Elementary Team

Kindergarten: Yvette Chun Degree: B.A., Early Childhood Studies, Vanguard University Years in Education: 20 years Year Joined RRCA: 2020 Church Affiliation: Northpoint, Austin I once had a student who was having a difficult time listening and following directions.  I tried everything I could think of and one day asked her, "What can we do to help you?" She said, "We can pray."  I love that she thought of that on her own and made me realize that even though you think kids may not be listening, they are.

Kindergarten: Christine O'Donnell Degree: B.A., Elementary Ed., Liberty University Years in Education: 14 years Year Joined RRCA: 2005 Church Affiliation: The Fellowship, Round Rock My favorite teaching moment was when I had the honor of teaching a child who was not saved and neither was his family. After several weeks of school and hearing about the Bible, this child wanted to hear more. I sat with him several different times and gave him the salvation message. I found out the following summer that the family had all been saved and were regularly attending church. This to me is proof that even planting a small mustard seed can grow great and prosperous fruit. All the glory goes to God, I am just blessed to have been a part of this journey.

Kindergarten: Tori Tomlin Degree: B.A., Early Childhood Education, Ashford University Degree: A.A., Psychology, Panola Junior College Years in Education: 4 years Year Joined RRCA: 2015 Church Affiliation: Covenant Presbyterian, Round Rock Teaching is one of the most rewarding things I have had the pleasure of doing. To be able to guide children as they explore and learn is a true privilege. Seeing their eyes light up when they understand something for the first time is why I have spent all my life working with children.

1st Grade: Colleen Beardmore Austin Community College: Child Development Years in Education: 8 years Year Joined RRCA: 2007-13, 2017 Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock I love seeing a student’s eyes light up when something they've been trying to learn finally clicks. I am always amazed at children's capacity for love, faith, and growth. It is such an honor to witness the work God is doing in my student’s lives.

1st Grade: Esther Okelola Degree:  B.S., Elementary Education, University of Minnesota Years in Education: 2 Year Joined RRCA: 2020 Church Affiliation: Gracepoint, Austin What I enjoy the most about teaching is getting to know my students, their interests, their talents, and their academic and social, emotional needs.  Getting this holistic view of my students allows me to better gear my instruction to thelp them excel in areas of growth and sharpen their strengths now and for use in their calling in the future.  I love getting to know my students and I love my students!

Faith Weir - Preschool Degree: B.S., Psychology, University of Houston Years in Education: 1 year Year Joined RRCA: 2019 Church Affiliation: CrossPointe Church, Austin I love teaching because it allows me to learn new things daily. I had several amazing teachers in my life who inspired me and challenged me to grow. I hope to inspire and teach my students to love Christ, and to love learning.

1st Grade: Kaye Wheelis Degree: B.S., Elementary Ed., University of Arkansas Years in Education: 27 years Year Joined RRCA: 1999 Church Affiliation: First Baptist Church, Round Rock I love teaching and it is my passion. I love being a part of God’s team at RRCA and serving parents and children.

2nd Grade: Cheryl Canfield Degree: B.S., Elementary Education, University of Texas Pan America Years in Education: 26 years Year Joined RRCA: 2020 Church Affiliation: True Life Church, Round Rock Math is fun and exciting to teach.  I love seeing students who enter my class and say "math is not their best subject" and then leave with a positive  attitude about math and numbers.  Also, it is nice to hear former students tell me that they remeber a lot of my math strategies as they continued their educational  journey.

2nd Grade: Alison Havens Degree: B.S., Education, Baylor University Years in Education: 14 years Year Joined RRCA: 2016 Church Affiliation: First United Methodist Church, Round Rock My favorite subject to teach is reading! Reading is easily integrated throughout the school day in all subjects. I love to see my students' faces when they find a book they enjoy and don't want to put it down. It is also exciting to share books with students about topics we are studying. Listening to students read with expression and grow in their vocabulary are highlights of my day. I love that at RRCA we can read from the Bible and connect with students in a very unique way. It is truly a blessing.

2nd Grade: Shannon Walker Degree: B.S., Elementary Ed., Henderson State University Years in Education: 16 years Year Joined RRCA: 2011 Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock In my first year of teaching I had a student that had a tough time understanding division. He would give up on a division problem after one try. One day I was working with him and it just clicked. I will never forget his face when he realized, “I can do this!”

2nd Grade: Diana Grier Degree: B.A., Child and Family Studies, The University of Texas Permian Basin Years in Education: 14 years  Year Joined RRCA: 2020 Church Affiliation: Life, Austin My favorite subjec to teach is Reading.  I have a passion for Reading and I really enjoy sharing my love of reading with my students.

3rd Grade: Tracie Lawler Degree: B.A., Sociology, Centenary College of Shreveport Years in Education: 31 years Year Joined RRCA: 2016 Church Affiliation: Austin Stone North, Round Rock I love to see my students strive to do their best and reach their goals! When they learn that they can do anything they set their mind to, there is no stopping them. I enjoy teaching them about the world God created and their place in it.

3rd  Grade: Paula Biggs Degree: B.A., College of Santa Fe Degree: Masters, College of New Rochelle Degree: Masters Admin., Concordia University Years in Education: 32 years Year Joined RRCA: 2000 Church Affiliation: Maranatha Community Church, Round Rock My favorite subject to teach is math. I enjoy watching my students blossom with confidence in their abilities as they achieve understanding of new concepts. I enjoy guiding them to believe in themselves.

4th Grade: Stacye Beane Degree: B.S., Education, Northeartern State University Years in Education: 32 years Year Joined RRCA: 2017 Church Affiliation: Great Hills Baptist Church, Austin I enjoy teaching all subjects but seeing the growth of a child’s reading ability and watching them learn to love reading is so special. My desire is for every student to love to read, enjoy learning and researching information, and being excited to share what they have learned! I am so blessed that God called me to RRCA and that I can teach at this awesome school!

4th Grade: Leslie Brennan Degree: B.S., Elementary Education, Millikin University Years in Education: 6 years Year Joined RRCA: 2015 Church Affiliation: City View Bible Church, Round Rock My favorite subject to teach is Bible. It is an awesome privilege to be able to share God's truth and love with my students. The real blessings come as I hear my students share these same truths with each other. I am so blessed God called me to teach at RRCA.

5th Grade: Sharee DeFriese Degree: B.S. in Agricultural Development, Texas A&M Years in Education: 14 years Year Joined RRCA: 2018 Church Affiliation: Celebration, Georgetown I enjoy learning from all different types of learners that I encounter year after year. No child is exactly the same and it is amazing to see how God created us all so uniquely. I love seeing that moment when a child understands fully a concept you have taught them and their face lights up with such joy and excitement!

5th Grade: Jamie Salik Degree: B.A., Communications, Sam Houston State University Years in Education: 13 years Year Joined RRCA: 2016 Church Affiliation: Life Church, Leander I love being able to come to work every day and make a difference in someone's life. It is pure joy to be able to worship God and teach kids all in one place. I love RRCA!

5th Grade: Christy Wolff Degree: B.S., Education, The University of Texas at Austin Years in Education: 19 years Year Joined RRCA: 2006 Church Affiliation: First Baptist Georgetown, Georgetown Teaching has always been an important part of my life. It started at home with my brother and has continued through today. I enjoy the challenge of helping students to see the excitement in learning. I receive great joy from the smiling faces of my students and it is an honor to be a part of their education.