Paragon Prep

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 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

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.