MEET OUR TEACHERS

JOSEPH HOUSTON

lead academic coach • upper school

Hello SGA students and parents, my name is Mr.Houston, and I am the Lead Academic coach for the upper-level school. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, with a BS in Secondary math education, this is where I picked up tutoring as a skill with the local athletes, fraternities, and sororities.

After graduation, I taught for 5 years at Lufkin high school specializing in Freshmen athletes and helping them maintain a grade in algebra, while at Lufkin I honed my tutoring skills while working at Making the Grade Educational Services. Here I worked hard taking released versions of the ACT and SAT and working through pre-cal and calculus subject matter. I then moved on to work with Diboll High School, again a district with a heavy emphasis on sports and athletics.

After the 2019/2020 school year, during covid, I took a job working on turbine generators where I traveled the country repairing and performing maintenance on turbines which surprisingly takes a LOT of math and logical thinking.

When Covid began to lift I took a position at Kirby Hall school as the 4th-12th math teacher, here I was able to incorporate all the amazing things I have learned while working on cars / trucks / windmills / housing into a math curriculum that was fun and engaging.

I have been the tutor for the Barczewski’s for the past two years and learning the way that Laurel Springs does things. When I am not at work I am usually either working on my truck, reading comics, or refreshing on subjects that I haven’t worked with in a while on Khan academy.

ANGELA FULTON

academic coach & head of culture and conduct • upper school

Angela Fulton is one of the academic coaches for upper school and

a coach and trainer. Angela Fulton is a native of Austin, Tx, former Division I soccer player, professional soccer player, has been playing this game for 36 years. Angela holds a BS in Exercise Sports Science from Texas State University and was a high school teacher and coach for several years.

She is a former head coach at Lockhart High School where she was the 2012 – 2013 District 29-4A TASCO Coach of the Year. During her time there, Angela coached 10 All district soccer players including a 2x District Utility Player of the Year and District Newcomer of the Year. Angela was also the Head Women’s soccer coach at Hendrickson High School between 2018 and 2020 where she coached multiple all district athletes including her own daughter who is currently playing at the collegiate level.

Along with being a head coach, Angela was an assistant coach between 2016 and 2018 at Vandegrift High School where she was named the 2016 – 2017: Region IV – TASCO 6A Assistant Coach of the Year. She helped guide Vandegrift to a District and Region Championship in 2017, as well as a top 3 finish in the State. Angela is a highly effective coach and teacher; She works well with all age groups.

DEJA RIDGEWAY

lead teacher & head OF ACADEMICS • 4th grade

Hello! My name is Ms. Ridgeway, and I am SGA’s 4th grade lead teacher and Head of Academics! I enjoy hiking with my senior pup, reading, live music, and exploring all the coolest spots in Austin. I graduated from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in 2017 with a BA in Psychology. I have 7 years of experience working with students of all different backgrounds and populations. The bulk of my time was spent teaching Elementary Math and Science. What I love about teaching is building relationships with my students and seeing their academic and personal growth throughout the year. I’m so happy to start this journey at SGA.

SAM CANDIA

lead teacher • 6th grade

My name is Ms. Candia, and I am SGA’s 6th-grade lead teacher! I love spending time with my dog, playing the drums, and reading! I graduated from the University of Mary Hardin- Baylor in 2019 with a BA in Education. I have taught for four years in the public education setting, and I am currently working on my MA in School Counseling. I am passionate about helping students reach their highest potential, and I am excited to do that at SGA!

RYAN BROWN

LEAD TEACHER • 5TH GRADE

Hello student athletes and families! I am SGA’s 5th Grade Lead Teacher. Before my teaching career in Texas, I spent nearly a decade in Korea. There I opened up my own after-school academy that saw a consistent enrollment of around 65 students. Coming back to the states in 2017, I recieved my EC-6 teaching certificate and M.Ed. from Sam Houston State university. I love soccer as well and am a huge fan of MLS (Go Verde) and Lionel Messi. Besides soccer, I enjoy chess, board games, and reading a good non-fiction. My daughter Scarlet is also in SGA and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of a hard-working community whose values align with ours. Here for greatness!

MRS. LEOLA KNUDSEN

LEAD TEACHER • 3RD GRADE

I am excited to be starting my 37th year in education as a 3rd-grade lead teacher at SGA. I am married to my wonderful husband, Steven; I am a mother to 4 and a grandmother to 12. My sons played soccer in high school; my favorite players are Carli Lloyd and Lionel Messi. My hobbies include listening to a variety of music genres, singing, reading, gardening, preserving the harvest, and spending time with family. I’m also involved in animal rescue.

I hold BS and MS degrees in Biology/Geology and Biology, respectively, from the University of New Mexico. I am certified in secondary science education. I worked as a research technician for the University of New Mexico Biology Department participating in several different research projects and for the University of New Mexico School of Medicine where I worked in medical research for the Anatomy, Toxicology, Pharmacology, and Neuropathology departments and for the Office of the Medical Investigator. I worked as a field biologist for the U.S. Forest Service at the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station in Albuquerque and, more recently, was the laboratory supervisor and head screening technologist for Origins Recovery Centers of Texas. I’ve worked in 4 school districts in 2 states teaching various secondary science courses primarily at the high school level. I was also an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Biology department at Austin Community College for 15 years.

ALEXIS MILAM

LEAD TEACHER • 1ST GRADE

Hello! My name is Ms. Milam and I am SGA’s first grade lead teacher! I enjoy reading, swimming, and challenging myself to make dishes from scratch! I graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with a BA in International Studies and French. Throughout my time at University, I was involved in youth leadership, History, and English tutoring in various curriculums and guidance for students of all ages and backgrounds. After graduation, I moved to rural France to teach English for one year for ages 6-13. Coming back to the United States, I taught 2nd grade at Valor Kyle for the 22-23 school year. I love new experiences and showing students that they can accomplish anything that they set their minds to. I am excited to begin this adventure with you all here at SGA!

ROBERT MUELLER

ACADEMIC COACH

ROBERT MUELLER is better known by “RAM”.

He was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany. As a youth, he played on the Capital Soccer Club in Austin, Texas, and was selected by the Texas Olympic Development Program. He was recruited by the University of Memphis where he played Division I collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. He has a B.S. Kinesiology degree and a U.S. Coaching Soccer License. After college, he played for the Austin Aztecs and Houston Dutch Lions. He worked as an Assistant Goalkeeper coach at the University of Montevallo. He also served as the Assistant Men’s Soccer and Goalkeeper coach at Weber International University. As a Goalkeeper coach with Appa Aguilas, Mueller worked with several players that eventually signed professional soccer contracts. Mueller has also worked with soccer academies that specialize in Goalkeeper training. Mueller currently works as a Coach and Goalkeeper trainer for SGA Academy where he continues to help others develop their soccer skills and help them reach their full potential in the sport of soccer.

IXTZEL DELUNA

ASSISTANT TEACHER • 6TH GRADE

Hey SGA! Most of our students refer to me as “Zeke’s mom” and that’s totally ok with me! I’ll be the Teacher’s Assistant for the 6th-grade class this year. My family and I moved to Austin from Northern California in January of 2022 and we absolutely love it here. Academically, I don’t have any degrees but I loved school and graduated in the Top 10% of my class. I went to Bible College for a year before deciding to get certified as a nursing assistant, work full time and start a family. When our oldest (Ezekiel) was 7, we chose to begin homeschooling him and his sister. Boy, did the next 2 years teach me A LOT; but I’m incredibly grateful for that time and it introduced our family to classical curriculum and methodology. I had the honor of being the T.A. to the lower school at SGA East last year and got to see some of the same curricula engage and benefit our students there. I’m very excited to see what this new school year will bring!

KIANA FONSECA

ASSISTANT TEACHER • 3RD GRADE

Hi SGA! My name is Ms. Fonseca and I am the assistant teacher for 3rd grade and the Upper School. I am thrilled to be a part of this community and contribute to the growth and development of our students. I love to read and write! I also love to run and play soccer in my free time. I played soccer for 12 years and love to help guide these students in achieving their goals. I graduated high school from Founders Classical Academy of Leander. I then pursued a year of Psychology at Dallas Baptist University before returning to Austin. Throughout my educational journey, I have actively engaged with youth organizations, assuming leadership roles, coaching, and participating in school committees. I had the fantastic opportunity of being an Upper School Acdmeic Coach last year here at SGA and am looking forward to challenging the young minds and positively impacting these student athletes’ lives!