St. James' Episcopal School

Administrative Staff Contact Information:

Ellen Jockusch: ellen@stjamesepiscopalschool.org

Tanya Baston: tanya@stjamesepiscopalschool.org

Sarah Kapostasy: sarah@stjamesepiscopalschool.org

All pictures are courtesy Hazeled Photography: www.hazeled.com

Administrative Staff:

Ellen Jockusch, Head of School

Ms. Ellen brings 25 years of experience in directing programs and raising funds in educational settings. Prior to coming to SJES, she served as director of three master's degree programs at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Ellen is a graduate of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and Stanford University, where she graduated with distinction and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She is an active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin where she serves on the Stewardship Committee. Her two sons, Will and David, along with the wonderful children she sees each day at SJES, are the lights of her life. Ellen enjoys working at St. James' because "we are committed to the development of the whole child."

Tanya Baston, Director of Programs and Operations

Ms. Tanya has been at St. James' Episcopal School since 2010 and has been in child care her entire career. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Missouri Baptist College and an Associate's Degree in early childhood education from Lassen Community College in California. Ms. Tanya is also an advisor for the Child Care Development Associate's Certificate and a trainer of various child development curricula. In addition to overseeing the SJES teaching staff, she is the administrator of the SJES food program and oversees tuition accounts. Ms. Tanya enjoys watching a child's eyes light up when he or she successfully completes a project or understand something new. She has two children and in her spare time likes to read, garden, and spend time with her family.

Sarah Kapostasy, Communications and Enrollment Coordinator

Ms. Sarah brings a variety of professional skills to her role at SJES. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Indiana University, she joined the Teach for America program and taught high school English in rural South Louisiana. After briefly teaching in Austin, she transitioned to adult training with a public health nonprofit, where she served as Program Director. Currently, she is pursuing her Master's degree in Counseling from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Amazed that she gets to have a part-time job working with amazing incoming families and promoting educational equality for young children, Ms. Sarah is very glad Ms. Ellen decided to email her back in 2010 about the incredible opportunity to work at SJES!

Active Learning Program Staff (Green Building):

Ashley Fay, Lead Teacher

Ms. Ashley had three years of experience in childcare when she joined the St. James' Episcopal School staff in 2010 as a Montessori Assistant. She loves her new role as Lead Teacher in our Active Learning Program for children 18 months - 2 years. She is certified in infant and child CPR and first aid. Like other staff at SJES, Ashley is pursuing her Child Care Development Associate's Certificate at Austin Community College as St. James' seeks Texas Rising Star Certification. A native of Austin, Ashley enjoys reading, swimming, and taking care of her dog. Her radiant smile brightens the day of many parents, students, and staff at St. James'.

Discovery Program Staff (Green Building):

Lara Morgan, Lead Teacher

Ms. Lara joins the SJES teaching staff with a strong background in education and child development. She worked as a caregiver and assistant teacher in special education and as a coordinator for an after-school program before becoming a preschool teacher here in Austin. She has her Bachelor's degree in English from Abilene Christianity University. When asked what she likes best about working at SJES, she cites "the diverse and engaging culture, as well as the emphasis on communication between parents and teachers." In her spare time, Ms. Lara likes to visit the Alamo Drafthouse and explore the children's literature section in bookstores.

Dianna Morris, Assistant Teacher

Ms. Dianna has been a teacher at St. James' since 2006. A native of Austin and graduate of Crockett High School, Ms. Dianna is currently certified in CPR and first aid and is working towards her Child Care Development Associate's Certificate at Austin Community College, where she hopes to earn her degree in Child Development. Ms. Dianna has three children (with a fourth on the way!) and her daughter, Samaya, currently attends SJES. Ms. Dianna says she likes working at St. James' because of the close relationships shared by our staff, the children and their families. When asked what she likes best about working with children, Ms. Dianna says, "I love their unique personalities and curiosity."

Discovery Program Staff (Blue Building):

Anna Kago, Lead Teacher

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Ms. Anna graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Design. Since moving to the United States, Ms. Anna has devoted her career to early childhood education. She received her Child Care Development Associate's Certificate at Austin Community College and her Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas. She has been a teacher at SJES since 2004. Ms. Anna says, "it is wonderful to see children bloom during their time here--it is an explosion of awareness." She adds that what she likes best about SJES is "the diversity of students here mirrors the world as it is. It is very satisfying to teach about God and the wonder of creation." Ms. Anna has three daughters and her husband, Peter, is an Episcopal priest.

LaToyia Sterns, Assistant Teacher

Ms. LaToyia has been a valued teacher at SJES since 2007. After her years providing quality education during our enrichment program, she is enjoying her role as assistant teacher in the Discovery classroom. Ms. LaToyia is certified in childhood CPR. A native Austinite, she has two children and often has a full house with her neices and nephews. Her sunny disposition is an asset to our community.

Kathie Clark, Assistant Teacher (afternoon), Chapel Program

Ms. Kathie moved to East Austin four years ago and is happy to bring her education and experience to our school. She graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her son Anderson is in the younger cohort of our Discovery Program. A member of St. James' Episcopal Church, she works with Ms. Ellen in coordinating our chapel program, in addition to working with children in the Discovery Program in the afternoon. When asked what she likes about working with children, Ms. Kathie says, "I love watching them learn, their enthusiasm for things and the stories they have to tell!"

Discovery Program Staff (Red Building):

Claire Meade, Lead Teacher

Ms. Claire has 5 years of experience in education and has been a teacher at SJES since 2008. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and is certified in first aid and food management. She enjoys working with children because of their "sweet outlook on life, their belief that anything is possible, and their compassion for each other." Ms. Claire's compassionate approach to working with children at SJES contributes to what she describes as "a truly uplifting environment where the child's holistic well-being and education is the top priority."

Juliet Coppinger, Assistant Teacher (picture coming soon!)

Ms. Juliet joined the SJES staff as an intern in 2010, and quickly proved herself to be a natural in working with children. Previous to SJES, she spent two years at Hendrix College and worked at a camp for children with special needs. She enjoys working at SJES because "it's a great school with a lot of personality and compassion. No matter who a child is, they will find a friend at St. James.'" In her spare time, Ms. Juliet likes cooking and art, as well as chasing after her beagle, Oliver.

Montessori Program Staff:

Veronica Rodriguez, Lead Montessori Guide

Ms. Veronica had a wealth of experience in education and childcare as a nanny, Spanish teacher, and Junior Gardening teacher. Before coming to SJES in 2010, Ms. Veronica taught Ms. Veronica holds the American Montessori Society's Primary (ages 3 - 6 years) and Lower Elementary (grades 1st - 4th) certifications, and has been a member of the American Montessori Society since 2009. She feels at SJES "our sensitive and imaginative teachers inspire learning of lasting depth and complexity, a love of learning itself, in students with all kinds of interests and abilities." Ms. Veronica also believes that "together we can build a fair and more peaceful planet, one child, one group at a time." Ms. Veronica's also instills these values in her daughter Lourdes, who attends SJES.

Anita Miranda, Assistant Teacher

Ms. Anita has been a teacher at St. James' Episcopal School since 2010. She is working towards her Child Care Development Associate's Certificate at Austin Community College, and she may continue to pursue her education in chid care. Ms. Anita is the oldest of three children, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching movies at the Alamo Drafthouse here in Austin. When asked what she likes best about working with children, Ms. Anita says, "they are so funny. Listening to them talk amongst themselves can be so entertaining." She also enjoys getting to know and meet all the children on campus.

Jessica Dorsey, Assistant Teacher (afternoon)

Ms. Jessica brings several years of experience in child care and education to her role as our Montessori afternoon teacher at SJES. She is currently attending Austin Community College and studying early childhood development. When asked what she likes best about working with children, she said "I love being able to teach and introduce them to new things and watch how they learn." She also says, "SJES is a great learning environment for children of any age."

All Programs:

Asiya Shereen, Assistant Teacher

Ms. Asiya has been a teacher at SJES since 2010. She holds a masters degree in political science and enjoys working with children because they are "innocent and gentle" and appreciates St. James' because of the "loving environment" and "excellent adminstration." In her free time, Ms. Asiya enjoys reading books and cooking.

Food Program:

Angela Morris, Food Program Coordinator

Ms. Angela has been a teacher at St. James' since 2007. She prepares and serves breakfast, lunch, and snack to our children daily. Ms. Angela has two children, and her son Damari will be a part of the inaugural class in the Active Learning Program. Her sister, Ms. Dianna, is also a teacher at SJES. Ms. Angela's sense of humor and team spirit are a valuable asset to the community.

ACE Program Interns:

Danielle Cross, Literacy

Ms. Danielle is finishing her final year at the University of Texas at Austin, and she is studying Plan II and Communications studies. She is also pursuing a 19 hour certificate in Children and Society. When asked what she is looking forward to most about working with the children at SJES, she said "the chance to help them learn the foundations of one of my favorite activities - reading."

Karla Mendoza, Literacy

Ms. Karla is currently attending UT to earn her B.A. in nursing. She worked with the ACE Program last year as an intern at Lucy Read Pre-K. What she likes best about working with children is "their energy and creative ideas. They keep me on my toes at all times." At St. James', she enjoys working with children of different ages as well as the opportunity to work one-on-one with the students.