Our Staff

Amber has taught in several Montessori schools in Houston since 1994 and received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 1996. After twenty years in the classroom, Amber was promoted to administration in 2023. As the Assistant Head of School, she managed the front office, including tuition and enrollment. As the Montessori Coordinator, Amber worked with the teachers to ensure consistency between the Toddler and Early Childhood programs. 

St. Andrews has always held a special place in her heart, and she is excited to step into the role of Interim Head of School. She looks forward to supporting the school in these next steps.  

She lived in the Heights for most of her life, then moved to Pasadena, where she lives with her husband, youngest son, and her grandparents. When Amber is not teaching, she enjoys reading, gardening, painting, and spending time with animals and all things in nature.  

Rev. Grace has been the Rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church since 2015. After Jimmy received a B.A. in Communications and Art History from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, he served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston. In 2002, Jimmy began his studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary. He graduated in 2005 and was ordained into the Episcopal Church that year. Following his service at Epiphany Church and Christ Church Cathedral, Rev, Grace found his home at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Jimmy is married and has three sons.

Martha has been teaching in the Early Childhood environment at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School since 2010. She has been involved in early childhood education since 2002 when she started as a teaching assistant. In 2004, Martha received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential through the North American Montessori Center. She is a native Houstonian who loves being outdoors and spending time with her family.

Rosalie joined St. Andrew’s in 2020 as a teacher in the Early Childhood environment. Previously, she taught at Montessori Country Day School and has ten years of experience in toddler and early childhood classrooms. Rosalie has also completed coursework towards her degree in Early Childhood Education. When she is not working, Rosalie loves to craft, take road trips, and spend time with her children and family.

Laurel is thrilled to be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School as an Early Childhood teacher. She attended UNT in Denton, where she studied education before earning her Early Childhood Certification through the American Montessori Society from the Houston Montessori Center. She has teaching experience in multiple schools, including Westside Montessori and St. Stephen’s Episcopal. Laurel lives in Katy, enjoys reading historical fiction, and volunteers as an Alpha table leader in her church.

Tuan has been teaching in the Early Childhood environment of St. Andrew’s since 2012. She holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Houston and is certified in Elementary Education and as a Montessori Assistant. Tuan was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. when she was seven. Outside of teaching, she enjoys practicing hot yoga, reading, watching Asian dramas, and spending time with her family.

Elsa joined St. Andrew’s in August 2014 as a teacher in the toddler environment. While Elsa was working toward her undergraduate degree at Houston Community College, she discovered the Montessori philosophy. She decided to take a break from college to attend classes at the Houston Montessori Center. Elsa received her AMS Infant & Toddler credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 2011. Elsa was born in Mexico, and her family moved to the United States when she was three. When she is not at St. Andrew’s, she enjoys exploring nature in Houston and East Texas with her daughter. Elsa also enjoys camping, reading, and cross-stitching.

Gredel is a teacher in the toddler environment. Gredel first worked at St. Andrew’s from 2005 to 2013, and she rejoined the school in 2015. She was certified as a Montessori Infant & Toddler Assistant in 2007 and a Montessori Early Childhood Assistant in 2008. In 2013, Gredel received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential through the Houston Montessori Center. When Gredel is not at St. Andrew’s, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, watching movies, gardening, reading, and having a good cup of coffee or tea.

Mari has worked at St. Andrew’s since 2014, except for an “adventure year” in Montana. She received her American Montessori Society Infant & Toddler credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 2016. Mari is a native Houstonian raised by a Montessori educator and attended several Montessori schools in the Houston area. In her spare time, she enjoys creating in the kitchen, gardening, and spending time with her pets & family.

Lydia brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role at St. Andrews. Previously, she spent five fulfilling years as a teaching assistant in both the Toddler and Early Childhood environments. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom as she also served as a creative movement instructor, fostering a love for expression through dance to the children of St. Andrew’s. Before teaching full-time for our school, Lydia flourished as a dance instructor, specializing in ballet, jazz, and creative movement. In Lydia’s spare time, she works in real estate and spends quality time with her husband and children.

After 10 years teaching in a bilingual Early Childhood Baker Montessori classroom, Idalia took a break to spend more time with her family. When she was ready to return to teaching, she googled Montessori schools and found that many of her Baker colleagues were teaching at St. Andrew’s, so naturally she applied. Her BA is in Social Work from Texas Southern University. In her spare time, Idalia spends quality time with her family and dog-sits on weekends. Idalia’s warmth and experience are a gift to our school.

My name is Jaime Payne, and I am a wife and mother of two daughters, Chloe (14) and Lexi (10). Chloe will be a freshman at St. Pius X High School, and Lexi will be entering fifth grade at New Day School.

After earning a degree in Psychology from the University of Houston, I later completed my Texas Teacher Certification and Early Childhood Montessori Certification through the Houston Montessori Center in 2014.

During the past year, I have enjoyed volunteering at Lexi’s school and working as a substitute teacher at St. Andrew’s. Returning to the classroom this fall is truly exciting, as it has been a joy to reconnect with both students and staff.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return