Message from the Acting Rector
Good Shepherd Episcopal School is known as a place that celebrates early childhood education every day. Our nurturing, loving, Christian, play-based curriculum recognizes each child’s unique strengths and personality.
Stanford grew up in The Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi, and claimed the church as his own while he was a college student at Princeton University. Following college, Stanford came to Austin and graduated from UT School of Law. After several years of practicing law, he followed a call to the priesthood and graduated from seminary at Sewanee: The University of the South. Stanford has practiced law in Nashville and San Antonio and served Episcopal parishes in Mississippi and Texas. Stanford has three children, Max (19), Ellen (16), and Will (12).
I am honored and blessed to begin this year as your Head of School. Good Shepherd has been my home for over a decade, and it is an absolute dream to lead a school with such an extremely talented and dedicated staff and welcoming and supportive community.
This will be my fifteenth year in education, and although I have always felt at home in the classroom, I found a new passion and fulfillment working in administration as the Director of Special Programs and serving as a teacher mentor and representative on various leadership teams. I’m excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively with teachers and staff, while also remaining connected to families and young students learning and growing in the classroom. I have a deep understanding of child development and truly enjoy these magical early childhood years.
On a personal note, my husband and I have been married for thirteen years and we have two amazing little boys that keep us busy and make our hearts incredibly full. They are both proud Good Shepherd alumni and never miss an opportunity to come back and visit! It’s hard to believe we will have a seventh and fourth grader next year. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cheering the loudest at my kids’ sporting events, and taking on the occasional home design project.
Welcome to Good Shepherd, we are so happy you are here!
Meet Our Team
Rachel Duree
Head of School
Catherine Granger
Director of Institutional Advancement
Carrie Paschal
Business and Operations
Anne Hoberer
Office Manager
Leslie LaRue
Director of Admissions
Margaret Pass
Twos Lead Teacher
“GSES is Such a happy place. Everyone is so positive and loving and focused on what is best for children! The families are so supportive of their children and the school. I am so glad to be a part of this community.”
Lynne Kelp
Twos Assistant Teacher
“I am so happy to be a part of the GSES team as we all love what we do!”
Kathleen McKenna
Twos Lead Teacher
“I love being a part of the GSES family and think that it is truly the best community of families and staff in Austin!”
Sandra Yancer
Twos Assistant Teacher
“GSES holds a special place in my life having been here as a parent and now a teacher. We all make a great team and I look forward to coming to work everyday!”
Sara Arnold
Twos Lead Teacher
“Teacher quote”
Becka Swift
Twos Assistant Teacher
“Teacher quote”
Jo Dominguez
Threes Lead Teacher
Sara Arnold
3-Day Threes Assistant Teacher
Becka Swift
3-Day Threes Lead Teacher/2-Day Threes Assistant Teacher
“It is amazing to experience the pure joy of learning during this special year in the Threes classroom.”
Anthe Gimenez
Threes Lead Teacher
"I love the closeness of the staff and teachers-we love what we do and we love to be together.”
Lisa Forman
Threes Assistant Teacher
Henriette Mansour
Threes Assistant Teacher
"It’s an amazing experience to see how quickly the kids grow and learn here at GSES. I love the connection between the church nursery and school, and I have the opportunity to see church families and preschool families come together on Sundays."
Mitzi Hovre
Threes Lead Teacher
"Teacher Quote”
Olivia Hicks
Threes Assistant Teacher
"Teacher Quote”
Angela Bearden
Fours Lead Teacher
Lilly Hovre
Fours Assistant Teacher
Elizabeth Fehr
Fours Lead Teacher
“I work with the best teachers and administrators at GSES! Our community is extremely supportive and wonderful.”
Kathie Moncravie
Fours Assistant Teacher
Catherine Weiss
Fours Lead Teacher
Katherine Allen
Fours Assistant Teacher
“My roots to Good Shepherd run deep. My daughter attended the school and we continue to be involved in the Parish community. The love here is palpable and it nourishes my soul to the bone.”
Charlotte Trafton
Bridging Kindergarten Lead Teacher / School Chaplain
"I love that Good Shepherd treasures the whole child - each one's spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Every adult in the school loves what's unique about each child's playful, curious spirit, supports each child's ups and downs, and actively promotes each one's interests. It's a joy to come to work in this place each and every day."
Jennifer Timmermans
Bridging Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
"I love the people I work with, especially being able to work with children and their families for so many years. Our programs are play based, and each year is unique and special for the children."
Sheryl Johnson
Bridging Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Coming soon!
Blake Eiland
ASEP Assistant
"I love seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when we are on the playground, especially when I get to swing with them! I also love listening to their sweet little voices in carpool while waiting for their families."
Tish Miller
Assistant Floating Teacher
Mary Morgan
GSES Consultant/Mentor
“I am now teaching a second generation of GSES children! The opportunity to teach the children whose parents I taught is a true gift I hold close to my heart.”
Becca Westerkom
Music and Movement Teacher
"I love creating a welcoming, loving, and fun environment where kids can laugh while learning basic musical elements, and important life skills. Music and movement helps children with social and emotional skills, develops confidence and strengthens fine and gross motor skills. I get to introduce basic elements of music to these little creative and magical humans which lays the groundwork for their future musical endeavors."
Sue Young
Librarian and Spanish Teacher
"GSES provides a supportive, caring and fun environment for me to pursue my passion - sharing stories with children. I love seeing kids' faces light up with delight, curiosity, or discovery. The support of the GSES community enables me to keep updating our shelves with the newest and best children's books.
Jad Ibrahim
Facilities Manager
