This is my 16th year as a teacher. 7 of those have been at WGA. I love kindergarten!

I have been teaching little humans (first graders) for three years now. It has been a wonderful adventure. I am recently married. I love to travel to new places and try new food. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, trying new recipes, and outdoor activities.

I grew up in Garland and graduated from S. Garland. I got my degree in education from University of N. Texas and began teaching immediately. I'm married to my husband Jimmy, and we have 3 boys (Tait, Jake, and Will). Some of my hobbies are to decorate my house/classroom and work in my yard. I love finding deals at stores like Ross and TJ Maxx! My favorite movies are Hope Floats, Return to Me, and Sound of Music. My favorite TV show is Price is Right. I'm also a Hallmark Channel fan!

I have been teaching kindergarten for 4 years and this year I am beyond excited to teach second grade. These past years as a teacher have been an adventurous journey filled with joy and challenges. When I am not teaching I enjoy running, hiking, a great book and of course the company of my family and friends.

Graduate of University of North Texas I grew up in Garland and began my teaching career at the elementary school I attended.

WELCOME ALL SNOW LEOPARDS! I'm Mr. Garza and thrilled to start my second year at WGA and 7th year of teaching in GISD. I am the youngest of 3, and an Uncle to seven nieces and nephews. I'm the first in my family to graduate high school and earned my degree at Texas A&M Commerce. I love Science, Social Studies and Math, which all include Reading. I enjoy collecting Funko POPs and have about 136 so far. I have high expectations of all my students and they teach to be a better teacher every day. My students and I make mistakes but we learn best when we make them.

Hello! I am Mrs. Rivas. I am a first-year teacher at WGA! I am honored and exited to be teaching at WGA as the 4th Grade Bilingual Teacher. I received my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from UT Dallas. I am proud to say that I have been part of GISD for all my education as a student. In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband, my 3 children and my 2 dogs. Some things I like to do for fun is gardening, organizing, and baking.

Hello! I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2020. This is my first-year teaching, and I am loving it! I was born in Bogota, Colombia, but came to Texas when I was two years old.  I grew up in Garland and was a part of GISD for all my school years as a student, so I am honored and excited to be able to give back to my community.  I am the youngest of four in my family and an aunt to five amazing nieces and nephews. While I'm not teaching, I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, reading, watching movies, and trying out new foods. 

Hey there! My name is Mrs. Hudson and I will be teaching 5th Science. I am very excited to join Walnut Glen Academy for the upcoming year. My background is in healthcare where I worked in ICUs and ERs before I decided that I wanted to pursue my true passion... teaching science. I began teaching in 2013, and I would never go back. I love science. I mean I REALLY love science. I received Teacher of the Year award for the 2019-2020 school year at my previous campus and am excited to be working with the amazing students at Walnut Glen.  I have three daughters and 2 dogs that keep my busy. When I am not busy I enjoy tie-dying and working in my garden tending to my numerous flowers, herbs, and veggies. 

I LOVE my job! I have been a Walnut Glen "Snow Leopard" for 32 years and am now teaching the children of some of my former students. I am married to a wonderful man, a Texas A&M Aggie, and have two spoiled "fur-babies" at home. My favorite quote: "In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." (Baba Dioum, 1968.)

I am a graduate of Texas Christian University with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in anthropology. I am also a graduate of the University of North Texas with an M.A. in Art Education. I grew up loving art, dance, and piano. and I now love making art with my students and my son.

Hello I am Coach Jimenez and excited to be the PE Aide at Walnut Glen Academy. Graduated at Stephen F. Austin with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, a former certified personal trainer for 2 years now working on becoming a PE Teacher. Incase you can't tell I love fitness, ever since I lost 50lbs exercise has become my new passion and I love to challenge myself because to become a successful PE Teacher I need to set a good example to the students. You can achieve anything as long as you have a positive mindset. 

I was actually born and raised in Garland. I went to school in GISD for all 12 years and am a PROUD Sachse High School alumni! I graduated from Texas A&M- Commerce in Fall if 2019 with a degree in music education. Music has been my passion forever! I have been in a choir since I was in 5th grade and have been a classically trained vocalist for 9 years. I’m a total theater nerd! Some of my favorite memories have been on stage singing operas and musicals! I am SO excited to begin my teaching career in my home district at Walnut Glen! :)

Jennfier Knudsen has been teaching music and directing children’s choirs for 20 years.  She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Texas State in San Marcos in 2003 and her Master of Music Education from Texas A&M University in Commerce in 2015.  She is certified in Orff Schulwerk and has completed Kodaly Level I.  In 2021, Ms. Knudsen became the 5th Grade Head Director and Artistic Director for the Garland Children’s Chorus after serving as Assistant Director from 2004-2011.  This is the first year Ms. Knudsen is teaching Enriched Music and she is thrilled to be working with such talented and wonderful kids!  In her spare time, Ms. Knudsen enjoys baking, reading, Broadway Musicals, taking care of her four chickens, and playing with her Maltipoo, Diana Prince, and Great Dane, Cassandra Mae - named after Wonder Woman and her sister.

Hello Snow Leopards! I'm Mr. Benjamin and I’m the Orchestra Director at Walnut Glen Academy! 

I have been teaching for 3 years and this is my very first year in Garland ISD. I started playing the violin in the 4th grade and I have never stopped performing! 

I have performed all over the United States and all over the world! 

When I’m not teaching, I build robot model kits, play video games, dabble in cars, and perform locally! 

Hello, from your friendly neighborhood librarian! I am entering into my 17th year in education, my 5th in the library and my 4th at Walnut Glen! I LOVE what I do! I got married to Mr. Willis in April 2018 and we welcomed our beautiful daughter in August of 2019. The only thing I love more than being a librarian is being a mother! I can't wait to serve all of our families and teachers this year, no matter where you are doing your learning and reading! Feel free to email me with any question, concerns or book reviews! Hope to hear from you soon!

Hello! As an interventionist, I pull out small groups of students and help them with various standards throughout each day. I teach all grades with math and/or reading. I started teaching in 1999 and love helping kids each and every day. I am Google Certified, ESL Certified, Gifted Certified, and a National Geographic Certified Educator with a Masters degree in Elementary Education.

Hello!

I am the Early Literacy Support Teacher. I was born in Lancaster, Texas and raised in Garland, Texas. I am a proud graduate of Lakeview Centennial High School, go Patriots! I received a BSIS from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MSIS from the University of North Texas. I enjoy reading, painting, traveling, and baking. I spent the first 8 years of my career in GISD as a kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grade teacher. I am so excited join the WGA Snow Leopard community and work with teachers to further support the amazing students and families here!

Mackenzie Kimmons, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who works with the elementary population within GISD. She has her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and her master’s degree from The University of Texas at Dallas. Mackenzie has a passion for working with the pediatric population and loves helping students reach their goals. Outside of work, Mackenzie enjoys spending time with her family and creating art.