Our Staff

Jamie is a seventh-generation Texan who grew up in Houston and Sugar Land before moving to New York, where she received a Master’s in early childhood from Bank Street College. While living in New York for 21 years, Jamie taught preschoolers at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Rodeph Sholom School while managing an after-school program for K-8th grade. She then served as the Children’s Minister at St. Bartholomew’s Church, where she created the summer camp on 5oth Street and Park Avenue.

In 2005, Jamie returned to Houston as the Lay Minister for Children’s Education for St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where she created the Family Table Service and worked closely with Jerome Berryman, who created Godly Play, the Montessori Christian storytelling curriculum. She then served as Missioner for Christian Formation for Bishop Andy Doyle in the Diocese of Texas from 2011 until 2020. Before coming to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Jamie consulted with Episcopal Relief & Development on The One Thousand Days of Love Campaign, which is developing Christian formation resources for churches and homes due to COVID-19.

Culminating her dedication to the Episcopal church and her passion for teaching young children as the head of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is her dream job. Jamie and her husband live in Sugar Creek. She has two grown stepsons, one a dentist and one almost a lawyer – who both attended Montessori preschool.

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.

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 manages the front office, including tuition and enrollment. As the Montessori Coordinator, Amber works with the teachers to ensure consistency between the Toddler and Early Childhood programs. 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.

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.

Avary is thrilled to be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School as an Early Childhood teacher. She attended St. Anne and St. Agnes before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University. With five years of teaching experience in private and public Montessori environments, she creates engaging and inclusive learning environments. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family, rowing, and reading. Avary is committed to empowering students, fostering a love for learning, and building a supportive classroom community.

Tuan has been teaching in the Early Childhood environment of St. Andrew’s 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. Outside of teaching, she enjoys practicing hot yoga, reading, watching Asian dramas, and spending time with her family.

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.

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 American Montessori Society 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 husband and 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.

Jaime Payne graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Psychology, minoring in Nutrition. Her goal was to become a school counselor eventually. During that time, she was introduced to the Montessori Method and began working as a teaching assistant in a public Montessori school. Soon after, she was Montessori trained and certified in Early Childhood. Jaime has taught for ten years in Montessori classrooms.

In 2021, she took time off from teaching full-time and began substituting at St. Andrews. She has gotten to know the students in various classrooms and watched them grow from Toddlers to Early Childhood students.

She is a wife and a mother of two sweet girls. Chloe is in sixth grade at Frank Black Middle School, and Lexi is in second grade at Durham Elementary. Their rescue Lab, Dusty, has been an excellent addition to the family for the past six years.

Monica rejoined St. Andrew’s in March 2022. She had previously worked in both the toddler and early childhood environments from 2012-2020. She received her Infant/Toddler certification in 2010 and has worked with children from ages Birth-3 years for sixteen years. Monica is currently working towards her Early Childhood Montessori certification. When not at work, Monica likes to read books, listen to music, and spend time with family.

Devin Zabihi comes to us from Summerhouse Houston. Summerhouse offers community-based day and supported employment services for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Devin has volunteer experience with WHAM, Houston Food Bank, Heights Food Pantry, Kid’s Meals, and Harris County Pets. He works Monday through Thursday, from 12:30 to 2:45, managing the school’s laundry and dishes.

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. After focusing on her family, she is excited to rejoin the community and join Elsa in the Toddler I Classroom, bringing her unique blend of nurturing care and creative instruction. In Lydia’s spare time, she works in real estate and spends quality time with her husband and children.