E-Mail: amanda.appel@umeprep.org

Child Nutrition Director, Program Compliance Coordinator, At-Risk Coordinator

E-mail: christina.bock@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certification: M.A. Counseling, B.S. Psychology

Educational Experience: Mrs. Bock has served at UME Prep since our first operating year, building the Child Nutrition Program and assisting in many areas of the campus. Her background as an administrative associate at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in the Biochemistry Department along with years of experience working with education administrators as well as children and adolescents prepared her for her various roles at UME Prep. 

E-mail: jennifer.brandon@umeprep.org

E-mail: nancy.cowan@umeprep.org

Admissions and Attendance Coodinator/Parent Volunteer Coordinator

E-mail: sally.hansen@umeprep.org

E-mail: randy.horton@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certifications: Randy graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in secondary composite social studies from East Texas Baptist University in 1992. He received his master of liberal arts degree, with an emphasis on history and education administration, in 2012 from Dallas Baptist University. Randy is a Texas lifetime certified teacher.

Educational Experience: Randy has over 17 years of experience teaching in the UME method. He has taught American History, World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, History of Christianity/Comparative World Religions, Government, Economics, and Worldview/Metacognitive Studies.

At the original private UME school in Arlington, Texas, Randy helped found the National Honor Society chapter and was the Model UN debate coach for over eight years, the junior/senior trip coordinator for six years, and the high school student council sponsor for over 10 years. He served as the department chair for secondary social studies for more than seven years and served as a member of the academic affairs, student affairs, faculty development, and curriculum development committees. At Logos Preparatory Academy in Sugar Land, Texas, he taught 7th and 12th grade history and served as their dean of academics, overseeing the school’s successful accreditation bid with SACS/CITA during the 2008–2009 academic year.

His Family: Randy's wife, Shannan, is also certified to teach in Texas for life. She graduated from East Texas Baptist University with a bachelor of science in education, all-level music education degree (1993) and from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth with a master’s in church music (1998). She has over 10 years teaching experience in traditional public schools as well as private UME schools. Together they have four children – Lauren, William, Andrew, and John.

Student Portal/Grades, PEIMS, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent/Dean of Academics

E-mail: shannan.horton@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certification: Shannan graduated from East Texas Baptist University with a bachelor of music degree and with an all-level (grades K-12) teaching certification from the State of Texas. She also has a master of music in worship arts from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Educational Experience: Shannan Horton is a multi-level, experienced educator having taught all ages from preschool to adulthood. Shannan has taught at a number of schools including FRBC Early Childhood Center where she worked with both Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children; and Charlotte Anderson Elementary in Mansfield ISD for four years where she was also the Department Chair for Fine Arts. She also taught at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington for three years where she also served as Department Chair for Fine Arts and led the high school choir to TAPPS state competition several times, and they earned the highest scores possible. Shannan spent four years teaching at Logos Preparatory Academy in Sugar Land where she taught elementary Latin and third grade science. In addition to her years of teaching in a formal school setting, she has taught private voice and piano lessons out of her home for ten years, and she has been a teacher, director, and soloist in various ministries of numerous churches.

Her Family: Shannan is married to Randy Horton, Dean of Parent Education and Student Life at UME Prep. They have been married 21 years and have four children: Lauren (8th grade), William (6th grade), and Andrew (5th grade), and John (Kindergarten), who all attend UME Prep: They are committed to this method of education and thrilled to be a part of opening this school!

Director of Student Development for Young Men, Discipline

E-mail: anthony.hunt@umeprep.org

Degress and Certification: Anthony holds two bachelor degrees, one in business management from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. His other bachelor degree in social work was received from the University of Texas at Arlington. He expects to complete his master of arts degree in Christian education from Dallas Theological Seminary in May 2014. Anthony is certified in First Aid CPR AED, MinistrySafe Child Sexual Abuse Awareness, and Say It Straight. He is a trained career counselor/career information manager, trained Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, and also Love and Logic trained.

Educational Experience: Anthony served our country in the United States Navy for 20+ years as a Logistic Officer, where he received numerous military medals and letters of commendation.  He transitioned from his active duty career through the Troops to Teachers program. Anthony served as the Lead Behavior Adjustment Instructor (Special Education) at Webb Middle School in Garland, Texas for five years. He taught English, history, math, reading, science, and social skills. He served as the head 7th grade basketball coach, track coach, and assistant football coach. He also served as the Huddle Coach for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Anthony served as program coordinator for Turn?Around Agenda (formerly Project Turn?Around), a social outreach of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, leading mentorship programs in Dallas ISD, Duncanville ISD, and Cedar Hill ISD. For the past two years, Anthony has been implementing a leadership program in Fort Worth ISD with Ten2One Leadership, Inc.

His Family: Anthony and his lovely wife, Tammara, have been married 11 years. Tammara, UME Prep Parent Affairs Committee (PAC) member, is also a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. They are the proud parents to their daughter, Katie (10), a UME Prep student.

E-mail: todd.ignatz@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certifications: Todd graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in physical education and a master of science degree in health and human performance with an emphasis in sport management from Middle Tennessee State University. He received an associate’s degree of practical theology from Christ for the Nations Institute. Todd is a certified K-12 physical educator.

Educational Experience: Todd has experience teaching elementary physical education in a public school setting at the campus laboratory school at Middle Tennessee State University. He taught university level activity courses along with adapted physical education to future teachers. Todd worked at Vanderbilt University with college athletes from various universities in prospect league baseball. Todd has also coached a variety of sports of varying age levels and leagues including basketball, track, football, and soccer.

His Family: Todd is married to Caralyn, who also graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and was an event planner before becoming a happy stay-at-home mother to their four children. They have three daughters: Campbell, Mary Austin, and Delaney, and one son, Anderson. They are actively involved in their church, Church on the Hill, in Cedar Hill.

E-mail: regina.pingel@umeprep.org

Regina has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Sam Houston State University. She served as the office manager at Grace Prep for seven years and as an administrative assistant to the Grace Prep head administrator for five years. She led the way in developing a model family-friendly office that served families tremendously well at the first private UME school, and she will help to shape that same family-friendly environment within UME Prep. Regina is married to her husband, John, and enjoys being a stay-at-home mom to their four children: Kiersten, Abby, Alyssa, and Jonathan. Her knowledge and wisdom of the daily operations of a UME school, as well as her heart for the method, will be a tremendous asset to the board and administration.

Director of Student Development of Young Women, Assistant Academic Advisor, School Counselor, English II Teacher, Speech Teacher, Cheer Coach

E-mail: celeste.pulis@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certification: Celeste graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor of communications degree. She also has a masters of education in counseling from the University of North Texas. Celeste holds teaching certifications for secondary English language arts, speech, and school counseling.

Educational Experience: Celeste has five years of experience teaching in public schools. She has taught grades 7-12 in English or speech. She was also a varsity debate coach for one year. Outside of the school system, Celeste worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional teaching coping and behavior skills to children and adults experiencing symptoms of ADHD, bi-polar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression. She also has four years of experience teaching parenting classes to adults and teen parents. Celeste served on the board of Rosemont Early Childhood PTA for six years, including one year as president. She has also been a Young Life volunteer mentor for the last two years.

Her Family: Celeste is married to Josh Pulis, and they have two children: Jack (10) and Juliet (8). She enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

E-mail: kim.sanford@umeprep.org

E-mail: edwin.shafer@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certification: Edwin attended Stephen F. Austin University where he majored in Communications. He has lifetime Texas certification to work with general education students, as well as with special education students. He also received “Train the Trainer” certification for Texas Public Schools Transportation Management through TX DOT and Texas A&M.

Experience: Edwin has worn many hats in the field of education. He has taught elementary math and science in private school, as well as in a home-school co-op. He worked with special education students in Duncanville ISD, and he tutored at-risk students in math. He drove a school bus in Duncanville ISD, and he eventually became the Supervisor of Transportation for the district. He served as a Technology and Assessment Consultant for four years at Faith Family Charter School. During the time, he also assisted with the Reading First incentive, a key component of No Child Left Behind. Through this program, he helped with assessments and supplied resources to teachers, enabling them to more accurately determine the needs of early readers in the classroom. 

Family: Edwin has been married to his wife Elizabeth for 24 years. He is an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan, and he loves watching both college and professional football. In addition to sports, he enjoys trouble-shooting and working with computers and other forms of technology. Edwin is a photographer; his passion for photography started as a child and has continued throughout his life. Edwin and his wife are both ordained Elders in the Presbyterian Church.  

E-mail: ginger.stafford@umeprep.org

E-mail: ronda.standard@umeprep.org

E-mail: anita.thompson@umeprep.org

Degrees and Certifications: Anita earned the Certified Texas School Business Official certification from Texas Association of School Business Officials. She was the first charter school employee in Texas to be certified by TASBO.

Educational Experience: Anita has worked at two area charter schools as an office manager and payroll and benefits assistant. She has a total of 14 years charter school experience.

Her Family: Anita and her husband, Barry, live in Red Oak with their sons David (19) and Brandon (16). Their daughter and two grandchildren live in Ontario, Canada.

E-mail: callvin.trim@umeprep.org