OUR TEACHERS
Aishwarya Nair
Classroom Teacher
The 2024 - 2025 school year is Aishwarya's 2nd year at Discovery School of Innovation. She was born and raised in India. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and a postgraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Calicut. She has completed the Cambridge International certificate in teaching and learning from Cambridge University.
Aishwarya has been an educator for the past 13 years and has been teaching in Schools in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Mumbai. She has experience with both the Cambridge and IB Curriculums. Aishwarya also spent 3 years as an instructional coach helping teachers to perfect their inquiry-based teaching practices.
She believes that all children have an inherent ability to learn and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Her lessons are designed to develop critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving ability among learners.
In her free time, she enjoys going on nature walks with family, bird watching and listening to music.
Samantha Yates
Classroom Teacher
The 2024-2025 school year will be Samantha's 3rd year as classroom teacher at Discovery School of Innovation.Samantha Yates was born and raised in upstate New York before moving around the country with her husband several times. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies and is certified to teach kindergarten through 8th grade. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi’s national honor society for educators.
Samantha’s love of teaching comes from experiencing great teachers throughout her childhood and wanting to pass on that found love of learning. She has experience ranging from kindergarten through 8th grade over 5 years and has taught grades 2 and 3 over the past 3 years.
Her goals as an educator would be to foster students’ skills to problem solve and the ability to think critically. In addition, it’s important for students to become lifelong learners and feel successful and confident through the power of achievement. Students who leave with these qualities and skills will reap the benefits for the rest of their lives.
When not in the classroom, Samantha spends her time with her husband and two children. If she isn’t at an event for her children, she enjoys spending time crafting and sewing.
Shelby Samples
Classroom Teacher
The 2024-2025 school year will be Shelby's 4th year as classroom teacher at Discovery School of Innovation. She was born in Commerce Township, Michigan, before moving to the Houston area. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from Sam Houston State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Shelby is certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade with additional certifications in teaching ESL students, students with dyslexia, and the Science of Teaching Reading.
She found her passion for teaching in high school when she entered the Educator Preparation Program, spending time in the neighboring elementary school everyday learning alongside 3rd and 4th grade students. She continues to learn along with her students now as she encourages them to question and explore the world around them.
Shelby’s goal is to instill a love for learning in each student as they are challenged and engaged using hands-on activities, projects, and independent learning experiences. She believes that teaching relies on a connection with each student that fosters trust, encouragement, and motivation. Shelby is passionate about using reading to build relationships, community, and social-emotional development.
Outside of the classroom, Shelby can be found spending time with her family and many pets, playing outside with her niece and nephew, or attempting D.I.Y projects!
Heather DeElena
Middle School Teacher ELA/Global Studies Teacher
Heather DeElena is an experienced and dedicated educator with six years of teaching in public schools, specializing in English for grades 7-12 and ESL (English as a Second Language). Born in Missouri and raised in Texas, Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology with double minors in Spanish and English from Sam Houston State University. She has also pursued graduate coursework in counseling at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Heather is passionate about innovative teaching methods, including the flipped classroom and project-based learning. She believes in minimizing lectures and encouraging students to engage in productive struggle to enhance their learning experience.
Outside the classroom, Heather is a devoted mother of four. Her love for reading and traveling continually enriches her life and informs her teaching. Heather DeElena's dedication to education and her dynamic approach to learning make her an invaluable member of our school community.
Amanda Nanfro
Middle School Math/Science Teacher
Born and raised in New Jersey, Amanda always knew she wanted to become a teacher. She completed the accelerated dual degree program with honors distinction at Drexel University in Philadelphia, earning a BS in Elementary Education (minor: mathematics) and MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum (concentration: special education). Since graduating college in 2012, she has been teaching 6th through 12th graders in both public and private school settings, with most time spent teaching algebra. As a teacher, she strives to create a classroom that is safe, inviting, and organized to support students in developing self-confidence and the resiliency to persist through struggle while building a positive attitude towards math. Outside of the classroom, Amanda enjoys crafting, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three boys.
Hannah Fang, M.Sc.
Mandarin Teacher
The 2023-2024 school year will be Hannah's 3rd year teaching Mandarin at Discovery School of Innovation. She was born and raised in China and graduated from Shanghai JiaoTong University with a Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture. After moving to Houston from London, she obtained her Chinese teacher training through the University of Houston’s Startalk program.
Mrs. Fang has been teaching Chinese to 1st-6th graders since 2005 at The Woodlands Chinese School. She designs her classes to be interactive and dynamic, opting for hands-on activities that allow students to engage with the class material. She is always looking for new ways to keep the classroom fun and improve the student’s learning experience and language ability.
Outside of school, Mrs. Fang loves reading and playing games. She also loves to travel to new places and go on outdoor adventures with her family.
Sindy Franco
Spanish Teacher
The 2024-2025 year will be Sindy's 2nd year as our Spanish teacher at Discovery School of Innovation. She is an experienced Spanish teacher and tutor. She enjoys creating fun and engaging lessons for her students to instill a passion for learning the Spanish language.
In her free time, Sindy enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Carly Grubbs
Physical Education Teacher
The 2024-2025 school year will be Carly's 3rd year teaching PE at Discovery School of Innovation. She has always loved sports, and began playing club soccer at the age of 5. She began her coaching career in 2017, and loves every minute of it! She especially enjoys inventing new games and finding creative ways to teach fundamental skills. Her goal is to inspire every child to enjoy being active and healthy.
In her free time, you can find Carly riding her bike or taking road trips with her fiance. One of her favorite places to visit is Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado.
Carly also works at a Behavioral Technician with children diagnosed with autism. She enjoys helping them strengthen their emotional and cognitive skills.
Eli Zuniga
Music Teacher
This is Eli's first year as a music teacher at Discovery School of Innovation. We are so excited to have him with us! Eli is also a music teacher at the Zuniga School of Music right next door to our school! He teaches piano, guitar, ukulele, and singing. He has been teaching music for 8 years. Zuniga music school is a family-owned school. He is blessed to get to work with his 4 brothers, for family is really important to him.
Since Eli's family are first generation Americans, they didn’t have the opportunity to take private music lessons growing up until the oldest brother went to college for music and taught the family.
He taught Eli with the same approach he learned from his professor. Eli began to appreciate the classical approach to music. He looks forward to instilling a love of music for all of his students with his fun and engaging lessons.
Susan Manbeian
Art Teacher
The 2024-2025 school year is Susan's 3rd year as the Art teacher at Discovery School of Innovation. Susan is a certified Art teacher and has been involved in Art education for over 30 years. She is also the youth Art education director at The Woodlands Art League.
Susan enjoys designing her Art units to integrate with subjects across the curriculum. She creates meaningful projects and often educates our students about the incredible Art in our local area, such as the Art Bench Project in The Woodlands.
In her free time, Susan enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Melissa Menke
Yoga Instructor
Melissa has pursued many passions in her life. First of all, she has 2 children and enjoys spending quality time with them whenever possible. Melissa is also a pilot for United Airlines and her love of flying has taken her to a variety of destinations around the world. Another passion of Melissa's in yoga. She is a strong believer in finding a balance and happiness within, and engaging the inner self through movement and yoga. She is trained in the Yoginos Program for children, and loves to incorporate fun themes and literature into her classes.
Seth Alfano
Robotics and Coding Instructor
Seth is a Computer Science major. He has extensive knowledge with a variety of technology. Seth loves to create challenges and games that help students learn to code and use robots in a fun environment. His projects are teaching our students important skills that will have real world applications, such as coding with Python and using AI to enhance learning.
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