Elementary School

PRE-K - 4TH GRADE

At the elementary school, learning is synonymous with creating, discovering, and exploring.

Our curriculum includes traditional academics as well as social-emotional learning activities, art, computer coding, and project-based learning. This diverse approach ensures scholars develop a strong foundation of core knowledge and critical thinking skills. Our elementary school curriculum is designed to instill a love of learning at an early age, promoting habits of success to prepare young scholars for the road to college.

For Parents

2020-2021 Academic Calendar Parent & Scholar Handbook (English) Parent & Scholar Handbook (Spanish) Dietary Accommodation Form Amplify Reading Sight Words Resources Lexia Reading ST Math Math Facts Resources Zearn Pre-K School Supplies Kindergarten School Supplies 1st Grade School Supplies 2nd Grade School Supplies 3rd Grade School Supplies 4th Grade School Supplies Bus Schedule

Academic Calendar 2020-2021

Staff Directory

Campus Leadership Team

  • Greta Kwedar

    Principal, Upper Elementary School

    gkwedar@austinachieve.org

    Greta Kwedar

    Principal, Upper Elementary School

    BS, Applied Learning & Development, University of Texas at Austin

    Greta started with Austin Achieve in 2012 as a member of the founding teaching team. Since then she has served as the Middle School Assistant Principal and coaches the boys varsity soccer team. After 5 years of working closely with both the middle and high school teams, she is ecstatic to take on her next role as the Elementary School Principal. Prior to joining Austin Achieve, Ms. Kwedar was employed as a 4th grade math teacher for the Round Rock ISD. Outside of the classroom and off the soccer field, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband and spending time with her dog.

  • Mariela Rubio-Mensik

    Principal, Lower Elementary School

    mmensik@austinachieve.org

    Mariela Rubio-Mensik

    Principal, Lower Elementary School

    Johns Hopkins University, 2016, Masters of Science in Elementary Education

    Mariela was born and raised in Houston, Texas but fell in love with Austin while attending The University of Texas. While in college, Mariela worked with refugee youth, sparking a curiosity in the education system often questioning why supports were unavailable for students in low-income areas. With a hope to fight educational inequity, Mariela joined Teach For America Houston in 2014. After three years and a longing for food trucks and Greenbelt hikes, Mariela moved her three dogs and fiancé to Austin last year. When Mariela is not teaching, she enjoys drinking coffee and snuggling her daughter, Eiza.

  • Aschon Habibi

    Senior Director of Special Services

    ahabibi@austinachieve.org

    Aschon Habibi

    Senior Director of Special Services

    A native Austinite, Ashcon has taught students with various disabilities at both an elementary autism unit and a functional life skills unit. He also has served as a coach in swimming, bowling and track and field for Special Olympics Texas. During his graduate studies, Ashcon developed a keen interest in applied behavior analysis and positive behavior support for at-risk students. Outside of education, he is an avid foodie who loves to try new restaurants and enjoy the beautiful outdoor activities Austin offers.

  • Lauren Burdett

    Assistant Principal of Operations

    lburdett@austinachieve.org

    Lauren Burdett

    Assistant Principal of Operations

    B.S. Biology, St. Mary's University

    Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Lauren graduated as a Highlander from Bel Air High School. In 2007, she left home for San Antonio, where she earned a degree from St. Mary's University in Biological Sciences and gained a deep passion for the San Antonio Spurs (GO SPURS GO!). After graduation, Lauren stayed in San Antonio to pursue a degree in medicine but after three years of medical school, she came to the conclusion that something was missing. She moved to Austin in 2016 and found both Austin Achieve and her sense of purpose. Outside of work, she enjoys eating delicious food with good company, going to concerts, traveling, and taking her pup Koda to the greenbelt.

  • Jessi Lopez

    Assistant Principal, Lower Elementary

    jlopez@austinachieve.org

    Jessi Lopez

    Assistant Principal, Lower Elementary

    Jessi was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, but moved to Austin to attend college at St. Edward's University. She joined Austin Achieve in 2014 and has served as a Reading Intervention teacher, 6th grade Reading Teacher and Dean of Instruction. Prior to joining AAPS, she taught Pre-K and Kinder in Dallas, TX, through Teach For America for 3 years and earned her Master's from SMU in early literacy instruction. She loves all things early literacy and is so excited to be at the Lower Elementary to work alongside and support teachers in the incredible work they do.

  • Keith Hartle

    Assistant Principal, Upper Elementary

    khartle@austinachieve.org

    Keith Hartle

    Assistant Principal, Upper Elementary

    B.A. Business Management, Texas State University

    Keith grew up in San Antonio, TX. After graduating from Texas State University, he chose to pursue his passion for helping youth achieve success at Austin Achieve. Keith has spent his last 4 years teaching at AAPS with the goal of ensuring his students receive the best possible education in the East Austin area. He is excited to bring this passion and energy to the work that he loves at the elementary school this year!

FAMILY & SCHOLAR SUPPORT STAFF

FACULTY