Our Staff

Lisa has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Community and Human Services from the State University of New York Empire State College and a Master's Degree in Special Education and Educational Administration from the University of Houston-Victoria. She is also a certified teacher and Principal in the state of Texas and earned her certification as a Trauma & Resilience Practitioner in 2018. In May of 2024, she graduated from Destiny Leadership Institute, a Bible college and leadership program that has Biblically strengthened her leadership skills.  She started her educational journey in Oneonta, New York as a Counselor with SUNY, Interim Director of ONC BOCES CROP program, and Afterschool Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance representing New York State. She spent 11 years with VISD at Victoria West High School as a special education teacher, special education department chair, assistant principal, and Administrator of RISE Academy. In 2020, God called Lisa to start as the owner and director of GRACE Transition Education Services. Since Lisa and her husband Tony began attending Riverside Church, she has not only grown her relationship with Christ but God has given her a vision to use her skills in educational administration to help the students of Riverside Academy.

Sophia graduated from Resolute Academy in 2020 and worked at the YMCA of Victoria from 2020-2022 as an after school counselor helping children reach their educational goals and guiding them through the homework process. In 2022, she successfully completed the Job Skills Trainer credential through the University of North Texas. This credential allowed her the opportunity to work as a Job Skills Trainer with GRACE Transition Education Services. She helped prepare individuals with disabilities for their future careers by guiding them through the employment process, teaching them new skills and monitoring and reporting their progress.  Sophia has been a member of Riverside Church since 2022.

Mitzi McHenry brings an enriching perspective to her 3rd through 5th-grade teacher role, thanks to her 30 years of experience as a dedicated nanny. Her extensive background in nurturing and supporting children has equipped her with a deep understanding of child development and effective teaching techniques. Mitzi has seamlessly transitioned her skills from personalized care to the classroom, where she fosters a warm and inclusive environment. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes individualized attention, creative problem-solving, and hands-on learning, reflecting her years of experience tailoring activities to meet each child's needs. She is excited to bring her wealth of experience and passion for education to her students, helping them thrive both academically and personally.

McKinzi McHenry is a dynamic middle and high school educator specializing in science and mathematics. With a passion for life sciences and numerical analysis, she brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to teaching, fostering a deep understanding of how scientific principles and mathematical concepts intersect in real-world applications. McKinzi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Houston-Victoria and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Cyber Security. She enjoys incorporating hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and real-life problem-solving scenarios to make complex topics accessible and exciting for her students.

Brian is a member of Riverside Church and serves as an elder and on the Serve Team. He is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment for his students at Riverside Academy. He graduated in 2007 from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Human Relations. He worked for General Motors Corporation for 30 years and as an instructor in the Training and Human Resources Department for 15 years. He taught Health & Safety Classes as well as Technical and Quality classes. In 2021, he joined Victoria College as an instructor in the Continuing Education Department teaching English, Writing, and Math.

Sandra is the Spanish teacher and also teachers other electives for Riverside Academy.

Mandy is the elective teacher for Nutrition and Cooking for Riverside Academy. In addition, she will be the school nurse.