Karissa Anderson

B.A., Multi-Age Spanish Education, Cedarville University

Years in Education: 5 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2021

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

I love teaching Spanish because I believe learning another language truly expands our minds and hearts. It is so fulfilling to see students discover this joy for themselves and to realize that they CAN understand and communicate in Spanish! I am so excited to be a part of the RRCA family, and I can’t wait to get to know my students this year and foster a love for Spanish as we build a solid foundation together.

Sharon Bernhardt

Anderson University Anderson, Indiana

Years in Education: 24

Year Joined RRCA:

Church Affiliation: The Fellowship Church

Investing in the lives of students

James Brenenstuhl

Degree: B.A., Sociology & Psychology, Baldwin Wallace College
Degree: Masters, Education, Kent State University
Degree: Scofield Bible Certificate, Moody Bible Institute

Years in Education: 21 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2009

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

My favorite subject to teach is science because it provides opportunities for hands-on learning. My favorite Crusader event is Friday night football games.

Lauren Byrd

B.S., Education, Baylor University

Years in Education: 15 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2016

Church Affiliation: Keypoint Church, Cedar Park

My favorite subject to teach is English. English is interesting because we get to read stories and discuss problems that we all face in life. In English class we get to write and think creatively and I love getting to see students enjoying themselves in those areas.

Cynthia Carter

Years in Education: This is my first year teaching

Year Joined RRCA:

Church Affiliation: Cityview Bible

I enjoy forming relationships with students and parents, encouraging them in their walk with Christ, and helping students exceed their own expectations.

Andrea Cermak

B.S., Education, University of Michigan
Instructional Coach, Learning Network

Years in Education: 25 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2007

Church Affiliation: St. Williams Catholic Church, Round Rock

I believe all students have the ability to succeed and love to help them reach their full potential. I strive to provide opportunities for students to explore and discover new concepts and ideas with actively engaging hands on experiences.

Kevin Clark

B.A., Christian Studies, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

Years in Education: 1 year

Year Joined RRCA: 2020

Church Affiliation: Redeemer Round Rock, Round Rock

I love building relationships with students, helping them develop a Biblical worldview, and facilitating the learning process around the things of God!

Julia Engelmann

B.A., Psychology, University of North Texas
M. Ed., Counseling

Years in Education: 29 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2019

Church Affiliation: Faith Lutheran, Georgetown

I absolutely love seeing my kids, that’s how I think of our students, come back and share their successes. I have several who struggled emotionally and academically but one of my favorite successes graduated with honors from UT Nursing and has been accepted into Medical school. Warms my heart!

Cathleen Ferose

B.A., English/Teaching Certification/Speech Minor, University of North Dakota

Years in Education: 23 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2001

Church Affiliation: Celebration Church, Georgetown

I cannot think of a higher joy than helping another person be successful. I’ve worked in business and with adults, but working with teenagers is my bliss. My favorite class to teach is high school speech because helping our students develop the confidence and poise to present themselves is such a joy. I get to know the hearts of the students here at the Academy through their speeches. That has always been something I consider a great privilege.

Rachel Garcia

Christian Education, College of Biblical Studies

Years in Education:

Year Joined RRCA: 2020

Church Affiliation: Red Rock Church, Austin

I want to teach with the end goal in mind of helping to equip students with a Biblical worldview to be passionate followers of Jesus beyond their time at RRCA.

Jennifer Gribble

Degree: B.A., English, Texas State University
Degree: M.A., English, Morehead State University

Years in Education: 28 years

Year Joined RRCA: 1995

Church Affiliation: St. Joseph’s Chapel, Salado

Teenagers are awesome. I love helping them grow as students and Christians.

Aaron Johnson

Degree: B.A., Secondary Education, Concordia Lutheran College

Years in Education: 25 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2015

Church Affiliation: Journey Bible Fellowship, Leander

My favorite subject to teach is World History. World History is the study of everything humans have ever thought, said and done world-wide and there is much that is exciting, fascinating and fun to teach. Also, the study of World History allows us to learn about the nature of man, our achievements and failures as God’s unique creation and the working of God’s providence through history.

Cheryl Johnson

Degree: B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Alabama

Years in Education: 9 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2020

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

I find the study of math and science fascinating because it reveals the beauty and perfection of God’s Creation. I love seeing young minds light up with the joy of discovery and problem solving.

Russell Larson

Degree: B.A., Political Science, University of Texas, Austin
Degree: MA., Education, Southwest Texas State University

Years in Education: 38 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2020

Church Affiliation: Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, Austin

My favorite part about teaching is being able to impact the lives of young kids and help them to love learining. Teaching at a Christian school I am able to help students to love our Lord and Savior. Being in education as long as I have, I’ve had the opportunity to see former students become teachers, and it brings me joy having my students turn to the profession I love.

Sherrie Owens

Degree: B.S., Education, Baylor University
Degree: M.A. Education, University of Texas at Brownsville

Years in Education: 21 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2019

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

Every day is different. I’m never sure what crazy thing will happen or what life lesson will be learned on a given day. I love to laugh, and there are plenty of funny things that go on in a school.

Kira Polanco

Degree: B.S., Business Administration, Bentley University

Years in Education:

Year Joined RRCA: 2021

Church Affiliation: High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin

This will be my first year teaching, but as a substitute teacher previously, I realized how much I enjoy middle schoolers. They are at such a special stage in their life where they have growing curiosity about the world around them and exploring who God made them to be. I love helping them reach their full potential academically and spiritually.

Nancy Redding

Degree: B.S.,Disciplinary Studies, University of North Texas

Years in Education: 9 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2015

Church Affiliation: The Fellowship, Round Rock

I love attending Chapel and getting to worship with the students.

Julieth Rousselin

Degree: BBA, Computer Information Systems and Marketing, University of Texas at El Paso
Degree: MBA, International Business, University of Texas at El Paso

Years in Education: 2 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2019

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

One of my favorite teaching moments was leading prayer time with a group of middle school students at RRCA and asking them to pray in their native language – it was an amazing experience! Our Heavenly Father heard our prayers in English, Chinese and Spanish. It is a blessing to teach Spanish and a joy to hear our students pray and memorize God’s Word in another language.

Matt Tarbutton

University of Houston

Years in Education: 13

Year Joined RRCA:

Church Affiliation:

To make an impact in the lives of my students.

James Watson

Degree: A.S., Mathematics, Austin Community College
Degree: B.S., Mathematics, University of Texas

Years in Education: 27 years

Year Joined RRCA: 1998

Church Affiliation: Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin

One of my students once told me that “I teach like Jesus taught.”

Jesica Weatherman

Degree: B.A., Early Childhood Education, Stanislaus State University

Years in Education: 10 years

Year Joined RRCA: 2018

Church Affiliation: Central Baptist Church, Round Rock

What I enjoy most about teaching are those “ah-ha” moments students have when they finally accomplish a challenging task. I want to inspire my students to keep trying, even when sometimes it seems easier to give up. Galatians 6:9 tells us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”