Our Staff

Nancy has been the Head of School at SAES since 2013. Nancy began her Independent School career in 1986 as a middle school teacher at the Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. Nancy moved to Houston in 1993, and before she joined SAES she served as the Middle School Counselor and Middle School Head at St. Francis Episcopal Day School; the Principal at Presbyterian School; and the CFO at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. Nancy holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Higher Education Administration and Counseling from the University of North Texas, and she has completed the coursework for the Master of Liberal Studies program at Rice University. She has over 30 years of experience in Independent Schools and is an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. In addition to her service on the board of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, where she is also the chair of the Standards Committee, Nancy enjoys reading, cycling, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

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.

Debbie has worked in the office at SAES in various roles since 2015. Before she joined St. Andrews, Debbie worked in the retail and fashion industry for 15 years. Debbie attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. She recently received her Nonprofit Finance certificate from Rice University’s Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership. Outside of work, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family & friends, playing baseball with her son (an SAES alum), reading, bike riding, boxing, and cross-stitching.

Martha has been teaching in the Early Childhood environment at SAES since 2010. Martha 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. Martha is a native Houstonian. Outside of school, Martha loves being outdoors and spending time with her family.

Rosalie joined SAES in 2020 as a teacher in the Early Childhood environment. Before she worked at SAES, Rosalie worked at Montessori Country Day School, and she has almost six years of experience in infant, toddler, and early childhood classroom environments. Rosalie has also completed coursework towards her degree in Early Childhood Education. When Rosalie is not working, she loves to craft, take road trips, and spend time with her kids and family.

Amber first taught at SAES from 2001 to 2010, and she returned to SAES as an Early Childhood Teacher in August of 2019. As the Curriculum Coordinator, Amber works with the Head of School to develop the school’s curriculum and ensure consistency between the Toddler and Early Childhood programs. Amber has taught in several Montessori schools in the Houston area since 1994. She received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 1996. Amber lived in the Heights for most of her life but moved to Pasadena 12 years ago, where she now lives with her husband of 24 years, her three children, and her grandparents. When Amber is not teaching, she enjoys reading, gardening, painting, and spending time with animals.

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

Mari has worked at SAES since 2014 (with the exception of an “adventure year” she spent in Montana). Mari has taught in both of the Toddler environments. Mari received her American Montessori Society Infant & Toddler credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 2016. Mari is a native Houstonian. She was raised by a Montessori educator and attended several Montessori schools in the Houston area. In her spare time, Mari enjoys creating in the kitchen, gardening, and spending time with her pets & family.

Elsa joined SAES in August of 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 and decided to take a break from college to attend classes at the Houston Montessori Center. Elsa received her American Montessori Society Infant & Toddler credential through the Houston Montessori Center in 2011 and she is currently pursuing her B.A. in Bilingual Education. Elsa was born in Mexico and her family moved to the United States when she was three years old. When Elsa is not at SAES, she enjoys exploring nature in Houston and East Texas with her husband and her daughter, who attends SAES. Elsa also enjoys camping, reading, and cross-stitching.

Gredel is a teacher in the Toddler environment at SAES. Gredel first worked at SAES from 2005-2013, and she rejoined the school in 2015. Gredel has worked in Montessori environments since 2005. She was certified as a Montessori Infant & Toddler Assistant in 2007 and as 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 SAES, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, watching movies, gardening, reading, and having a good cup of coffee or tea.

Babita has both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Computer Science, and she worked in the IT industry for about eight years before she decided to stay at home to raise her two boys. After she discovered Montessori education, she became an AMI certified Early Childhood Guide through the Houston Montessori Institute. Babita has worked with children for over three years, and she is passionate about the education of the whole child through the Montessori pedagogy. Babita is originally from a small Eastern Himalayan kingdom called Sikkim, which is currently a part of India. She came to the United States to study and stayed in Houston after she married her husband. When she is not working, Babita enjoys a good book, travel adventures with her family, and a warm cup of tea.

Cathy received her Montessori teaching certificate from the North American Montessori Center, and she has over six years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. Cathy works to create a loving and accepting environment in the classroom, and her goal is to teach students the self-help skills they need to become independent – all while having fun! Cathy is a native Houstonian, and she takes pride in her Latin roots. When she is not at school, Cathy enjoys hiking and exercising. She also has three cats – Ghidorah, Leo, and Stella.

David has worked as a teacher’s aide at SAES since 2016. He is a member of Summerhouse Houston, which is a day program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. David works at SAES Monday-Thursday afternoons, helping with classroom laundry and dishes and cleaning out the classroom pet cages. David takes his work very seriously and he is always concerned about the well-being of his peers and other people around him. We are very thankful to have David as a member of the SAES family.

Ashley joined the staff at SAES in October 2021 and currently serves as the music teacher. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 2007 and holds degrees in both music education and psychology. She received additional teacher training in both Kodály and Orff-Shulwerk approaches to music education for children. She brings 13 years of experience teaching music to SAES. When Ashley is not at SAES, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, traveling, playing guitar and ukulele, listening to audio books, and going for long walks with her two dogs, Jack and Sophie.