Erin Garner, Parents as Teachers Program Coordinator
phone: 512-570-0320
Erin Garner has a background in Early Childhood Special Education. She was a teacher for the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities in Leander ISD for 6 years, and taught preschoolers with disabilities in Germany for 5 years. Erin was offered the opportunity to start the Parents as Teachers Program in 1998, which fit perfectly with her belief that parents must be involved in their children's education from the beginning. She has had the honor of building relationships with many families and of watching the program grow. Erin has two daughters, who attend Leander schools... and keep her young!
Email Erin Garner
Emily Buratti, Center Based Coordinator and Parent Educator
phone: 570-0322
Emily Buratti graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. From there she taught elementary school for two years, and then worked for the Infant Parent Program, an Early Childhood Intervention program in Austin, as an Early Intervention Specialist for two years. It was there that Emily discovered her love for working with families while supporting parents to help their child achieve his full potential. In 2003 Emily joined the team at Parents as Teachers, and has embraced working with families and helping to establish a Center Based program. Emily has two children, who keep her busy and help her "practice what she preaches." Emily knows that she has the best job ever and thanks the families at Leander ISD's Parents as Teachers Program for that!
Email Emily Buratti
Malissa Wheeler, M.Ed,Parent Educator
phone: 570-0360
Malissa Wheeler has a background in Early Childhood Education, completing her B.A. at California State University, San Bernardino and her Masters in Education at Texas State University. She was a preschool teacher and Center Director for various private, corporate, and Christian-based preschools for 12 years before becoming a Parent Educator with Leander ISD in 2001. Malissa has enjoyed the opportunity to share her child development education with both parents and children. Over the years, she has seen many children blossom into successful students, and has proudly watched parents be part of their child's education. Malissa hastwo grownchildren of her own and 4 grandchildren.
Email Malissa Wheeler
Neshmayda Rojas, Bilingual Parent Educator
phone: 570-0324
Neshmayda Rojas graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. Neshmayda first started working as an intern for the Parents as Teachers program in the fall of 2006. After graduating from college, Leander didn't want to lose her and hired her as a Bilingual Parent Educator. Neshmayda is a happy mother to a baby girl that will attend Leander schools. Right now she is enjoying every minute she can get with her! Neshmayda has always enjoyed working with young children and their families, and has found that Parents as Teachers is the perfect job for her.
Email Neshmayda Rojas
Cindy Kawejsza, Bilingual Parent Educator
phone: 570-0326
Cynthia Kawejsza is a Bilingual Parent Educator who joined PAT in the fall of 2009. Cindy has a B.S. in Elementary Education from LeTourneau University, and a B.S. in Home Economics and Business Management from Texas State University. Cindy has three children, and had the opportunity to stay home with them during their early years. During this time, Cindy had the unique experience of having been a parent in the PAT program! She loved the support and information she received so much that she decided being a parent educator would be a great job for her. As the kids got older and entered school, she worked as a Spanish teacher at an area preschool, was a Bilingual PE Instructor at Knowles Elementary, and eventually ended up at PAT...which she calls "the greatest job ever." Cindy feels honored to be invited into homes and spend time with parents and their precious children. She wants parents to know that the time you have with your children goes by quickly, so "Don't forget to take the time to enjoy them."
Email Cindy Kawejsza
Sarah Dickson, M.Ed Newsletter Specialist and Parent Educator
phone: 570-2261
Sarah Dickson is a native Ohioan, but has made Austin her home since 2005. She received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education at John Carroll University. Sarah then moved to Texas to attend the University of Texas, and graduated with a Master's in Early Childhood Special Education. She taught special education in the Eanes School District for four years, where she discovered her true love for preschool-aged children when teaching in a PPCD classroom. Sarah believes strongly in early intervention and helping to empower parents to be their children's best advocates and teachers...so being a Parent Educator is an ideal job!
Email Sarah Dickson
Elaine Scott, M.Ed Curriculum Coordinator and Parent Educator
phone: 570-0323
Elaine Scott graduated from Texas A&M University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and then moved on to The University of Texas where she earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Elaine has experience in working with children both with and without special needs ages birth to 6. She taught children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder using Applied Behavior Analysis for three years in New York, NY before returning to Texas and beginning her work in the Parents As Teachers Program. Elaine currently lives in South Austin and enjoys hearing live music.
Email Elaine Scott
Bonnie Hahn, M.Ed Parent Educator
phone: 570-0338
Bonnie Hahn has a background in early childhood education. She graduated from Southwestern University with a BS in Education and then completed her masters at Concordia University in Early Childhood education. She has been a classroom teacher, an early childhood teacher and director, and an early childhood mentor for centers throughout the central Texas area. Bonnie believes strongly that young children learn so much from their families, especially during those special first few years and it is fantastic that they learn best when we all sit down and play with them. She loves working with young children and their families and thinks that being a parent educator is a perfect job! Bonnie has four grown children and two grandchildren.
Email Bonnie Hahn
Rebekah Love, R.N.
phone: 570-0321
Rebekah Love has been a registered nurse for over 30 years. She has worked in hospital settings, home care, hospice, and for six years in a high school. Rebekah joined the Parents as Teachers family in 2004, and made it the only program in the nation with a registered nurse on board. Rebekah loves working with children and their families, and considers her time here in Leander ISD as the most rewarding job of her career. Rebekah has 4 grown children and 8 grandchildren.
Email Rebekah Love
