Administration

Alexandra Elliot, PhD, Director/Founder - Reading Specialist

Dr. Alexandra Elliot is a certified teacher, certified reading specialist, and certified special education teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience.  In addition to being a reading/dyslexia specialist, she has taught general education, special education, and gifted/talented education.  She has a Master of Science degree in Education (Reading Specialist), and a second Master of Science degree in Special Education .  In addition, she has a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Concentration in Neuropsychology.  Her areas of expertise are dyslexia intervention (Orton Gillingham), dysgraphia intervention,  dyscalculia, gifted/talented (2e), and executive functioning.  She has presented her research on reading interventions and working memory at the International Literacy Association, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and other national conferences. While offering private dyslexia and special education services to children in Austin, she saw a need for a school that could better meet children's needs.  Bridges Academy Austin is designed to meet children's needs in a supportive environment in which students thrive at any level.

Mallory McKeever, M.Ed., Assistant Director - Reading  Specialist

Mrs. McKeever is a certified teacher, certified reading specialist, and certified principal.  She holds two Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees, including an M.Ed. in Reading from the University of Texas at Tyler and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.  Additionally, she received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English with a concentration in Multicultural Literature and a minor in History from the University of Texas at Arlington.  Mrs. McKeever has been with Bridges Academy Austin since the school opened. In addition to her leadership role, she is a reading/dyslexia specialist.  Mrs. McKeever also has experience teaching English language arts and social studies at various grade levels and districts, including Mineral Wells ISD, Burleson ISD, and Alvin ISD. She assisted in district professional development, curriculum design, and served as a mentor teacher.  Whether working with students above level or below level, Mrs. McKeever differentiates instruction to ensure all students’ needs are met.  She offers support and guidance as she helps her students become lifelong learners, readers and writers, and critical thinkers. 

Faculty

Mrs. Gibson - Middle/High School English Language Arts

Mrs. Gibson is a certified teacher with over 20 years of experience in education. She earned her teaching certificate and Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University, and she has advanced training in dyslexia and reading interventions.  Prior to joining Bridges Academy Austin, Mrs. Gibson had experience teaching advanced placement English, special education inclusion, and reading intervention in Leander ISD and Willis ISD.  In addition, Mrs. Gibson has developed English language arts teaching materials for major educational publishers. She has a strength in differentiating instruction for a variety of learners.

Jennifer Taylor-Burton - Dyslexia Specialist & English Language Arts

Jennifer Taylor-Burton is a certified teacher, certified special education teacher, Wilson dyslexia therapist, and educational diagnostician, with over 12 years of K-12 teaching experience, eight years of early childhood education experience, and three years of assessing students for special education. She earned a Master of Public Health from the UT Health Science Center in Houston and a Master of Special Education from the University of Houston Victoria. Her areas of expertise are dyslexia and reading intervention, dysgraphia, assessment to determine students’ areas of strengths and weaknesses, and implementation of evidence-based instruction to support students’ learning needs.

Cindy Toland, Ph.D. - Middle School Social Studies and Science

Dr. Cindy Toland is a native Texan with extensive experience in education in both the United States and abroad. She has taught Life Science, Biology, and Social Studies and has also served as a Principal and Director of Teaching and Learning in private and international schools in seven countries.  She also worked as a Reading Interventionist with the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Toland grew up in Libya and graduated from high school in Aberdeen, Scotland. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Toland is excited to bring her passion for learning and her global perspective to the middle school classroom at Bridges Academy.

John Tristan — Social Studies Teacher, World History

Mr. Tristan joins Bridges Academy with over 13 years of teaching experience spanning Illinois, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Thailand. He holds a B.A. in History Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. His background includes teaching World History and World Religions internationally, along with a strong record of student growth. Outside the classroom, Mr. Tristan is a performing musician of over 25 years (guitar, bass, and vocals) and has trained in multiple martial arts disciplines. He is excited to bring his passion for history, storytelling, and mentorship to the Bridges Academy community.

Mr. Villanueva, M.Ed. - Middle/High School Science Teacher

Mr. Villanueva is a certified teacher with 37 years of experience teaching secondary science. He holds a B.A. degree from St. Mary’s University and a M.Ed. degree from Concordia University. Mr. Villanueva has taught various secondary science subjects, including life science, earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. He served on a science curriculum writing committee, acted as a teacher mentor, and held the positions of Science Department Chair and LPAC Coordinator. Additionally, he has taught drivers education and served as a high school varsity football coach and head baseball coach. Outside of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, reading, and teaching financial literacy to families.

Ms. Crawford - Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Crawford earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.  After her careers as an engineer and business owner, she decided to pursue a career in mathematics education.  She specializes in teaching advanced mathematics, such as precalculus and calculus.  Outside of school, she is the board president of the Hill Country Special Needs Alliance.

Milo Huebel, M.S. - Algebra II and Dual Credit Math Teacher

Professor Huebel holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mathematics from Kansas State University. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and tutoring mathematics, she has worked with students from elementary school through college.  Currently, Professor Huebel is a mathematics instructor both at Bridges Academy Austin and Austin Community College.  Professor Huebel is passionate about helping learners gain confidence, overcome challenges, and build a strong foundation in math. Her patient, supportive approach adapts to each student’s unique learning style, fostering both skill and self-assurance.

Ms. Hogan - Elementary

Ms. Hogan is a licensed K-8 teacher who earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 2018 from Grand Canyon University. She also completed a graduate certificate in Elementary Education and an ESL endorsement from the University of New Mexico. She has taught upper elementary in public schools across New Mexico and Florida, and for sovereign tribal nations. Ms. Hogan’s favorite part of teaching is creating engaging lessons that foster motivation and confidence in diverse learners. She loves learning new things, spending time with loved ones, and running around with her dog, Cricket, when she is not at school.

Mrs. Castillo - Elementary and ASL

Mrs. Castillo earned her Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a certified educator with expertise in specialized instruction and experience supporting students with learning differences. She has taught in both middle school and elementary schools. She has extensive experience teaching Deaf Education, however she has instructed students with all kinds of neurodiversity. She enjoys differentiating lessons for different levels, and loves to discover new resources that support students’ reading. Mrs. Castillo is looking forward to a great year!

Hannah Coleman - Elementary

Ms. Coleman earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Family and Child Development at Texas State University, and she has taught at Bridges Academy Austin the past few years. She studied Orton Gillingham dyslexia intervention through the Institute for Multisensory Education (ISME), a program accredited by the International Dyslexia Association. She also has been trained in multiple intervention techniques to accommodate various learning differences. In addition to her experience teaching elementary and secondary students, she has over five additional years of experience working with children and young adults with disabilities reach their full potential. She was formerly a Registered Behavioral Therapist, working with children ranging from 18 months to 18 years old. She has also worked as a Therapeutic Child Care Specialist, transitioning at-risk youth to permanent family settings. Ms. Coleman is committed to enhancing students' lives and supporting each learner's individual needs by providing continuous learning opportunities and meaningful experiences.

Ms. Chernoff - Elementary Team & Dyslexia Specialist

Ms. Chernoff earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a Content Emphasis in Language Arts from Northern Arizona University.  She is certified for grades K-8.  In addition, Ms. Chernoff has her Early Childhood Teaching Endorsement and Structured English Immersion Teaching Endorsement. She is experienced in dyslexia intervention using Orton Gillingham and Basic Language Skills (BLS).  As an effective and compassionate educator, she is always looking for opportunities to make a difference.  She has  over a decade of experience teaching a diverse population of students, including students with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and medical needs.  She is passionate about helping students overcome learning difficulties and disabilities.  She is kind, patient, and enthusiastic.

Mrs. Ralian, M.S.  - Support Specialist

Mrs. Ralian is a certified teacher with expertise in evidence-based reading intervention for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. She also has a certification in English as a Second Language (ESL). She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from University of Texas at Austin and holds a Master of Science from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ralian has experience teaching elementary school and middle school. Creating safe, enriching, and differentiated classrooms is essential to Mrs. Ralian in order for students to grow and become confident leaders, lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Before teaching, Mrs. Ralian worked with non-profit organizations providing services to homeless Veterans and children and adults with special needs. When she is not working, Mrs. Ralian stays busy with her husband, three teenage children, and pets. She is an active volunteer for her teenagers' robotics program and New Hope Animal Rescue. In addition to teaching elementary students at Bridges Academy Austin, she teaches an American Sign Language (ASL) elective for secondary students, and she is one of the FTC robotics team coaches.

Mrs. Stothard - Support Teacher & Reading Intervention

Mrs. Stothard is a certified teacher in core subjects for early childhood through eighth grade. She attended Kansas State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education accompanied by a minor in Special Education. Before coming to Texas, Mrs. Stothard spent the past 18 years of her career working in preschool through eighth grade classrooms. Mrs. Stothard strongly upholds that all children and their prospective classroom communities are unique and important. She believes that her role as an educator is to provide a stable, uplifting, and welcoming space to aid in enabling each student’s academic and personal development. 

Elena Killough, M.A. - Art Specialist; Elementary Classroom Teacher

Mrs. Killough is a talented teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher,  reading teacher, ESL specialist, and art specialist.  She holds a Master of Arts degree and numerous teaching certifications, including Elementary Education (Core Subjects), English Language Arts and Reading, and English as a Second Language.  She has expertise in language acquisition and reading intervention.  She is a very creative  and compassionate teacher.  She has taught at Bridges Academy Austin since the school opened. 

Diana Marti - Interventionist and Spanish Teacher

Ms. Marti earned her bachelor's degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, México. Her true passion lies in service and education. She has worked as a volunteer Spanish teacher for students in kindergarten through third grade, and she has also taught Spanish to high school students. Mrs. Marti is passionate about reading, traveling, experiencing new cuisines, learning from other cultures, as well as spending quality time with her family, pets, and also volunteering in her children's activities.

Ms. Gonzalez-Farias - Administrative Assistant

Ms. Gonzalez-Farias earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Milligan College and holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a certified teacher and has supported students in middle and high school as an English Language Arts teacher and 504 Coordinator. Ms. Gonzalez-Farias is passionate about literacy, building an inclusive learning community, and supporting teachers and students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working on art projects, and spending time with loved ones (including her cats)!

Mrs. Kjar - Support Teacher

Mrs. Kjar (AKA "Mrs. Care") earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and she earned her master’s degree from St. Edward’s University. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in early childhood education and Spanish. She is a kind and patient teacher who brings out the best in children. She has been with Bridges Academy Austin as a primary teacher, Spanish I teacher, support teacher, and substitute since the school opened. Students love her. 

Additional teachers and staff include specialists, elective teachers, and administrative staff.  The qualifications of our faculty and staff are exceptionally high.