Faculty
We are proud of the wonderful staff we have assembled at SMA. Their strong academic credentials, coupled with a wide range of classroom and real-world experience, enable them to provide our students with a first-rate education.
Click teacher's name to email.
Raymond Kanipe is the fifth grade math, science and technology teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Geology and a Master of Science in Secondary Education both from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He has taught for 4 1/2 years. His certification is grades 4-8 Science. Prior to teaching, Kanipe worked for the Texas State Offenders Education Program working with alcohol and drug offenders as a counselor and administrator. Click on link to visit Mr. Kanipe's webpage. http://occhamsrazor.wordpress.com/about/
Amy von Keyserlingk is the fifth grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Southern Methodist University. She received her teaching certification from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She has taught for 11 years at Seashore Learning Center, Corpus Christi ISD, and Flour Bluff ISD.
Click on link to visit Ms. von Keyserlingk's webpage. www akey1.wordpress.com
John Sacchetti is the math teacher for grades 6-8. He also teaches high school algebra and geometry to our accelerated students. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. His certification is Math and Science grades 4-8. He has been teaching for 3 1/2 years. Prior to teaching he worked in the telecommunications industry for 30 years providing seminars and workshops to his peers.
Shannon Trial is the 6-8th grade Language Arts and Journalism teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Austin College and Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Texas. She holds certifications in English, Journalism, and Social Studies. She has three years of teaching experience. Prior to teaching she worked for eight years as a book publisher and graphic designer. Click on link to visit Mrs.Trial's webpage. www.shannontrial.wordpress.com
Susan Bernal is the 6-8th grade Social Studies teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Corpus Christi State University and a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her certification is grades 6-12 Social Studies Composite and Generalist grades PreK-8. She has taught for 5 years.
Katie Crysup-Sikes is the 6-8th grade Science and Drama teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is certified as an Infectious Substance Transport Instructor, First Aid Red Cross CPR Instructor, Hazardous Waste Handler, and NAUI Scuba Assistant Instructor. Her previous employment was as a Microbiologist with the City of Corpus Christi Nueces County Public Health Department and with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Department of Physical and Life Sciences as a Lab Director. She is also the Creative Director for the Port Aransas Community Theatre.
Tara Haney is the Physical Education and Health teacher for all SMA students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her previous experience includes two years in teaching and three years as Co-director at Seashore Learning Center. She is certified in K-12 Physical Education and K-12 Special Education. Prior to teaching she was employed at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club as a gymnastics teacher and Christus Spohn Wellness as a personal trainer.
Brent Rourk teaches high school Spanish to grades 7and 8. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado, a Master of Arts degree from Northern Colorado University, and Administrative Certification from Denver University. He has been in education for 20 years. He is certified in History, Anthropology, Gifted and Talented and has endorsements in Spanish and Music. Prior to coming to SMA, he has taught Spanish, managed restaurants, owed a golf shop and a store fixtures business. He has coached softball, soccer, and baseball. In addition to teaching, he has also been a Principal and Director of Gifted and Talented program in Mapleton, Colorado. Click on link to visit Mr. Rourk's webpage.
www.brentrourk.wordpress.com
Dede Smith is the Special Education and English as a Second Language teacher for all grade levels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. She is certified in Special Education grades K-12, Generalist EC-4, and English as a Second Language. Prior to coming to SMA, Dede taught for four years in a self –contained special education program for grades 1-4. She was a middle school registrar for three years, and served as director of a Mother’s Day Out program for one year.
Jamie Pridgeon is the art teacher at SMA. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas State University. She is certified to teach all levels of Fine Arts. She has taught for three years; prior to coming to Corpus Christi, she taught in League City, Dripping Springs, and Kyle.
Rocio Garcia Skinner teaches music and performing arts to all grade levels. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&M Corpus. She has five years of teaching experience at Incarate Word Academy and West Oso.
Colleen McIntyre is President of the Island Foundation and has volunteered to teach Challenge Math. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education/Math from Texas A&I University-Kingsville and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Supervision from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is certified in Secondary mathematics. She has five years of teaching experience and ten years of tutoring math. Mrs. McIntyre has coached math competitions for five years, with one of her teams winning a state competition. Click on link to visit Ms. McIntyre's webpage.
www.ColleenMcIntyre.WordPress.com
Barbara Beeler is the Director/Superintendent of Seashore Middle Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Education from the University of North Texas. Her certifications are in English, Social Studies, and Mid-management/Administration. Beeler taught English and Language Arts for 19 years in Dallas ISD, Edinburg ISD, Gregory Portland ISD, Bay City ISD, and Highland Park ISD. She was an assistant principal and principal at Highland Park Middle School for 12 years, for a total of 31 years of experience.
Claudia Detore , Administrative Assistant, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Akron and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the New York Institute of Technology. She worked as a software engineer for ten years prior settling in Corpus Christi. She served on the Island Foundation Board of Directors for several years as Liaison to the private education programs and is an active member of the community.
Robb Tharpe is the Maintenance Supervisor of the Island Foundation Schools, Seashore Middle Academy and Seashore Learning Center. He has been on staff for 4 1/2 years. He is currently attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Training & Development. He devotes much of his free time as a leader at Young Life.