Faculty and Administration

Meet our Head of School!

Heather Thrash graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in a wide range of capacities within several schools over the past 20+ years, from teaching Kindergarten, first grade, and third grade, to University Early Childhood courses and conducting professional development workshops for teachers. This will be Heather's third year at Clariden. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her husband and three children, travel, and read.   

Briana Buskey is a Marketing Associate for The Clariden School and a Southlake native. She is dedicated to helping the school's success and advancement through strategic marketing initiatives and dedication. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UNT and years of experience volunteering at Clariden, she looks forward to enhancing the school’s visibility and facilitating its growth. As a proud member of the Clariden family as the parent of a lower school student, she deeply understands the value of the education offered and is passionate about sharing this with others. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and event planning. 

As the Admissions Associate at The Clariden School, Sarika is committed to ensuring a seamless experience for prospective students and their families, offering assistance and support throughout the admissions process. With an MBA in Marketing Management from the University of Dallas, Sarika brings strategic thinking and relationship building to her role. As a proud parent of two Clariden Cougars, Sarika's dedication to the institution extends beyond her professional duties. Her passion for education and commitment to the school's values drives her to connect with each family, helping them envision their future within the dynamic community. Outside of her professional life, Sarika enjoys traveling to explore new destinations and cultures, as well as spending quality time with family and friends to create lasting memories. 

Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington. She taught AP courses for 29 years at Grapevine High School in GCISD.  When she retired from public education, she knew she wanted to continue to work in the field of education and found her new home here at The Clariden School.  During her first two years at Clariden, she worked at the front desk and taught 8th grade ELA. She is currently the Front Office Manager and Admissions Coordinator. She has been married to her husband Patrick for 31 years.  They have two children and two wonderful grandchildren.   

Chris grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied Psychology with a minor in Sociology.  She has lived in the DFW area for 24 years, and prior to Texas, she spent three years in Toronto, where she enjoyed learning about the Canadian culture and pastimes (hockey!).  

Chris has three children, one grandson, and four grand-pups!  She loves college football, especially her kids' rival schools -- the University of Texas, Oklahoma University, and Texas A&M University -- and the Steelers and the Cowboys (in that order).  When not at The Clariden School, you can find her walking her three Australian Shepherds, Zeus, Sebastian and Dahlia, or volunteering at the local animal shelter with her friends. 

Our SRO recently joined the Southlake Police Department after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Police Department. During their first 15 years with the LAPD, they diversified their experience with assignments in patrol, the gang unit, narcotics, VICE, and surveillance. The last five years were spent as a Detective and a Detective Supervisor where they worked Robbery, Burglary, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault Crimes. Their passion is the safety of children, and they're honored to be in this role of School Resource Officer tasked with protecting the precious children of the Clariden School.

Mrs. Todd was educated in the United Kingdom at Northeast Surrey, College of Technology.  Upon moving to America, she received her diploma in Primary education from the Montessori Institute of North Texas.

She has taught for over 30 years and spent 20 of those years here at The Clariden School.  She believes in the Clariden School's mission statement and follows it in her daily teaching. 

Mrs. Lampke received her teaching degree from The University of Central Florida. She has been a teacher for almost 20 years, and she has taught in Florida, Dubai, Grenada, Pennsylvania, and now Texas. Out of all of the grades she has taught, Kindergarten is her absolute favorite! Mrs. Lampke's favorite thing about teaching is getting to know her students and creating a little community within the classroom. 

Francine Myers was born and raised in Northern California and has lived in Texas since 1995. Mrs. Myers graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and English. She has a Lifetime Teaching Credential and is certified to teach Preschool, Grades K-12, and Adult Education. Mrs. Myers has been with The Clariden School for 10 years, but has been an educator of young children for over 30 years.  She has taught preschool, Kindergarten, and first and second grades. She chose early childhood education because she strongly believes that a positive early educational experience has a lifelong impact on a child’s social, emotional, academic, and physical development. 

Elaine Gibson graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for over 30 years, and the last 13 have been at Clariden. Mrs. Gibson teaches fourth grade and is the co-lead for lower school. 

Lana Mills holds a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies/Education and a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She holds three teaching certifications, including General Education (Early Childhood-4th grade), English as a Second Language, and Special Education (Early Childhood-12th grade). She has served as an educator for seventeen years in public and private school settings and has spent five of those years serving our Clariden community.   

Amy Bowman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has been teaching for 23 years in grades Pre-K through First Grade. She has been at Clariden for three years.   

Mrs. Cecilia Chilcoat is the dedicated and caring leader of our Extended Day program. She has been a positive impact on the lives of our Clariden students for seven years in both the extended day and as a substitute in many of the classrooms across our campus. Cecilia and her husband are 14-year residents of our surrounding community and the proud parents of two professional young women leaders.
 

Ursula Daniels will be joining Clariden as a 2nd grade teacher. She received her B.A. in Child Development from the University of Arizona and has eight years of experience in education. In her spare time, she enjoys performing in local theater productions, spending time with friends and family, and going on walks with her dog, Elder. She is excited to join the Clariden community and can’t wait to see you on campus!   

Lyly Figueroa has a degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from the University of Texas Permian Basin. She is currently taking the AMI Montessori training for 6-12. Her decade-long dedication to working with children in both professional and volunteer capacities has nurtured a deep understanding of their needs. From traversing 26 countries to living in Norway for three years as a full-time volunteer at an international school, Lyly's global experiences have enriched her perspective. Beyond the classroom, she finds joy in fitness, board games, and spending time with her family. Her path to Clariden came to her through studies in child development, as well as teaching in different schools where she discovered her passion for working as a teacher. 

Kate Lindsey graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in Human Sciences and a minor in business, and she holds a certificate in leadership. She has been teaching for the past ten years in lower elementary grades and holds certifications in ESL, Art, and Elementary Generalist. Kate is excited to begin her third year as a Clariden Cougar!

Sarah Yandow is currently a 2nd grade teacher at Clariden. She grew up in Connecticut and moved to the DFW area for college. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She holds a certification in Early childhood education with endorsements in English as a second language and Special Education.   

Eileen Fairbanks is a graduate of Houghton College in Houghton, New York and holds a BA in Mathematics with minors in Business and History. She has been teaching for 35 years, including seven years at The Clariden School. She loves mathematics and strives to instill that passion in all of her students. Pickleball is a new personal passion! 

Brittany Barnes is proud to be a Clariden Cougar since 2023! She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Texas Woman’s University. This will be her eighth year as an educator, and she will continue to serve in Clariden’s middle school program. She and her husband have two beautiful children of their own who are 9 months old and 2 years old. In her free time, she enjoys accompanying her children to activities, such as swimming and gymnastics and being outdoors. 

Charmaine Denison-George is a US-based, Sierra Leonean-born English Language and Creative Writing educator. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from Texas State University. In her free time, Charmaine enjoys writing short stories and poems, cooking, and hosting dinner parties. 

Lily Garza is delighted to be the Spanish teacher for Middle and Upper School this school year. She has experience as a university lecturer in Mexico and holds a certification as a Professor of Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE). Sharing her language and showcasing the culture of Spanish-speaking countries is something she is passionate about. Her goal is to create a positive and stimulating learning environment where each student feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential.  

Alex Griffin graduated in 2017 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Classical Archaeology and minors in History and German. He also holds Master’s Degrees in Archaeology (2019) and Teaching (2022), from the University of Cincinnati and UNC, respectively. His time as an archaeologist allowed him to work on a number of incredible excavations across the Aegean and provided him with a global perspective on social studies education. Prior to joining Clariden in 2022, Alex completed his student teaching at Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina. Today, Alex teaches a wide range of courses in the humanities and is the head coach of the Clariden basketball team.   

Cory Lewandowski is excited to join The Clariden School as our newest Middle and Upper School math and science teacher. Since 2014, he has taught in various settings around the world, which includes spending five wonderful years living in Taiwan. He holds a Bachelor's in Biology, a minor in Chemistry, an AMI certificate for teaching Montessori to Upper Elementary students, and a CELTA to teach abroad. Outside of the classroom, he is passionate about running and competing in marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons. He enjoys playing and teaching chess and soccer and is the proud parent of a 2-year-old daughter. He looks forward to bringing his enthusiasm and experience to the Clariden community. 

Caleigh is the Librarian at Clariden. She studied Communication at ACU and has a professional background in several fields including hotel management, office leasing, daycare, a nonprofit for high school students, and substitute teaching. She grew up in Oviedo, Florida but has lived near TCU in Fort Worth since third grade. (She claims Florida because it's her favorite place, and she still visits often.) She loves coffee, running, reading and organization.  Organizing the library is exciting for her, but she’s even more excited about a great school year! 

Marcus holds a BA in Physics Education from Western Governors University and has completed engineering coursework at The University of Texas at Arlington. He has been teaching at Clariden since 2017, instructing both Middle and Upper School students in physics, math, engineering, robotics, and manufacturing. Marcus brings a diverse professional background in automation, manufacturing, and engineering design, with experience across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, agriculture, and amusement parks. Additionally, he serves as the Technical Director of the Drama Club and the assistant basketball coach.
 

Rissa Westerfield has been a Clariden educator for eight years. She brings a love of science to students, especially dinosaurs and crocodiles! She received her Master of Science degree from Texas Tech University and is also a member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.  Rissa's educational background and experience have given her the opportunity to partner with Crocodile Encounter to bring either a crocodile or alligator into the classroom each year.  In addition to being an educator, Rissa has contributed to research in paleontology in museums such as the Perot Museum (formerly the Dallas Museum of Natural History), Dallas Historical Society, Shuler Museum of Paleontology (SMU), and the Smithsonian Institute. In her free time she loves spending time with her family, playing games, sewing, and traveling.  

Kirsten holds an MFA in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory and a BA in Music Performance from Whitworth University. She has been the performing arts teacher at Clariden since 2018, teaching music, theater, and dance to students in Cougar Prep through Upper School. Mrs. Simmons is the director of Drama Club and has put on several musical theater productions, including The Lion King Jr. and Finding Nemo Jr. She is also the Cheer coach. Kirsten is thankful to teach at Clariden with her husband, Marcus.   

Christi is a seasoned educator with over 13 years of experience in the field of education. Passionate about nurturing young minds and fostering innovation, Christi serves as the Elementary School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) teacher, guiding students to explore the realms of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. In addition to STEAM education, Christi has also contributed to curricula in Computer Science and Business Information Management.

Christi holds a master's degree in early childhood education and has extensive expertise in child development and effective teaching strategies tailored to young learners. As a National Certified STEM Educator, Christi is committed to excellence in STEM education. 

Brittany Chavez is passionate about fostering a love for fitness, health, and lifelong wellness.  Brittany has more than twelve years of experience in the coaching and teaching field and has dedicated her career to inspiring students to lead an active lifestyle and have fun doing it!  Brittany is committed to empowering the next generation by instilling a love for activity while promoting the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.  

Brittany holds a BS Degree in Kinesiology/Sports Medicine from California Baptist University and is certified in CPR and First Aid.  

From her earliest days as a child athlete to her role as a dedicated Physical Education teacher, Brittany's journey has been fueled by a deep-seated love for sports and fitness.   Through her high school years, she proudly represented her school on the Varsity soccer team all four years, along with Volleyball and Track and Field.  Brittany then went on and got a college scholarship to pursue her dreams of playing soccer at the collegiate level.  She also joined the college golf team.  As an adult, Brittany plays indoor soccer, trains Jiu Jitsu, and works out in her spare time.  

Brittany is married with two boys, ages 14 and 11.  Her favorite thing to do is be with her family and watch her boys play the sports they love! 

Nayeli holds a BS degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in education from Tecnologico de Monterrey.  She started her teaching career in Mexico, where she taught at Tecnologico de Monterrey High School for three years. In late 2008, she and her family relocated to Peoria, Illinois, where she started to teach Spanish from Pre-K to 8th grade in two Catholic schools. In parallel, she has been tutoring Spanish lessons for kids from elementary through high school. At Clariden, she teaches Spanish from Cougar Prep through Upper School.  Nayeli is so grateful to teach at The Clariden School.   

Amber Knight is a dedicated and passionate art teacher with 16 years of experience and has been inspiring the young minds at Clariden since 2018. Amber believes in fostering creativity and self-expression with her engaging art lessons that focus on the elements of art. Mrs. Knight ensures every child feels inspired and confident in their creative journey.
 

Kimberly J. Schaefer is an accomplished artist, devoted mother, and passionate educator. With a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Tyler and a Master's from Texas Women's University, both in art-related fields, she has honed her artistic talents and academic prowess. As an art teacher who has worked in museum education, traditional K-12 classrooms, and higher education, Kimberly inspires students to explore their creativity and appreciate the beauty of art. Balancing her roles as an artist and mother, she infuses her artwork with love and life experiences, creating pieces that resonate deeply with viewers. Kimberly's dedication to her craft, her family, and her students reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and nurturing the next generation of artists.