Meet Our Team

Kara Kent

Pre-Kindergarten Instructor

Kara Kent has lived in San Antonio for the past 10 years. She is happily married and has two elementary aged boys. She grew up in Austin, TX and attended college in Waxahachie, TX at Southwestern Assembly of God University. She graduated with a counseling/psychology degree in 2003. She loves working with children. She has been a camp counselor at Royal Family Kids camp; a camp for abused and neglected children. She has worked with the YMCA’s after school program, organizing fun activities and games for the kids. She has also taught Missionettes and Sunday School. In her free time she likes to spend time with her family, exploring parks and fun places around San Antonio. She also enjoys scrap booking, memorizing scripture, and reading God’s word!

Michelle Mayer

E++ STEM Instructor

Michelle Mayer grew up in a small community in Minnesota. She attended her church’s grade school and attended St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul. After graduating from Martin Luther College with a degree in Elementary Education and Staff Ministry, she moved to San Antonio in 2004. Michelle taught in a multi-grade classroom for 7 years before she had the joy of staying home to take care of her own children. While teaching she met and married a San Antonio boy from her church. When the children were small, Michelle spent time leading women’s Bible studies, tutoring, and teaching piano lessons.

Michelle currently lives in West San Antonio with her husband and three children. It had never been a goal to homeschool her children, but now after homeschooling for six years it is hard to imaging doing any differently. The whole family is excited to add The Well into their weekly schedule this year and can’t wait to have new experiences and meet new people.

Rosario Garcia

E+ Art Instructor

Born and raised in a small town in south Texas, Rosario grew up with an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. As a young girl, she found passion in art and sewing, engaging in volunteer work, and learning through real world experience. Rosario pursued her dream of becoming an artist by enrolling in the Art Institute of Antonio. She dedicated herself to her studies, majoring in fine arts and specializing in fashion design. Upon graduation, Rosario embarked on her career by teaching art and design classes through her own small business in her hometown. Here she embraced her love for mentoring others and making a difference in young lives. As a current graduate student, Rosario now resides in San Antonio as she pursues an MBA at The University of the Incarnate Word. Rosario hopes to allow students the tools necessary to realize their true potential and achieve their dreams by instilling curiosity and creativity in an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Rosalinda Garcia

E++ Art Instructor | Home Ec Instructor

Rosalinda Garcia is a determined teacher who is continuously seeking to expand her knowledge and skills in a classroom setting. A former homeschooler, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Graphic and Web Design from the Art Institute of San Antonio, where she developed her creative and technical abilities. After completing her undergraduate studies, she pursued and successfully obtained a Master's in Criminal Justice from the University of Incarcerated Word, where she studied the relation between psychology and a learning setting. Rosalinda plans to continue her education by obtaining a Ph.D. in School Psychology. Her motivation stems from a deep-rooted desire to help children with mental and learning disabilities, hoping to make a significant impact on their lives. Outside her academic and professional pursuits, Rosalinda is an avid reader and loves to immerse herself in the world of books. When Ms.Garcia is not teaching, she loves to spend time with her family and her beloved dogs.

Shauna Perez

E+ Music & Drama Instructor | Advanced Performing Arts Instructor

Shauna Perez has loved music all of her life, carrying a song on her lips at any given time. She
learned 4-part harmony in church, participated in choir all years of school, and played clarinet
in band for eight years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Harding University in English and
Spanish and spent time in publishing and administrative roles before coming home full time to
homeschool her seven children for 20 years.

She has taught preschoolers through high school in Sunday school, children’s church, and
homeschool co-ops. Teaching English to children in China online fully engaged her tendency to
talk with her hands in “Total Physical Response.” She has always loved incorporating music and
motion in learning, so she is excited to "Engage! Equip! Inspire!"

Emilie Norwood

E++ Theater Instructor | Advanced Performing Arts Instructor

Emilie Norwood was born and raised in the rural town of Jourdanton Texas. She is the youngest of four children and auntie to 10 nieces and nephews that she loves dearly. She grew up in her local Church of Christ and was an active member in the youth group from k-12 with her mother teaching Sunday School and her father a part time missionary and church elder. She began volunteering in the church service nursery during the fourth grade, taught Wednesday night cradle roll class and served as a counselor for the 5th grade girls cabin at Bandina Christian Youth Camp in 2012.
Emilie got her start in theatre when she was cast in a youth version of Macbeth in the 6th grade and was a devoted thespian ever since. She went on to get her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from Texas A&M Corpus Christi as well as a standard teaching certificate in Theatre Arts and English Language Arts from the state of Texas. Since graduating in 2015 she has worked at all levels of education in both pre schools and public schools as a theatre and english teacher. In 2020 she took her high school alma mater's theatre club to the Bi District One Act Play competition with the show "The Diary of Adam and Eve" and received runner up to District and two acting awards.
She also has experience working as a professional makeup artist and has taught online makeup classes on Outschool.com.
In her free time Emilie enjoys rescuing and fostering kittens, volunteers at christian summer youth camps and attends singing lessons with varying levels of success.
She is excited to meet you!

Blanca Hayslip

E+ Spanish Instructor

My name is Blanca Hayslip, I am from Mexico, I have been married for almost 8 years, my husband's name is Charles Hayslip. Between my husband & I, we have 4 children, a grandson and 2 grand dogs and 1 grand cat. I am a retired teacher, I taught kindergarten in Mexico for 30 years, it was a wonderful time, I was able to instruct the children educationally and God gave me the opportunity to show them His love. Before moving to this beautiful city, we lived in Irving, TX. I worked for 3 years in the children's ministry at Gateway Church, the church where we attended at the time. After moving to San Antonio, I worked at Cornerstone Christian School (Extended care) for 8 months. My experience of working with children in this country has been very good and very challenging since I have learned and practiced the English language, but I love Spanish, my native language, so I am happy that God has opened the door in this school. It will be wonderful to teach Spanish to the children who attend my class. I am sure we will have wonderful times learning and having fun together.

Rachel Spurgeon

E++ Geography Instructor

Rachel grew up in California but has lived all over the world for the last 17 years since marrying her high school sweetheart who is a Chaplain in the Air Force. She has six children that she has homeschooled from the beginning. She has worked with children for over 20 years in various organizations, camps and ministries. She has taught in homeschool co-ops for the past 6 years and enjoys sharing her love for Jesus to the littlest of the flock. She is a graphic designer who loves shopping, cooking, woodworking, organizing, and being involved in her church family.

Sarah Duran

E+ & E++ PE Instructor

Play is a great place for growth! I am always amazed at all that a young mind may discover through physical movement and problem-solving with their peers to achieve a goal. I am committed to maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment in which these discoveries can be made. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from Penn State University in 2018 and accepted my first job working with youth referred to our justice system. I have continued working with kinder to fifth grade in public school environments and am excited to be a part of a faith-based organization. I was brought up in small, rural, counties with strong ties between church and community. My faith guides me each day to find moments of thanks and praise. I find myself asking most often for guidance so that I may serve Him and the plan He has for my life. I understand that it is a privilege to be a positive
influence on any young person. I cherish such a responsibility and appreciate the opportunities to see children grow and succeed!

Gabriela Ramirez

Private Lessons Instructor

My name is Gabriela Ramirez, and I was born in San Diego California. From a very young age music has been a major part of my life and one of my greatest passions. At the age of five, I started singing in my local church choir along with my father. At the age of seven, I started taking piano lessons, and this began a lifelong love for music and the performing arts. While growing up, my father’s job, caused us to move constantly from city to city, and from California to Arizona. I learned to adapt to new cities, new sets of friends and new homes but the one constant in my life was always Church and music. Music opened many doors for my life and provided ways in which I could serve my church in my community. Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to lead congregations in worship. I have been fortunate to take part in several worship albums, recording projects, and have performed next to some of my greatest musical inspirations. While playing piano for my local youth band at my church, I met my husband and the love of my life. Together, my husband and I lead worship at our church and share a passion for musical composition and song writing. I have been teaching piano and voice lessons for more than 12 years and have helped countless individuals refine their skills and pursue their passion. I believe that God has given me the gift of music so that I may share that gift and passion with others. I believe that music is a gift from God a gift that can touch the soul, a gift that can be enjoyed across cultural and generational barriers. I look forward to the opportunity to continue sharing the gift of music with all who may wish to pursue in learning music.

Angel Maciel

Lead Assistant

Angel Maciel, an Incarnate Word alumna, was encountered by the Lord at sixteen years old. It was not until 2019 that she was transformed from a casual believer to a Holy Spirit-filled vessel knowing her purpose in God's supernatural kingdom. Her heart desires to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit to see Jesus' kingdom manifested in her beloved city, San Antonio. Using the gifts she has been given, she strives to serve her community by sharing the Gospel and Jesus' kingdom through music, teaching biblical studies, and training up the next generation. As an assistant at The Well, Angel would like to serve and learn more about the homeschool community while sharing the Good News of Jesus' Kingdom manifestation by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ginger Torvik and Derrik Torvik

Tae-Kwon-Do Instructors

Ginger's desire is to create an atmosphere for students that is fun, upbeat, and one that encourages excellence and good character. While in class we will focus on kicks, punches, combination routines, self-defense and weapons. Your child will gain poise, confidence, and endurance as they train hard and learn new skills. Martial Arts is a wonderful way for children to learn the discipline, hard work and patience that it takes to be successful in life.

Christina Brooks

Dance Instructor

My name is Christi Brooks. I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been working with children in a variety of organizations for 10+ years. Through home daycare, personal babysitting, coaching and ministry I have served children of all ages. In my free time I love to dance and teach dance. Having been a dancer all through high school, I was excited to be offered a cheer/dance instructor position after graduating. I have enjoyed performing and coaching dance in a variety of settings but I most value the role that dance can play in developing a heart of worship.

Vanessa Balli

Assistant

Vanessa Balli is a wife, mother, and women of faith. She was born, raised, and educated in San Antonio, Texas. Vanessa received her bachelors of arts in English with a minor in education from Texas A&M San Antonio. She is passionate about education and has taught in the classroom environment for the past 3 years as well as served in children’s church for many years where she became Director of Children’s ministry. Vanessa has also served on her church’s worship team for over 14 years. Vanessa believes in helping to grow each child academically, emotionally, socially, and most important- spiritually. She is excited about joining The Well team as an assistant and working along side, all the wonderful teachers, students, and staff and being part of a bigger purpose which is growing the Kingdom of God and being the light that sets us apart.

Elizabeth Mathis

Tutor & Substitute

Elizabeth was inspired to be a teacher at the early age of 10 when she would go with her grandmother to work as a school librarian. She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is certified to teach grades EC-8(all subjects). Elizabeth has more than 11 years of experience teaching\tutoring Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies and taught 4th and 6th grade in public school for 6 years before she became a stay at home mom. During this time she missed teaching and
felt a calling from God to begin homeschooling her own children in grades ranging from Pre-K-8th. She lives in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX and is happily married with 3 amazing children. Elizabeth spends her free time cheering her kiddos on as they live their best lives playing a variety of sports including Football, Baseball, Softball and Volleyball. She is passionate about helping children become confident in themselves and will do anything possible to help them believe
that they can do anything they desire.

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Nicey Priestley

Founder and Executive Director

Nicey Priestley was raised on military bases in Europe, but has resided in San Antonio for over two decades. She is married and has five daughters whom she has homeschooled since birth. In addition to earning a degree in Psychology with a concentration in Early Childhood Development from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Nicey has acquired over a decade of experience working with elementary and preschool children. During her tenure as a teacher and tutor, Nicey came to the understanding that every child has a unique learning style that an educator must accommodate if they are to maximize the child's learning potential.

This knowledge along with her passion for early childhood education has allowed her to create fun, hands-on lesson plans that get kids excited about learning! For many years Nicey operated a licensed in-home preschool and it was during that time that a vision began to form and the seed for The Well was planted. Additionally, she volunteers with AWANA and ministries at her church. In her free time she enjoys reading, exploring nature, biking, hiking, running and spending time with her family.