Faculty

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Gail has over 35 years of teaching experience, 25 of which were spent serving the Plano Independent School District. Texas Teacher Certified in grades 1-8, she is a CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist). She received her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. She is also ESL certified and an active member of ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association). Gail attended William Jewell College, Liberty Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Graduate studies were at University of North Texas and Texas Wesleyan University. She has served as an Instructional Specialist, Collegial Coach, and Mentor Liaison to new teachers. Having extensive knowledge of dyslexia assessments, identification, and intervention implementation, she served her previous campus as the dyslexia therapist and reading difficulties interventionist. Gail is the recipient of the Phoebe Apperson Heart Outstanding Educator Award which celebrates achievement in building effective family-school partnerships. Other recognitions include: PTA Lifetime Membership Award, Plano ISD Barksdale Teacher of the Year, and through instructional leadership supported the campus in being recognized as a “High Performance School” by “Just for the Kids” (NCEA National Center for Educational Achievement).

Joy has 29 years of teaching experience in various roles. She has served as a Speech Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher, Campus Instructional Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

Joy attended Louisiana State University of Shreveport where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She later received a Masters of Education from University of North Texas. She received training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor. Joy is a Texas Certified Teacher in areas of Elementary Self-Contained, Special Education, and ESL (English as a Second Language).

Joy has been a recipient of the Lifetime Membership PTA Award and has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at her previous campus.

She loves teaching children and helping them realize their potential as readers and writers.

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Maegan graduated from Dallas Baptist University in December of 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on English, Language Arts, and Reading in grades 4-8. Maegan’s first teaching job was at a private Christian school in Sendai, Japan where she taught 2nd grade students English. Upon returning home to Texas, Maegan worked for one year as a 6th grade Reading teacher in Alvarado, Texas. After moving to Dallas, Maegan started teaching 3rd grade in the Irving Independent School District where she served as a gifted and talented teacher, campus writing liaison, and a district-wide assessment and curriculum writer. Maeagn is also credentialed to teach PreK-6, English as a Second Language, and Gifted and Talented.

Claire began her teaching journey in the elementary music classroom, and shortly after moved to middle school choir and finally to the high school level where she taught high school choir and AP Music Theory. As a choral director, she earned numerous sweepstakes ratings with the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest, superior ratings at Choral Festivals, and had Texas All State Choir participants.

In 2015 Clyne moved to Boston, MA to begin graduate studies in choral conducting at the Boston Conservatory. This experience led her to continue her studies abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London. During her time in the U.K. Clyne served as conductor of The Founder’s Choir and assistant conductor of the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra, leading tours to Poland, France, and Germany.

A native of California, Clyne holds a MM in Orchestral Conducting from Royal Holloway, University of London, a MM in Choral Conducting from The Boston Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University. When not working on musical ventures, Clyne enjoys cycling, swimming, and spending time in nature with family and friends.

Ashley is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She has over 18 years experience as a language therapist in both school and private settings. She graduated from Baylor University in 2000 with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Ashley started her career serving children in the Bronx, New York and developed a love for working with learning different students. Upon returning to Dallas, she began extensive training in language-learning disabilities while employed full and part time at The Shelton School. During her time there, she provided group language and speech therapy and developed in-class methods for improved listening comprehension and writing structure for middle-schoolers. After starting a private practice, Ashley has enjoyed exploring a wide variety of curricula, behavior management and assessment to benefit her students.

Jennie is experienced working with children as a teacher and ministry director. She graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Early Childhood through 6th grade. Over the years, Jennie worked as a learning different educator, children’s ministry director, governess as well as a leader in overseas missions.

Mikki is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with 28 years of teaching experience. Nineteen years were in Plano ISD where she served as a Reading and Instructional Specialist. She is Texas Teacher Certified in grades 1-8 and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Science. Graduate studies were at Wright State University and Texas Women’s University where she completed her certification in Reading Recovery. She received her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Mikki has served her Plano ISD campus as the dyslexia and reading interventionist, as well as the Team Lead for the Academic Specialists. She loves teaching children and finds great fulfillment in seeing them learn.

Teri has over 20 years of experience in Christian education. She has taught middle school science and Bible at a private Christian school in the area, where she most recently served as the Middle School Science Department head. She holds a BS degree from Baylor University in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. She holds a Texas teaching certification in General Education for grades 1-8. She also holds a Music Education certification for grades 1-8. Teri has a special love for middle schoolers. Her primary goals are to help each student develop a love for science as well as to help them develop and grow in their relationship with the Lord.

With an Associates’ degree in Science and over 10 years focused on client care in the dental industry, Jacque brings her skill set and love of learning to a career with special children. She has unique insight into this role as a parent of children with learning differences. She knows both the challenges and successes that early childhood education can bring and loves to help children soar to reach personal goals.

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Rachel has taught at Heritage School of Texas for 9 years. Before she and her husband moved to Dallas, she taught elementary school at two different Christian schools in San Antonio. Collectively she has 22 years of teaching experience. Rachel is also a Texas State Certified teacher. She has spent over 20 summers working at an outdoor camp in Kerrville. She graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Communication. She has a passion to teach kids that their value and self-worth can be found in Jesus, and that trying challenging things like Math can still be fun. Rachel loves animals and enjoys moments in nature and traveling.

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Cerene has over 20 years working in education from pre-kindergarten students to adult-age college students. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Christian Education. She enjoys working with students of all ages and loves seeing their faces when challenging topics come together for them.

Jennifer is a Certified Academic Language  Specialist with 29 years of teaching experience. All 29 years were in Plano ISD where she was a Reading Coach, Instructional Specialist,  and Dyslexia  Specialist. She has experience in grades K-5. She also provides private tutoring for K-8th grades. Jennifer attended Stephen F Austin State University for her B.A., and Texas A&M Commerce for her Masters of Education in Administration. She received training through the Texas Scottish Rite Program to become a Certified Academic Therapist. Jennifer is a Texas Certified Teacher in the areas of Elementary Self Contained, ESL ( English as a Second Language), Elementary Reading, and Mid-Management Administration. In her off time, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family and play with her Goldendoodle, Dolly. Jennifer’s passion is to teach all students to read and help develop a love for reading that lasts a lifetime.

Stephanie has taught high school English for 7 years. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Literary Studies and her teaching certificate. Reading and writing are passions that she enjoys sharing with her students and endeavors to instill a similar love and enjoyment of the literary arts in them as well. Her primary goal is to help students grow in their love of learning, understanding of themselves, and most importantly, their relationship with the Lord. Stephanie is also extremely passionate about apologetics and understanding why we follow the Bible.

Patrick has dedicated his career to teaching children for 20 years and is ecstatic to join Heritage’s faculty. A native of Columbus, Georgia, Patrick earned his undergraduate degree from Sewanee: The University of the South as well as a Master’s degree in History from Texas A&M, Commerce. Patrick moved to Dallas nearly thirty years ago and almost considers himself to be more Texan than southern. Other members of the Lipscomb household include his wife of 27 years, Melanie, as well as his two college-aged children, Max and Luke. Outside of the classroom, Patrick is a devoted member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and enjoys cooking and watching sports.

Missy is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has over 20 years of experience as a therapist in both school and private settings. Missy attended Michigan State University for her B.A., Southern Methodist University for her Academic Language Therapy Certification and Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training. For 10 years, Missy served on the educational leadership team at a local LD school as Lead Therapist. She has been a member of the Heritage family since 2014. Missy has a passion for working with students of all ages who struggle with reading.

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Lauren has over 42 years of teaching experience, 40 of which were spent in Plano Independent School District. She is Texas Teacher Certified for K-12 Special Education with a Masters in Reading with a Reading Specialist certification in addition to being a CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist). She received her Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist training at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. She is an active member of ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association). Lauren attended Texas Tech University where she earned her B.S. in Special Education and M.S. in Reading Education with a Reading Specialist Certification. Lauren has served as a Literacy Specialist and Instructional Coach on her previous campus. She also served as the Dyslexia Therapist for the last ten years. Lauren was selected to receive the Excellence in Education award from the Texas ALTA Chapter in 2023. Lauren enjoys hanging out with her family, hiking, traveling, reading, and learning new things. She loves fostering a love of reading in students because that can last a lifetime.

Olivia graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Through a counseling internship in Colorado Springs and volunteering at a pregnancy center, Olivia has grown a passion for helping people, especially children, grow emotionally and spiritually, teaching them how to integrate both of these attributes effectively. She plans to pursue her Masters in Counseling with a focus on child development. She has a unique insight into the emotional challenges and victories experienced in early education through her younger siblings and is excited to come alongside students and parents as a support in this upcoming school year!