Administration

Alexandra Elliot, PhD, Director/Founder - Reading Specialist

Dr. Alexandra Elliot is a certified teacher, certified reading specialist, and certified special education teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience.  In addition to being a reading/dyslexia specialist, she has taught general education, special education, and gifted/talented education.  She has a Master of Science degree in Education (Reading Specialist), and a second Master of Science degree in Special Education .  In addition, she has a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Concentration in Neuropsychology.  Her areas of expertise are dyslexia intervention (Orton Gillingham), dysgraphia intervention,  dyscalculia, gifted/talented (2e), and executive functioning.  She has presented her research on reading interventions and working memory at the International Literacy Association, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and other national conferences. While offering private dyslexia and special education services to children in Austin, she saw a need for a school that could better meet children's needs.  Bridges Academy Austin is designed to meet children's needs in a supportive environment in which students thrive at any level.

Mallory McKeever, M.Ed., Assistant Director - Reading  Specialist

Mrs. McKeever is a certified teacher, certified reading specialist, and certified principal.  She holds two Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees, including an M.Ed. in Reading from the University of Texas at Tyler and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.  Additionally, she received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English with a concentration in Multicultural Literature and a minor in History from the University of Texas at Arlington.  Mrs. McKeever has been with Bridges Academy Austin since the school opened. In addition to her leadership role, she is a reading/dyslexia specialist.  Mrs. McKeever also has experience teaching English language arts and social studies at various grade levels and districts, including Mineral Wells ISD, Burleson ISD, and Alvin ISD. She assisted in district professional development, curriculum design, and served as a mentor teacher.  Whether working with students above level or below level, Mrs. McKeever differentiates instruction to ensure all students’ needs are met.  She offers support and guidance as she helps her students become lifelong learners, readers and writers, and critical thinkers. 

Faculty

Mrs. Ralian, M.S.  - Elementary Teacher and ASL

Mrs. Ralian is a certified teacher with expertise in evidence-based reading intervention for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. She also has a certification in English as a Second Language (ESL). She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from University of Texas at Austin and holds a Master of Science from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ralian has experience teaching elementary school and middle school. Creating safe, enriching, and differentiated classrooms is essential to Mrs. Ralian in order for students to grow and become confident leaders, lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Before teaching, Mrs. Ralian worked with non-profit organizations providing services to homeless Veterans and children and adults with special needs. When she is not working, Mrs. Ralian stays busy with her husband, three teenage children, and pets. She is an active volunteer for her teenagers' robotics program and New Hope Animal Rescue. In addition to teaching elementary students at Bridges Academy Austin, she teaches an American Sign Language (ASL) elective for secondary students, and she is one of the FTC robotics team coaches.

Ms. Chernoff - Elementary Teacher

Ms. Chernoff earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a Content Emphasis in Language Arts from Northern Arizona University.  She is certified for grades K-8.  In addition, Ms. Chernoff has her Early Childhood Teaching Endorsement and Structured English Immersion Teaching Endorsement. She is experienced in dyslexia intervention using Orton-Gillingham and Basic Language Skills (BLS).  As an effective and compassionate educator, she is always looking for opportunities to make a difference.  She has  over a decade of experience teaching a diverse population of students, including students with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and medical needs.  She is passionate about helping students overcome learning difficulties and disabilities.  She is kind, patient, and enthusiastic.

Ms. Reynolds, M.Ed. - Elementary Teacher

Ms. Reynolds is a certified teacher with a decade of experience teaching students from early childhood through sixth grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education and completed a Master of Education with a concentration in Special Education. In addition, she holds certification in the Science of Teaching Reading and teaching English Language Learners. Ms. Reynolds designs multisensory lessons that make learning accessible for every child. She believes strong relationships are the foundation of academic growth and continually develops hands-on activities and adaptive strategies to reach diverse learners and ensure all students master key concepts. Outside the classroom, Ms. Reynolds enjoys coloring, traveling with her family, and completing jigsaw puzzles.

Ms. Coleman - Elementary Science and Social Skills; Interventionist

Ms. Coleman earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Family and Child Development at Texas State University. In addition to her experience teaching elementary and secondary students, she has over 5 years of experience working with children and young adults with disabilities reach their full potential. She has been trained in multiple intervention techniques to accommodate various learning differences. She was formerly a Registered Behavioral Therapist, working with children ranging from 18 months to 18 years old.  She has also worked as a Therapeutic Child Care Specialist, transitioning at-risk youth to permanent family settings. Ms. Coleman is committed to enhancing students' lives and supporting each learner's individual needs by providing continuous learning opportunities and meaningful experiences. 

Mrs. Stothard - Reading Intervention

Mrs. Stothard is a certified teacher in core subjects for early childhood through eighth grade. She attended Kansas State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education accompanied by a minor in Special Education. Before coming to Texas, Mrs. Stothard spent the past 18 years of her career working in preschool through eighth grade classrooms. Mrs. Stothard strongly upholds that all children and their prospective classroom communities are unique and important. She believes that her role as an educator is to provide a stable, uplifting, and welcoming space to aid in enabling each student’s academic and personal development. 

Elena Killough, M.A. - Art Specialist

Mrs. Killough is a talented teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher,  reading teacher, ESL specialist, and art specialist.  She holds a Master of Arts degree and numerous teaching certifications, including Elementary Education (Core Subjects), English Language Arts and Reading, and English as a Second Language.  She has expertise in language acquisition and reading intervention.  She is a very creative  and compassionate teacher.  She has taught at Bridges Academy Austin since the school opened. 

Mrs. Gibson - Middle/High School English Language Arts

Mrs. Gibson is a certified teacher with over 20 years of experience in education. She earned her teaching certificate and Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University.  Mrs. Gibson has experience teaching advanced placement English, special education inclusion, and reading intervention in Leander ISD and Willis ISD.  In addition, Mrs. Gibson has developed English language arts teaching materials for major educational publishers. She has a strength in differentiating instruction for a variety of learners.

Mrs. Thompson - Social Studies, ESL, and Intervention

Mrs. Thompson is a certified teacher and administrator with over 21 years of experience in education.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University and her Masters from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  Her instructional strategies are research-driven and thoughtfully tailored to honor students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She consistently creates inclusive learning environments that foster confidence and academic growth among learners. She excels in addressing the needs of bilingual students and promoting effective approaches to mastering a second language.  Currently, Ms. Thompson is pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her husband, Broadway musicals and attending concerts.

Mr. Villanueva, M.Ed. - Middle/High School Physics and Science Teacher

Mr. Villanueva is a certified teacher with 37 years of experience teaching secondary science. He holds a B.A. degree from St. Mary’s University and a M.Ed. degree from Concordia University. Mr. Villanueva has taught various secondary science subjects, including life science, earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. He served on a science curriculum writing committee, acted as a teacher mentor, and held the positions of Science Department Chair and LPAC Coordinator. Additionally, he has taught drivers education and served as a high school varsity football coach and head baseball coach. Outside of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, reading, and teaching financial literacy to families.

Milo Huebel, M.S. - Algebra II and Dual Credit Math Teacher

Professor Huebel holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mathematics from Kansas State University. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and tutoring mathematics, she has worked with students from elementary school through college. Professor Huebel is passionate about helping learners gain confidence, overcome challenges, and build a strong foundation in math. Her patient, supportive approach adapts to each student’s unique learning style, fostering both skill and self-assurance.

Diana Marti - Spanish and Support Teacher

Ms. Marti earned her bachelor's degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, México. Her true passion lies in service and education. She has worked as a volunteer Spanish teacher for students in kindergarten through third grade, and she has also taught Spanish to high school students. Mrs. Marti is passionate about reading, traveling, experiencing new cuisines, learning from other cultures, as well as spending quality time with her family, pets, and also volunteering in her children's activities.

Shuhaira Shah, M.A. 

Ms. Shah holds a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in English. She also earned her Certificate of Educational Studies in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, with merit. She has 12 years of international teaching experience in elementary and high schools across the Middle East and Asia. She has been an English language arts teacher, an English department chair, and inclusion teacher. Mrs. Shah is a committed educator dedicated to shaping young minds.

Nicole Caldwell, PhD 

Dr. Caldwell has a PhD in special education and has worked with students from ages preschool through high school since 2005. She has been a teacher at Bridges Academy Austin since the school opened.  After teaching core classes full-time at Bridges Academy Austin, she moved into teaching coding and middle/high school social skills after school. Dr. Caldwell also teaches graduate courses for future special education teachers and has presented at various conferences.  Dr. Caldwell loves making learning fun and meaningful through hands-on activities and project-based learning, where students can be creative and develop collaborative problem-solving skills. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Kjar - Support Teacher

Mrs. Kjar (AKA "Mrs. Care") earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and she earned her master’s degree from St. Edward’s University. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in early childhood education and Spanish. She is a kind and patient teacher who brings out the best in children. She has been with Bridges Academy Austin as a primary teacher, Spanish I teacher, support teacher, and substitute since the school opened. Students love her. 

Additional teachers and staff include specialists, elective teachers, and administrative staff.  The qualifications of our faculty and staff are exceptionally high.