Our Staff

Karie Coffman

CAMPUS COORDINATOR

Mrs. Coffman is a native Texan and resides in Dripping Springs, TX with her husband and two children. She is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family and Child Development with a minor in Early Childhood Intervention. Mrs. Coffman spent five years working in the foster/adoption sector before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Once her children were school-aged, she returned to work and has spent the last five years in private school administration.

Mrs. Coffman loves all things related to nature and animals, camping with her family, reading, baking and enjoys volunteering at PAWS Animal Shelter alongside her daughter. She is excited and grateful to be part of Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse and looks forward to watching the students thrive!

Jillian Turk

KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Turk lives in Dripping Springs with her husband and three children. She is an Austin native with roots in the Lakeway area. Mrs. Turk graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a degree in Education. She has been teaching for the last four years and is looking forward to teaching Kindergarten at Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse.

Michelle South

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. South is new to Dripping Springs and her passion is to pour into the next generation of boys and girls so that they will come to know Christ in a personal way, walk out His purpose for their life and be a leader for their generation. Mrs. South received her BS in Elementary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and has taught in a variety of educational programs from public, private, homeschool and children’s ministry at her former church in McKinney, Texas. Her desire is to encourage her 1st graders to academically think for themselves, learn how to be problem solvers, serve others in their community and through the lens of scripture know that they are created uniquely by God. She is so excited to meet her new students and begin the 1st grade
journey for the 2024-2025 school year. Mrs. South loves to play with her awesome grand-babies and enjoys reading biographies, interior decorating and a good cup of coffee.

Julie FitzGerald

SECOND GRADE

Mrs. FitzGerald lives in Dripping Springs, TX with her husband. She has two sons; one in high school and the other is set to begin college in the Fall.  She is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Mrs. FitzGerald is a veteran educator with experience as both a teacher and school administrator. She has taught in the public school and private school setting and is looking forward to what God has in store for Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse for the 2024/2025 school year.

Mrs. FitzGerald loves spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching her sons play sports and teaching Sunday School at Austin Ridge Bible Church in Dripping Springs, TX.

April Peterson

UPPER GRAMMAR

Mrs. Peterson loves teaching! She has an extensive teaching background spanning over 28 years in private and public school settings as well as, homeschooling. She has taught many children over the years including her own boys whom are now in their twenties. Mrs. Peterson treasures the students she has taught and hopes that she has blessed their lives as much as they have blessed her.

Mrs. Peterson’s pride and joy is her family!  She is used to being outnumbered by the men in her family but is catching up with two daughters-in-loves and another granddaughter on the way!  Mrs. Peterson has a total of four grandchildren between her three sons and enjoys sharing the love of Jesus with them all.  She is excited to continue her journey here with our SCS family and prays that God will continue to use her in mighty ways inside the classroom.  Mrs. Peterson wants students to not only be inspired by their academic studies but also hopes they leave each day truly understanding the love of Jesus.