Faculty & Staff
Gullett teachers and staff believe that education is a partnership between home, school, and community. Gullett is known for high academic standards, outstanding students and faculty, and involved parents.
We look forward to working with you to provide a foundation that prepares each student to be a productive, socially responsible citizen, and a lifelong learner.
Administration
Janie Ruiz (Principal)
Margaret Kuykendall (Asst. Principal)
Susan Hussey (Secretary)
Biography:
Susan Hussey, Bookkeeper/Secretary
I’m married with 2 children. I’m a huge Texas Aggie fan, bleeding maroon. I love to travel, especially to the mountains. My hobbies include photography, scrapbooking and cross-stitch.
Katherine Fields (School Counselor)
Biography:
MS-Counseling Psychology, BS-Business Administration…I love to run, and do anything outdoors. I also love to travel, eat good food, and laugh a lot. My long term goal is to go into private practice one day…while traveling, running, laughing and eating good food, of course!
Kim Schneider (Clerk)
Kay Gooch (Librarian)
Biography:
Kay Gooch, Librarian
I was born and spent my early years in Del Rio, Texas. As I entered Lanier High School, my family moved to the Allandale neighborhood, right on Shoal Creek! After graduating from The University of Texas with a degree in Education and a specialization in Reading, I worked for IBM. My 13 years at IBM were spent as a Systems Engineer (which is fancy word for Technical Sales and Training) and also as a Sales Representative. When I left IBM, I went back to my original love, teaching. I was a 6th grade teacher at Robert E. Lee Elementary School. I loved that position, but wanted to reach more children. I returned to The University of Texas and received my Masters Degree in Library and Information Science. After 2 years as librarian at Patton Elementary School, I landed at Gullett and have just started my 12th year!!!!
I am the proud mother of 2 wonderful children. Elizabeth is married to Carson Hood. They live in New York City, with their dog Bo, where she works for Bloomberg. My son Edward lives in Dallas. I love to sew anything but mostly quilts, read, and watch TV with my Bassett Hound, Emmy.
Pre-K
James Butler
Biography:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus enim mauris, tristique sit amet sodales a, tristique sed leo. Vestibulum eros mauris, suscipit et ornare et, consectetur non risus. Sed felis magna, interdum id pharetra quis, viverra sed diam. Fusce.
Kindergarten
Sherry Glidewell
Biography:
I have been teaching for twenty-five years. I love hanging out with my three daughters, going to the beach, renting movies, and eating out. I like to host dinner parties for my huge extended family! I love to listen to live music at my favorite Austin venues.
Rachel Greer
Biography:
My name is Rachel Greer and I’ve been teaching for 5 years. I grew up in Austin and attended Brentwood, Lamar, and McCallum. I attended St. Edward’s University. My husband, Matt and I have 3 dogs – Coco, Wilbur, and Simon.
Allison Hinojosa
Biography:
My name is Allison Hinojosa and I am a graduate of AISD. I was born and raised in South Austin. I majored in Early Childhood Education at Texas State University in San Marcos. I love teaching Kindergarten and am honored to join the Gullett community in my ninth year of teaching.
Alisha Williams
Biography:
I graduated from Texas State in 2007 with a BS in Education. I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten! This summer I got married to my ‘high school sweetheart’ and I have an energetic Jack Russell Terrier named Belle.
First Grade
Sally Allin
Biography:
This is my 16th year teaching in AISD. This is my 8th year as a first grade teacher at Gullett. I have been married for over 22 years and have 2 kids, Kelsea and Ryan. I not only work in Allandale, I live here too!
Mindy Bass
Biography:
I joined the teaching profession through the program Teach for America in 1996. I have taught first grade every year except for the year that I became a certified Reading Recovery teacher. I earned my Masters in Reading through the University of Colorado, Denver in 2003. I received my National Board Certification in 2007. My husband and I have a four-year-old and a two-year-old daughter, two cats and a dog!
Patti Denega
Biography:
My career in education is 36 years, certified in California, Colorado and Texas. My other passion is pursuing certification as a personal trainer in Nutrition and Fitness. My hobby is gardening.
Kim Nichols
Biography:
Kim Nichols is a mother of two amazing boys and two playful wiener dogs. She is a die hard Longhorn and has a bachelors degree from The University of Texas and is certified in GT and ESL. Her home is loud and full of laughter with a revolving door of children in and out that reminds her of the home she herself grew up in. She spends a month each summer in Colorado fishing and hiking with her boys, dog, and friends and loves to camp during the cooler months in Texas.
Alice Sanderson
Biography:
My name is Alice Sanderson and I grew up on a farm in Virginia. I graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina with a BA in English. I moved to Austin to participate in an AmeriCorps program and loved it so much I decided to get my teaching certification and stay! I have been teaching for 6 years and recently graduated from UT with my M.Ed. in Language and Literacy Studies. I am a voracious reader and love to write. I also enjoy cooking and singing.
Second Grade
Justin Absher
Biography:
I am 24-years-old and am beginning my 2nd year of teaching 2nd grade. I got married this summer and have an awesome dachshund named Franklin. I received my degree in Sociology from UT in 2010 and got certified to teach the next year by Region XIII’s Educator Certification Program. I love sports and playing the guitar! I’m excited to teach at Gullett!
Susan Barnes
Katherine Laxton
Biography:
Katherine Laxton, 2nd Grade Teacher
I first stepped into a classroom full time in 1992. I’ve taught pre-k, second, third, and fourth grades in private and public school. I’ve also worked as the math instructional specialist for Gullett Elementary, serving K-fifth grade. I’ve worked in various summer camps and daycares all my life. I graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Houston. Soon after that I was offered a full time teaching position as well as an internship at a local tv affiliate. When I couldn’t decide which path to take on full time my husband offered this bit of advise, “When you talk about writing you share a lot of information. When you talk about teaching you light up!” I knew then where I would be happy! I find this work challenging and eye-opening on a daily basis! I love what I do and the team with which I do it!
Aaron Ravare
Biography:
Hello, my name is Aaron Ravare. I went to Northwestern State University of Louisiana. I received a degree in Psychology. I then received my teaching certification from Region XIII in Austin, Texas in 2005. I’ve taught first grade for six years in AISD. I enjoy playing the baritone and painting. I believe singing and dancing is food for the soul.
Sheryl Southwell
Third Grade
Barbara Banta
Biography:
Barbara Banta, 3rd Grade Teacher
Barbara Banta has been teaching 3rd grade at Gullett for 24 years. While working as a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, Mrs. Banta completed a degree in Journalism with a minor in English from UT Austin. Her continued education earned her certification in Secondary Journalism & English (grades 6-12) and Elementary Certification (grades 1-8). Her husband, Bob, is a journalist, and her daughters, Lauren and Renee, UT Austin RTF and advertising graduates, are presently working in Connecticut and New York City.
Marcy Carruth
Jayne Crawford
Amy Doherty
Jennifer Moore
Biography:
I graduated from Baylor University and have been teaching for 20 years. I have a Masters of Library and Information Science and am a National Board Certified teacher. I love to do projects that I read about on Pinterest, plan “someday” trips, and bake desserts with large amounts of sugar and butter.
Erin Shea
Fourth Grade
Stephanie Childs
Biography:
Stephanie Childs, 4th Grade Teacher
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
― Nelson Mandela
As a 25-year professional, my experiences range from classroom teacher to campus administrator; district staff development leader and work at Texas State University with graduate students. However, my passion is the classroom. My goal is to provide all students great classroom experience so they can change the world!
Gina Hampton
Stacey Richardson
Biography:
This is my ninth year teaching. Blink – then nine! Whoa! I have a degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Education and a minor in Anthropology. I have a ton of hobbies including almost every craft – love skating and running. I have two boys, no pets, but would love to get a cat, dog or pig!
Celange Santiso
Jackie See
Fifth Grade
Carol Cohen
Biography:
Carol Cohen, 5th Grade Teacher
I started teaching in Manor, Texas in 1984. I earned my BS Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Tx. My majors were Elementary and Special Ed. After graduation, I moved to Austin to be closer to family and friends. I was married in 1985 and gave birth to my son in 1987. Then, in 1991 I had my first daughter and my second daughter was born in 1993. I love all kinds of water activities and enjoy yoga, dancing, listening to music, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Gregg DeAtley
Melissa Russell
Biography:
Upon completing high school in the tiny, Texas border town that I was born and raised in, I made my way to the big city of Austin. It took me no time at all to fall in love with the city and then a few years later I met and fell in love with my husband Jim. When our son, Nolan, was born I stayed home with him for a couple of years, but when he started Montessori School at age two, I also decided to go back to school. I graduated from Texas State in the fall of 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have been a part of the Gullett community in many different realms (parent, volunteer, student teacher, teacher’s assistant, and resource) since 2008 and am thrilled to begin my new role as a 5th grade teacher this year! In our free time, my family and I enjoy hiking, biking, going to the beach and cruising in our VW bus.
Ann Valentino
Essential Areas
Patti Brauss (PE)
Biography:
I completed my Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Before teaching Physical Education, I was a classroom teacher for 13 years specializing in math and science while on the side working as a group fitness instructor and training for triathlons. I enjoy gardening and hiking and any activity in the water! Outside of school, you are most likely to spot me with a furry canine friend. My dog Jake is an active therapy dog with Divine Canines, and my dog Ranger trains in a variety of dog sports such as agility, rally, and scent work.
Jose Bustamente (Music)
Debra Clark (Art)
Altheia Deutsch (PE)
Nooshin Famoori (Nurse)
Anne Jarriel (Computer Lab)
Biography:
Ms. Jarriel was a computer programmer in her former life. She wrote computer graphics software that mechanical engineers use to design objects in 3-D. Today Ms. Jarriel is married and has 2 teenage daughters who went to Gullett. In 2008 Ms. Jarriel went from being a volunteer PTA president at Gullett to a not paid much more computer lab aide. She creates interesting lessons to help the students learn technology. The hugs and happy greetings she gets from your children make it the best job in the world.
Nicki Leatherwood (Art)
Biography:
Ms. Leatherwood is an Austin native, graduate of AISD schools, Austin Community College, and the University of Texas at Austin. She lives with her husband Max, a math teacher, Peach, the dog, and Bowser the cat. In addition to art and photography, Ms. Leatherwood is very active in her church, loves reading, history, sewing and is a lifelong Girl Scout. This is Ms. Leatherwood’s third year at Gullett and hopes for many more.
Allison Yturri (Music)
Biography:
Hi – I’m Allison Yturri, and I am so excited to be your new music teacher! Upon completing my student teaching in elementary music at Baranoff Elementary here in Austin ISD, I received my Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification from Texas Tech University. (Sorry Longhorns…Wreck ‘em Tech!) My primary instrument is flute but I also sing and play piano. I’m originally from the Lake Highlands area of Dallas and moved to Austin in July of 2011. I recently got married in March 2012 to my husband, who I met in the 7th grade! He works at a local church as an Assistant Technical Director and Videographer, so you will often see him helping with sound and video at school performances. We live in South Austin and have two cats, Cotton and Gonzo. I love cooking, bold colors, long-distance running, flamingos, chai tea, wedding planning, dark chocolate and, of course, music.
Life Skills & Special Education
Vance Campbell (Life Skills Teacher)
Sarah Eller (Resource Inclusion)
Biography:
I have a husband, 2 daughters and 2 dogs. I got my undergraduate degree from UT and my Masters from Texas State. I enjoy photography, knitting, and reading.
Alli Fischer (Special Ed Teacher)
Biography:
I graduated from UT Austin in May of 2011 with majors in Special Education and Plan II Liberal Arts Honors. After interning and completing my student teaching here at Gullett, I was proud to become an official gecko and complete my first full year of teaching last year. When I’m not teaching or taking graduate classes, I enjoy reading, playing guitar and piano, and volunteering at Austin Pets Alive. I have two cats named Ira and Quinlan whose portraits are featured prominently in my classroom.
Jan Hahne (Adaptive PE (PT))
Biography:
I am an Adapted PE teacher for the north schools. This is my twenty-eighth year in AISD. I am married and have two sons. Jordan is twenty years old and attends Texas State. Jared is seventeen years old and is a senior at McNeil High School. My husband is a Research Mechanical Engineer at The University of Texas. My family enjoys traveling, attending the Longhorn football games, and tubing on the Frio River.
Danielle Hollis (Life Skills Teacher)
Lynne Richardson (PPCD)
Biography:
I am a graduate of Texas A & M University, 1988. I have been teaching in the state of Texas for 23 years. I have taught all grade levels K-5, and I have also been a SCORES teacher. I have certifications in Reading, English, General Education, Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and now I am working toward the National Board Certification. I am currently the PPCD teacher here at Gullett.
Betty Sissom (Special Ed Teacher)
Biography:
I began my teaching career in 1976 and over the past 32 years I’ve taught special education, general education, and high school English. I received my BS in Education from UT/Austin, with post graduate work at Texas State University, Concordia University and UT/Austin. In 2007, I received my Master Reading Teacher (MRT) certification from the University of Texas.
Additional Education Support
Sally Blacksmith (Speech Therapist, Supv.)
Biography:
Came to AISD in 1979 as a 23 year old newly graduated speech therapist. Earned an M.ED. from Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) in 1978. Enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and watching movies. Also enjoys hanging out with family.
Margaret Bridgeman (Psychologist)
Biography:
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. I earned a BA/BSEd in English and Secondary English Education at the University of Missouri, Columbia. I got my Master’s Degree in Special Education at UT/Austin and taught special education for seven years in Del Valle and Pflugerville before obtaining my diagnostician certification. This is my tenth year in AISD and as a diagnostician, and my ninth (gulp!) year at Gullett. I have two girls, Ellie (age 12) and Lucy (age 8) who were/are Gullett Geckos, and a husband, Lee (age 44). We live in a tiny house in Crestview with our dog, three cats, two fish, and two frogs.
Daniel Zarakov (Speech Therapist)
Biography:
I graduated with a master’s degree in speech pathology from San Jose State University is California this May, and this is my first year with AISD. I am very excited for this school year, and am thrilled to be part of the Gullett team!