Math • Karen Lilley
Ms. Lilley joins us in the mathematics department of the upper school. A veteran teacher with more than three decades of teaching experience, Ms. Lilley is a distinguished leader in the C.I.S.D. math community. She comes to us from The Academy of Science and Health Professions at Conroe High School. She received her master's degrees from Sam Houston State University in Mathematics and Education. Her expertise lies in curriculum development, and she has served on district-wide committees which authored the current Algebra I and Calculus curriculum as well as the Gifted/Talented task force. For many years she has been involved in teacher workshops and training sessions and National Merit Review Classes. Ms. Lilley loves mathematics and has dedicated her life to sharing that love with her students. In addition to her other achievements, Mrs. Lilley has several "Teacher of the Year" nominations
Math  /Science • Joann Nasti
  Jo Anne Mackay Nasti has a dual degree in Chemical Engineering/Chemistry from The University of Notre Dame and currently teaches Chemistry, Geometry, Algebra, and The Infinity Project. She spent 25 years in the Chemical Industry with Exxon Chemical and Union Carbide(now DOW) working with Oxygenated Solvents, Molecular Sieves, Monomers and Polymers. Her last assignment was as a Global Account Executive. She became a teacher due to her passion for teaching youth to love Math and Science. She has 2 children in college; her daughter, Kendall is in graduate school in UT/Austin and son, Daniel at SMU/Dallas. Her youngest son, J.P. is currently a 6th grader at WAP
Science • Ken West
Mr. West earned a B. S.E. from Stephen F. Austin State University and has post graduate work in science from the Texas A & M system and in education from the University of Houston. He has thirty years of experience in both public and private schools. Mr. West taught physics in Plano, Katy, Northwest Academy, and Willis ISD. In addition to his AP certification from Rice University he is also certified in GT and IB. Mr. West is a two time winner of the Tandy Math-Science Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the University of Texas program Teacher of the Year in Willis ISD. Mr. West will be teaching physics and math here at the Woodlands Prep.
Science • Cathy Hayes
Ms. Hayes earned her Bachelors of Science in Health Education from Sam Houston State University in May 2004, and her teaching certificate in education in 2008. She joined the Woodlands Prep team in November of 2007 as a first year teacher with a love and passion for science, where she currently teaches Earth Science, Life Science, Biology, and Health with an emphasis on hands-on laboratories and outside observations. Previous to her teaching career, Ms. Hayes worked in the medical field for 4 years, working with developmentally delayed children providing them assistance with speech, occupational, and physical therapy. In addition to science, Ms. Hayes also coaches Tennis in the spring.
Math •  Justin Smith
After teaching for the last 4 years in a private boarding school in Pennsylvania, Justin Smith is joining Woodlands Prep as the new 5th grade math, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Psychology teacher.  During his four years at the boarding school, Justin served as math teacher, dorm parent, class advisor, member of the athletic counsel, JV basketball coach and head coach of the Varsity Baseball team.  At the end of the 2005 – 2006 school year, Justin was featured in Chester County Magazine as one of the “Teachers Who Inspire” in the greater Philadelphia area.  Justin is excited to join the faculty of The Woodlands Preparatory School and become acclimated to Texas living!
Math •Lena Saavedra
Mrs. Saavedra embraces The Woodlands as her new home after the native New Orleanian’s family decided to remain in Texas post-Hurricane Katrina.  She brings to us a diverse background, certified as an elementary education teacher with nine years of experience in both public and private schools.  She holds a BA in Art/Business from Spring Hill College with post-baccalaureate certification in elementary education.  Although she has taught all elementary core subjects, her true passion is math.  For the past six years, she has specialized in capturing student interest and inspiring their confidence in math.  Her energy and creativity in teaching drives her goal to make mathematics a fun and lasting learning experience.  


English / History • David Roddy
  Mr. Roddy was born and raised in Conroe, Texas, and received his bachelor's degree in English and History from Baylor University. He taught for eight years within the CISD and Spring ISD districts. Mr. Roddy's experience includes teaching Spanish, Exploring Languages, and teaching ESL at Peet Junior High, and sophomore English, Journalism, and school newspaper at Westfield High School. Mr. Roddy joined the W.A.P.S. team in 2004 where he currently teaches English, history, and general PE, coaches basketball and golf, and runs an after school photography club.
History • Steve DiGerlando
Mr. DiGerlando teaches US History, World History, Political Science, Economics and Geography. For more than a decade, Mr. DiGerlando was a senior aide to U.S. Congressman Christopher Cox (CA-48) and served as hiverdana, geneva, sans-serifs California Chief of Staff from 2003-2005.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and his Master of Arts degree in History from California State University, Fullerton.   Mr. DiGerlando has also taught at Montgomery College, Cypress College and the University of Phoenix
English / Science • Mia Harpel
Click here to email me A lover of literature and history, Ms. Harpel has been teaching middle school for over ten years. Her experience includes a private day school in upstate New York, a public school in suburban Kansas City, and most recently, The John Cooper School. She believes in Ben Franklin’s saying, “If you are not to be forgotten when you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” Following after this motto, Ms. Harpel encourages writing in the history class in addition to hands on activities, community service, and field trips that create “history” in the lives of her students.
English / Speech • Heidi Saenz
 Mrs. Saenz comes to us from California where she received her undergraduate degrees in English and Communications and a graduate degree in English Literature at La Sierra University. She has been teaching for 5 years and has experience at the college and middle school levels. English and literatures of all genres are her passions and she seeks to instill that same passion into her students. She enjoys interacting with and getting to know students on individual levels. Mrs. Saenz recently completed two seminars – “Capturing Kids' Hearts” and an Advanced Placement Seminar in “English Language and Composition” -- that will allow her to be a better teacher and mentor to her students. She is excited about joining the Woodlands' Prep community and looks forward many great things to come!!!

English / Journalism • Lindsay West
  Mrs. West teaches 6th grade Writing, 8th grade English, and middle through high school Journalism at Woodlands Prep.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and English.  She worked for several years as a broadcaster/reporter in the College Station area, before deciding to pursue a career in education.  Mrs. West enjoys spending time with her 2-year-old son, reading, gardening, and of course, teaching.

Grade Level

Lower School | Upper School | Electives | Administration