Leadership & Faculty Home / About Us / Leadership & Faculty Dedicated Leaders & Expert Teachers At our school, everyone works together to make sure students and families feel happy and supported. Our leaders, staff, and teachers are all here to help. Our teachers love sharing what they know, whether it’s about reading, music, or outer space! They make learning fun and exciting, helping students explore new things and find what they love. Together, we create a special place where students can grow and learn every day. From Our Award-Winning Head of School Lindsay Hay Dear Future Paragon Prep Family, Every morning at drop-off, before the school day begins, something small happens that I think tells you everything: kids chase chickens across the playground. Our kindergartners hatched those chickens from eggs earlier this year. They watched them in the incubator, named them, and now they help put them back in the coop before heading to class. It takes about two minutes, and it is completely joyful — which is exactly what I want this school to be. We have a motto we live by: Work Hard. Play Hard. Be Kind. They’re simple words, but I mean all three equally. The “work hard” part is real. Our curriculum is TEKS-aligned from Pre-K through 8th grade, and 92% of our students score above the national average for independent schools on the CTP, with 100% of graduates accepted to their high school of choice. Students who are ready can take Algebra I as early as 6th grade. We also compete in Math Counts, Math Olympiad, Science Olympiad, First Lego League Robotics, and more, because we think academic confidence is built by being tested, not just taught. We teach public speaking in every grade. By eighth grade, nearly every graduate wants to give a speech at the ceremony — no surprise, we’ve been building those muscles since they were seven! And our teachers hold themselves to the same standard we hold our students. Most have advanced degrees, and several are working on them right now. We have a certified strength and conditioning coach and a yoga instructor on staff, both trained specifically to work with children. Professional development here centers on one question: how do we deliver high-level academics in a way that inspires a lifelong love of learning? The “play hard” part is serious, too. Every student, 1st through 8th grade, belongs to a multi-grade College (think Hogwarts Houses), but with real academic and athletic competitions all year, culminating in a crowning ceremony where even the second-place trophy is deliberately ridiculous. We’ve been doing this since the nineties. It’s silly and competitive in equal measure, and kids genuinely care about it. Eighty-five percent of our middle schoolers play school sports, and our 34 electives and clubs mean that every student has a real chance to find their thing. The “be kind” part shows up in how we move through the world beyond campus. In sixth grade, every student takes a world cultures class where they visit the places of worship of six major world religions — three in one day, three the next. The goal is to find common ground without pretending the differences away. That’s a skill I don’t think you can teach in a classroom alone. Our annual service projects — Coats for Kids and Mobile Loaves & Fishes — connect students to their Austin community in ways that stick. And our class trips go to Washington D.C., Big Bend, Costa Rica, and New York City, among others. (No parents on those trips. I’m the mom. I make sure everyone has their sweatshirt.) What I can tell you, as someone who has been doing this for a long time, is that the thing parents notice first, the thing that keeps them here, is that their kids actually want to come to school. That’s not a small thing. If any of this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to show you around. Come see us. Sincerely, Lindsay Hay, M.Ed. Head of School Paragon Prep, Austin, TX Read how Lindsay was named Head of School of the Year by Education Insider! Read More Browse By Role All Roles Faculty Leadership Search No posts match the search criteria. Learn More About Paragon Prep Teachers What qualifications do teachers at Paragon Prep hold? At Paragon Prep, students learn from an exceptionally credentialed faculty where every teacher holds either a teaching certificate with a Bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree paired with real-world industry experience. This unique combination ensures that educators have not only mastered their subjects but have also lived them. Our staff is highly distinguished, with 11 teachers holding Master’s degrees and one holding a Doctorate. Beyond these impressive credentials, our faculty members are driven by a genuine passion for children and learning, bringing both deep expertise and heart into the classroom every day. How does Paragon Prep invest in its teachers’ ongoing growth? At Paragon Prep, we believe teacher growth directly fuels student success, which is why professional development is a daily priority rather than an annual event. Through our partnership with Spring Education Group, faculty access a robust program focused on leadership and refining their instructional craft. By constantly evolving and stretching their skills, our teachers model the same lifelong learning and adaptability we expect from our students. Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at Paragon Prep? One of the defining features of Paragon Prep is the remarkable stability of our team. Our Head of School has been a cornerstone of the community since 2011, and that long-term commitment extends across our entire faculty and staff. Most of our educators bring five or more years of experience specifically at Paragon, ensuring that students are greeted by teachers who deeply understand our culture and values. This continuity allows our staff to truly embody what it means to be a “Paragon Knight.” Even as we grow, we are intentional about maintaining these high standards, carefully selecting new team members who are not only highly qualified but also fully invested in the long-term success of our students. What makes teachers at Paragon Prep exceptional? Teachers at Paragon Prep are exceptional because they combine high-level credentials, including 12 advanced degrees, with real-world industry experience. This expertise is sustained by a culture of continuous growth, where professional development ensures our faculty never stops learning. With a majority of the staff serving for five or more years, this stability creates a deep-rooted understanding of our community and values. In our small classes, this translates to a mentorship model where every teacher knows each child’s name, strengths, and needs, ensuring every student is both challenged and celebrated.
