Staff | Fastforwardkids

Brian Michaelz - Camp & Marketing Director - Dallas

Brian comes to Fastforward Kids with an extensive background in both education and public relations. Brian has a Bachelor of Science in Music Production, Master of Science in Entertainment Business and a Master of Arts in Public Relations all from Full Sail University. His experience as a educator in both public and charter school systems has been a huge asset to moving the STEM curriculum forward.

His fun, easy going approach and constant smile is always welcoming to all of the children coming into camp for the first time. Not only acting as Camp and Marketing Director but also as an active camp educator in the Dallas area, your child is sure to come home and tell you about the incredible day at camp with Brian and Fastforward Kids.

TJ Michaelz - Educator - Dallas

TJ is part of the FFK Staff in the Dallas area and is not only one of our educators but a mother of five children of her own. TJ has a degree in Early Childhood Development from College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. TJ's background stems from owning her own preschool in California to working as a paraprofessional and teacher in charter schools in North Texas.

TJ enjoys spending time with children and works well with all ages from preschool to teenagers. She has a real way of working with children one on one or taking on the whole class in a group project.

Melanie Votraine - Educator - Dallas

Hello! I am Melanie, a mom to three beautiful girls…Alex, Bella, and Sophia. We also have three dogs, a Guinea Pig, and a bird named, “Bob.” I love working with all ages of children, yet I have been teaching 7th Grade ELA for around 16 years now. I also coach 4th grade Volley Ball.

I have worked in the world of children all of my life, and I absolutely love their innocence and purity. I am very privileged to be in a position in which I get to be a part of children’s lives on a daily basis. I love to teach, and I love to learn. I am very easy going and believe that challenges are just a mere part of the human growing process. I look forward to every moment I get to spend with children of all ages.

Stephanie Powell - Educator - Dallas

I have been an educator for 16 years! Work with primarily English Language Learner population. Specializing in increasing academic vocabulary acquisition while focusing on the Texas Standards for Science at the Middle School Level.

STAAR (State testing) scores in science rose 15% after 1 year. I was chosen to w ork with a title 3 funded summer program for ELL students that is designed to keep children using English through integrated curriculum of Language Arts, Math,Science and Social Studies.

Brooke Kahlich - Educator - Houston

Brooke Ellen Kahlich has been teaching for Fastforward Kids for the past 6 years. She has a Bachelor's degree from University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master's degree from University of Houston Downtown.

Brooke is a high school business education teacher with Pasadena Independent School District. She has been teaching in the public school setting for 7 years. Coming from a long line of educators, Brooke's passion is helping kids to reach their full potential. She lives in Houston with her beloved Boxer, Joey.

Jenny Schnaidt - Educator - Houston

I've been teaching elementary school for more than 10 years. I have taught kindergarten through third grade. I love getting kids excited about learning and I can't wait to help your child have a great summer camp experience!

Shar Elster - Educator - Houston

I moved to Texas from Montana in 2004 with my three children. I have been teaching in the Houston area since 2004. I have taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades. I am currently teaching a multiage class of 4th and 5th graders combined. I have had the privilege of spending my summers teaching with Fastforward Kids since 2010. At Fastforward Kids, we get to teach through problem solving that is both challenging and fun.

I love LEGOs and have so much fun using them to teach STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. Building with LEGOs is fun and challenging at the same time. Having lived in Montana for 12 years, I love the outdoors and teaching the survival class. I am so excited that we have added drones to list of classes where we use spatial reasoning and eye-hand coordination to maneuver the drones through the challenging course.

Laura Searcy - Educator - Houston

"Hi there! My name is Ms. Laura and I am so excited for another great summer of learning, laughing, and fun with your little ones! I am a mommy to a spunky seven year old and enjoy practicing yoga, dancing, and making memories with my daughter. This is my third year with FastForward Kids and my sixth year as a teacher. I believe that learning should be fun and interactive through hands-on activities and creative play. As Albert Einstein said, "If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing it is stupid".

As a teacher, mom, and lifelong learner, I believe in a differentiated, whole-person approach to education. I am certified to teach from all students from Kindergarten through AP Physics and have worked with diverse groups of learners spanning from beginner ELL's to GT students. In addition to teaching, I am currently working on my Masters in Counseling through SHSU with a focus in School Counseling. I am passionate about the integration of wellness and mental health in education and enjoy volunteering with my students in our community."

Janie Rodriquez - Educator - San Antonio

I have been an educator for 17 years. I hold a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction,and I'm also a bilingual certified teacher. I am currently a Reading Specialist at NISD, in San Antonio, I work with students from Kinder through 5th grade. I love helping students become long life Readers. Reading is Life!

When I'm not working, I like to relax by reading, watching television and running. I have ran three half marathons, and this March I ran a 15K. I am also a book junkie and collect children's books. I have over three hundred children's books and continue to add to my collection. I love sharing the books with my students.

During the summer I enjoy working at Fastforward Kids, it's the best summer job any teacher can have. Working the summer camps at Fastforward Kids has been fun, I get to travel, and it really doesn't feel like work to me. The best part is watching the students explore, learn and collaborate with one another doing what they enjoy.

Denise Munoz - Educator - San Antonio

My name is Denise Muñoz. I have been a teacher in San Antonio for 8 years, working with kids kinder through 5th grade.

Teaching is my passion. I love seeing their faces when they realize learning can be fun! I look forward to working with your child this summer using our imagination, creativity and most importantly having a good time.

Priscilla Rodriquez - Educator - San Antonio

Hello. I'm Priscilla Rodriguez, and I'm a certified Texas teacher with 7 years of professional experience. I have had the pleasure of teaching students from Kinder-5th grade.

I love having fun with tons of hands-on activities and exploration. I'm excited to begin this year's summer's camp adventure and I look forward to meeting you and your little camper!

Melanie Gonzales - Educator - San Antonio

I am so excited to work with Fastforward Kids this summer! My name is Melanie Gonzales and I am a 5th grade Special Education teacher. I have been teaching at the elementary level for 5 years and taught one year at the middle school level. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Education from the University of the Incarnate Word and received my graduate degree in Special Education from Texas A&M San Antonio.

I have been married for 14 wonderful years to my childhood best friend. I have 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl, that keep me going everyday! My hobbies include family time outdoors and watching my daughter play competitive softball as we travel all around Texas and the US. If I'm not at work or home, you can find us on the softball field!

I look forward to working with your amazing kids and I know we will have TONS of fun!

Ester Dena - Educator - McAllen

My name is Ester Dena and this is my sixth year teaching. I grew up in Weslaco, Texas and attended college at South Texas College where I studied for Technology Management.

I knew my heart was in teaching. When I am not at school, I am at home with my two boys.

Aurora Gonzalez - Educator - McAllen

My name is Aurora Gonzalez. I am a retired elementary school teacher. I taught first through fifth grade for 32 years.

During my last ten years of teaching I was a Reading Specialist for third through fifth grades.

Currently I am a part-time Reading Interventionist working with fifth graders

Patricia Viera - Educator - McAllen

Hello, my name is Patricia Viera. I have been teaching for 7 years, I currently work in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD as a Pre-K teacher. I have received my Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas Pan-American and a Master in School Counseling from Lamar University.

I really enjoy working with my students and seeing them grow thru out the school year being a part of that journey is the most rewarding thing I can receive as an educator. Every year I look forwards to seeing each and every child bloom to the best of their abilities.