kramer and Karter.
Kristin Hill: Mrs. Hill coaches Cross Country at Live Oak. She also serves as the Meet Director for the CLASSIC track meet that Live Oak hosts for area private schools each spring. She has a BS in Spanish and in Nursing from Baylor University and is a licensed RN in the state of Texas. She lettered in Cross Country and Track 4 consecutive years at Baylor and was named an All-American in the 1991 season in the 4 x 800m relay. Her Spanish experiences include trips to Ecuador, Guatemala, Brazil, and numerous trips to the border and interior Mexico, which have given her many opportunities to practice her Spanish, in addition to translating for physicians and staff in the hospital. She is married to Tom Hill, and they have two children who attend Live Oak: Cora (LII), and Chase (G6). Her family has been a part of Live Oak since the first year, and she is a charter member of our faculty.
Brad Vardeman: Mr. Vardeman has been on staff at Live Oak for the past six years. He currently serves as part of the teaching faculty in Grammar 4-6 P.E. classes as well as coordinating competitive team sports for these grades. Mr. Vardeman is also involved in our Logic and Rhetoric Athletics program serving as the Head Logic I &II Football Coach and also assisting on the Varsity Football Team. In addition, he coaches Logic I & II Ladies Basketball. As a Midway High School student, Mr. Vardeman was a member of the Jr. Varsity Basketball program as well as a member of the Varsity Football team. He went on to attend Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX where he graduated with a B.S. in Recreation and Religious Education. While at HPU, Mr. Vardeman was a member of the HPU Yell Leaders for three years. He has been involved in organized sports for over twenty years through community leagues, intramurals, school programs, and university athletics. Married to Monica Vardeman, they have three children who attend Live Oak: Braden (LIII), Makayla (LI), and Chandler (G5).
Jordan Barker: Mr. Barker coaches Live Oak’s junior high and high school six-man football teams. He graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with degrees in Theology and Communication. Growing up in a small town in West Texas, he played six-man football and achieved both regional and state honors, won the Texas UIL Six-Man State Championship in 2001, and was named Offensive MVP of the 2003 All American All Star Game. Coach Barker is entering his fourth year with us at Live Oak, and is married to Rachel Barker, a Baylor Graduate who teaches Home Economics at Robinson High School.
Adam Stanley: Mr. Stanley has coached basketball in the Logic school at Live Oak for the past two years. This is his first year teaching Old and New Testament Survey classes. His other responsibilities at Live Oak include the Assistant Athletic Director, Assistant Junior High Football Coach and Head Varsity Basketball Coach. Mr. Stanley has a BA in Christian Ministry from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and is pursuing his Master of Divinity from Truett Seminary. He is married to Kelly, who is also a student at Truett Seminary and a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program at Baylor. Mr. Stanley is also the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Crawford, where he and his wife spend the majority of their free time. Mr. Stanley is known for his dedication to the Houston Rockets, the Baylor Bears, and never meeting a teenager that could beat him in a game of Halo.
