Christina Ridley
Pre K/Bridge
Hi! My name is Christina Ridley and I am excited to coming back to Magnolia Heritage Academy for my second year with MHA. I truly enjoy the hybrid model of teaching and learning. The smaller classes are a big bonus too!
I was born and raised in the Houston area. I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from SFA and came right back to the area to begin my teaching career. I taught in the public school system for 11 years, until my oldest came along. I taught mostly first grade, but two of those years I taught PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Special Needs)
I became a stay at home mom back in 2010 and then turned into a homeschooling mom! I have three kiddos that are at Magnolia Heritage Academy.
Skyler Friedman
Pre-K
My name is Skyler and I will be teaching Pre-K at MHA! I moved to Texas two years ago from Wisconsin, and I'm still learning to enjoy the hot weather here!! My favorite activities are going to the park with my pitbull mix and binging tv shows! I have two guinea pigs and a pitbull named Nola. Most people who know me say that taking care of kids and animals is my superpower!
I spent the last year and a half being a full time babysitter, and decided I had to become a teacher! I am finishing my degree in Early Childhood Education at Lone Star College and am looking at universities to transfer to in the spring.
I am so excited to continue my journey in my education and and spreading the word of Jesus to our younger generations! I look forward to meeting you all and teaching your wonderful kiddos!
Jossie Clendening
Kinder
Jossie is the Kindergarten teacher at Magnolia Heritage Academy. I have 12 years of experience teaching Pre-K through 2nd grade in the classroom and Kinder through 5th grade in the online classroom. I have my undergraduate degree and a teaching certification in Montessori Elementary Education. I’m married and have two beautiful boys. My oldest attended MHA last academic school year and thrived in all areas. My youngest will be joining the MHA family this upcoming Fall. We are devoted to our faith and enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and going to baseball games.
Over the years, I have taken many hours of professional development in order to be prepared to meet each child’s needs. I have taught in all areas of education- private, public, Montessori and ESL. My mission as a teacher is to help children discover the joy of learning, and to help each child develop a strong belief in his or her own ability. I want them to do their best and to have a sense of pride in doing their personal best. It is also of primary importance to me that my students appreciate and respect others. I am excited to be part of the MHA family and I’m looking forward to a fun and productive year!
Patty Wilson
First Grade
I am so excited to be joining the Magnolia Heritage Academy family. I’ve come out of retirement to engage once again into the joy of teaching children. I graduated from the University of Houston/Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. I have taught kindergarten, first, second grades and reading recovery in Texas and Montana. My goal is to instill a love of learning in children.
A little about myself, I have been married to my husband, Richard, for 48 years. We have two sons, five grandchildren. We are blessed to live near four of them. Our eldest grandson lives in Billings, Montana. I enjoy studying God’s word, my grandchildren, gardening, crafting and my crazy dog. Sadie. I’m grateful to be a part of a team again whose goal is to impact children in their growing and learning. I look forward to meeting your children.
Haley Thomson
2nd Grade
Haley Thomson is new to Magnolia Heritage Academy this year. She grew up in Conroe/The Woodlands attending Oak Ridge High School. She graduated from Houston Baptist University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with dual teaching certificates in Elementary Education and Special Education.
She has been teaching for 11 years in both private and public schools in the area. She began her career teaching 1st, and 2nd grade then moved to 3rd grade. Most recently, she spent time in a Life Skills classroom. Her favorite thing about teaching is witnessing the pride in her students when they conquer a difficult subject.
Haley lives in Woodforest, Tx with her husband, three kids, and their pup. She has a large extended family who love to travel together. Her favorite hobbies include reading, sewing, and volunteering as a leader in her church Women’s Ministry. Haley is excited to join the MHA team and meeting all of her outstanding students.
Morgan Averitt
3rd Grade
My name is Morgan Averitt and I could not be more excited to teach 3rd grade this coming school year! I graduated from Texas A&M (WHOOP!) with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I am certified to teach K-6 grade and also have certifications in teaching ESL and GT students. I taught 3rd grade for three years, one year in Cy-Fair ISD and two years in Magnolia ISD. This past year I taught Kindergarten during a pandemic!! It was a challenge for sure but extremely rewarding at the same time!
I also am the Director of Contemporary Worship at my church along side my amazing husband of three years, who is our Director of Traditional Worship! Singing is a huge passion of my right next to teaching. My husband, Jake, and I have a crazy but absolutely adorable puppy named Jax. If you can't find me at school or church, I am probably at home playing with Jax!
I am so incredibly excited to be returning to 3rd grade and cannot wait to meet all the amazing children and parents of Magnolia Heritage Academy!
Darcee Masden
4th/5th ELAR/Social Studies
My name is Darcee Masden and I am excited to be the 4th/5th Grade History and ELAR teacher for the 2021-2022 school year! I was born in California and raised all over the world. My unique upbringing has given me a passion to bring the world into the classroom. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2017 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Religious Studies. I have been teaching for the past four years in a variety of positions. I recently got married and, although we do not have children yet, my husband and I see the immense value of a home-to-school connection and desire to be involved in such a community.
I love to be outside, be creative, and experiment in the kitchen! In my eyes, life is made for good friends, great adventure, and yummy food!
I believe that Christ has a pivotal role in the classroom and a classroom is not complete without Him. I am excited to join the Magnolia Heritage Academy team and to see God at work.
Melissa Fetzer
4th/5th Math and Science
My name is Melissa Fetzer and I am so excited to be joining the staff at Magnolia Heritage Academy! I will be teaching 4th/5th grade Math and Science this upcoming year. I have my Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston.
I have always had a passion for teaching and I have been in the education field prior to earning my Bachelors Degree. I have taught Pre-K, 3rd grade, and Jr. High. I also spent six years homeschooling Kindergarten through 4th grade. I love seeing children learn and grow through hands on activities and life experiences.
I have been married for 13 years and have three children, ages 12, 10, and 8. We enjoy traveling, hiking, anything outdoors! We look forward to joining the Magnolia Heritage Academy's family this year and are excited for the opportunities ahead!
Jennifer Griffith
4th/5th Teaching Assistant
I am happy to be returning to MHA this fall! A bit about me... I have a BS in Business from Trinity University and spent the beginning of my career in the hospitality industry in San Antonio. I have been married to Dave for 32 years and we have 4 grown kids! After deciding to stay home with my kids, I delved into the world of homeschooling, and spent 15 years homeschooling, including one son with dyslexia. When we moved to Iowa in 2012, I put the last 2 kids in school and went back to work as a Guidance Counselor and Director of International Students at the Christian High School where my kids attended.
In 2016, we moved to Magnolia to be closer to our parents, our college-aged kids and our extended family. With the knowledge I had gained from tutoring my own dyslexic son, I began tutoring dyslexic students, and I love to see these struggling readers gain confidence and succeed. I'm entering a new season of "empty nesting" this fall, but am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead!
Mary Pat Holt
Upper Math
Mary Pat Holt is originally from Cincinnati, OH. She attended The University of Dayton in Dayton, OH and received a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a concentration in mathematics. Mary Pat has over 20 years teaching experience, mostly middle school-junior high. She has taught in OH, PA, and WI before moving to TX over 12 years ago. She is excited to begin her fourth year at MHA and share her love of math with all students.
Mary Pat met her husband while at UD and they have been married for 28 years. They have 2 children;Emma is a senior at Purdue University and David is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin. Mary Pat is an avid reader, walks or bikes every day and loves to travel. Mary Pat & her husband live in The Woodlands and love being empty nesters!
Anne Myers
Upper Science and Social Studies
Anne Myers was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up near Houston, Texas. She and her family moved to Magnolia over 11 years ago to be near family and give their son a great place to grow up. Anne received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and worked in information technology for 8 years before becoming a “stay-home” mom. She has been blessed to work as a substitute teacher for Magnolia ISD for four years.
Anne and her family have a passion for history, travel, and volunteering. Whether is it taking in the Civil War Peabody Ridge battle sites in Arkansas, walking through the Alamo in San Antonio, or helping her son with a WWI independent studies project, history is both a passion and a pastime. She volunteers with the J. L. Lyons Library “Readiness for Reading” Program and as a 4-H activity leader for the Montgomery Natural Resources Chapter, and various church ministries. She and her family love to travel to state/national parks for swimming, canoeing, exploring, and hiking. “See you on the trails!”
Stephanie Sides
Upper ELAR
My name is Stephanie Sides. I am thrilled to be joining Magnolia Heritage Academy to teach 6th and 7th grade ELA for the 2021-2022 school year. I am returning to teaching after retiring from 24 wonderful years in the public school. I have a vast array of teaching experience in every grade level, mostly in Texas, but also in Oklahoma. I thoroughly treasure each of these years because every age has their unique set of characteristics. I am grateful for the opportunity for a new adventure with MHA.
I have been married to my husband, Mark, for almost 33 years. We have two sons, Mathew and Mitchell, 2 daughter-in-law’s, 2 grand dogs, and one extremely spoiled yellow lab named Malachi. Our family spends time together glamping in the RV (the kids camp), running, cycling, supporting each other in various athletic endeavors, and exploring God’s natural beauty in old and new places.
I am looking forward to advancing students in their skills in reading, grammar, and writing because I believe these are the foundations to success in all other subjects! Although ELA may not be the favorite subject of every student, I hope to instill a love of these through creative methods of teaching and applying our learning. I am anticipating a wonderful year!
Dani Sellier
7th-8th ELAR & 9th/10th English, Latin & History
My name is Dani Sellier, and there isn’t much in life that I love more than learning. I feel like life is such an adventure, and I never know exactly what I’m going to have the opportunity to learn each day. When I was a teacher in Cy-Fair, they published a “Portrait of a Teacher” that included being a lifelong learner, and I knew that I was in the right line of work! The biggest mission I have is to convince others to take those risks and keep reaching further, so I devote a lot of energy towards earning their trust and helping them prepare for that leap. One of the greatest joys I can experience is to see someone I have worked with open their heart and mind to things they hadn’t thought they could handle before. I took a break from being a “full time” teacher for a few years, as I stayed home to give my full attention to my daughter Kaylie, son Trace, husband Richard, five dogs, four horses, and eight ducks. I am excited to return to the classroom!
Lauren Hernandez
High School Math and Science
Lauren Michelle was born and raised in Magnolia Texas, with close roots in Austin and Houston Texas. She is rounding out her last year at the University of Houston, completing a dual degree with a Bachelors of Science in Physics and a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics. Lauren has studied as a classical artist, creating oil paintings and considers painting her passion project. She is an advocate for children’s education and promotes the implementation of software engineering skills and computer programming to children and young adults in K-12.
Lauren loves food from different cultures and cooking adventurous recipes; her most daring kitchen attempt thus far has been stingray tacos (she said is was interesting, but does not recommend). Lauren has a soft spot for animals, and periodically fosters kittens when she has the time. She has a deep soul connection with her sisters and aunts, and their collective childhood dream is to open an animal sanctuary in honor of their (great) grandfather, and his retired Arabian racehorse, Magic.
Lauren will be teaching High school Science and Mathematics. She looks forward to instilling confidence and curiosity for STEM in the students at MHA and cannot wait to meet everyone!
Jennifer Iarussi
Campus Curriculum and Instruction Advisor
Jennifer Johnson will be moving from the classroom into admin as our campus curriculum and instruction advisor. She has taught science for 5 years in the public school system. After that, Jennifer was an instructional coach for math and science and then went on to become an assistant principal for an elementary school. Read a little about her below.
I am an enthusiast of nature and the outdoors. My family and I love to take trips camping and hiking as much as we can! I am an avid runner, and have participated in a few marathons and triathlons and hope to continue this in the future! We have been in Magnolia for 5 years, and cherish being in the 'country' and experiencing new adventures... such as raising our 15 chickens!
I am a strong believer in a hands-on classroom model, and know that science can fuel a passion for learning through inquiry-based teaching. I know that you and your students will love the adventures we embark on this coming school year.
Barbara Molina
Campus Administrative Assistant
Hi! I’m Barbara Molina and I am the Campus Administrative Assistant. As a stay-at-home mom, I was looking for homeschooling options for our daughter and was blessed enough to be brought to MHA. What started as a temporary assistant position, transformed to a permanent position and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the MHA Family.
I have a wide variety of work experience including working as a Paramedic, an Educational Specialist, Historical Interpreter, and Graphic Designer for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and also an Insurance and Financial Advisor (just to name a few).
Growing up in the Texas Hill Country (Fredericksburg), I grew a love of nature and the outdoors and love to go exploring new areas. My happy place is a nice outdoor venue with live music with my family. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures and especially food!
