Staff J-L
Staff Profiles by alpha sections
J-L
J-L
Cyndie Jacks
I am Cyndie Jacks, one of the Westlake Academy Kindergarten teachers and this is my 4th year at the Academy (my 16th year in the classroom). Prior to Westlake Academy, I taught 7 years with Carroll ISD, where my daughter Abby, a 7th grader, is presently a student. I was born/raised in Kansas City (Home of the KC CHIEFS!) and attended Central Missouri State University, where I earned my BSE with a minor in English. The areas for which I have been trained are numerous, and include everything from Brain Research, Differentiated Instruction and Cooperative Learning to Cognitive Coaching and Gifted and Talented instructions. I am a "sponge" when it comes to learning all I can about the IB! I spent time visiting the MIS (Munich International School), have plans to visit several more IB schools this year and attended the first EY (Early Years) conference last Spring with my teaching partner! I have been published 4 times by CTP-Creative Teaching Press, and I am currently working on another resource (for K teachers this time!) that I hope to have completed next summer.
Maritza Jackson
I am Maritza Jackson and I was born in Havana, Cuba. I was raised in Fort Meade Florida and lived there until I graduated form high school. I have been teaching Spanish at Westlake Academy since it opened in 2003. Westlake Academy and I have taught Elementary Spanish as well as Secondary Spanish at Westlake. Also, I have taught in other schools Biology, Physical Science and Anatomy.
I graduated form Florida Southern College with a BA in Biology and a minor Education. I am currently certified to teach Elementary Self-contained, Secondary Biology, Secondary Spanish, Secondary Physical Science, Bilingual/ESL-Spanish.
Gail James
I am Gail James and come originally from Kokomo, Indiana but have lived in Texas since 1970 with a brief stay in Michigan in 1973. I have taught MYP Visual Arts and Film Making at Westlake for four years and look forward to my fifth year here and DP Visual Arts. I am a costumer /costume designer for 14 year now in my life outside school. On the average I costume around 26 different plays, and or programs a year. Some of my work includes: Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera (the Weber musical), Music man, The King and I, La Bete, Once Upon a Mattress and many more. I am also involved with our Drama department. I graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1970 with a BS degree in Art Education " area major with advertising design as my specialty. My MS is from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, now Texas A & M at Commerce. Where I studied illustration and advertising design for two years. In addition, I am certified in Vocational Education. I have had MYP and DP training. I taught four years in Houston, one in Decatur, and four years teaching Vocational Commercial Art at Keller High School. I had a craft business with my father for 15 years. I got back into teaching after being out of the classroom for 22 years while raising my two daughters, Jennifer (who teaches French and cheerleading at Fossil H S) and Jackie a Radio /TV/ and Film major at TCU.
Jeff and I have lived 2.5 miles from the school since 1977. I have two dogs, Star a Sheltie and Roxy Heart, a Cocker Spaniel with a heart shaped white patch on her side. My hobbies all involve art, collecting vintage clothing, and theatre.
Kristen Jernigan
I am Kristen Jernigan, a native Texan, recently relocated from Georgia. I am new to IB and WA this year, but have taught for a total of 17 years in the Woodlands, Plano, Alpharetta, Georgia, and most recently Central High School in Keller. I am teaching 11 th grade DP Chemistry, 10th grade Chemistry I, and 8th grade General Science. I have taught AP Chemistry II, Honors, and regular Chemistry I in the past. I graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Secondary Education. My master’s degree is from the University of North Texas, (M.S. Secondary Ed.) and I have a technology endorsement. I have served as an educational consultant for KERA in Dallas as part of the National Teacher Training Institute as a “master teacher” and have published some lesson plans in that program. I have presented staff development for Plano ISD where I served on the Science Curriculum Leadership Team and have been a guest speaker for a teacher education class from UNT. I have experience in commercial environmental and analytical chemistry laboratories.
Robert Kai
(See SMT)
Nirupama Karkhanis
My name is Nirupama Karkhanis and I came to Westlake academy with many years of teaching experience in an international school in Indonesia. I have a BFA degree from India and a M.A in computer education from Shenandoah University Winchester, Virginia and also credits in art related courses from BYU, Michigan University and Asia.
I will be teaching grades KG -6 and grade seven this year. We are all excited to start working on a variety of art projects including art history, famous paintings and art styles in different cultures. I love music and badminton.
I am happy to have been able to continue my teaching career in Westlake and am impressed by the student’s enthusiasm and excellent manners.
Heidi Kloempken
I am Heidi Kloempken from Minnesota. This is my second year at Westlake Academy and I am teaching G7 World History, G8 US History, and G10 AP US History. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s in History and continue my education by pursuing my Masters of Education also at the University of Minnesota. The states of Minnesota and Texas have both granted me teaching certificates for grades 7 " 12 in Social Studies.
Maria Magdelena Linan
I am Maria Magdalena Linan and I come from Peru. This is my first year at WA and I am teaching Spanish to Secondary students (from 7th Grade to 9th Grade) as well as Primary (5th and 6th Grade.)
I graduated from The Sacred Heart Women’s University (Lima-Perú) with a Bachelor Degree in Education and also have a postgraduate studies in Pre School Education in The Sacred Heart Women’s University (Lima-Perú).
I have an International Certificate of Proficiency in English awarded by the University of Michigan.
I am a Coach for Children, Teenagers and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder / Hyperactivity. I have given lectures at the Congress for Professional Women. I have over twenty three years of professional experience, seventeen working as a homeroom and English teacher at the Peruvian North American Abraham Lincoln School which is an IB School.
I keep abreast of new teaching trends by attending teachers’ workshops and seminars: PYP Seminars, 10th.English Teaching Conference “Rewind, Play, Fast Forward” sponsored by the School of Education, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola- June 2007; Conference “Educational Strategies Management for Children with Attention Deficit Disorder with/without Hyperactivity” March 2007 "Language and Learning Institute; How to Handle the Stress; Coaching “How to Manage Children with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder/ Hyperactivity at School”; “Counseling Course for Homeroom Teachers”, and other
Daniella Lira
(See Coordinators)