Faculty Biographies

Byerly, Pat - Registrar
- Pat Byerly has a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. She has been at Happy Hill Farm Academy since 2005 and is the Registrar. After teaching in the public school system for many years (retiring in 2004), Pat found that she could still have contact with young people through her work at Happy Hill Farm Academy in an office setting.
Campbell, Monica – Academy Administrative Assistant
- Prior to arriving at HHFA, Monica spent 27 years serving within the banking and finance industry. Her most recent post was as Senior Vice President at Community Bank. As a lifelong resident of Hood County, Monica and her husband, Joel, have two children who are students at the Academy.
Davila, Joseph - Spanish
- Mr. Davila began his teaching career with Happy Hill Farm Academy in 2005. He teaches Spanish for grade K - 12 and Texas History for grade 7. He enjoys teaching all ages, especially young children, as he believes learning a second language at a young age is very beneficial. He also loves sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge of Texas History with his students. Mr. Davila is the Spanish Club Advisor and a Youth and Government Advisor.
Dea, Nova – Elementary
- With eleven years of experience teaching fifth and sixth grades, Mrs. Dea brings a wealth of experience helping children in the skills required for transitioning into junior high. Mrs. Dea is a graduate of Abilene Christian University. She has experience in multiple areas; however, Mrs. Dea specializes in Language Arts and in Science. She is married and has three children.
Dennis, Barbara Raye - Elementary
- Barbara earned her B.S in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University. She moved to Texas in 1998 and began teaching various elementary grades at Happy Hill Farm Academy in 1999. Barbara believes one of the greatest gifts she can impart to students is encouragement.
Ditto, Atyka - Elementary
- Atyka graduated from the University of Texas Permian Basin with EC-4 and ESL certification. As a Christian wife and mother, she says teaching is her passion. "I love every moment, because each one teaches me something too!"
Evans, Marc, Ph.D. - Head of School
- Dr. Evans received his Bachelor's degree in Administrative Studies and his Masters Degree in Athletics Administration. He obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Administration at the University of North Texas. Dr. Evans has a wealth of experience that includes being a dorm director, Chairmanship of Kinesiology departments, academic advising, coaching at the High School and Collegiate levels, directing Division I & II athletic compliance programs at Texas Christian University, as well as being a teacher at the High School and University levels. Dr. Evans goal is to create an environment to prepare the Academy's students for successful futures by equipping them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at the University level.
Evans, Tammy – Head Coach / Health / PE
- Tammy Evans was a four-sport athlete at East Central University (ECU) in Oklahoma and attended on a sport’s scholarship. Participating in basketball, soccer, tennis, and cross-country, Coach Evans understands what it takes to be a student athlete. Tammy’s 1998-1999 ECU basketball team made an appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. Upon graduating from ECU, she worked as an assistant basketball coach at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth under Floyd Evans (Texas Coach’s Hall of Fame). While living in Florida, Tammy Evan’s teams were ranked in the FHSAA top 10 state polls. Her last team finished as the Runner-Up Academic Basketball Team in the State of Florida, were Champions of the Miami Westminster Basketball Tournament, Champions of the Naples Thanksgiving Tournament, and Tammy received “Coach of the Year” honors during 2009-2010. Returning to Happy Hill Farm Academy as the Head Coach for the girls’ program will enable Coach Evans to pursue her goals of developing successful state championship teams but also teams with character, integrity, and spirit. Tammy knows that her faith, and sports, enabled her to obtain a college education and most importantly make a difference in the lives of young people. She will continue this same tradition at HappyHill Farm Academy.
Fong, Aaron - Art / Yearbook / Coaching
- Aaron received his Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. His art experience includes a wide range of media, including oils, acrylics, printmaking, sculpture, and graphic design. Aaron teaches art at all levels and serves as the school’s yearbook advisor. He combines his passions for visual art and mentoring young people in his high-energy style of teaching and is an avid believer in Christian education.
Ford, Andrea – Bible
- Ms. Ford received her bachelor’s degree in Bible, Family and Church Education and her master’s degree in Bible Teaching from Columbia International University in Columbia South Carolina. Andrea oversees the Bible Department within the Academy and is instrumental in HHFA’s campus ministerial programs.
Griffin, Julie, Ph.D. - Dean of Students
- Julie Griffin joined the staff of Happy Hill Farm Academy in July 2008. She holds a masters and doctorate in Educational Psychology and has a rich understanding of child development, learning, and academic and behavioral interventions. Beginning as a classroom teacher, Dr. Griffin saw first hand the problems confronting the public school system. Fueled by a desire to help both teachers and educators find more effective solutions, she has spent her career working in both school and residential settings, helping children, parents, and educators find effective solutions to the daily challenges that confront children. As the Dean of Students, Dr. Griffin is involved in both the residential and academic programs at Happy Hill Farm, working to ensure that all aspects of Happy Hill Farm’s programs are highly effective in accomplishing the goals of equipping each student for a successful future.
Henson, Kacie – Elementary / ESL
- Kacie is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. She holds a teaching certificate for EC-4th generalist, 4th-8th generalist and English as a Second Language. Kacie has worked in the public sector of education for three years and found that she has a strong enthusiasm for teaching. She considers finding students’ strengths, and using them to show the students how to love to learn, the best part of her job.
Lachowicz, Nancy – Elementary
- Ms. Lachowicz has twenty-five years of teaching experience and has spent the last ten years working within the 5^th and 6^th grades. She is talented in all areas but specializes within the areas of Mathematics and Social Studies. She and Mrs. Dea work in tandem in the elementary grades. Mrs. Lachowitz is a graduate from the University of Oklahoma. Mrs. Lachowitz and her husband have two children.
Martinez, Marci, M.A.Ed. - Principal
- Coming to Happy Hill Farm Academy from the San Diego area of Southern California, Mrs. Martinez is a native Texan. At an early age, her family relocated to Southern California where she spent most of her life. Mrs. Martinez graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology, returned to school to obtain her teaching credentials, and received her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Martinez was instrumental in starting two Christian Schools, as well as working in the public school arena. Her experience includes teaching in grades K-12, developing successful Christian school curriculums, developing teacher assessment instruments, holding a District-wide Athletic Director position, and being a High School Administrator in both athletics and academics.
Mayberry, Kacy – Librarian
- Kacy is the Academy Librarian, and she also teaches classes within each elementary grade on the use of the library as an educational tool for success. Ms. Mayberry graduated from the University of North Texas, and she is currently working toward her Library Science master’s degree.
Moore, Inge – English
- Mrs. Moore is a graduate from Tarleton State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Mrs. Moore played an integral part as the summer reading program coordinator within the City of Granbury Library. She and her husband Kelly live in Granbury.
Moore, Janet – Science
- With over seven years of high school science experience, Mrs. Moore brings knowledge and skills that have enabled the Academy’s science department to expand its offerings. Mrs. Moore and her husband Chris reside in Tolar, Texas.
Phillips, Katreeva – Music / Drama
- Ms. Phillips is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University. She received her bachelor’s degree and majored in music while attending TWU on a voice scholarship. Ms. Phillips is the head of the department of music. She works with grades K-12 in music knowledge acquisition, leads the drum line, conducts the choir, and directs the spring theatrical production. With over 40 theatrical productions in her personal portfolio, Academy students get the opportunity to work with a true professional.
Schreck, Cheryl - Elementary
- Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree from Dallas Baptist University. She is a certified teacher with many years experience working with kindergarteners. She loves teaching young students and receives high praise from parents.
Swaim, Courtney - Computer Science
- Courtney has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science Information Systems. She has been working with technology her entire life. Courtney loves technology and is always interested in finding out the new ways in which it can be used. At Happy Hill Farm Academy, she serves as the Desktop Publishing and Elementary Computer teacher.
Talley, Deborah - Government / Economics / Mathematics
- Mrs. Talley graduated with a BBA in accounting from Tarleton State University of Stephenville, Texas. Her professional career includes audit experience and credit analysis, as well as office management in the home health care industry. After a move with husband, Albert, and two sons from Kaufman County, Texas, to Johnson County in 1993, Mrs. Talley pursued her passion to support and nurture young people in a Christian setting. As a graduate of the TMATE teacher certification program, Mrs. Talley has been a member of the Happy Hill Farm Academy faculty since August of 1999. During this time, she has filled curriculum needs in junior and high school mathematics, Algebra I and II, and Geometry, as well as Introduction to Business and Business Law, Government, Economics, AP Government, and AP Economics. She has been instrumental in the planning, recruitment, and supervision of the Youth and Government Program since early in her tenure at Happy Hill Farm Academy.
Tercero, Saul - Head Coach / Science
- Saul is married and has two children. He attended the Maxine L. Silva Medical Magnet High School, where he received his nursing assistant certification, as well as the "Who's Who American Award." Saul played varsity baseball, track, wrestling, and football. After high school, he attended the University of Texas at El Paso and received a Bachelor of Science with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Education with certification for early childhood through grade 12. Saul graduated Cum Laude Honors from UTEP, and was chosen to represent the program at the national TAPHERD convention. Qualified to teach physical education and all science classes from grades 6 through 12, Saul has coached football, basketball, weight lifting, soccer, and track.
Welborn, Kasie - Middle School / Coaching
- Kasie grew up playing all sports, and she received a full soccer scholarship to attend college. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree with 4-8 grade certification and All Level Physical Education certification in 2007. With a speech and debating background, Kasie enjoys bring an energy into the classroom and to the athletic field. She understands the importance and responsibility of being an quality coach and wants to inspire her students to excellence in their athletic endeavors.
Wilbourne, Park - School Counseling / Foreign Student Liaison
- Park and his wife, Ivy, began working at Happy Hill Farm Academy 1996 as resident parents. One year later, Ivy took a Resident Supervisor position, while Park completed his graduate studies in Marriage and Family Counseling (M.A.) as well as Religious Education (M.A.) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). He has recently been trained in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and is making great strides with this alternative model for human growth and development Park has been a school counselor at Happy Hill Farm Academy since 1998. He is passionate about helping young people through the trials of puberty and their young lives, guiding them with a Christian emphasis into goals and dreams of their future. Park’s ultimate goal for each student at Happy Hill Farm Academy is to develop the whole child, which includes spiritual growth, personal academic excellence, physical fitness, and emotional health.
Wilcox, Ray - Mathematics / Physics
- Mr. Wilcox grew up in Corpus Christi and attended college at Austin College in Sherman and Southern Methodist University on a 3-2 program. After 5 years of study, he received a BA in Liberal Arts from Austin College and graduated with honors from SMU in 1979 with a BSME . For the next 20 years, Ray enjoyed applying his Engineering degree in Automation, Design, Quality Control, Sales, and eventually running a manufacturing plant and his own business. He has two U. S. patents, and has worked on products as various as the Apple II to designing filters for airbags. In 1999, Mr. Wilcox sold his business and made a career change to become a secondary school math and physics teacher at Happy Hill Farm Academy. Ray Wilcox teaches Algebra II, PAP (Pre-Ap) Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and Physics. While working at the Academy, Ray received his alternative certification through Region XI.
Wilcox, Rhonda - Mathematics
- Rhonda was born in Orange, Texas, but grew up in several different areas because her father was an airline pilot. She graduated valedictorian from San Marin High School in Novato, California, in 1975 and went on to study Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas as a McDermott scholar. While there, she met her husband of 29 years and, after graduation, they married. Rhonda worked for AT&T as an engineer for 2-½ years and then began raising a family. Mrs. Wilcox began teaching mathematics eleven years ago. She earned her teaching certificate in Secondary Mathematics from Tarleton State University in 2000. Rhonda has been teaching 7th and 8th grade math and Algebra 1 at Happy Hill Farm Academy since 2003.