WELCOME TO ST. MARK’S 2023–2024
New Faculty and Staff Members
Ivann Grande comes to us from CodewizardsHQ in Austin, where he taught web development and programming concepts and was lead instructor in an internship program for middle and high school students. He maintained one of the highest student retention percentages in the company. At St. Mark’s, he will teach Middle and Upper School computer science. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Texas Wesleyan University.
Ken Howell will join the Mathematics Department this fall. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Lees McRae College where he played collegiate lacrosse, and he earned a master’s degree in mathematics instruction from the University of Texas at Dallas. Since 2002, Ken has taught mathematics at Jesuit Preparatory School in Dallas where he has also coached lacrosse and bowling, sponsored several clubs and participated in the Community Service program.
Dr. Michael Lane, formerly Science Department chair at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, CA, will assume the Leonard N. “Doc” Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair. He will serve as Planetarium director and also teach classes in physics and chemistry. Michael holds undergraduate and doctoral degrees in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. During his 24 years at College Preparatory, he taught courses in physical science, physics, chemistry, astronomy and introduced a course in neuroscience.
Kineta Massey joins the Fine Arts Department as an instructor of Lower School drama. A graduate of Booker T. Washington’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Kineta completed an intensive program in acting and directing from the Theatre Academy at Los Angeles Community College. For over two decades, Kineta has been the lead teacher for the Dallas Children’s Theatre as well as having provided theatre instruction and programming for public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
WELCOME TO ST. MARK’S 2023–2024 New Faculty and Staff Members
Cindee McMahon re-joins the faculty as interim fourth grade humanities instructor. A longtime faculty member who retired in 2019, she is a familiar face to all at 10600 Preston Road as she has been substituting here in all division levels for several years since her retirement. Cindee began her St. Mark’s career as a member of the Middle School humanities team in 1990 and received the Murrell Excellence in Teaching award in 1993.
Courtney Poglitsch joined St. Mark’s during the 2022-2023 school year, as the administrative assistant in the Middle School office. Courtney earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Texas and has worked in marketing roles throughout her professional career. She has also served as a front desk volunteer assisting families at The Ronald McDonald House in Dallas.
Virginia Puckett joined the Office of Development and Alumni Relations during the 2022-2023 school year and serves as St. Mark’s Fund coordinator. A native of Dallas, Virginia attended ESD and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Christian University with a focus on early childhood education, curriculum and instruction. Virginia most recently taught first grade at Copper Creek Elementary in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
Eliza Rosenbloom will join the Marksmen Wellness Center as the new Academic and Wellness Specialist. A graduate of St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, Eliza received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Master of Social Work, mental health concentration, from Washington University in St. Louis. In her new role, Eliza will provide individual intervention for students in academic need; consult with parents on the academic success of their sons; and collaborate with faculty on learning issues which impact a student’s performance in the classroom.
WELCOME TO ST. MARK’S 2023–2024 New Faculty and Staff Members
Maria Russo will join St. Mark’s in August to teach Spanish in the Lower School. A native of Argentina, Maria earned her bachelor’s degree from both San Jose College and Blas Pascal University in Argentina as well as a master’s degree from the University of Barcelona. Maria taught elementary school in Argentina before moving to Dallas to join the Alcuin School in 2007 where she taught Spanish at multiple grade levels and has provided instruction during after-school programming.
Natalie Smith will join the St. Mark’s Fine Arts Department as a part-time instructor of strings. A second year master’s student at Southern Methodist University seeking a degree in violin performance, Natalie has vast experience in summer music festivals such as the Interlochen Arts Camp, Blue Lake Summer Camp, String Crossings and the Brevard Music Festival, among others. She has worked with students in both Richardson Middle School and Plano East High School.
Dr. Andre Stipanovic joins the Foreign Language faculty where he will teach Middle and Upper School Latin. Andre earned his Ph.D. from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. After teaching at Seton Hall University and in Plano ISD, Andre took over the leadership of the Latin program at Hockaday in 2000 where he has taught for the past 23 years, earning the Ellen Higginbotham Rogers Award for Excellence and the Ackerman Award for Character Education.
Katy Tye will join the St. Mark’s Fine Arts Department teaching Middle School and Upper School drama. A native of Dallas, Katy has a degree in theatre studies (concentration in directing and movement) and an M.F.A. in acting from Wayne State University in Michigan. An accomplished actor and performer, Katy has worked in film and theatre as an actor and director. Katy also co‐founded Prism Movement Theatre, which is a theatre company that uses movement to tell stories.
