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.

Kirsten is passionate about helping children learn and thrive. With years of babysitting and serving in her church’s kids ministry, she brings both a nurturing heart and practical experience to the classroom. She creates a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and engaged, often using hands-on activities and creative play to make learning fun. Since 2019, Kirsten has been an active member of Riverside Church, serving in Children’s, Youth, and Worship Ministries, where her love for both education and ministry shines through.

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.

Katrina Arias has spent over 20 years serving her community through various child-focused activities and volunteer work. She is passionate about making learning fun and engaging, helping children believe in themselves and grow academically. Known for her dedication and willingness to embrace new challenges, Katrina brings both experience and enthusiasm to everything she commits to. As a mother of four, she has learned to balance home, career, and life while relying on her faith and trusting the Lord in every situation.

Mitzi McHenry brings an enriching perspective to her role as a teacher, 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.

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

Celia Banda has a heart for helping kids learn and grow, especially during some of the most formative years of child development. She brings creativity and passion into her classroom every day, making learning fun and helping each child build confidence along the way. She actively serves with Sip and Shine Cafe and has been a member of Riverside Church since 2022.

Mandy is the Schools Administrative Assistant/Nurse. She specialized in pediatric private duty care for 5 years and has experience as a QA/QC for Grace Transitions. Mandy has been attending Riverside Church for 2 years!

Lorelei works as a Teacher’s Aide for our Pre-K 3 and 4 classes. She has been a gymnastics coach for 4 years to kids of all ages. She actively serves on the Hospitality Team and has been a part of Riverside Church for 3 years!

Zoey Lopez works as the Music Teacher for Riverside Academy. She participated in choir for 4 years during her schooling and actively serves on the worship team while working in full-time ministry. Zoey has been a part of Riverside Church for 3 years.