Educators
Director and owner
Taylore Oldfield-Jackson
Dr. Oldfield-Jackson is excited for this new adventure as the director and co-owner of The Willow School. Her passion has always been education. Dr. Taylore Oldfield-Jackson is an Early Childhood- 6th grade certified teacher in the state of Texas. She also holds certifications in ESL, Special Education, & Gifted and Talented. Dr. Oldfield-Jackson taught in the Texas public school system for 7 years and spent the last two years as a full-time education consultant for a private literacy consulting firm. Mrs. Oldfield-Jackson has a B.S. in Education, B.A. in Spanish, M.A. in Curriculum and Learning, and an EdD in Learning and Organizational Change.
Owner
Kyah Spence
Mrs. Kyah Spence is thrilled to be co-owner of The Willow School. She spent the last 10 years as an Emergency Manager to better prepare organizations and communities when disasters strike. She worked in disaster recovery for the State of New Mexico and then as the Divisional Emergency Manager for a large healthcare system in Texas. She has been an Adjunct Lecturer II for the University of New Mexico Emergency Services Academy since 2012. She has her B.S. in Emergency Administration and Management and M.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. She most recently became a licensed loan originator.
Primary Guide
Jennifer Preciado
Jennifer was born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin. She is the youngest of three children. She and her husband have been together for 10 years and have two beautiful boys, who keep them quite busy. They enjoy being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with their extended family. They moved to Texas in search of better job opportunities, more advanced schools for their children, and to be closer to family. Jennifer has worked in the retail industry for over 15 years but has always had an interest in teaching. She is so grateful to have just gained her AMS certification in Early Childhood from Houston Montessori. Jennifer looks forward to helping the children grow in all areas of the curriculum.
Primary Assistant
Adriana Talamantes
Adriana Talamantes is excited to join the Willow School as a teaching assistant. Adriana has two children of her own and enjoyed being able to stay at home and raise them when they were younger. After spending time at home with her children, she became a dedicated elderly caregiver and a Human Resources Intern. Adriana realized her love for working with children, so she enrolled in the paraprofessional certification program at McLennan Community College. She received her paraprofessional certification in June of 2022.
STEM Instructor and Primary Assistant
Luis Moreno
Luis brings a unique blend of educational and technical expertise to our STEM program. He holds an Associate's Degree in Teaching and has hands-on experience working in public schools as a dedicated paraprofessional. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Applied Statistics, equipping him with a strong analytical and problem-solving foundation that enriches his classroom instruction.
Currently pursuing a degree in Nursing, Luis exemplifies a lifelong commitment to learning and versatility across disciplines. He is passionate about helping students explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engaging, real-world applications.
Luis is married and the proud parent of a son who is also a student at our school, making him an invested member of our school community both professionally and personally.
Primary Substitute
Susan Zvoncovik
Susan is a retired teacher with decades of classroom experience. Susan brings a deep well of knowledge, patience, and compassion to our school community. As a devoted grandmother, she naturally nurtures every child with warmth and care, creating a comforting and encouraging presence for students and staff alike.
Susan serves on the board of the Temple Children’s Museum, where she continues to support educational initiatives that inspire curiosity and creativity in young learners. Her professional background includes extensive work with children of diverse needs, equipping her with the skills to meet students where they are and help them thrive.
Susan's unique blend of experience, heart, and dedication enriches our school environment—fostering inclusivity, understanding, and a sense of belonging for all. We are grateful to have her as a guiding presence in our halls.
Primary Aide
Caitlyn Wingo
Caitlyn is a proud Central Texan with a love for all things pink, vintage, and creative. She enjoys exploring new hobbies and values spending quality time with her family. In her free time, she also volunteers in the church nursery, which she considers one of her favorite ways to connect with young children.
Caitlyn has discovered a true passion for supporting and encouraging children. Her long-term goal is to become a Child Life Specialist, allowing her to bring joy, comfort, and meaningful support to children and their families.
She is excited to be part of the team and looks forward to learning, growing, and sharing many smiles along the way.
Primare Aide
Phoenix Carlisle
Meet Ms. Phoenix!! Don't let the fact that this is her frist child care experience scare you, she is the oldest of 5 wild siblings and spent years babysitting. You can find her floating around the school helping every kid out, especially in Primary and Infant. She is currently in the local community college for Early Education major, hoping to work with your children again when they reach public schools. When Ms Phoenix isn't at Willow she is baking, babysitting or writing her book review articles. She cannot wait to adopt Montessori into her future classroom and continues to grow in her childcare skills.
Primary Aide
Alicja Berkich
Alicja Berkich is originally from Waco, Texas. She is married and has one wonderful child. She has always had a passion for working with children, which has been strengthened through her experience as a nanny. That role allowed her to support children’s growth and development in a hands-on, personal way—something she has truly enjoyed. She is excited to now bring that same care, patience, and dedication into a school setting. Being part of a team that helps students learn and thrive means a lot to her, and she is looking forward to contributing in a positive way.
Toddler Guide
Haley Glueck
Haley brings valuable experience from her previous role as a lead teacher and has a natural gift for connecting with children and families. Engaging, friendly, and full of positive energy, Haley creates a classroom environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to explore. She is passionate about helping children grow into confident, independent learners and takes great joy in guiding their development through hands-on learning and meaningful relationships. Haley is currently pursuing her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, further deepening her knowledge and commitment to the field. We are thrilled to have her as part of our school community!
Toddler Assistant
Brianna Zaragoza
Ms. Bri is excited to work with the Willow School families as one of the toddler aides. Starting her career in early childhood education in 2015, she built her foundation working for the U.S. Army’s Child and Youth Services program for infants, toddlers, preschool and school age. From there, she worked as a paraeducator in various school settings both in California and here in Central Texas, alongside certified teachers and registered nurses in the school clinic. Ms. Bri utilizes her health care background as well as her education background to provide excellent child guidance and advocacy for children in her care. She enjoys spending time with her 3 year old son and her husband, being outdoors and cooking. She is looking forward to growing in the Montessori community and building newfound relationships with families!
Toddler Aide
Jadyn Lee
With a background in early childhood care, Jadyn brings both experience and enthusiasm to our team. Having worked in various child care settings, she has developed a deep passion for nurturing young children and supporting their social, emotional, and cognitive development. She is eager to expand her knowledge of Montessori philosophy and practices. She is excited to learn how to support the development of the whole child through hands-on, child-led experiences that honor each child’s individuality. Known for her warmth, patience, and natural ability to connect with children, she aims to grow as an educator while making a meaningful impact in the lives of the children and families she serves.
Toddler Aide
Cecilia Molina-Jussen
Ms. Ceci has worked in the early childcare education setting for close to seven years. She strives to create a fun, engaging, safe environment for all her learners. She prides herself on building a strong communication/support system, as well as continuously training & updating her child certifications. She has taken five years of American Sign Languge & strives to actively use it with each lesson. This year she earned her Registered Behavioral Technicians certification. She is one of thirteen siblings & eagerly embraces the fun loving chaos of early childhood education.
Infant Guide
Glorie DeLeon Cruz
Mrs. Glorie has been a valued member of The Willow School community since its very beginning. She began her journey with the school as an aide and, through her dedication, leadership, and commitment to growth, advanced into the role of Lead Guide.Mrs. Glorie is deeply invested in her professional development and continues to pursue ongoing training to expand her knowledge and understanding of Montessori philosophy and practices. Her passion for education is rooted in a genuine love for children and a strong belief in nurturing their independence, confidence, and curiosity.
She is happily married and is the proud mother of two children, ages 13 and 14.
Infant Aide
Nadya Hernandez
Nadya has already demonstrated a strong passion for working with infants through her role as an aide in the classroom. Although she is new to the field of early childhood education, she brings a warm, nurturing spirit and a genuine enthusiasm for caring for young children.
Nadya is especially excited to be part of the infant room, where she supports the development of our youngest learners by helping to create a safe, loving, and engaging environment. She is attentive to each child’s individual needs and values the importance of building trust and security during these early stages of development.
In addition, Nadya is fluent in Spanish, which is a valuable asset to our diverse school community and helps strengthen communication and connection with families.
Infant Aide
Shanik Reyes
Shanik Reyes is married to a soldier and has a strong passion for working with children. As a parent, she understands the importance of finding high-quality, trustworthy care for young children and recognizes the concerns families may have when selecting a caregiver.
She enjoys interacting with infants and young children, spending meaningful time with them, and attentively meeting their daily needs. Shanik is known for being kind, respectful, and punctual, and she is committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment.
Her most recent experience includes working as an in-home babysitter for a toddler. Prior to that role, she worked in a clinical setting as a Certified Medical Assistant, gaining valuable skills in responsibility, organization, and attentive care.
Substitute
Zuleima Gonzalez
Mrs. Zuleima has had the unique opportunity to work across all classrooms at The Willow School, allowing her to build strong connections with children of various ages and to develop a well-rounded understanding of the school’s environment and daily routines. Her flexibility and willingness to support every classroom make her a valued and dependable member of the team.
Prior to joining The Willow School, Mrs. Zuleima spent several years as a pastry chef, where she expressed her creativity through baking and had the joy of preparing desserts for clients’ special occasions and celebrations. Her background in the culinary arts reflects her attention to detail, patience, and passion for bringing joy to others.
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