Faculty and Staff Updates 2026-27

We are pleased to share that Holly Hardin, who joined us as a Pre-K4 Teaching Assistant last year, will serve as a lead Teacher in Pre-K4 and will work alongside Lori Whatley. Holly has worked in Early Childhood education for over 15 years, and she has served as a lead Pre-K teacher for ten years in both Texas and West Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University and has been a valuable member of the Regis community. We are excited for the talent we know she will bring to our Early Childhood Division in her new role.

Leah Leftwich joins the Regis faculty as a Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Sandra Peterson. After her graduation from Houston Christian High School, Leah earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Oklahoma and brings a diverse background in corporate health and wellness, photography, and motherhood. She has served as a substitute teacher at Regis, and she is working towards her teacher certification. As a former stay-at-home mom of two young boys, Leah has developed a deep appreciation for early childhood development and the important role that play, relationships, and routine have in helping children learn and grow.

Regis is pleased to welcome Arianna Orosco to the Early Childhood Division as a Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Kelley Twardowski. Ariana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of Houston. Before coming to Regis, Arianna taught Pre-K students through a program that supported families in need. She is committed to creating a classroom where every child is valued, engaged, and encouraged to be confident learners. She's a proud Houston native, enjoys traveling, and spending time with family and friends at any given chance.

Lori Whatley is a Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher at Regis and will work alongside Holly Hardin. She brings over 16 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education, having previously served at Zion Lutheran Preschool and St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Lori holds certifications in Scientific Spelling and Reading Readiness from the Neuhaus Education Center and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She strives to foster a nurturing, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment that encourages curiosity, confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

The Lower School is pleased to welcome back Fernanda Blasco, who will reprise her role as Second Grade Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Erin Fisk. Fernanda, a Duchesne alumna who is married to a Regis alumnus, returns to us after taking some time away after the birth of her third son. She holds an M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, along with a bachelor’s degree from the same school. Fernanda is very passionate about working with students in small group instruction and finds it especially rewarding to support their learning and witness their growth and confidence throughout the year. 

Regis is pleased to welcome Reyna Deese as the Third Grade Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Andrea James and Dr. Jeffrey Merino. Reyna is a Houston native with 10 years of experience in education, teaching students from Pre-K to the college level. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and her Master of Science in Health Sciences from Drexel University College of Medicine, where she originally had plans to become a physician. A true renaissance woman, Reyna has also been a teaching artist at Houston’s Alley Theatre.

Veteran Catholic educator Letizia Guillen joins the Kindergarten faculty this year as lead Teacher and will work alongside Jayla Lockett, Regis' new Kindergarten Assistant Teacher. Letizia comes to Regis from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, where she has served in a variety of roles for the past 27 years. For the majority of her career, she has worked with Early Childhood and Kindergarten students, though she has also served as a religion teacher and library manager. Letizia’s primary goal is to provide a nurturing, engaging, and supportive learning environment where students can build a strong foundation for future success. She believes that every child has unique strengths and is committed to helping each student reach their full potential.

Natacha Koumado joins the Regis faculty as the Second Grade Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Anna Huber. Natacha earned her Associate's degree from Houston Community College and has started working on her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston. For the past few years, she has been a lead teacher at Tanglewood Academy, after a year of teaching at the Goodard School. A proud mother of two, Natacha loves baking and is a photography enthusiast. She is excited to be joining the Regis community and its passionate educators.

We welcome Jayla Lockett to the Lower School as a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Letizia Guillen. Jayla recently earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Texas Southern University and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in School Counseling. Prior to joining Regis, she worked in mental health and behavioral health settings, supporting children, adolescents, and adults. These experiences strengthened her commitment to creating positive, supportive environments where students feel encouraged, valued, and capable of success.

Joining the Lower School faculty is Michelle Marshall, who will serve as a First Grade Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Regis' new First Grade Teacher Kathryn Millard. Michelle is a native Houstonian and proud product of Catholic education. She brings over 20 years of teaching experience in both public and Catholic school settings. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from University of Houston, an Elementary Self-contained Certification for Grades 1-8 with an English specialization focus, an English as a Second Language Certification for Grades 1-8, and a Gifted and Talented Certification. Michelle also earned her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Houston with a concentration area of children and families and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Texas.

Dr. Jeffrey Merino comes to Regis this year as a lead Teacher in the Third Grade and will work alongside Regis' new Third Grade Assistant Teacher ,Reyna Deese, as well as Andrea James. As he enters his tenth year in education, Jeffrey is delighted to be joining the Regis community. He holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, a Master of Library Science from Sam Houston State University, and a Doctorate in Professional Leadership and Literacy Development from the University of Houston. Throughout his career, Jeffrey has served as an elementary classroom teacher, school librarian, instructional coach, and most recently a faculty member at The Awty International School, along with a brief stint in a public school district.

Kathryn Millard joins the Regis faculty in First Grade as lead Teacher and will work alongside Regis' new First Grade Assistant Teacher Michelle Marshall. Kathryn comes to us from Frostwood Elementary School, also having previously taught at Bear Creek Elementary in Katy ISD. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and is a graduate of the School of the Woods, just down the street. Kathryn especially values the partnership between teachers and parents in the education of children and believes in the importance of communication in building that partnership. She is excited to come back “home” to independent education, where she can put her talents as an educational innovator to work for the benefit of students. Kathryn got married this summer, so going by Mrs. Millard is a new, exciting change for her!

After some time away from the classroom at Regis, Emily Pinto returns to us as a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Gina Nguyen. After earning her Undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University, Ms. Pinto moved to Houston to earn a Master’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas. She spent over 10 years in Houston’s inner-city Catholic schools, helping establish and grow several preschool programs. Passionate about expanding opportunities for underserved students, she later worked with a school board to help launch Nativity Academy of Houston, a school serving at-risk children. She then joined Regis School of the Sacred Heart, teaching Pre-K4 for two years before stepping away to raise her own young children. Now, with both children attending Regis, she is excited to return as an Assistant Teacher and continue her passion for education.

Marc Venegas will join the Lower School as lead Teacher in the Fourth Grade and will work alongside Peggy Gioacchini and Maryam Javan. Marc began his formative education in Joliet, Illinois, and later relocated to McAllen, Texas. Marc graduated from the University of Texas Pan American with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. For the last eight years, he’s taught third grade math and science at Frostwood Elementary. However, in his education career here in the Houston area, he’s also taught first through fourth grades. Additionally, he’s worked as a Title III Specialist, Language Arts School Improvement Specialist, and a Reading Interventionist. Mr. Venegas strives to create a learning environment where students are independent, self-directed, and reflective in their work.

Regis is thrilled to welcome (back) Jacob Wardwell as First Grade Assistant Teacher and will work alongside Ashley Dennis. Jacob is a Regis alumnus (Class of 2012) and enjoyed playing basketball for the Knights. Born and raised in Houston, Jacob has worked with children of all ages as a teacher, camp counselor, and sports instructor. He is deeply passionate about helping students thrive in school. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys sports, photography, hiking, and movies. Jacob looks forward to helping children grow into better students and productive young men at The Regis School.

Rex Malixi, longtime Regis Early Childhood and Lower School Religion Teacher, will join the Middle School faculty this year as a Religion Teacher in the Fifth and Sixth Grade. Rex holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has significant experience as an educator and leader of Catholic youth ministry programs. He will also continue to serve as Regis’ Director of Liturgy, coordinating all of our school Masses. Rex has a proven history of bringing energy to religious instruction that promotes a personal and active faith in God.

Also moving upstairs is veteran Regis Teacher Judy Miller, who will join the Middle School faculty as a Fifth and Sixth Grade Math Teacher. Judy has been teaching Fourth Grade since she came to Regis in 2020, with an emphasis in Math and Science. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and she has been an active member of Regis’ Formation to Mission Committee. We look forward to Judy’s continued service to the Regis community with our Middle School boys.

Pam Weikel, also not a stranger on our campus, will continue to serve as the Director of Auxiliary Programs, but will move out of her Math Teacher role in our Seventh and Eighth grade, taking on a new role as Regis’ first Middle School Math Specialist. Pam will work with students who need extra support in Math, as well as with those students who would benefit from additional challenge. In addition to supporting all of our students in Fifth through Eighth Grade, Pam will teach our Math Plus program, which gives students with significant mathematical ability the opportunity to study high school geometry as Eighth Grade students. Pam is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and prior to coming to Regis in 2016, she had a lengthy career in corporate America, working for the largest of Toyota dealers in the State of Texas.

Michael Barber, who has taught Music across all grade levels at Regis since 2020, will focus this year on teaching only Middle School students in his new role as Regis’ first Director of Fine and Performing Arts. In addition to continuing to provide instruction in Music to Fifth through Eighth Grade students, Michael will begin to develop additional programming in the arts, putting his passion for choral singing, instrumental ensembles, and theater to work for the benefit of our Regis Knights. Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island, a Master’s degree from Western Governors’ University, and beyond his formal education in music has worked as a professional touring and recording musician. Previous academic appointments include work in classroom instruction and fine arts administration at the Washington International School and The Village School.

Samantha Georges will return to campus for the 2026-27 school year in a new role as Religion Teacher for students in our Early Childhood and Lower School divisions. She taught First Grade here at Regis last year, and prior to that, she served as a fourth grade teacher at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, where she also served as the team leader for the upper elementary division. Samantha holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. Prior to her time at St. Rose of Lima, she was the first librarian at the International School of Choueifat in Koura, Lebanon. Samantha has also worked as a special education teaching assistant in HISD and has served as a Director of Religious Education and Program Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. 

We are pleased to welcome Liliana Labbruzzo to Regis as our new Early Childhood and Lower School Spanish Teacher. Liliana is an experienced educator with 14 years of teaching experience in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, having spent the past eleven years teaching at St. Michael Catholic School here in Houston. She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. A native Spanish speaker, Liliana has a passion for language acquisition, literacy development, and creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. She is also skilled in building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues while fostering academic growth and a love of learning.

Cary McAllister will join the Regis faculty this year as our Early Childhood and Lower School Performing Arts Teacher. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Cary brings a unique blend of professional performing arts experience and child development expertise to Regis. Before transitioning into education, she enjoyed a 23-year career as a professional musical theatre actress, performing on Broadway, in national tours, and at regional theatres across the country, including Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) here in Houston. For the past four years, Cary has been living in Houston and serving as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, supporting children and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. Her background in both the performing arts and child development has fueled her passion for helping children build confidence, creativity, and self-expression.

Another familiar face at Regis that we are pleased to see in a new role is Ivan Vixamar. Ivan started at Regis this past year as a Third Grade Teaching Assistant, but this coming year, will serve as our Lower School Physical Education Teacher, working with students in First through Fourth Grade. In addition to his work in our Physical Education department, Ivan will serve as Regis’ Lower School Athletics Commissioner, coordinating all of our Lower School sports programs. Excitingly, Ivan will also serve as our Head Football Coach, developing our newest Middle School athletic program. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ivan has taught economics, P.E., health, and government at the secondary level. He is a former collegiate football player at Concordia University Chicago, having graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, with a minor in Marketing.

Stepping away from the Pre-K classroom and assisting Kim and the Division Heads is Kirby Clinton, who will take on the role of Academic and Student Life Coordinator. In this role, Kirby will manage a diverse array of functions, including attendance, field trip coordination, divisional scheduling and calendaring, and the preparation of substitute teachers for their days at Regis. Kirby came to Regis in 2021 as a Pre-K4 Teacher, having previously taught at Kipling Academy. She is a graduate of the University of Houston, and a product of a Catholic education, having attended St. Cecilia Catholic School as a child. She is eager to apply the skills, organization, and energy she brought to her classroom to this important role that will serve all Regis students.

Though she started at Regis back in April, we are pleased to introduce Lauren Darby, who serves as our Lead Data Systems and Information Platforms Manager. Lauren oversees the School’s database system - Veracross. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California, where she was also an All-American Division I student-athlete on the women’s volleyball team. Lauren brings experience across both charter and independent schools, having served as a fifth grade teacher, physical education coach, and registrar. She has dedicated more than a decade to Sacred Heart education through her work at Duchesne, where she developed a strong foundation in student information systems. Known for her passion for problem-solving, Lauren enjoys tackling complex challenges and improving systems to better serve school communities.

Annette Figueroa joins the Regis community as our Front Desk Manager. She holds a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton College of Hospitality Careers. She brings many years of experience in the hospitality and education industries. She has served in public, private, and trade schools in various roles including registrar and receptionist, most recently serving at School of Automotive Machinists & Technology and The Post Oak School. Annette is honored to join Regis and welcome students, family and friends to the school.

Kim Kossuth began her work at Regis this past April as the school’s Director of Development. Working closely with Kiran Ali, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement, Kim will bring her talents to the daily management of Regis’ fundraising efforts. She holds a Master’s degree from Stanford University in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wellesley College. She brings over twenty-five years of extensive leadership experience in school administration, advancement, and admissions to the team. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering school growth and building strong community relationships. Kim believes in the power of community engagement and is dedicated to supporting the long-term advancement and success of every student at Regis.

Meagan Messina, who has supported Advancement and Enrollment for the past four years, will now serve as the Executive Support and Institutional Advancement Coordinator. In the area of executive support, Meagan will assist both the Head of School and the Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement in scheduling, meeting coordination, and other daily tasks. In the area of institutional advancement, she will continue to support the enrollment management office while also focusing on donor services. Meagan is an alumna of Texas Tech University, holding both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing and Communications.