Our Staff

Becky Welborn: Head of School

When God called me to open a Christian school over 10 years ago, I was humbled. He had been preparing me with a deep love for education and a degree in Business Management from the University of Texas. All He needed was a willing heart. I grew up in this community, and James and I have raised our three boys here, so it is an honor to serve God through training Christ’s ambassadors at DSCA.  b.welborn@dsca.org

Lysbeth Smith: Registrar

As a life long resident of Dripping Springs, attending preschool through high school graduation here in DS (class of ’99!), I continued on to Southwest Texas State University for my English degree. My husband and I built our own home and have three daughters and a son, all under the age of 11! My spiritual gifts include serving and administration. As a staff member and parent, I am excited to see what God has planned for DSCA and how I can best use His gifts each day here.  l.smith@dsca.org

Karie Coffman: Secretary

I am a native Texan and have been a Dripping Springs resident for approximately 5 years. I graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Family and Child Development and Early Childhood Intervention. After working in the foster care/adoption sector, I became a stay-at-home mom to my two children. In our free time, my family and I enjoy being outdoors. We especially love camping and visiting the local state parks.

Kris Maguire: 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

After graduating from California State University at Chico with a degree in Communication Design, I went on to begin my career in advertising as a Graphic Designer and Art Director. Little did I know what the Lord had planned for my future career path. My husband (who happens to be my high school sweet heart) and I decided early in our careers to pursue jobs overseas. We spent 8 years in Munich, Germany and returned back to the beloved state of Texas with 3 children in tow. While overseas, the Lord placed influential people in my path which in turn led me to begin a new career as a homeschool mother.  Fortunately, coloring for a living was right up my alley. I fell in love with Classical Christian Education and as I began to educate my own children, a whole world of learning that I never experienced opened up before me. History came to life, writing became beautiful, and mathematics…well, were still mathematics. My three beautiful and courageous children are now almost grown and venturing out into higher education. I was so blessed when two years ago, Dripping Springs Christian Academy was introduced to me. I love teaching children, especially in regards history and God’s plan in it. It never ceases to amaze and humble me what God has done and is doing.  It is a privilege and honor to be able to share this with little ones.  k.maguire@dsca.org

Ed Palmer: Math Teacher

The Lord has blessed our family in so many ways. I am originally from Del Rio where I met the love of my life, my precious wife, Deb, back in high school. We have two daughters and four extremely wonderful grandchildren and our expanded family of nieces and nephews adds so much happiness and richness to our life. I have taught and supported students since 1973 in Austin and Dripping Springs. We moved here to our little bit of heaven on earth in 1981 to build our homes and our family. While this is my first year teaching at DSCA, I have been so appreciative of the high quality and standards that the school has provided our grand-family. I am excited to join the DSCA family and am honored and humbled to be part of the staff here. I hope to help open the beauty of the world of mathematics to our students while providing them tools to use in their future studies. e.palmer@dsca.org

Lyn Ragan: Logic/Latin Teacher

After graduating from Rice University with degrees in Political Science and Psychology, I stayed in the Houston area for several years before moving to Austin. My husband, Glen, and I have six children, three boys and three girls. I believe that it is very important to help children develop a mastery of language, writing, and communication, so they are better able to express their Christian faith and convictions. I am excited to be a part of that training this year at DSCA.  l.ragan@dsca.org

Joshua Hughes: 5th/6th Grade Teacher

In the Gospels, Jesus both taught His disciples the way of God’s Kingdom, and showed it as He did life with those around Him. That it is my best hope here at DSCA, and the highest call I can seek as a Christian educator. I have a 9th grader, 7th grader, and kindergartener joining me and we are blessed to call DSCA home for a second year! In the last 10 years of teaching, I have been a home-school dad, earned a teaching certification to supplement my degree in psychology, and subbed and taught full-time in public and private schools.  j.hughes@dsca.org

Rebecca McCrocklin: Bookkeeper and Photographer

I have been involved with DSCA since the beginning in 2006. Although I have no formal training in education, and my husband and I have no children of our own, God has called me to minister in a variety of ways to the children of others. Through my love of the Lord, I am blessed to see your children in a special way and, with photography, capture their tender hearts and joyous spirits throughout the school to share with you. It is an honor to serve at DSCA. r.mccrocklin@dsca.org

Candace Rutter: K3 Preschool Teacher

God called my husband and I to Austin from Dallas 14 years ago. Since then, we have had 2 children and adopted our third from the foster care system. After serving at churches for the last 16 years, I am excited to begin a new path here @ DSCA teaching the 3 year olds.   c.rutter@dsca.org

Stacy McElroy: K4 Preschool Teacher

I have been teaching and caring for preschool age children for 18 years and still counting. I moved to Texas this year from Salt Lake City, Utah where I was born and raised with my husband of 27 years. God has blessed us with 2 children, 6 grandchildren and one precious great grandson. My husband and I have been involved in a Motorcycle Ministry spreading God’s Word to the motorcycle community for many years and I love it as much as teaching young preschool children.  s.mcelroy@dsca.org

Cassandra Duiker: Kindergarten Teacher

 

My husband, and I have two daughters and a son. I believe children are each unique in their own way, and should learn in a way to exhibit that. I am excited to fulfill the Lord’s plan for my life by teaching your Kindergarten aged children.  c.duiker@dsca.org

Mallory Salter: Science/Math Teacher

The Lord brought my husband and I back to Texas so that our three children could grow up with their cousins and I could be close to my sister and her precious family. He also placed on my heart the desire to understand and live in the patterns of nature, which are overly abundant in the Texas hill country. One part of those patterns is the education of our children both in academics and as a whole person so that they will grow into compassionate future generations. I come to DSCA with a B.S. from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and a PhD from Rice University in Biochemistry. It is an extreme pleasure to be a part of the DSCA family teaching math and science.  m.salter@dsca.org

Sancha Myers: 5th/6th Grade

Hi! I am Sancha Myers. I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas. I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I graduated from Loyola University with a B.A. in Integrative Studies. Upon moving back to Texas I met and married my husband. Together we have our 13yr old Son.
I have worked in the education system for over 15+years. The last 5 years my focus was in Special Education and Inclusion.  After spending many years in the public school system the Lord has blessed me with a gift to further my Faith and teach at the same time.  Children are our future and we must teach them to love and respect each other through God’s grace.  I’m very excited to begin my first year at DSCA.  s.myers@dsca.org

Danielle Turcotte: 3rd Grade Teacher

I graduated from The University of Incarnate Word, and have over 15 years of teaching and administrative experience. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, watching sports, and writing. This is my first year at DSCA, and I am very excited to be given the honor of teaching the 3rd graders.  d.turcotte@dsca.org

Steve Isgitt: 4th Grade Teacher

 

I am a graduate of Texas Tech University, and have been active in church leadership and children’s ministry for many years. This will be my sixth year to teach at DSCA, and I consider it a privilege to build into the hearts and minds of my students from the Word of God, and to prepare them for a lifetime of learning. I am married to Bren, and have two children and four grandchildren. I also serve as Executive Pastor at Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs.  s.isgitt@dsca.org

Susan Warwick: Math Teacher

“Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe…”.    Galileo Galilei

I have taught mathematics for 43 years in public schools, including 24 years at Dripping Springs High School.  I am a long time Dripping Springs resident, a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in DS, a dedicated community volunteer, and an active Lions Club member. I am blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. I am excited to share my love of God and my love of math with my students at DSCA.  s.warwick@dsca.org

Laura Singleton: Rhetoric Bible

In 1999, God turned my life upside down. Since the 4th grade, I’d planned for wealth and success in business. After a double major in Finance and International Business from Baylor University, I went into consulting. Two years later, I had much of what I dreamed of, but the emptiness I felt revealed what I lacked: Jesus. Soon, I left the business world behind and started at Dallas Theological Seminary, where I earned a Master of Theology degree, and later began a doctoral degree in Spiritual Formation (Sanctification). Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of getting the Word into people and people into the Word as an author, teacher, and women’s conference speaker, both domestically and abroad. When I’m not doing that–and often when I am–I enjoy making myself laugh, hanging out with my hubby Pastor Paul (as your kids know him) & our two awesome boys, reading, being creative, and spending time with friends.  l.singleton@dsca.org

Deborah Hammons: Music and Drama Teacher

I love music and drama as an expression of the creativity that God has placed in all of us. It is one of my great joys to share that with my students and to watch their creativity blossom. In creating, singing, making music, and exploring that creativity, we worship Him with our whole being.  d.hammons@dsca.org

Sarah Sellers: Physical Education Teacher

I have been a prominent member of the Dripping Springs fitness community for over 14yrs and have resided here for over 20 years. After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Physical Education from Southwest Texas State University, I began sharing my passion for fitness as a person trainer and then went on to teach physical education at DSCA on and off over the past 10 years. I am an avid runner who has completed numerous 5k’s, 10k’s, marathons, and ultra-marathons, including a 50 mile trail race. In my spare time I also enjoy hiking, reading, involvement at church, and spending time with my two daughters, son and husband. My goal is to not only help our kids get stronger through physical activity, but also to shape their hearts along the way.  s.sellers@dsca.org

Susan Manzello: Art Teacher

I’m an Austin native, long time Dripping Springs resident and Graphic Design graduate of Texas State University. I have two grown “kids”. I have been artist, graphic designer for 30+ years and a teacher for 10. My ultimate goal is to give kids tools and challenges stretch them creatively and helps them confident independent visual problem solvers.

Pay Curry: Humanities Teacher

I am very excited to join the DSCA staff as the Rhetoric Humanities teacher! I have served in Texas schools for over 30 years, including as a secondary English teacher, elementary counselor, assistant principal, principal, and district-level administrator. My educational background includes a B.S. in Educational Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A & M University; an M.Ed. in Counseling and an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from University of Houston; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. After retiring from full-time employment, my husband and I moved here in 2016, and I am extremely thankful that my grown sons also relocated to the Austin area; and our family has since grown to include a lovely daughter-in-law and a precious one-year old grandson.