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The Academic Leadership Team

 
Ed. D., Leadership and Learning in Organizations, Vanderbilt University
HBX, Harvard Business School CORe: Credential of Readiness
M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Central Arkansas 
B.A., Speech-Language Pathology, Harding University

Shannon has served as Head of School of Fort Worth Academy since 2017. Prior to FWA, she served as Upper School Head at Currey Ingram Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee. Shannon’s experience along with her various roles in school leadership continue to inspire her love of learning and empowering those around her. Shannon currently serves on the boards of the Texas Private Schools Association and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, TX. 
Shannon and her husband, Skip, have two children, Tommy, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas and Kennedy, a senior at The Oakridge School. 
Shannon’s favorite part of working at Fort Worth Academy is seeing students experience the joy of learning.
 
 

Kathy Uhr, Associate Head of School for Lower School and Middle School Programs

B.S., Business Management, Virginia Tech
M.A., Teaching, Johns Hopkins University 
 
Kathy has served in leadership roles for the last fourteen years at Fort Worth Academy. She has presented at state and international conferences and led educational workshops and training for project-based learning, design thinking, and cross-curricular teaching. She has served as a member of several Advanced Ed accreditation review teams. Kathy is also part of the middle school team and teaches 8th grade English.
Outside of the classroom, Kathy loves to travel to new places, explore cities, spend time in the mountains, scuba dive, hike, and ski.
Kathy’s favorite part of working at FWA is the connections made with the students and their families, and collaborating with the staff and faculty. 
 
 
 

Bret Hendrickson, Dean of Students

B.S., Meteorology, University of Oklahoma

Bret has served as an educator and athletic coach at Fort Worth Academy for the past 15 years. Three years ago, he took on the role of Dean of Students to better serve all students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Bret believes every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially.  He works with faculty and staff to develop positive, risk-taking, collaborative environments for students to grow and thrive in. He leads by example and stresses positive character and leadership traits. Outside of school, Bret enjoys playing sports with his two children, stormchasing, mountain biking, and adventure travel destinations.  

School Directory

  Name Title
Ulises Asprilla Asprilla, Ulises MS Spanish Teacher
Derek Bell Bell, Derek ELI Teacher
Bridget Belyeu Belyeu, Bridget 3rd Grade Teacher
Angela Bly Bly, Angela MS Math Teacher
Elizabeth Bonin Bonin, Elizabeth Reading Specialist
Karen Bullock Bullock, Karen Kindergarten Teacher
Kristin Castillo Castillo, Kristin Counselor
Hira Chaudhary Chaudhary, Hira Advancement Team Assistant
Ana Cole Cole, Ana Accounts Manager
Emily Dito Dito, Emily
Shannon Elders Elders, Shannon Head of School
Leslie Erwin Erwin, Leslie 2nd Grade Teacher
Anthony Farnsworth Farnsworth, Anthony LS and MS PE Teacher
Mark Fitz Fitz, Mark MS Math Teacher
Marcia Garoon Garoon, Marcia Chief Financial Officer
Doremi Hejny Hejny, Doremi LS Music Teacher
Bret Hendrickson Hendrickson, Bret Dean of Students / MS Science
Orlando Jaimes Jaimes, Orlando Facilities Manager
Alena Keene-Carlson Keene-Carlson, Alena Librarian
Kimberly Kowalski Kowalski, Kimberly MS English/History Teacher
Nuha Lackan Lackan, Nuha Director of Admission
Laura Laurent Laurent, Laura 1st Grade Teacher
Kathryn Lemons Lemons, Kathryn Kindergarten Teacher
Mary Luker Luker, Mary Receptionist
Megan Martin Martin, Megan 1st Grade Teacher
Amanda Matyastik Matyastik, Amanda 4th Grade Teacher
Garrett McNutt McNutt, Garrett MS History/Music Teacher
Ericka Miller Miller, Ericka Nurse
Leslie Mitchell Mitchell, Leslie Teacher Assistant
Lakshmi Mukka Mukka, Lakshmi Teacher Assistant
Maria Neblett Neblett, Maria LS Spanish Teacher
Arely Ogaz Ogaz, Arely 2nd Grade Teacher
MaryEmily Pardue Pardue, MaryEmily Director of Development
FWA ParentsClub ParentsClub, FWA
Hilary Parker Parker, Hilary 3rd Grade Teacher
Lauren Parker Parker, Lauren MS Science Teacher
Mindy Poitevent Poitevent, Mindy MS History/English
Jennifer Rand Rand, Jennifer Admission and Database Manager
Sharon Rice Rice, Sharon 5th Substitute
Darla Robinson Robinson, Darla MS Drama Teacher
Danielle Rosenberg Rosenberg, Danielle MS English/History Teacher
April Sawey Sawey, April K-5 Science
Cynthia Speirs Speirs, Cynthia Director of Technology
Jolee Tidwell Tidwell, Jolee Director of Athletics
Katie Turner Turner, Katie After School Child Care
Shad Turner Turner, Shad Operations Manager
Sharon Turner Turner, Sharon LS and MS Art Teacher
Kathy Uhr Uhr, Kathy Associate Head of School
Amy Webster Webster, Amy Administrative Assistant
Remy Zingale Zingale, Remy 4th Grade Teacher
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