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 Angela Johnson K-3rd Valor Angela Johnson K-3rd Valor Email Kerry Jones PreK-1st Art Kerry Jones PreK-1st Art Email Kerry Jones has been a part of the Paragon team since 2017. She originally joined as an administrative assistant and registrar, bringing with her over 12 years of experience in teaching and managing in the early childhood education field. Kerry studied Liberal Arts at Lamar State College-Orange and Human Development and Family Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University. Now serving as Paragon Prep’s Director of Enrollment, Kerry plays a key role in welcoming new families and helping students find their place within the Paragon community. “This role at Paragon allows me to connect with families, collaborate with teachers, and engage with children in their love of learning.” Gloria King 2nd Grade Gloria King 2nd Grade Email Gloria King comes from a family of educators. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1997. She has twelve years of classroom teaching experience in grades 2, 3, and 5 in both public and private schools. For several years, Mrs. King was a stay-at-home mom with her two children. Her children are young adults now, and Mrs. King has become an empty nester. In her free time, Mrs. King spends time with her family, reads mystery books (usually with her cat in her lap), spends time gardening, and travels. Most recently, Mrs. King traveled throughout Eastern Europe, starting in Istanbul, Turkey, and ending in Budapest, Hungary. She enjoys learning about geography, history, and cultures of countries around the world. Mrs. King is passionate about teaching and providing a safe, caring, and enthusiastic classroom for her students to learn David Lok Support Staff David Lok Support Staff Email Melissa Lype Instructional Mentor Teacher Melissa Lype Instructional Mentor Teacher Email Melissa was born and raised in Houston, TX and moved to the great city of Austin to attend the University of Texas. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from UT’s Red McCombs School of Business and a minor in Government. Melissa has worn many hats in the education field from substitute teacher/choir director, special education case manager, resource and inclusion teacher, and general education math teacher, teaching 3 different levels of math at a time: Academic, Pre-AP, and Advanced. She has also served on school and district committees and cohorts like AVID, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), Technology Cohort I, and Curriculum Writing Cohorts. Melissa has received the honor of being Murchison Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2016 and was a Semi-Finalist for Austin ISD’s Teacher of the Year the same year. Outside of school, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, of which she is the youngest of 9 siblings and the aunt to 21 nieces and nephews (as of 2020). As a lifelong choir nerd, Melissa can be found singing with Austin Women’s Chorus the Tapestry Singers, watching a Broadway show, or performing a math dance in her classroom for her students. Melissa and her husband Dan welcomed their first child, Lucy in September 2018. Melissa Lype joined the Paragon Team in 2017. Josh McBride Physical Education Josh McBride Physical Education Email Josh was born and raised in Austin, TX. At age 17 he started working in daycares and summer camps until he graduated from St. Edward’s University in 2011 with a Communications degree. After graduation he sought his place in the world working 2, sometimes 3 or 4, jobs at any given time until a chance encounter led him to join the Paragon coaching staff in 2015. Since then, Josh has steadily become an increasingly valuable member of the Paragon team. Now, as a certified adult and child yoga instructor, Coach Josh spends his time helping around campus at every available opportunity, sharing his passion for fitness, hard work, and being positive. He loves getting to know each student and making them feel heard, seen, and valued as the unique individuals and people they truly are. He’s also nearly completed his teaching certificate to become an even more valuable asset for your student’s success. Josh McBride joined the Paragon Team in 2015. Zachary Miller 1st Grade Zachary Miller 1st Grade Email Mr. Miller has a degree in Early Childhood Education and loves helping young learners grow and explore. Before teaching, he worked as a timber faller across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. When not teaching, Mr. Miller trains jiu-jitsu and is his happiest outdoors—camping, hiking, or hunting with his wife, Kelly. He also trains and competes in retriever sports with his yellow lab, Quinn, and shares his home with their Great Pyrenees, Sophie. Alex Miller Support Staff Alex Miller Support Staff Email Nick Moreno Athletics Coach Nick Moreno Athletics Coach Email Matt Mulconrey 4th & 5th Grade Social Studies Matt Mulconrey 4th & 5th Grade Social Studies Email Matt Mulconrey was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Mr. Mulconrey was a student at Paragon Prep from 1999-2002 where he never met a sport he didn’t love. He went on to Anderson High School, and then graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in management. In 2015, he rejoined his Paragon family. Since then, Mr. Mulconrey has worked with all ages Pre-K through 8th grade at the school. He has coached sports for the school, but currently Mr. Mulconrey teaches social studies to various grades and coaches football & basketball. Matt Mulconrey joined the Paragon Team in 2015. Aidan Naravane Valor Program Aidan Naravane Valor Program Email Aidan graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Clark University in 2019. He majored in International Development and Social Change with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability, as well as a minor in Philosophy. After graduation, he spent over a year winning independent contracts to work on various projects. He’s spent time all over the United States and in Europe. He got into education during the pandemic where he taught Physics and AP Environmental Science at Cristo Rey High School in Boston. Now, he’s with Paragon in the Valor Program helping students realize their academic potential. Nick Nelson 7th & 8th Grade Science Nick Nelson 7th & 8th Grade Science Email Mr. Nelson is a “hometown boy” having attended Doss Elementary School, Murchison Middle School, and Anderson High School. He went on to earn his BS in Nutritional Science for the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Nelson began his science teaching career at The Outdoor School & Camp Champions in 2013. Since then he has taught and tutored science and other subjects in a variety of venues, including: The Austin Nature & Science Center, YMCA Camp Orkila, Boutique Educational Services, and Travis High School – where he taught Chemistry and Aquatic Science for two years. For the past three years, he has been teaching 8th grade Language Arts at Lively Middle School. Mr. Nelson has been part of the Paragon team since 2022. Juliana Pettiette Ancillary Coordinator Juliana Pettiette Ancillary Coordinator Email Juliana Pettiette has a diverse educational background in Austin and experience as an Assistant Director. Juliana is ready to embrace school events, form connections with Paragon families, and contribute to the cherished traditions of Paragon. Lincey Qi Mandarin Lincey Qi Mandarin Email Lincey has taught Mandarin in a variety of settings, from private tutoring to a Chinese immersion program in Singapore and an after-school learning center in Texas. Besides her teaching diploma, Lincey holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University (Nanjing campus) and has a background in international relations. She is passionate about making language learning fun and meaningful. Outside the classroom, she loves traveling to new countries, spending time with her kids, and chasing after their playful dog, Milo. Gabriel Rendon Front Desk -McGrath Building Gabriel Rendon Front Desk -McGrath Building Email Catherine Saunders Front Desk -Hathaway Building Catherine Saunders Front Desk -Hathaway Building Email Page 2 of 3 Jump to Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 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.
