Teachers

Lauren is a lifelong learner with a wide variety of interests and years of homeschooling experience. She was born and raised in Central Texas, and has also lived on working farms, in big cities, and in multiple countries. She studied Environmental Science and Women’s Studies in the northeast, but believes education is not confined to classrooms or degrees. Lauren and her husband have owned and run a local construction company since 2007. Lately she has found the teenage years to be her favorite, and marvels at the glimpses provided by teens of the children they were and the adults they are becoming. Currently she is running a year-long teen-led monthly camping adventure. She humbly attempts to question dominant narratives and systems of power, and to listen to the marginalized. She believes that both parenting and teaching are political acts with great responsibility. In her free time you’ll find her camping, gardening and reading. She spends many hours surrounded by pets, kids, books, and half finished craft projects. (Nyc is pronounced like “nitch,” if that was bugging you😉.)

Sarah Hudson is a former elementary teacher with roots in Louisiana classrooms and over six years of homeschooling experience. She takes pride in turning everyday moments into meaningful learning adventures. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, she loves asking curious questions, telling great stories, and helping students make sense of the world around them. When she’s not teaching, she’s likely hiking a trail, tackling a tricky puzzle, crafting something fun, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. She believes learning should feel like an adventure, full of creativity and “aha!” moments, and she can’t wait to explore, discover, and learn alongside her students.

Jennifer Juday has a BA in English (Rice University) and MS in Information Science (University of North Texas). She has seven years experience teaching at at AAH Science Team, Austin Academic Collaborative, AAH Math Team and StemEd Labs (prealgebra, algebra, geometry and problem solving). She's especially into geometry, history of math, and British lit.

Jayne Peña is an artist and educator with a lifelong passion for visual art and creative learning. My artistic journey began at a young age and was shaped by participation in a specialized visual arts program in high school, followed by nearly three years of traveling across the country, where she developed a deep appreciation for botany and biology that continues to influence my work. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas with a BFA in Studio Art and went on to work for the head of sculpture, while contributing to exhibitions and creating original pieces. After deciding to homeschool her children in 2015, she also ran two small creative businesses, blending entrepreneurship with arts-based education, before choosing to devote more time fully to homeschooling; these experiences now inform her teaching and interdisciplinary approach within the homeschool environment.

Ian Wasdin is a multi-instrumentalist and dedicated music educator with over 20 years of experience. Initially self-taught, Ian went on to study guitar with John Dearman (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet), Dr. Molly Miller (Jason Mraz and the Black Eyed Peas), Dr. Thomas Echols, and Dr. Dragos Ilie (Austin Guitar Quartet). Ian attended The Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education. During his time at UT, Ian served as the Guitar Coordinator for the UT String Project, where he taught private lessons, guitar ensembles, and music theory classes. In addition to guitar, Ian was also a member of the UT Choir and sang baritone. Ian is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at Texas State University in Guitar Performance and Pedagogy, where he received a scholarship and serves as a Teaching Assistant. In addition to teaching, Ian is an active performer and regularly performs in Austin and throughout Texas. Known for his exceptional technical skill and artistry, Ian brings his passion for music to every class he teaches. With a rich background in private and group lessons, after-school programs, and live performance, Ian is committed to making music education enjoyable and accessible for all of students.

Helen Allen is an Austin-based author, illustrator, artist, and co-founder of Mint and Bloom Learning. Helen studied acting and theatre at Santa Monica College, Texas State University (BFA Acting Program), and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK while performing in professional theatre productions and improv. Helen is proud to help found the Arts and Theatre programs at AAC; her teaching styles are TAB (teaching for artistic behavior), SEL (social-emotional learning), and MADOM (makin' a dang-ol' mess). Beyond educating and making art, Helen's favorite things include: homeschooling/ raising her two favorite humans, looking at pictures of chonky bears, listening to the huffy snorfles of hippo-shaped dogs, collecting trinkets, and eating delicious sandwiches.

Heather Lindeman is a parent educator in the Greater Austin Homeschooling community. Heather’s journey with homeschooling began in 2020, while she was living in Newton, Massachusetts, with her family. She firmly believes that the path to knowledge spreads out before us whenever we ask ourselves, “Why not me?” Heather grew up as the second of six children, frequently relocating across the western half of the United States, but claims Alaska as home. Heather obtained a degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a concentration in Social Justice Advocacy. She is a first-generation college graduate. Heather has previously worked in Telecommunications and Finance. As a Technology Project Manager, she had the opportunity to create extensive technical documentation, including training curricula that she then delivered globally. Heather describes herself as a jack of all trades, master of none, and dicey at many. Heather currently works with her favorite colleagues, her husband, and their three children. These years have been filled with love, adventure, and learning for the whole family! Heather’s special interests include history, political science, and literature. Her hobbies often start with the words, “How hard could it be?” She believes our world is the best classroom and that books are the most economical travel option, providing endless itineraries. Heather looks forward to sharing her love of literature and learning with our Elementary students this Spring!

Dolores has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from St. Edward's University and 20+ years of teaching experience. She spent most of her career as an Elementary Bilingual Teacher in AISD across all grade levels. In addition to teaching, she developed curriculum, provided teacher development, and mentored teachers. She discovered the joy of homeschooling during Covid and never looked back. She nurtured her love of teaching by starting a homeschool coop with three others, developing and teaching classes for middle and high school students. This experience cemented her belief that learners, no matter the age, need to move, play, draw, sing, discuss, and create to learn effectively. She hopes to pass on her love of the Spanish language through engaging, interactive lessons that go beyond simple memorization.

Donna has a BS from Stephen F. Austin State University in Child & Family Development and an MEd from UT Austin, specializing in Early Childhood Special Education. She spent most of her career as a child life specialist in the NICU, where she provided family support and developmental care. She has also taught outdoor education for the Houston Independent School District and was a physical education teacher at a private Montessori school. She began homeschooling her son in 2021 when he started fourth grade. In her free time, Donna is an avid pickleball player and loves to dabble in writing. She has a fondness for period dramas and is an enthusiastic current events geek.

Courtney Warnsman is an educator and curriculum designer who has worked in middle school, high school, and university settings for more than twenty years. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Language and Literacy focus) from the University of Texas at Austin and has taught English and interdisciplinary classes across grade levels from middle school through college. Whether in her current profession as a career and leadership development coach or in the secondary classroom, Courtney creates learning experiences where participants analyze ideas, consider multiple perspectives, and communicate clearly and confidently. She uses close reading, evidence-based discussion, and writing as a tool for thinking—skills that are foundational for college-level coursework as well as navigating workplace expectations, civic life, and complex conversations beyond high school.

A graduate of Austin College, Aubrey began her career in public education at a school in the Austin area. With over 20 years of experience teaching secondary-level science, she is deeply committed to fostering a strong academic foundation for her students. Her goal is to ensure that students not only excel in science at the collegiate level but also find the subject engaging, relevant, and enjoyable. In addition to her passion for science, Aubrey has a deep appreciation for Germany-its language, culture, and people-and actively shares this love with the students in her German classes. For the past 15 years, she has successfully homeschooled her children, guiding two of them to transition from homeschooling to college. Outside of her professional pursuits, Aubrey is an avid reader and knitter, enjoys traveling, and plays the cello in an orchestra at The University of Texas.

Arielle has a BA from Boston University with a double major in U.S. History and Political Science, and an MEd from Texas State with a focus on teaching Gifted and Talented students. Before having kids, she worked in politics and as an Educational Specialist at Region XIII. For the past five years, Arielle has been writing and teaching creativity-based inclusive history curricula to students of all ages. She is the co-founder of Mint and Bloom Learning. As a history teacher, Arielle delights in sharing the weird, wild, and wondrous stories of humanity through the ages. She aims to get students excited to go down rabbit holes, helping them connect with individuals and cultures through history. Arielle is a homeschool mom of two and loves tinned fish, bad 90s movies, bouldering, and walking briskly.