Our Faculty and Staff

Head of School

Michele Bauman serves as Head of School and a founder of Gateway Academy. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology in 1987 and a Master’s degree in Education in 1994.  Michele served students as a resource teacher for 13 years in public schools, both in Houston and Chicago. She then served as principal of The Joy School for 7 years. Her background in Speech Language Pathology, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders makes her an expert in identifying students’ specific learning deficits so that goals and plans can be made accordingly. Combined with her commitment to teacher education and training, Michele’s background has made her the natural leader for Gateway Academy. She feels blessed to have such an excellent job surrounded by this caring community of people.

Principal

Scott Adams, a founding faculty member of Gateway Academy, graduated from Baylor University in 1986 with a double major in English and Communication Studies. With his teacher certification in hand he taught for only a short time before he decided to take a foray into the financial world…the foray lasted twelve years, during which he worked for a  group insurance company and a major bank as a sales representative, client manager, and manager. There was no coincidence that during this time Scott found himself drawn into assignments that involved mentoring and training sales personnel. He is, after all, a teacher at heart. In 2004, Scott accepted a position to teach at The Joy School; a career decision driven by his desire to return to education and his understanding of the challenges of having a learning disabled child. His experience at The Joy School, coupled with an interest in Brain Based Education, offered a launching pad to accept his current role at Gateway Academy. Scott is an award winning speaker qualifying four times for the regional level of the Toastmaster’s International World Championship of Public Speaking. He finished second at this level in 2005 and 2006, effectively making him one of the top 18 speakers in an organization of over 180,000 members.  Scott and his wife Kim recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and are amazed daily by their two beautiful children, Spence and Annie.

Assistant Principal

Randy Kelley has been a member of Gateway since its inception. He graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Distribution and a minor in business. Before he came to Gateway, he worked for JP Morgan managing collateralized debt accounts.  While in college and working at JP Morgan, Randy used his spare time to teach kayaking, rock climbing, and Bible studies.  Realizing that teaching gave him the ability to impact lives daily and directly, Randy pursued teaching as a profession.  Due to the generous amount of math and technology classes in his bachelor degree, Randy found a spot with Gateway as the math teacher.  Since coming to Gateway, he has put into place a wireless networking system so that the students may enjoy access to internet study aids from virtually anywhere on campus. He has pioneered the wood working elective to teach our students hands on skills they can use for years to come.  He is also a key faculty member for morning fit club and afternoon team sports.  Randy is a native Houstonian with an extensive amount of travel under his belt to locales such as Costa Rica, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, England, and Mexico. Randy’s hobbies include outdoor adventure trips, wood working, and biking.

School Counselor

Julie Nicodemus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor.  She is honored to serve the adolescents of Gateway Academy and the families and staff who support them.  She earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in Adult Training and Development which she has used to serve many nonprofit organizations over the last twenty years.  When she recognized learning differences related to pervasive medical issues in her own child, she was motivated to return to school. She enrolled at the University of Houston – Clear Lake where she obtained a Masters degree in Psychology.  Julie serves as a long time advocate on Selective Mutism and childhood anxiety.  She is a speaks to groups regularly on topics such as ADHD, anxiety in the family and classroom, Asperger’s Syndrome, ethics and challenges of social technology in adolescence, ADHD, Dysfunction of Sensory Integration, college tracking for adolescents with social and learning differences and other related topics.  Julie has four adolescent children who attend middle school though college.  In her spare moments, she enjoys laughing with her family, serving at church, working out and spending time with her surfer husband at the beach.

Administrative Assistant

Michelle Henderson joined the Gateway Family in July of 2011. She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Counseling.    Before coming to Gateway she was employed for 16 years as an Administrative Assistant at a private church and school.  Michelle is a mother of three boys and enjoys swimming, music and making candles.

Teachers

Mary Lynn Grimes has been teaching art in the Houston area for 17 years.   She was the art teacher for Presbyterian School for 6 years, during which time she taught students ranging in age from pre-school to middle school.  She has been and continues to be involved with the Glassell Junior School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where she teaches a variety of classes in the summer.  Mary Lynn strongly believes in the creative potential of each of her students, and strives to maintain a supportive and non-threatening classroom environment.

Lisa Kelley’s diverse educational background speaks to her love for learning.  She received an Associates of Arts in Mathematics from San Jacinto College South.  Lisa then graduated Magna Cum Laude from of the University of Houston – Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science followed by a Master of Arts in Humanities.  Lisa worked at San Jacinto College as a Supplemental and Adjunct Instructor for College Algebra, Chemistry, and Art Appreciation.  She also worked in the Biotech Industry before becoming certified as a high school teacher and working in Clear Creek ISD.  She is a published poet in Bayousphere, Marrow, and Spiky Palm and has participated in numerous local poetry readings.  She has shown her art work in over twenty local shows.  Lisa enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and canoeing, spending time with friends and family, and playing the guitar.

Albert “Woody” Latham has over twenty years of classroom teaching experience at both the secondary and college levels, providing him unique insight into serving students with special needs and how best to prepare those who pursue higher education. Beginning his career as a college instructor of freshmen/sophomore Political Science, he discovered his true calling while tutoring at-risk children. He has taught and worked extensively with students with learning disabilities, autism, emotional disturbances, and a wide range of learning styles. Woody’s educational background includes degrees from Arkansas State University, post-graduate work at Rice University and the University of St. Thomas, plus training in phonics, dyslexia intervention, crisis prevention, and English as a Special Language. He currently teaches history, government, geography, and economics at Gateway, and is an avid reader, writer, and follower of current events.

Michelle Mathews began working in public school at Cypress Falls High School in CFISD. She worked in the L.I.F.E.skills department and enjoyed the challenging students and pace. After coming to Gateway Academy, she realized she enjoyed the students and faculty even more. She will be returning to Gateway for her second year as a teaching assistant. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Outside of Gateway she is working towards running a half marathon and becoming a sky-dive instructor.

Stacey Rice graduated in 1985 with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in reading.  She taught a variety of grades and subjects during her 17 years in public schools.  Before she came to Gateway Academy, Stacey was the English as a Second Language teacher at Cimarron Elementary in Katy ISD where she worked with children primarily in grades Kindergarten through 5^th.  Stacey especially enjoyed working with students who were struggling with their academics and language acquisition.  That interest in learning differences led her to get her Special Education certification.  After taking a few years off to stay home with her children, Belynne and Culwell, she is happy to be teaching reading for her 3^rd year at Gateway Academy.  When not at school, she enjoys taking care of her busy family and three dogs.

Kristen Seed attended Texas A&M University for her undergraduate studies in biomedical science and continued on to UTMB – Galveston, where she earned a degree in Health Care Studies and a Masters in Physical Therapy. She later discovered a passion for education and pursued a teaching certificate from Region IV. Kristen began her teaching career in the Cy-Fair School District, where she taught Chemistry and Biology for 4 years. She combined her knowledge of health and wellness with her desire to educate and served as a Wellness Coordinator for a local YMCA. After working with the community for 2 years and missing the working relationships with her students, she felt called back to the classroom. She returned to teaching at Nimitz High School, where she taught IPC and Chemistry for 2 years. Kristen is returning to Gateway Academy for her ^4th year as our Science Instructor.  In her spare time, Kristen enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and pets involving working out, camping, hiking, and anything that gets her closer to nature.

Catriona Shiach-Hoster graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a minor in Business Administration. Before going into teaching she had five years in the world of advertising and while working for one of her clients, she did a lot of research for technology in the classroom and how it can enhance learning. This made her realize her passion for teaching and she started to work towards her teaching certificate in theater. She is recently married and looking forward to starting the drama program with Gateway.

Carol TenBrook enters her third year at Gateway teaching classes in science and math.  Carol graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with teaching certifications in Mathematics, Gifted and Talented, English as a Second Language, and Early Childhood.  Prior to coming to Gateway, she taught eight years in Fort Bend ISD. Carol is also a docent at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where she has taught classes and given tours for the past three years.   Carol and her husband, Kevin, live in Sugar Land where they have raised their four children.  In her free time, Carol enjoys spending time with her grandson, Hayden, as well as drawing and painting, quilting, learning foreign languages and traveling.

Stephen Tiemann, a founding faculty member of Gateway Academy, was raised in a family that taught the importance of learning, the dignity of each person, and the joy of serving others. Rooted in these values, Stephen prepared to continue the tradition in his studies in education and music at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and later in his theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He has been a successful teacher, chaplain, administrator, school board member, and pastor in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and has also taught at The Joy School in Houston.  Stephen is an instructor of Language Arts and Spanish.  Stephen is skilled as a musician, is fluent in Spanish, and loves word games and trivia.  Stephen and his wife Lilia find abundant joy in raising their two daughters, Mariana and Cecilia.

Jeremy Wetherell teaches Study Skills and is the Community Outreach Coordinator. Jeremy has 10 years of teaching and administrative experience with learning differentiated elementary through high school age students. He has a Bachelor of Science in Counseling from the College of Biblical Studies and is one of the founding faculty members of Gateway Academy.  Jeremy’s combination of entrepreneurial experience and empathic approach to teaching uniquely qualifies him to support our students organizational development and the transition to professional placement.

Teacher’s Assistant

Haisha Bowens joined the Gateway Family in 2010 as our administrative assistant and this year will be an Assistant Teacher. She is also attending classes at Houston Community College in pursuit of her teaching degree. Haisha is very happy and eager to put some of the things she is learning into use in the classroom. In her spare time, Haisha enjoys live music, reading, writing and spending time with her family and friends.