Meet Our Staff

Angela Harris – Gifted and Talented Coordinator, DECATS Director

Angela Harris brings 28 years of diverse educational experience to her role as DECATS Director at GCISD. Her career journey began in Duncanville ISD as a middle school English Language Arts teacher, before moving to Bryan, Texas, where she taught second grade and collaborated on developing a district-wide math curriculum. Angela joined GCISD in 1999, serving as a first and second-grade teacher at O.C. Taylor Elementary, before transitioning to teaching high school English in a private school.

In 2012, Angela returned to GCISD, teaching first grade at Dove Elementary and focusing on advanced academics. She joined the Advanced Academics team in 2016 as the GT Specialist at Glenhope Elementary, where she played a key role in designing and facilitating staff development, collaborating on gifted curricula, and administering district aptitude tests. Angela is an active member of GCISD’s ASPIRE District Placement Committee.

With a Bachelor’s in English/Education from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University, Angela is deeply committed to fostering a rich, challenging learning environment for all students. Since the fall of 2022, she has served as the Gifted and Talented Coordinator for GCISD. In June 2024, she had the honor of serving as the DECATS Camp Director at Baylor University.

Louisa Hilton – Gifted and Talented Specialist, DECATS Director

Louisa Hilton is an experienced educator with nine years of service in GCISD. She began her career in 2016 at Dove Elementary, where she has taught in both traditional classroom settings and as a Gifted and Talented Specialist. Over the past four years, Louisa has administered aptitude testing, led the elementary GT committee, and facilitated professional development for staff. She has also coordinated and led district-wide sessions aimed at informing families about the GT program and math advancement opportunities.

In addition to her role as GT Specialist, Louisa is passionate about extracurricular activities. She serves as the chess club sponsor at Dove Elementary and as the dance coach for the CTMS.

Louisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Mathematics from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Humanities from New York University. Her expertise and dedication to enhancing the educational experience for all students make her a valuable member of the GCISD team.

Bryan Hendrickson – Instructional Staff

Mr. Hendrickson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University. He has over 25 years of experience teaching grades 3rd-5th, focusing on science, math, and social studies skills. Mr. Hendrickson develops a love for learning through hands-on and exploratory learning approaches while building social skills and team work. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time riding bikes, swimming, playing disc golf, pickleball and watching his four children participate in activities.

Tiffany Griffard – Instructional Staff

Tiffani Griffard is currently a GT Specialist in Grapevine Colleyville ISD where she has spent the last nine years teaching gifted and highly gifted students at Glenhope Elementary and in the well known GCISD ASPIRE Academy. She has taught 18 years ranging from pre-k to ninth grade English. Her passion has been serving the social, emotional and academic needs of gifted students over the last nine years in Grapevine, Texas where she resides. She received her bachelor's degree from The University of Texas in Austin where she still likes to go back to visit her Dad. She spends her free time watching movies, golfing and traveling.

Christina Hayes – Instructional Staff

Christina Hayes has been an educator for 16 years, teaching kindergarten, third, fourth, and fifth grades. For the past eight years, she has taught fifth grade at GCISD's ASPIRE Academy, a specialized program for highly gifted students. As GCISD's 2022 Elementary Teacher of the Year, she is passionate about challenging GT learners, ensuring they feel heard, and helping them develop self-awareness, voice, and choice in their education.

Joe Parthemore – Instructional Staff

Joe Parthemore is a 4th grade ASPIRE teacher at Glenhope Elementary. In the last 10 years, he has taught everything from science, math, and coding from 3rd to 8th grade. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Additionally, he has received state certifications in ESL, Mathematics 4th-8th, and Technology Applications K-12. In 2018, he received the Region 11 Teacher of the Year award and was one of the top 3 finalists for the state of Texas. Parthemore has co-authored two national publications, including Science and Children and Children and Libraries, and has been recognized in Fort Worth Magazine for his impact in the classroom. He enjoys being outdoors with his wife and two children. He is known as being the guy who is always looking for a new house project to work on.

Sarah Pon – Instructional Staff

Ms. Sarah Pon is from El Paso, Texas. She holds a Multidisciplinary degree with concentrations in Geology and Sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has taught 4th grade Math and Science for 4 years at Cannon Elementary. Her approach to education is anchored in collaborative techniques and a commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the classroom. When she is out of the classroom she enjoys meandering hikes, food adventures, and reading.

Will Boykin – Instructional Staff

Will Boykin is currently in his fifth year as the GT Specialist at Colleyville Elementary. He has 27 years of teaching experience, including 19 years in GCISD, and 7 years in Memphis City Schools. Will is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Memphis, and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his dachshund, Wrigley-Tacoma.

Linda Fullhart – Instructional Staff

Linda Fullhart earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in reading from the University of Iowa (pre-Hayden Frye). While moving across the country with her husband during his Navy service, she pursued studies in Gifted Education at multiple universities, ultimately completing her Master’s in Elementary Education with a specialization in Gifted Education from the University of North Texas.

Linda dedicated 28 years to GCISD, spending 23 of them working with gifted students in the district’s pullout program before teaching 5th grade in the ASPIRE Program at Glenhope. She retired at the end of the 2016-2017 school year and was honored as GCISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2011-2012.

Beyond education, Linda is a longtime volunteer at Grapevine’s Runway Theatre, contributing on stage, backstage, and as a board member. She has twice been named Volunteer of the Year and is a proud inductee of the Runway Theatre Hall of Fame.

Cullen Pearce – Instructional Staff

Mr. Cullen Pearce holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Midwestern State University and currently teaches a variety of Career and Technical Education courses at the middle school level. He is in his second year teaching Principles of Business, focusing on entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Mr. Pearce is passionate about guiding students towards developing high levels of questioning and thinking. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys tennis, reading, and pretty much anything sports related.

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