BCSL Catalysts

With more than 20 years in rural public, international, and online education, Katie Ahmadzai is a lifelong learner passionate about cultivating communities where students and educators can dream about what could be and are supported to grow into those dreams. A graduate of Baylor’s first Master’s in School Leadership cohort, she serves on the board of NorthStar Academy and is committed to creating engaging learning communities that reflect the beauty of the Kingdom.

Christi Bachman has served as a trustee and board leader at several Christian schools and has advised heads of school and principals across K-12 Christian education over 16 years. Passionate about strengthening Christian educational leadership, Christi integrates BCSL leadership principles into her work, helping schools cultivate healthy board-head relationships, effective governance, and mission-aligned leadership. She also serves on the BCSL Advisory Board.

Laura Barringer is a veteran public school educator, a writer and speaker, and she is coauthor of The Jesus Creed for Children, Pivot, and the award-winning A Church Called Tov. Her work explores the formation of classroom culture through the lens of tov—the biblical vision of goodness that resists abuse and cultivates truth and grace. She takes great joy in cultivating thriving classroom cultures and helping others do the same.

Catherine Bergethon serves as the Assistant Director of the Norfolk Lower School campus at Norfolk Christian Schools. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational leadership, missions, and legal administration, Catherine is passionate about equipping students to grow academically while developing a strong spiritual foundation. 

Catherine holds a B.A. in English and Elementary Education from the University of Richmond and an M.A. in School Leadership from Baylor University. As a BCSL Catalyst, Catherine leads a parent engagement network based on the ABCs of Joy. 

Jenny Brady has a passion for working with Christian schools to create communities where every person is known, valued, and able to flourish. Raised in Honduras and with many years in Christian education, Jenny brings a passion for culture, relationships, and the ways God’s image is reflected in people from every background. One of the favorite parts of her work is connecting virtually with educators and leaders from around the world to explore what belonging looks like in different contexts and how we can pursue unity in Christ while celebrating the diversity God has created.

Angela Brown teaches at Hewitt Elementary in Midway ISD. She has a BA in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, an MA in School Leadership from Baylor University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher.  As the sponsor for the Garden Club and campus leader for outdoor learning experiences, she supports the BCSL through the Green Schools virtual network that will launch in the fall. 

Pachinete Brown supports educators as an Instructional Coach at Western Hills Elementary in Temple ISD. She will graduate in December 2026, having earned an MA in School Leadership at Baylor University. Through her role at Temple ISD and her partnership with BCSL, Pachinete works with a team of 5 that supports mentors who work with novice teachers. 

Anna Bryan serves as the Director of Lower School for Norfolk Christian Schools where she also supports leadership development and strategic planning. Prior to entering Christian education and leadership in 2021, Ms. Bryan served as a middle school math and science teacher in both public and charter schools, as well as a Math Specialist and later Assistant Principal for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Ms. Bryan holds a B.A. in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduate endorsements in mathematics from the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary. She earned her master’s degree in School Leadership and Supervision from Old Dominion University.

Aidan Busch graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in History and Secondary Education, and has an MA in School Leadership from Baylor University. He is passionate about helping students understand the complexity of history, and his favorite time period to study (and teach!) is the lead-up to the Civil War. As a BCSL Catalyst, Aidan is searching for educators to launch a network on teaching for deeper learning. 

Terra Caswell is driven by relationships, creativity, and clarity. She finds joy in partnering with educators, students, and staff to thoughtfully steward technology and innovative practices with biblical wisdom and strong pedagogy. She's passionate about building strategic partnerships, strengthening professional learning, and offering hands-on encouragement to help her colleagues navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

Marcus Choi serves as Head of Schools at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, where he is passionate about advancing academic excellence and spiritual formation in a Christ-centered community. He is especially excited about the opportunity to be a catalyst through Baylor—encouraging, equipping, and inspiring others to become the very best Christian educators and leaders they can be. His greatest joy is helping people discover their God-given gifts and use them to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and their communities.

Regan Davis is a Grade 8 Teacher, Head of Grade, and Summer Programs Director at Langley Christian School (LCS) in Langley, British Columbia. Regan is proud to be the first candidate from his school and the West Coast of Canada to go through the MA in School Leadership program. As a BCSL Catalyst, Regan is deepening connections within Canadian education networks by attending educator conferences, mentoring 2 newly recruited members of Cohort 6, and implementing FEW coaching practices collectively alongside the teaching team at LCS.

Haley Dean is an educational leader currently serving as the Principal at Hillcrest Professional Development School in Waco ISD, overseeing academic and administrative operations for a PK-5 fine arts magnet school and 29 teachers. Her commitment to student outcomes earned her the title of District Principal of the Year for 2024-2025. Through her partnership with BCSL, Haley connects the work of BCSL with a network of 5 experienced campus leaders to build collective leadership. 

Ben Dirksen enjoys creating and participating in spaces where educational leaders can be nourished, not just informed. The joy he finds from being a Catalyst comes from getting to build a bigger table, inviting more people to it, and encouraging hopeful movement forward for schools and the leaders who guide them.

Dr. Fred Eaves serves as President and Head of School at The King’s Academy in Seymour, Tennessee. He brings more than 15 years of experience in education, with leadership spanning academics, school operations, athletics and wellness, strategic planning, advancement, and faculty and staff development. 

Fred earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas and his Master of Arts in School Leadership from Baylor University, where he was a Baylor MA Fellow. Fred is passionate about Christ-centered school leadership, developing healthy organizational cultures, and creating transformational educational experiences for students.

Chad Fair serves at Charlotte Christian School, where he teaches Film Studies and Introduction to Film Production, facilitates the Junior Seminar college-prep program, and directs the student broadcasting team, Knights Knews. A 2023 graduate of Baylor University’s M.A. in School Leadership program, Chad brings his background in film, theater, and student leadership to his work with the BCSL, creating digital content that captures and shares the stories, events, and impact of the Center and the educators it serves.

Kate Gomez serves as the Student Support & MTSS Specialist at China Spring Primary School in Texas. She holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos and is currently pursuing her M.A. in School Leadership at Baylor University. She coaches 15 educators to use the FEW Survey Insights to foster positive culture shifts on their campus for both educators and students.

Liz Hagins serves as MTSS Facilitator at Midway High School in Waco, TX, supporting work with Response-to-Intervention, mentorship of early-career educators, and Professional Learning Community facilitation. She holds two Baylor University degrees, including an MA in School Leadership. Her network of 5 educators focuses on supporting educators who work to ensure success after high school.

Dr. Joel Hazard is a leader who is passionate about Christian education, leadership, and building communities where people feel known, valued, and welcomed. He serves as Head of Academic Collaboration and Culture at Fellowship Christian School in Roswell, Georgia, and is a co-founder of the Christian Educators Diversity Alliance (CEDA). 

Darren Iselin has had the joy of being a leader in Christian edcuation for over thirty years serving in both K-12 and higher education contexts. He loves his current role at Christian Schools Australia where he gets to serve over 200 schools across Australia. He is passionate about connecting, networking and catalysing others in their leadership journeys which is why he loves being a BCSL catalyst.

Matt Lambro is the High School Principal at Grapevine Faith, bringing extensive experience in independent schools. A connector at heart, he is wired to bring people together and to challenge others to step into what God has placed inside them. Matt is admittedly addicted to visiting other schools to discover great ideas and build friendships along the way. His deepest joy comes from being with people who ask "Why?" and "What if?" and then do something about it.

Tammy Mathis leads the K-5 STEM classes at Park Hill Elementary in Waco, TX. She has a Journalism degree from Texas A&M University and an MA in School Leadership from Baylor University. She leads a network of 6 STEM educators passionate about exploring how to turn learning into real-world explorations. 

Paul Matthews is an educator, school leader, writer and speaker, and he is co-author of Wise AI and author of the forthcoming 10 Things Every Student Should Know About AI. His work explores how schools form wise students in a technological age, holding to the conviction that education exists to produce a person, not simply to produce work.

Alongside his writing, Paul works with Christian and independent schools across Australia and North America as they navigate artificial intelligence, offering advice that is clear, actionable and theologically rich. He remains in the classroom as Head of HASS and Christian Studies at Calvin Christian School in Tasmania, reflecting his longstanding commitment to the daily, practical work of teaching.

Cristie Montgomery is a 5th grade public school teacher at Park Hill Elementary in Waco, TX. She holds an MA in School Leadership from Baylor University.  Things she loves about education:  magical teaching moments, seeing the lightbulb of learning come on, watching people grow, and relationships with students and coworkers! She partners with Baylor University's Curriculum & Instruction department and 5 educators to support math initiatives for elementary educators. 

Scout serves as principal of Chicago Hope Academy, where she focuses on building relationships, creating opportunities for students, and strengthening the school community. A current student in Baylor University’s M.A. in School Leadership program, Scout will graduate in December 2026. Through her work with the BCSL, she is helping connect and gather novice principals across the Chicago area to build relationships, share experiences, and support one another as they grow in their leadership.

Joyce Lourenço Pereira serves as a high school Design & Innovation learning designer in South Korea and educational leader who seeks to humanize innovation globally. She believes innovation is the creative use of available knowledge and resources to meet human needs, enhance experiences, and create conditions where all can flourish with confidence and purpose.

Kimberly Poe is an educational leader with more than 17 years of experience serving students, families, and school communities. She currently serves as the Director of Faith and Culture at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she provides leadership in spiritual formation, discipleship, character development, and school culture.  

Kimberly's educational background includes an Associate of Arts in Business Management and Communications, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Marketing, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies, and a Certificate in Urban Ministry. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in School Leadership from Baylor University in December 2024. As a BCSL Catalyst, Kimberly works with 6 Deans and a Faith Coordinator to create walkthrough tools connected to FEW. 

Mary Jane Rios teaches at St. Augustine Prep University in Milwaukee, WI, where she has been for the past 9 years. Overall, she has taught in the Milwaukee area for over 23 years. She has a BA in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and will earn her MA in School Leadership from Baylor University in December.  She has been a Master Teacher at Augustine Prep, where she has helped new teachers through professional development and is currently head of the Social Studies Department. She has been nominated for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Teacher of the Year and has received the Herb Kohl Teacher Excellence Scholarship. 

Baognia Stoeckler began her teaching career planning and implementing an ESL program that reached over 200 students on Milwaukee’s south and north side. She went on to teach 3rd grade for a year and then transitioned to teaching Middle School Science at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. Baognia graduated from the MA in School Leadership program in 2024 and leads the FEW work at Aug Prep. 

Andrew Wilcox is a member of Cohort Five and was a 2025 fellow for the MA in School Leadership. He is currently the Assistant Principal at Timothy Christian School in Ontario, Canada. Andrew's career began in 2010 while teaching at an international school in the Philippines. As a BCSL Catalyst, Andrew is currently leading a book study on Just Teaching for his campus educators and connecting with other Toronto leaders.