LIMITED OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR THE UPCOMING 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
faculty & staff
Our team of faculty and staff members at Imagine Lone Star International Academy are deeply committed to providing your children with the very best education possible. Learn more about all of us below!
Elisha Upton
Central Administration Officer
elisha.upton@imagineschools.org
Elisha has been with Imagine since 2012, serving as an Upper School classroom teacher, Middle Years Programme Coordinator, Diploma Programme Coordinator, and as Upper School Director at our McKinney location for five years. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and African Studies from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, a graduate certificate in IB Teaching & Learning from Bethel University, and Texas Educator Certification for Social Studies (8-12).
Jill Dinges
Primary Years Progamme Director
jill.dinges@lonestartx.org
Jill has 10+ years of experience implementing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. She was a founding Grade 4 teacher at the Imagine International Academy of North Texas, where she was named Teacher of the Year twice. After six years with Imagine, she helped implement the IB Primary Years Programme in Frisco ISD. Jill holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Austin College, and graduate work in Elementary Education from Augsburg College, as well as TX state certification as Generalist (EC-6).
Julie King
Primary Years Programme Coordinator
julie.king@lonestartx.org
Julie has worked with K-5 students for the past 15 years, and was the Primary Years Programme English Language Lead for the Imagine International Academy of North Texas, where she also taught Grade 3. Julie holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas, an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington, and TX state certification as Generalist (EC-4 & EC-6), Gifted and Talented, English as a Second Language (EC-12), Texas Reading Specialist, and Texas State Principal Certification.
Helen Ritchey
Academic & Assessment Director
helen.ritchey@imagineschools.org
Ashley Rawls
Special Programs Director
ashley.rawls@imagineschools.org
Sharon has been with Imagine Schools since 2012, providing registration, enrollment, and PEIMS support. She helps all families new to Imagine Schools in Texas, by managing the registration and enrollment process for both Imagine International Academy of North Texas and Imagine Lone Star Language Academy as school registrar. Sharon holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska and held several executive positions previously before moving to K-12 public education.
Helen is passionate about using data to improve classroom instruction and student academic performance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Education of the Deaf from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas, along with Grades 4-8 Generalist, Grades EC-4 Generalist, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grades EC-12, and ESL EC-12 certifications.
Krissia Ramirez
Receptionist & Medical Assistant
krissia.ramirez@lonestartx.org
Krissia has been with Lone Star Language Academy (LSLA) since it first opened, and has been a wonderful resource for all LSLA students and families since 2017. She works closely with all of our families and staff to support student needs during the day.
Ashley will be overseeing special education, 504, and ESL services. She has provided speech therapy services for the past nine years at IIA-NT for students in grades K-12, working closely with our Special Programs team members. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX.
Marilou Arpon
Marketing & Enrollment Coordinator
marilou.arpon@imagineschools.org
Marilou holds a B.A. in English from Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges and an M.S. in Sustainable Development Studies from Mindanao State University in the Philippines. She has over eight years of experience working with PR, social media relations, and marketing,
Ashley Kim
Kindergarten
ashley.kim@lonestartx.org
Anita Resmini
Kindergarten
anita.resmini@lonestartx.org
Ashley holds a B.S. Education from the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in Child Learning and Development. She has worked closely with students in K-5 since 2018, and is fluent in Korean and English.
Anita holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Arizona, and is highly qualified for Generalist EC-6 and English as a Second Language. She has worked with children since 2019, and enjoys Kindergarten.
Sarah Vickrey
Grade 1
sarah.vickrey@lonestartx.org
Jordin Bresler
Grade 1
jordin.bresler@lonestartx.org
Sarah holds a B.A. in Religion from Furman University and Texas state certification in Core Subjects (EC-6), Science (4-8), and English as a Second Language (EC-6).
Jordin holds a B.S. in Education from the University of North Texas, and is highly qualified for Generalist EC-6 and English as a Second Language. She received multiple awards at college and is excited to be at ILSIA.
Sabrina Marcelle
Grade 2
sabrina.marcelle@lonestartx.org
Shaon Bhattacharya
Grade 2
shaon.bhattacharya@lonestartx.org
Sabrina holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Southern University at New Orleans and has worked with students since 2015. She enjoys building relationships with her students and planning activities.
Shaon holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Calcutta University, and has worked with children since 2019. She enjoys incorporating technology into the classroom and planning her lessons for students.
Teresa Walton​
Grade 3
teresa.walton@lonestartx.org
Elizabeth Pugh
Grade 3
elizabeth.pugh@lonestartx.org
Teresa holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, and Texas state certification in Core Subjects (EC-6) and English as a Second Language (EC-6).
Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from Trinity Christian College. She enjoys building relationship with her students is excited about being at ILSIA.
Latickia Davis
Grade 4
latickia.davis@lonestartx.org
Mandi Sarembock
Grade 5
mandi.sarembock@lonestartx.org
Latickia holds a B.S. in Business Management from Dallas Baptist University, an M.Ed in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso, and is highly qualified for Core Subjects & ESL (EC-6).
Mandi holds a B.A in Communication from Austin College, an M.A. in Teaching (EC-6) Education from Austin College, as well as Texas state certification as Generalist (EC-6) & English as a Second Language (EC-6).
Torrey Purvey
Art & Music
torrey.purvey@lonestartx.org
Abril Escamilla
Personal/Social/Physical Education
abril.escamilla@lonestartx.org
Torrey holds a B.A. in Music Education from Langston University. He has received numerous scholarship and awards for his excellence in academics and music. He has worked with students since 2017 with arts and music, and particularly enjoys drums and saxophone.
Abril holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Texas A&M International University and an M.A. in Teaching from Dallas Baptist University. She was an NCAA Academic All-American and excels in Cross Country as well as Track & Field.
Rafael Pacheco​
Spanish
rafael.pacheco@lonestartx.org
Anat Solomon
Hebrew
anat.solomon@lonestartx.org
Rafael is a bilingual Spanish teacher, holding a B.S. in Social Communication from the University of Pamplona, Columbia and is presently completing an M.A. in Modern Languages at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Anat holds a B.A. in Hebrew Literature & Educational Policy and Organization, as well as teaching certification from Tel-Aviv University. She has over 25 years of experience teaching children in both Israel and the United States.
Jalynn Mitchell​
English as a Second Language
jalynn.mitchell@lonestartx.org
Shelley Bertucci​
Special Education
shelley.bertucci@lonestartx.org
Jalynn enjoys supporting students learning English as a Second Language and loves to see them grow. She holds TX state certification for Generalist EC-6, ESL (EC-12), and Special Education (EC-12).
Shelley holds a B.A. in Education from Governor's State University and Texas state certification in Social Studies (7-12), Art (EC-12), and Special Education (EC-12).
