PTAA/North Dallas K-10 Campus

Email: thaddox@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience: This is my 22nd year in education. I taught grades 5-8 math for 14 years and am starting year 8 as an campus administrator. I grew up in Mesquite and am thrilled to be back to support the community that helped me to become the person I am. I graduated high school from North Mesquite then attended Eastfield Community College and Texas A&M in College Station for my Bachelor degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. My focus was reading and math in the middle school grade levels. I completed my Masters degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont.

I have a family that I love dearly. My husband, David, have been married for over 20 years! My daughter Haley is starting her Junior year in high school and is in a collegiate program as well. She is a Letterman in Powerlifting! Dawn Rae is in 7th grade and is a cheerleader. Karsen is a fifth grader and is an avid baseball and basketball player.

I believe that every student can succeed with the right tools. I want to show all students and families that through struggle, we grow. Life isn’t always easy but when you are successful, you learn the benefits of hard work. I want to work with our PTAA community to grow and continue learning!

Email: gblevins@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Gabriela Blevins earned a Biochemical Engineering degree from University of Tulsa. Her love of science and finding the science in everything we do propelled her to go back to school to earn a teaching degree from Western Governors University in 2018. She is certified in Utah and Texas to teach Composite High School Science. She has taught Biology and Avid at North Garland HS and taught pre-ap Chemistry and AP Environmental Science at Lake Highlands HS. She is excited to share her passion for science with our students!

She is also a mother to 5 lovely girls.

Email: cbookman@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Casey Bookman received her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Texas Woman’s University. During her college years, she worked as a Student Athletic Trainer and as the Intramural Sports Director in the Fitness and Recreation department where she coordinated events and tournaments for all intramural sports.

She spent the majority of her life playing sports, aiding in athletic health and injury prevention, and teaching athletes fundamental sport skills. It is her PASSION! As a female coach, she strives to be a positive and empowering role model to all of her student athletes.

For the past 7 years, she has taught Physical Education and coached MS and HS girls sports (Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, and Track & Field).

Email: scarraway@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Sara Carraway is our Middle School and High School English Language Arts Teacher. She completed both her bachelor’s in Film and Media Arts and her master’s in Education at Southern Methodist University. She also recently completed her doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University. Prior to coming to PTAA Sara worked at schools in Dallas and Richardson ISDs. Before entering education, she worked in merchandising for several years.

When not teaching, Sara spends time with her nearly 130 lb young pup Bear and her “old man” pup Ranger. She also acts, sings, and writes music and screenplays.

Sara hopes her students will exercise their creative muscles every day in her class and become scholars who are confident in their unique gifts and academic abilities.

Email: icirak@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Ibrahim Cirak, affectionately known as “Mr. STEM” to our students, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Science Education at Pamukkale University in Turkey. He holds both Texas and Oklahoma Educator Certificates.He is also certified in PLTW Launch.

He has been in education since 2010. He has taught 6th-8th grade Science at Harmony Public Schools in Houston, 8th grade Science, 11th and 12th grade ACT Science, 12th grade Engineering and K-8 STEM at Dove Science Academy in Tulsa. In 2020 he taught 2nd-4th grade PLTW at College Bound Academy in Tulsa.

He is married and has a son. He loves spending time with his family, road trips and 3D designing / printing.

His is excited to have a great school year with lots of learning and fun!

Email: dfrasher@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:
Doug Frasher is a life-long resident of the Dallas area, and comes from a family of science educators. After graduating from J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, he attended Baylor University where he majored in biology and secondary education, and played trombone in the Golden Wave Band. Upon graduation, he found himself working in the telecommunications industry for seven years in wireless order management for the now-defunct Nortel Networks.

After 9/11, he did a major reevaluation of his life and its purpose and decided to return to the classroom. He spent 12 years teaching in several elementary schools across Dallas ISD, teaching fifth grade science, third grade math and science, and science lab to grades K-5. He also spent two years working at the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science (before it relocated from Fair Park and took the Perot name) as a professional development coordinator for Dallas-area science teachers. Before joining PTAA, he taught fifth and sixth grade science at The Winston School, sixth and seventh grade science in Garland ISD, and sixth through eighth grade science at Akiba Yavneh Academy.

Presently, he lives in far North Dallas with his hopelessly spoiled dogs, Seamus and Fiona.

Email: ahamilton@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Abigail Hamilton joins us at PTAA from neighboring Arkansas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State University.

Ms. Hamilton is certified in middle school math and science and is ecstatic to start her teaching journey with us in Dallas. She comes from a long line of educators, and is the fourth generation in the profession.

Ms. Hamilton is active in the Esports community, and enjoys spending time with pets and family.

Email: ahare@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Audrey Hare grew up in Rowlett, TX and graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and currently holds an EC-12 Music certification.

She is excited to begin her first year of teaching K-5 music with the PTAA-North Dallas family! She has experience in student teaching and substitute teaching.

In addition to teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, singing, drinking coffee, and watching movies. I look forward to having a positive impact on all of my students!

Email: charris@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Christie Harris has been teaching for 7 years. She has taught 1st and 4th grades, most recently first grade.

Ms. Harris grew up in McKinney, TX and graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She is certified in grades EC-6th and PLTW.

For fun she likes to spend time with her friends and family, read and attend any outdoor concerts and festivals.

She looks forward to a great school year full of learning and fun!

Email: lhuang@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Ms. Lily was born and raised in Taiwan. She earned Bachelor degree in Speech Language Pathology Audiology and Masters degree in Human Development & Early Childhood Disorders at UT Dallas. She is also a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Teaching and working with children has always been her passion, and her goal is to create a fun and creative learning environment to promote student’s developmental and educational needs!

Email: skoheel@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Sager Koheel also known as Coach K or Coach Soggydog is the Physical Education teacher for grades K-5. He grew up in the DFW area and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas.

Prior to joining PTAA, he has led a variety of exercise programs as a personal trainer and strength conditioning coach for over 6 years. In his classes he hopes to help his students learn that fitness can be fun while also encouraging teamwork and good sportsmanship.

He is excited to start this school year and hopes to develop lifelong learners in health and fitness.

In his spare time he enjoys playing and watching basketball (Go MAVS), watching stand up comedy, spending time with his family, and indulging in pizza, the greatest food of all time.

Email: ckovach@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Mrs. Kovach holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from California State University, Northridge. She worked in Mortgage Lending. After having children, her husband got transferred to Texas, where she volunteered in her daughters’ classrooms.

Mrs. Kovach found her true passion is teaching. She went back to advanced education, obtaining a teacher’s credential in 2005. Mrs. Kovach is certified by the Texas Board of Education in English Language Arts through Eighth Grade, EC-6th Grade Core Subjects, Special Education, Gifted and Talented, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Project Lead the Way Launch Classroom Teacher Credential.

Mrs. Kovach has worked with Allen Independent School District, several English positions and last year worked at Dallas International School as a Primary classroom teacher. She finds it a wonderful experience working with students with varying abilities. Her teaching style demonstrates dedication to fostering a positive learning environment for all students and maximizing individual student performance.

Email: lmcgregor@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Larry McGregor has been working with students for nearly 25 years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Wayland Baptist University and a Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mr. McGregor teaches secondary social studies and also helps coach track and cross country. He ran in college (and still does), loves basketball, bowling, watching all sports (especially the local sports teams), and being with family. He has been married for 23 years and has 4 children.

Email: mthompson@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:
Welcome to Español K-5! Martina Thompson is very excited to work with the littles – los pequeños(as)!

She earned a BS in Mathematics from UT at Austin, and earned a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Trauma and Resilience in the Classroom from Concordia University.

She lives in Allen with her husband, daughter, son, a white mini-schnauzer, a black pitbull terrier, a brindle pitbull, and a bearded dragon! The pets keep them busy!

Teaching is her passion, but when she’s not teaching, she likes to hike, travel, and visit family and friends. She loves to eat dark chocolate! Lots of it!

She has been blessed to travel near and far, and lived in Germany for five years while her husband worked in telecom. She grew up speaking Spanish and English, and learned German as an adult. Languages help us connect and form bridges, and perhaps that is why she is very passionate about teaching Spanish, particularly in the state of Texas.

Email: ktrevino@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Kasandra Trevino holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, minor in Elementary Education and English As A Second Language (EC-12) from the University of North Texas.

She was born and raised in Texas and began her teaching career in 2006 for Garland ISD. In 2009, she became a stay-at-home mom for a short time. She has worked in the Private School sector and McKinney ISD, where she was able to watch her 2 boys grow. During that time, she taught little ones all the way up to Private Kindergarten.

She is excited and committed to making the Kindergarten year GREAT!

Email: eyu@ptaaschool.org

Education and Experience:

Evelyn Yu (yú l?o sh?) earned her Bachelor’s degree at Jishou University in Hunan, China and completed her Master’s of Education at Texas A&M University. She has taught Mandarin in Mesquite, Fate, Greenville and now Dallas.

She also teaches the Guzheng (Zither), a traditional Chinese instrument.

Ms. Yu is passionate about the interplay between language acquisition, music, and culture. She is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese as well as several Chinese dialects.