Missy Dean has worked for Orenda Charter Schools since 2009. She began at New Horizons School teaching middle school and high school math, social studies, and technology. In 2012, she transferred to Gateway College Preparatory as the Special Education math teacher, later becoming the Special Education Department Lead. In 2015, Missy earned her Masters in Mathematics Education and became certified as an administrator. In 2019, she transferred to Gateway Tech High School in order to serve as the principal. During the 2022 school year, Kingsland School was in need of a principal and Missy stepped up to support the campus. She officially became the fulltime principal of Kingsland School in August of 2023.
Missy grew up in the heart of Houston, Texas playing the violin and spending her summers at the pool. She has had the privilege of playing for the Houston Symphony, in Carnegie Hall with her high school symphony, and under conductors such as David Ogden Stires (from M.A.S.H.) and John Williams (creator of the Indiana Jones and Superman music - to name a couple). Missy originally attended Texas A&M University and earned her Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science with an Equine Emphasis. She trained horses and taught riding lessons for almost 30 years before becoming an educator. Missy obtained her alternative teaching certification in 2009 followed by her masters in 2015 from Western Governors University. Missy has 3 children and lives in Georgetown, Texas.
Prior to joining Gateway, Colby Blackwell served as assistant principal at La Vega ISD, where he managed student discipline and was the TELPAS coordinator. Colby previously served as principal with Malone ISD, and he has held assistant principal roles in Hillsboro and Copperas Cove.
Mr. Blackwell earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Abilene Christian University. He and his wife, Millie, have a son, Gabriel and a daughter, Hallie. When he is not helping show calves with his children, Colby enjoys golf and fishing.
Kyla Ardoin is the new Head of Middle School at Gateway College Prep. Prior to joining Gateway, she served as a middle school ELA teacher at a local ISD. Over a 20-year career, Kyla has held various roles including special education teacher, an instructional coach, and a master teacher. She is a National Writing Project Consultant and a Pre-AP/College Board National Faculty Consultant. Her educational philosophy is simply that rigorous reading, writing, and critical thinking can elevate any learner.
Kyla earned a B.S. in Applied Sociology from Texas State University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University - Austin. She lives in Round Rock with her husband, Chris, and her son, Ashton. She loves walking her dogs (Axl Rose and Coco), plants, reading, live music, and antique shopping.
Prior to joining Gateway, he served as principal at local ISD elementary school, where he worked to align campus instructional practices and resources with district curriculum and resources. In an extensive education career, he has served as a classroom teacher, 504 and dyslexia coordinator, a dyslexia specialist and an interventionist.
Greg earned his Bachelor’s degrees from McMurry University in Multidisciplinary Education. He holds a Master of Education from Concordia University. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Greg is in the process of completing his Doctor of Education in Education Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Jessica Bond is the new Dean of Admissions & College Readiness at Gateway College Prep. Jessica is not new to Gateway, having served as our Secondary Instructional Coach for two years. Her previous experience includes teaching Anatomy and Physiology, Aquatic Science, Biology, and Forensic Science. Prior to her administrative positions, she also was a head softball coach for many years.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Hardin-Simmons University, and a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. She and her husband, Douglas, have three amazing kids, Londyn, Jordyn, and Kason. In her spare time, Jessica loves spending time with her family, attending her kids' sporting events and activities, and traveling.
Lera Stewart as the new Dean of Special Programs. Lera will oversee special education, emergent bilingual education and managing 504 plans. Most recently, she served as the SPED department head at a local ISD where, among other responsibilities, she executed special education programs and designed individual education plans.
Lera earned her Bachelor’s degree from Kaplan University and Master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. In addition, she is working toward her Principal Certification through ESC Region 13.
