Our Staff

At Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse, our educators are passionate professionals who view teaching both as a calling and a ministry. They integrate bibical truths throughout the school day, foster curiosity and critical thinking. Our dedicated staff partners with families to provide a Christ-centered education, nurturing each child’s academic growth, character and love of learning.

Ruth Gentry

Campus Coordinator and Art teacher

Mrs. Gentry has spent more than 25 years serving in Christian education and ministry. She has taught Art for 10 years, including at Sunrise. She’s also served as a children’s and youth pastor for a decade, and spent 15 years as an administrator with Breakout Ministries, and Warrior basketball. She began her journey in education at the Christian school her father-in-law founded. She and her family have lived in Dripping Springs for 15 years and are active in their local church, where she especially enjoys Operation Christmas Child. Mrs. Gentry loves the Dripping Springs community and brings warmth, leadership, and a deep love for Christ to our campus.

Lauren Gerds

Reading & Curriculum Specialist

Mrs. Gerds is a native Texan and resides in Dripping Springs with her family. She has served elementary students for the past 11 years in a variety of roles, including classroom instruction, curriculum implementation, teacher coaching, reading intervention, and private tutoring. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed mentoring and assisting teachers, collaborating on curriculum planning, and supporting effective instructional practices that help both educators and students thrive. Most recently, she has worked as a Reading and Curriculum Specialist, partnering with teachers to strengthen instruction, support curriculum implementation, and develop engaging learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of students. Through collaboration, coaching, and targeted intervention, she is passionate about helping both educators and students grow with confidence and achieve success. Mrs. Gerds is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is certified in multiple reading intervention and dyslexia programs and is passionate about equipping both students and teachers with the tools they need to thrive. She is excited to bring her experience in literacy, curriculum development, and instructional coaching to the Sunrise community.

Sarah Kuykendall

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Mrs. Kuykendall is a native Texan and resides in Dripping Springs with her family. She and her husband are the founders of Sunrise, she loves to support the teachers, students, and families in anyway needed. She especially enjoys working ‘behind the scenes’. Mrs. Kuykendall is a graduate of Tarleton State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies. She spent several years leading a community outreach program at Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock. Mrs. Kuykendall is excited for another school year and working closely with our Sunrise community. She is eager to see the Lord continue to bless the Sunrise campus!

Kris Maguire

KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Maguire graduated from California State University at Chico with a degree in Communication. After working as an Art Director for several advertising agencies, she spent nearly eight wonderful years living abroad in Munich, Germany, before returning home with her family. Mrs. Maguire had the great privilege of homeschooling her children throughout their school years and continued to be actively involved in their education until they each graduated and attended college. It was during that season of life that she was given the opportunity to teach in Christian education, a calling that quickly became a passion. I have been blessed to remain in Christian education ever since and am grateful for the opportunity to encourage, teach, and invest in the lives of students each year. Mrs. Maguire hopes to not only teach, but to inspire a genuine love of learning and create meaningful experiences that her students will carry with them for years to come.

Michelle South

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. South has a deep passion 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.

Julie FitzGerald

SECOND GRADE

Mrs. FitzGerald lives in Dripping Springs, with her husband. She has two sons; one in high school and the other at Texas A&M. 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 upcoming school year.

Rebecca Stimmel

THIRD GRADE

Ms. Stimmel feels honored and blessed to return to Sunrise for another year and is eager to see all that God has in store this school year. With over ten years of experience teaching in both public and Christian school settings, she is committed to helping students grow academically and spiritually. As a parent herself, she believes deeply that parents are a child’s first teachers, and that raising kids up to know Christ, including in their education, is her highest calling and greatest reward and enjoys coming along side parents and partnering with them. Her greatest desire is for her students to become lifelong learners, to understand God’s deep love for them, and to embrace the concept of Imago Dei, the belief that every person is made in the image of God.

Julia Manners

FOURTH GRADE

Ms. Manners is a native of California and also lived in New York for 20 years. She now resides in Dripping Springs. She has been involved in education for over 20 years. Her experience ranges from teaching ESL in Taiwan to teaching in public and private schools. She has also been involved in church Kids Ministry since her teenage years. Ms. Manners is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Adolescent Development. She is very excited to be a part of the SCS family and to incorporate the love of Christ into every day education. Ms. Manners hopes that families know they can speak to her about their children. She believes that when everyone works together as a team, children will achieve the necessary growth.

Terri Usami

FIFTH & SIXTH GRADE

A native Texan, Mrs. Usami is married & is the proud mom of six children. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. Her teaching experience includes homeschooling, teaching within a homeschool co-op, and public school. Mrs. Usami believes Christian education is an important part of making disciples and preparing children to view every area of life through the lens of Christ. She believes that we all need our community to thrive, and she’s grateful to be a part of the Sunrise family.

Steve Isgitt

FOURTH & FIFTH GRADE MATH

Mr. Isgitt resides in Wimberley with his wife, Bren they are blessed with two children, four grandchildren, and one great grandson! Mr. Isgitt graduated from Texas Tech University. He spent many years in the automobile business, and most recently was a 4th grade teacher for eight years. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Isgitt shares that READING is his favorite sport! He serves as an associate pastor at Hill Country Bible Church. Mr. Isgitt is really looking forward to another year teaching math at Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse!

Linda Powers

TEACHER AIDE

Mrs. Powers was born & raised in Houston. She and her family moved to Dripping Springs in 2008. She has been married for 54 years and has two sons, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Mrs. Powers retired from the State of Texas Department of Health in 2018 and began teaching church Pre-School in 2019. She has experience leading classes with 2 & 3 year olds and also Kinder Bridge. Christian education was the primary goal for all her students, no matter the age. Mrs. Powers is so excited to be a part of Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse.

Lauren Aram

SPANISH

Mrs. Aram is originally from Southern California, and now resides in the Texas Hill Country with her family. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and continued to study in two areas of focus; Spanish and Linguistics. Mrs. Aram studied abroad in Madrid and was an English teacher for students in San Sebastián, Spain. She has taught many different ages in many different settings but is thrilled to be back at Sunrise. Mrs. Aram is looking forward to guiding her students with a Christ-centered mindset.

Sarah Sellers

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Ms. Sellers is a native Texan and resides in Dripping Springs with her 3 children. She has been a prominent member of the Dripping Springs fitness community for over 20 years. Ms. Sellers is a graduate of Texas State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical Education. She has been coaching P.E. locally for over 15 years, as well as owning and operating a mobile personal fitness training business. Ms. Sellers has a passion for encouraging and motivating others through physical activity to make lifelong positive, healthy changes. She believes God uses her teaching and coaching as a vessel to minister to others and disciple children.

Carly Valencia

MUSIC

Mrs. Valencia is a native of Orange County, California. She has a Bachelor of Art in Music Education with a Choral emphasis from California State University, Northridge. Her teaching Experience includes Middle school band & choir coach, individual lessons and small classes at School of Rock, drama/ESL/math at a small secondary Christian school, and providing guitar lessons at her church. Her number one goal as a music teacher is to make music fun in a structured environment! She wants children to associate music with joy while still maintaining standards. Mrs. Valencia is honored to have the privilege of teaching music to students at SCS! Children are a gift from the Lord!