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Jenny Amos (Grammar P.E.): Mrs. Amos is the physical education teacher for the Grammar School. She is a charter member of Live Oak’s faculty, now entering her eighth year of service. Mrs. Amos received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from Baylor University and received her Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion from Oklahoma State University. While in Oklahoma, Mrs. Amos worked as a teaching assistant for Oklahoma University as well as Oklahoma State in the HPER and Exercise Science Departments. Before joining the Live Oak staff, Mrs. Amos served as a Program Director for the Waco YMCA and has also served as a gymnastics coach and judge at various levels for the past 25 years. She is married to Richard and has four children: Kaitlyn, Kally, Kramer and Karter.

Alisha Barker (Grammar 5): During her six years at Live Oak, Mrs. Barker has taught Grammar 1, Grammar 4 and now teaches Grammar 5. Prior to moving to Waco she and her husband taught English in Taiwan for three years. She loves reading, writing, hiking, being outdoors, scrapbooking, watching foreign and independent films, and good cup of tea. Mrs. Barker earned a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy and Biblical Studies at Dallas Baptist University and earned an M.A. in English at Baylor.  She and her husband, Amos, who works in Baylor’s Financial Aid department, have three children: Justin (Grammar 5), Karis (Grammar 3), and Macrina (age 4).

Aly Barnes (Logic/Rhetoric Latin, Lit/Comp and Rhetoric): Dr. Barnes teaches Latin, AP Literature and Composition, and the two courses in formal rhetoric. Aly earned a B.A. from Dallas Baptist University, a master’s degree from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric at Texas Women’s University. Her husband, Steve, teaches English at UMHB, and their three daughters attend Live Oak. Aly loves family bike rides and good books.

Jeanenne Bezerra (Grammar Choral Arts): Mrs. Bezerra teaches the Grammar School music classes to students in Junior Kindergarten through Grammar 5. This is her sixth year at Live Oak, but she brings many years of music teaching experience to the classroom, including general elementary music as well as elementary and high school choirs. She received her music degrees at Baylor University. In addition to the vocation of teaching music at Live Oak, she teaches private piano.

Meg Bierwirth (Logic/Rhetoric Math): Mrs. Bierwirth teaches math in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. She has a B.A. in Mathematics and History from Trinity University, an M.A. in Teaching from Trinity University, and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has Texas secondary certification in mathematics and history. Previously, she has taught Business Calculus at Baylor and Algebra at UAB. She and her husband, Matt, a local pediatrician, have four sons, two of whom attend Live Oak.

Meredith Casas (Grammar Math): Ms. Casas is in her fifth year at Live Oak, teaching Grammar Four and Grammar Five mathematics. She is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.S. in Math Education and an M.S. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Math Education. She holds a Texas Teacher’s Certificate for grades 4th-8th mathematics and a supplemental English Language Learner Certificate for grades 4th-8th. Ms. Casas loves to teach mathematics, and teaches Sunday school at her local church.

Karen Caylor (Logic/Rhetoric Lit/Comp and History): Ms. Caylor is in her fourth year of teaching Logic I Literature/Composition and Ancient History at Live Oak. She received a B.A. in Great Texts of the Western Tradition and a M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Baylor University. While she originally set out to teach high school English, Ms. Caylor was surprised to discover that Logic I is the very best grade of all to teach. She is originally from El Paso, Texas, and enjoys reading, writing, crochet, painting, hiking, and running.

Jennifer Chakmakjian (Logic/Rhetoric Math): Mrs. Chakmakjian is in her second year of teaching Logic/Rhetoric math at Live Oak. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baylor University and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Texas Tech University. Mrs. Chakmakjian has taught high school mathematics in both public and private schools in Texas and Arkansas. She and her husband, Stephen, have three children: their twins, Katie and Caleb, are in Logic I and their youngest son, David, is in Grammar 1.

Susan Copeland (Logic/Rhetoric Science): Mrs. Copeland received her B.S. in Elementary Education with an Earth Science specialization from Baylor University, and then went on to earn 33 hours towards a Master’s degree in Earth Science. After teaching 4th-8th grades in both public and private school settings, she homeschooled her three sons for seven years using a Classical curriculum. This will be her fifth year teaching at Live Oak, and her fourth year teaching Logic I Earth Science. Her youngest son, Thomas, is in Rhetoric II this year.

Wendy Cox (Grammar Math): Mrs. Cox teaches Grammar 5 and 6 mathematics. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Math/Science Education. Over the past 23 years, Mrs. Cox has had experience teaching 2nd-6th grades in public and private school; has spent several years teaching math, reading and SAT courses at Sylvan Learning Center; and has tutored math students in high school and college as well as having home schooled her own children. She lived in Morocco for four years with her husband, Ben, her son Jonathan (Rhetoric I), and her daughter Amy (Logic II). Mrs. Cox loves being with her family, cooking, reading, playing with her dogs, and being outdoors. She is enjoying her 8th year of teaching math at Live Oak.

Jeremy Crews (Grammar Chaplain and Grammar 6/Logic I Theater Arts): Mr. Crews is in his second year at Live Oak. He graduated in May 2013 from the University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, and minors in English and Philosophy. He grew up in Anniston, Alabama and moved to Waco in August 2013 to pursue a Master of Divinity degree in Theology at Truett Seminary. Jeremy is married to Katie Crews, owner and photographer of Katie Beth Photography. Jeremy enjoys good books, creative music, and the joy of community.

Robby Crihfield (Grammar Athletic Director): Mr. Crihfield is in his third year at Live Oak, serving as Grammar Athletic Director, as well as Head Coach for varsity Volleyball and Assistant Coach for Junior High boys basketball. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology. Mr. Crihfield previously coached football, basketball, and baseball until he realized that there is no greater game on the planet than volleyball. Mr. Crihfield has been married for two years to his lovely wife McCall. If you get to spend any time with the Crihfields you will be sure to hear “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose”, “Go Texans”, and “Texas Forever” more than a few times.

Lori Davidson (Grammar Spanish and Logic/Rhetoric Spanish): Mrs. Davidson received her M.A. in Education from Benedictine University in Illinois, leading to K-12 Spanish certification. She has taught a variety of levels of Spanish and ESL. Since moving to Waco 7 years ago, she has written curriculum for GO FISH, served on the Children’s Ministry staff at First Woodway, and ministered to the Spanish-speaking community as a client advocate for Care Net. She now served on the Care Net Board. Mrs. Davidson and her husband, Tom, have 2 children: Austin Anne (18) and Alex (12). In her spare time, she enjoys finding treasures for her antiques business, Lulu Belle’s.

Merritt Denman (High School Drama): Ms. Denman teaches high school Drama in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. She recently graduated from Baylor University with a degree from the University Scholars Program. Within the program she focused on English Literature, Theatre, and French.

Nicole Donnelly (Grammar Librarian): Mrs. Donnelly has been the Live Oak “Book Lady”, or Librarian, since 2007, but has been a part of the school community since 2005.  Originally from beautiful British Columbia, Canada, she and her family landed in Lubbock in 2001 and thankfully, became Waco transplants the following year (She refers to Waco as a little Eden compared to west Texas!).  Her education consists of two years in undergraduate schooling and self-education in library media studies (her husband believes that she’s been preparing for library work ever since she, as a young child in the ’70′s, began organizing her personal-picture-book collection over and over and then married a Literature Professor in 1995).  All three of her children have been at Live Oak since 2005, with her eldest graduating last year and now attending Baylor , the middle in Rhetoric I and the youngest in Grammar 6.  You’ll often see her with a cup of tea in one hand, knitting in another, and booksoverflowing in tote bags over her shoulders.

Jennifer Eberlein (Grammar 5): Mrs. Eberlein came to Live Oak in the fall of 2006 with her three children: Andrew (Live Oak class of 2012!), Nathaniel (Live Oak class of 2013!), and Annalee (Live Oak class of 2015!). She has taught Grammar Five core classes as well as worked in the Grammar Office as an administrative assistant. This year she teaches language arts & history to one section of Grammar Five students. Mrs. Eberlein attended Baylor University, where she earned a degree in secondary education with a focus in English and art, and a master’s degree in educational psychology. She has earned her certification in elementary education as well. She resides in her childhood home outside of Gatesville on a ranch. Her husband is Christopher Eberlein, the MISD principal of Speegleville Elementary.  Her children are working on undergraduate degrees at Baylor University.

Deb Fagan (Logic/Rhetoric Math and Cheer Coach): Mrs. Fagan joined the Live Oak Community as Interim Dean of Student Life in the Logic/Rhetoric School, mathematics teacher and Cheer coach 2013-2014. She earned a B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mathematics Education, a Master of Arts degree in Education from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, and is certified to teach mathematics in Texas (grades 4 – 12) and Minnesota (grades 7 – 12). Before moving to Texas in 2011, she taught and coached for 16 years, 5 of which she served as Admissions Director at a private Catholic high school in Minneapolis. She is married to Mark Fagan, who is the Chief Risk Officer at Brazos Electric Cooperative, and their two boys attend Live Oak.

Tammy Garst (Junior Kindergarten aide): Mrs. Garst has enjoyed being a member of the Live Oak staff for several years. She is currently the Junior Kindergarten Aide for Mrs. McCaw and Mrs. Holmes. Mrs. Garst grew up in Virginia, where she received an Associates Degree in Data Processing. She and her husband Eddie have three boys: Zach is a student at Baylor while Ben and Luke continue at Live Oak.

Marty Graham (Logic/Rhetoric Math): Mr. Graham teaches mathematics and physics in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. This is his seventh year of teaching at Live Oak. Mr. Graham received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics/Physics/Philosophy from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI. He then joined Teach For America, which sent him to teach high school in Marianna, Arkansas. He has now taught everything from 6th grade to AP Calculus, and has found a special love for teaching Logic School mathematics.

Kimberly Hacker (Kindergarten): Mrs. Hacker is teaching in her first year at Live Oak.  She graduated from Baylor University in 1991 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education.  She taught 2nd grade in Texas and, more recently, kindergarten in Oklahoma.  She is married to Randy, and they have two sons: Preston (a junior at Baylor) and Peyton (a sophomore at Midway).  Mrs. Hacker and her family moved to the Waco area at the end of 2014 and are delighted to be in Texas!  She enjoys spending time with her family, participating in church activities, cooking, and cheering on the Baylor Bears.

Emily Hitchcock (Grammar 2):  Mrs. Hitchcock is new to Live Oak this year and is teaching Grammar 2. She recently graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She grew up in West Palm Beach Florida and moved to Texas just before school started. She married her best friend, Caleb, this past July. Caleb works for a local ministry, KLife, which aims to disciple middle and high school students. In her spare time, Mrs. Hitchcock loves to be in the sun and on the water. When the weather is nice, you will probably find her paddle boarding with her husband. 

Enid Holleyman (Grammar 6 History, Logic/Rhetoric History and Logic/Rhetoric Librarian): Ms. Holleyman teaches Modern History in both the Grammar and Rhetoric schools, as well as supervises the Logic and Rhetoric library. She has a B.A. in Middle Childhood Education, and has taught in central Ohio school districts, as well as overseas at the Danube International School of Vienna. Ms. Holleyman enjoys great classic films, spending time in the park, and loves to travel. She is married to Taylor, the Associate Minister of Recreation at First Baptist Church of Waco.

Dawn Holmes (Junior Kindergarten): Mrs. Holmes has been part of the Live Oak community for the past 11 years. She is in her 7th year of teaching at LOCS, and in her 2nd year of teaching Junior Kindergarten. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Baylor University with certifications in both Elementary and all-level Special Education. Mrs. Holmes taught in elementary schools in Austin, in preschool and preschool ministry in Dallas, has completed course work at Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently enrolled at Truett Seminary. She is married to Christopher Holmes, who works as an attorney in the General Counsel’s office at Baylor. The Holmes have four children who have all attended Live Oak:  Elise (Baylor freshman), Ridley (Rhetoric III), Celia (Rhetoric I), and Clara (Grammar 4). Mrs. Holmes enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, traveling, and watching her children participate in their various extracurricular activities.

Michele Jackson (Grammar 2): Mrs. Jackson is in her fifth year of teaching at Live Oak. She taught for seven years in Alabama before moving to Texas, and has taught Pre-Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. Mrs. Jackson earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Auburn University. She is married to Chad, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at Baylor University. They have 1 horse and 2 cats. Mrs. Jackson enjoys children, reading, gardening, cooking, antiquing, making crafts and projects, being active in her church, and attending Baylor athletic events.

Josh Jeffrey (Logic/Rhetoric Lit/Comp and History): Mr. Jeffrey is in his fourth year at Live Oak, teaching Formal Logic, Rhetoric II Literature/Composition, and Rhetoric II History. He graduated from Baylor University with a degree from the University Scholars Program, with dual concentrations in philosophy and literature. He is originally from a small town in Ontario, Canada, but has lived in Texas since 2000. He has a passion for both history and literature, with a particular interest in the history of warfare and the writings of the Inklings (i.e. Lewis, Tolkien, and their friends). He and his wife Taylor have recently had their first child, a daughter born in January of 2015.

Jane Johnson (Grammar 1): Mrs. Johnson is in her first year of teaching at Live Oak. She taught for 9 years in California before moving to Texas, teaching 1st through 4th grade. Mrs. Johnson earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from California Baptist University and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, Irvine.  She holds a California teaching credential for grades K-6. She is married to Trevor Johnson, assistant volleyball coach at Baylor University. They have 2 children: Riley (Grammar 1) and Chloe, 2 years old. Mrs. Johnson enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and working out.

Christina Johnston (Grammar Spanish and Athletics): Ms. Johnston is in her third year at Live Oak, teaching Grammar Spanish and coaching Jr. High athletics. Prior to coming to Live Oak, she worked for Waxahachie Preparatory Academy as the Elementary Spanish Teacher and volleyball coach. Ms. Johnston holds a Texas teaching certificate for EC-6 Generalist. Ms. Johnston earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Dallas Baptist University. She loves to travel, play the guitar, and write.

Becky Kahle (Grammar 4): This is Mrs. Kahle’s fourth year of teaching at Live Oak.  She moved to Waco from Houston, Texas, where she worked for five years teaching dance, drama, and music to kids at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. She is originally from New England where she attended Gordon College to earn her B.A. in Youth Ministries with minors in Music and Bible. In 2012, Mrs. Kahle completed her EC-6 teaching certification in Texas.  She is married to Dr. David Kahle, professor in the Statistics department at Baylor University. Mrs. Kahle took last year off to enjoy being a mom to their first child, Adelaide, but she is excited to be back in the classroom this year.  They also have a dog named Fig and love to salsa dance.

Emily Knighton (Grammar Art): Mrs. Knighton is in her third year at Live Oak, teaching Grammar Art to Junior Kindergarten through Grammar 6 students. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from Baylor University. Before coming to Live Oak, Mrs. Knighton worked as a Graphic Designer/Art Director, as well as an international tour guide, leading private high school groups around Italy, England and Scotland. In addition to teaching art, she enjoys ceramics, drawing, painting, good books and hot tea.

Atalie Kroll (Kindergarten): Mrs. Kroll is in her second year of teaching Kindergarten at Live Oak. She attended the University of North Texas where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Art History and French. She holds a Texas Teaching Certificate in EC-6th grade. She previously worked as the Director of Education for the Sylvan Learning Center of Waco. She is married to Brad, a local engineer. They recently had a beautiful daughter named Claire, and also have a sweet Lab named Maxx. Mrs. Kroll enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, painting, kayaking, camping and spending as much time outdoors as possible. She is looking forward to another wonderful year and is thrilled to be back as part of the Live Oak family!

Joel Looper: Mr. Looper is in his fourth year at Live Oak and teaches Grammar 6 Language Arts and Bible, Rhetoric I Literature/Composition, and the Rhetoric I Text and Tradition class. Among other things, he enjoys classic literature, theology and theological humor, and music. Mr. Looper holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from Taylor University and Masters degrees in Theology and New Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He previously was a staff writer at the Daily Reporter in Coldwater, MI.

Katherine Makowsky (Logic/Rhetoric Art): Mrs. Makowsky is in her second year at Live Oak, and teaches Fine Arts for the Logic and Rhetoric schools. She graduated from Baylor University, where she received a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in printmaking. Mrs. Makowsky was born and raised in Waco and, in addition to making and teaching art, enjoys riding her bike, gardening, and reading.

Karin Mansell (Grammar 1): Mrs. Mansell is in her third year teaching at Live Oak. After finishing high school in California, Karin earned a Certificate in Discipleship at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute in Camrose, Alberta. Later, she earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Concordia University Irvine . After completing her California Credential, she moved to Texas and was hired to live out her dream of having her own classroom as a Grammar 1 teacher at Live Oak! She feels extremely blessed each day to be a part of such an outstanding community. Her husband, Adam, is in his 6th year as a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate at Baylor and they are happy to serve in Waco together. (Karin does not have any relation to football player Johnny Manziel. Sorry to disappoint).

Heather McCaw (Junior Kindergarten): Mrs. McCaw graduated from the University of Maine in 1991 with a degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She taught 1st grade in Maine for a year before moving to New Orleans where she taught Kindergarten and 1st grade for 4 years before becoming a full-time, stay-at-home mom. She returned to the Kindergarten classroom in 2004 when Live Oak began. She developed the Junior Kindergarten program the following year. Her husband, Ian McCaw, is the Athletics Director at Baylor University. They have four children: Christy is a Live Oak graduate and a Baylor University sophomore, Paul is in his last year at Live Oak (Rhetoric III), Callie is in Rhetoric I, and Corinne is in Logic II. Teaching and developing the Junior Kindergarten program at Live Oak is the fulfillment of a life calling. Heather enjoys children, great literature, the theater and athletics. She can often be found sewing costumes forplays or History Faire productions. Heather teaches on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Josh McCoy (Grammar Latin and Bible): Mr. McCoy grew up in the Arizona desert.  In his early twenties he studied early Church doctrine and Church history in Bandera, TX before completing a B.A. in Classics at Baylor.  He minored in English with an emphasis in linguistics and medieval texts.  He took six ancient languages as an undergraduate, and is a philologist at heart.  He attended an Eastern Orthodox Seminary in New York where he studied liturgy and sang bass/baritone in the choir.  He enjoys calligraphy, poetry and playing a little guitar, and would like to learn to play rugby.

Stefanie Mundhenk (Grammar 6 Lit/Comp and Logic/Rhetoric Civics, Speech and Mock Trial): Ms. Mundhenk is in her first year at Live Oak, teaching Grammar 6 Literature/Composition, Civics I and II, Speech, and Mock Trial. She recently graduated from the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core Honors Program at Baylor University, where she studied philosophy and political science. She holds multiple awards for her performances on Baylor’s undergraduate mock trial team and has previously worked as a tutor, teacher’s aid, and law clerk. She grew up in Papua New Guinea as the daughter of missionaries but, since attending Baylor, has made Waco her home. Her hobbies include writing, cooking, crafting, and singing.

Jessie Pontasch (Grammar 4): This is Mrs. Pontasch’s second year at Live Oak as a Grammar Four teacher. In December 2013, she graduated from the Baylor University Honors College with a B.A. in Great Texts of the Western Tradition and a minor in Music. Before working at Live Oak, Mrs. Pontasch was a 4th and 5th grade teacher for the ACE Program in La Vega ISD, and spent three summers as a reading, writing, spelling, and phonics tutor. Music is one of Mrs. Pontasch’s deepest passions. She plays violin, guitar, ukulele and loves to bring music to life in the classroom. Outside of school, Mrs. Pontasch composes pieces for guitar and violin, has movie marathons with friends and family, and hikes the beautiful trails of Cameron Park. This summer Mrs. Pontasch married Nik Pontasch, who also works at Live Oak as a French and Literature teacher in the Upper School!

Nik Pontasch (Logic/Rhetoric French and Lit/Comp): Mr. Pontasch is a new faculty member at Live Oak, where he teaches Rhetoric I Literature/Composition as well as French I, II, and III. A recent double major graduate of Baylor University, he received a B.A. Honors degree in Great Texts and French (’13), and an M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (’14). As an undergraduate, he was selected to represent Baylor for the CUPA-Paris student exchange program. During the last two years, he interned and worked at University High School as a reading intervention specialist, and English I & II teacher. A dual citizen of the United States and Austria, Mr. Pontasch has a passion for WWII history, as both of his grandfathers fought in the war on opposing sides. He also enjoys playing violin with his wife, Jessie (a Grammar 4 teacher at Live Oak), writing, mushroom hunting, and cooking or discussing anything pertaining to France or Austria.

Katherine Pitts (Logic/Rhetoric Science): Mrs. Pitts teaches Chemistry and AP Biology in the Logic and Rhetoric schools at Live Oak. She graduated with a B.S. in Science Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986. She holds a teaching certificate in Composite Science. Her first teaching position was at University High School, where she taught physical science, physics and chemistry. While her husband Bill was pursuing medical training (1988-1999), she taught physical science, pre-AP biology and AP biology at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Texas. Additionally, she was involved in the ESL, academic decathon, and Odyssey of the Mind programs and helped to establish the Biomedical Academy, a magnet to introduce children to studies in healthcare and biomedical research. During those years she pursued graduate studies in chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas. She especially enjoys being the mom of three children: Will (Logic III), Emma (Logic III), and Ellie(Logic I).

Dena Quigley (Logic/Rhetoric Science): Mrs. Quigley is pleased to be teaching Anatomy and Physiology for the 2015-2016 academic year. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Baylor University in the Department of Education, and holds a Masters Degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Eastern New Mexico University. She started her teaching career her senior year at ENMU as she was asked to be a teaching assistant in the anatomy lab, and her love of teaching continued to grow throughout the last few years. She has taught at numerous colleges in numerous states as her husband served in the U.S. Navy. They have settled in Waco and have two boys: Max, 5 years old and Asher, 21 months old. They love spending time outdoors, attending Baylor football games and visiting science museums. They are members of DaySpring Baptist Church.

Eric Sague (Logic/Rhetoric Lit/Comp and History): Mr. Sagué is in his first year at Live Oak, teaching Logic II Literature/Composition and History. He lived in exile for nearly a decade – earning master’s degrees (Divinity and Christian Education) from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey and studying English Literature and Philosophy at Taylor University in Indiana – and celebrates his recent return to Texas. He enjoys reading heavy, very serious books, winning complicated board games, and listening to bands before they’re cool. Before Live Oak, his vocation centered on teaching, preaching the gospel, and pastorally caring at various churches.

Zach Seanor (Interim Dean of Student Life for Logic/Rhetoric and Logic/Rhetoric Chaplain):  Mr. Seanor serves as both the Interim Dean of Student Life and the Chaplain of the Logic and Rhetoric schools. He earned a B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus in History and Social Sciences from Samford University and recently graduated from Baylor’s George W. Truett Seminary with a M.Div. in Missions and World Christianity. Mr. Seanor and his wife Haley are also outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, camping, and backcountry excursions.

Marsha Shields (Kindergarten): Mrs. Shields has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in English from Sam Houston State University. She has 13 years of teaching experience in 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades. At Live Oak she has taught Grammar 2 and been a Junior Kindergarten aide. This will be her fourth year to teach Kindergarten. She loves children’s literature and can’t wait to share many living books with her students. She is married to Joel, and they have two children: Caleb (6th grade) and Anabeth (Grammar 5). Mrs. Shields enjoys exercise, reading,entertaining, cooking, and long chats on the back porch with her husband, as well as spending time with her children and friends.

Ben Smith (Logic/Rhetoric Latin): Mr. Smith has joined the Live Oak community as a Latin teacher and Instrumental Music instructor. He previously taught at Regents School of Austin. A native Wacoan, he attended Baylor University, where he studied Latin, Greek, and History. Mr. Smith has played cello for 20 years and hopes to pass on what he has learned to his Ensemble class. His hobbies include writing, carpentry, and cliff jumping.

Adam Stanley (Logic/Rhetoric Biblical Studies): This is Mr. Stanley’s seventh year to be with Live Oak. He teaches in the Department of Christian Studies and coaches Varsity Boys Basketball. Mr. Stanley earned a B.A. in Christian Studies from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a Master of Divinity from Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary. His free time is spent watching the Houston Rockets and Baylor Bears.  Despite his search, Mr. Stanley has yet to find a teenager that can beat him in a game of Halo.

Allison Trumble (Assistant Dean of Academic Life, Logic/Rhetoric Latin and Lit/Comp) : Ms. Trumble currently co-teaches AP English Literature & Composition and Latin and heads both of these departments as well. She also serves as the Asst. Dean of Academic Life for the Logic & Rhetoric School. She has a B.A. in English from Ouachita Baptist University and completed coursework for an M.A. in English from Baylor. Before coming to Live Oak, Ms. Trumble taught in both public and private high schools and for six years taught both of the freshman composition courses at Baylor. She has also taught piano lessons after school at Live Oak for several years. Ms. Trumble is in her 9th year at Live Oak.

Tish Tucker (Grammar 3): Mrs. Tucker has been teaching at Live Oak since its opening in 2004. Her loves are children, nature, great literature, and humor! Mrs. Tucker earned a B.A. in Christian Education from Ouachita Baptist University, an M.A. in Christian Education from Southern Seminary, and an M.A. in Teaching from Spalding University. She holds a Texas teacher’s certificate for grades K-4th and has taught Pre-Kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. She and her husband Dennis have three daughters at Live Oak.

Nathan Wade (L/R Latin, Math and Economics): Mr. Wade is new to Live Oak this year, but has taught for 15 years in private and public schools in Oklahoma and Texas.  He is teaching Latin, math, and Economics in the Logic and Rhetoric schools, and holds Texas secondary certification in Latin, History, Mathematics, English, and Social Studies Composite.   He has a bachelors degree from Baylor in secondary education (Latin and History) and a Master of Latin degree from the University of Florida.  He also serves as choir director for his church.  He has one son, whom he adopted from Guatemala as a single parent, who also attends Live Oak.

Shanie Wenzel (Outdoor Education): Mrs. Wenzel received an undergraduate degree in Journalism/ English/Education from Baylor University in 1988, and a master’s degree in Education along with cerification as a Reading Specialist and Librarian in 1992. For eight years, she was a classroom teacher in a private Episcopal school. She has also worked as a Part-time Instructor at MCC and Baylor University. She and her husband, Brian, have two daughters: Alison, a freshman at SMU, and Amanda, a Rhetoric II student. Her family has been a part of LOCS since 2005. Mrs. Wenzel works on Mondays as the Outdoor Education Instructor where she uses her passion for nature studies to coordinate outdoor field trips and facilitate the use of our gardens on both campuses.