I grew up in Missouri but moved to Texas right after high school. As they say, “I’m not from here, but I got here as fast as I could!”  I’ve been a parishioner at St. Thomas More since then, so my family and I have seen this parish flourish over many years.  My own children attended our fabulous preschool, so this is another reason why this faith community holds a special place in my heart. I feel blessed to be able to teach at the preschool now and give back for all of the care and love my own children received during their preschool years.

 I hope to provide an environment where my students come to have fun, where they feel safe and loved, where they learn to make friendships and we help spark their love for learning! I still remember too well how it felt to leave my own babies in someone else’s care, so I believe open communication with parents is essential for each student’s success.  Both Ms. Allyson and I treasure your trust in us to be a part of your “village”!

Ms. Jacqueline 
 I was born and raised in Scotland and relocated to Texas with my family 11 years ago. We have been parishioners of St. Thomas More since we arrived and all feel like this wonderful parish helped us settle in Austin. When the opportunity to teach in the Preschool arose I was excited to join an amazing team and give back to a community that had welcomed and nurtured my family. My background is in teaching. I gained my postgraduate certificate in Catholic Education for 3-14 year olds from The University of Glasgow. I now have 14 years of teaching experience at a variety of grade levels. During my time here at the Preschool I have had the opportunity to work in both the Babies and 2 1/2 year old classes as an assistant and in the 3’s class as a lead teacher.
I love teaching at the preschool level, enriching young minds through play and mindful experiences. I am committed to ensuring every child who enters my class feels valued and loved as an an individual. It is this individuality that leads my planning and teaching strategies, as each child learns in their own unique way. At the beginning of each year, it is my aim that each child in our class will develop the knowledge and skills that will secure a solid foundation for their future learning both in school and socially. Our classroom is set up to be inviting to both our students and their parents. I aim from the beginning of the school year to foster open communication with parents so together we can share successes and resolve challenges.
I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to help play a small part in molding the young lives entrusted to my care. To do so in a school with a balanced curriculum that is also faith-filled and committed to developing the spiritual formation of each child is just the icing on the cake!

Ms. Jennifer 
 This is my third year teaching at St. Thomas More Preschool.  I have 16 years of teaching experience, ranging from babies to first grade.  Besides Austin, I have taught in Wisconsin, California, and the Washington DC area.  I want my students to love learning, to have fun in school, be a good friend, and be happy and confident children. I have two bachelor's degrees, one in Education and one in Psychology.  I enjoy spending time with my two children, ages 10 and 12, watching Star Wars and Princess movies and exploring the United States over summer vacation.  

Ms. Elizabeth
I have been a Preschool Teacher for 25 years.  I love having a positive and impactful way in which I teach.  I have been teaching the three year old class at STMPS for two years.  I am happily married to my husband Arnie for 22 years, and we are the proud parents of three beautiful sons.  Aidan is 20, Cole is 16, and Wyatt is 12.  I am Blessed!

Ms. Carla
  I came to STMPS as a teacher’s assistant back in 2003 as I had several friends who worked here and my daughter was growing up. My background is not teaching but I soon became one and all these years later I still love my job, love my students and their families, love the women I’m blessed to work with, and basically love what I do! I also love dogs, travel, reading, fashion, decorating, golf, tennis, queso and fajitas, anything lemon, daisies, coffee, writing, and football. I’ve been married since 1986 to my husband Steve and we’ve lived in Austin our entire marriage.  We have our own native Texan in our daughter Kristen, who lives in Dallas and our empty nest “kids” are our Jack Russell Terrier, Boomer; and two Beagles, Nikki and Barry.
I was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM and have two older sisters. I’m a proud and passionate graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where I studied Journalism. After graduating, I worked in TV news before deciding to do freelance writing and be a mom. My daughter is also an OU grad and loves her Sooners as much as I do!
In Ms. Carla’s class, my goal is that the kids make friends, have fun, gain confidence, and learn along the way. I love hearing their stories, picking their brains, and watching them grown both mentally and physically during the school year I share with them. I call my students “my kids” because in our year together they aren’t just kids on my class list, they become a part of my heart.