Teachers & Staff

Netra Fitzgerald

Head of School

Netra comes to SMES after serving as Head of Greenhill School Preschool Division for five years. She focused there on establishing strong relationships with her students, parents and faculty. During her tenure, the student enrollment in the Greenhill Preschool grew to be the largest in Greenhill’s 70-year history. She has been instrumental in guiding their curriculum development, social & emotional learning skills integration, and balance of direct learning & play. Throughout the greater preschool community, Netra has become known for her expertise. Even internationally, her leadership and knowledge have been recognized as evidenced by her invitation to present at the Annual International Education Summit in Beijing, China last summer where she presented and spoke on “Early Childhood Learning Ages 0-3.” Most importantly, Netra has the vital experience of being a teacher in the classroom for a number of years including Kindergarten and First Grade. Netra’s background includes over twenty years in education with a focus on early childhood and leadership. She began her educational career as a kindergarten teacher at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis. Thereafter, she has taught at four independent schools across the country, teaching first grade, directing summer school programs, and serving as interim assistant head of school in Albuquerque before moving to the Metroplex in 2014.

A 1992 graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Netra then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching: Curriculum and Instruction in 1999 from the University of Memphis. She was also selected in 2006 to participate in the highly regarded Project Zero Summer Institute at Harvard University where she took a deep dive into learning and intelligence. Netra has great enthusiasm for teaching, a love of the children and a Christ centered approach to education. Her almost instant and genuine connection with all she meets is remarkable to observe. Both her academic background and her professional experience fit beautifully with our beloved Saint Michael Episcopal School.

Netra, her husband Ty and their adult children (Kelsey studying to be a nurse and Kyle applying to medical schools) are delighted to be part of our school and our community.

Bettina Ernst

Director of PreK & Kindergarten

As the Director of Preschool and Kindergarten, Bettina is responsible for staff development and support for her division. This includes: professional development, teacher mentoring both inside and outside of the classroom, curriculum support, and helping teachers prepare for school-wide events. Teaching is her passion, and she loves visiting the classrooms and engaging with the students!

Bettina joined SMES in 2015 as a PreK3 teacher and transitioned into Administration during the 2022-23 school year. Previously, in her18 years of experience at Highland Park Presbyterian Day School, she taught PreK4 and served as Curriculum Director and Assistant Head of School. Bettina holds a B.A. degree in Child Psychology and Sociology from UT Austin and received her Teaching Certification from Southern Methodist University.

Bettina has two adult children, Jessica who teaches at SMES and Christopher who is serving his country in the US Army. In her free time, Bettina loves to travel!

Lesley Jordan

Director of Toddlers & Twos

Lesley joined the SMES Community with over twenty-five years of experience teaching in various educational learning environments ranging from two-year-olds to first graders. From 2016 until 2023, Lesley served as Director of Preschool and the Director of After-Care at St. Monica Catholic School.

A native Tulsan, Lesley graduated from Oklahoma State University where she majored in Family Relations and Child Development with a focus on Early Childhood Psychology. After college, she moved to Dallas and became certified in Elementary Ed., Early Childhood Ed., and ESL. She absolutely loves working with children, parents, and teachers (new and experienced). Most of all, she loves being a support for children with a focus on developing their social-emotional skills to give them the foundation needed to become healthy, successful adults. Lesley is overjoyed to bring her enthusiasm for learning, optimism, and love for children to the SMES community.

Lesley has a wonderful family including her husband Jeff and two children: Jack (24) a Tarleton State University graduate and Emma (19) a sophomore at Rhodes College. She enjoys all outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and birding.

Elizabeth Keogh

Director of Admission & Community Relations

As the Director of Admission and Community Relations, Elizabeth serves SMES in welcoming prospective families to campus, leading the Admission process, and working with the SMES parent community. Early in her career, she worked in recruiting for Andersen Consulting/Accenture and she then chose to be a full-time mother to raise her three girls. She began substitute teaching at ESD, and then Elizabeth made her way to her true passion of early childhood education. Elizabeth joined the SMES staff as a Twos teacher in 2013, after having been an SMES parent for 11 years. Elizabeth finds each day at school a joy and loves being at SMES!

Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Spanish and in Latin American Studies from Southern Methodist University and still loves to practice Spanish.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Dallas. She and her husband, Mike, have three daughters: Caroline, Margaret, and Emily. She also adores her two Boxers, Belle and Hans. In her free time, she loves to play Mahjong, travel, explore new restaurants, and spend time with her family.

Jacynda Griego

Director of Extended Programs

As the Director of Extended Programs, Jacynda effectively manages the extended care programs, enrichment classes and vendors, licensing compliance, the school master schedule and summer camps. Jacynda grew up in El Paso, Texas. After high school, she moved to Colorado and earned a B.A. degree in Communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. After graduation, she moved to Dallas and while pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, she began working at Saint Michael Episcopal School in 2012. She loved teaching Toddlers and Twos and took the opportunity of a brand-new role as the Director of Extended Programs. She is married to Brandon, and they have a daughter, Gwendolyn, who is six. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys all the great activities the Dallas area has to offer.

Tish Bowles

Operations Manager

As Operations Manager for SMES, Tish supports the entire school in a variety of ways including managing the SMES ordering process, coordinating campus security, partnering with SMAA on various campus events/activities and school-wide enhancement projects.

She possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills, loves getting to know people, learning and growing in her role. Tish has been part of the SMES Administration team since 2020 and could not ask for a better place to work. Her favorite part of the day is morning carpool. She loves welcoming each student as it’s such a joyful way to begin the day. 

Tish holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts, with a minor in Marketing & Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas. She enjoys traveling, reading, her basset hound Jasper and is a true “Swiftie.”

Mandy Lohner

Enrollment & Tuition Coordinator

As the Enrollment and Tuition Coordinator, Mandy Lohner manages the accounts receivable including tuition, enrichment, and extended day fees. She oversees the student information system and enrollment records. She also assists with admissions and processes student records.

Mandy holds a B.A. in Communications from Texas A&M University. She grew up in Tyler, Texas. After graduation, Mandy worked in Washington D.C. as a congressional aide for a congressman from Texas for three years. She then moved to Dallas and began working in the banking industry. After four years working for a major bank, she began a career in the financial service software industry. She worked with financial institutions to create and customize software to help their financial services and resources. Mandy joined SMES in 2012.

She and her husband Mike have two children: Michael and Maggie. In her free time, she loves antiquing, Pilates, walking on the Northaven Trail and spending time with her family and friends.

Rosa Elia Da Silva

Finance Manager

In the new Financial Manager role, Rosa Elia will focus on strategic planning, accounting, and financial reporting goals within the growing SMES community. Her diverse background, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to most recently a charter school, provides a wealth of knowledge to achieve financial and business operational success.

In Rosa Elia’s earlier position, she created detailed training programs for employee success and initiated a first-ever reporting system that helped identify the appropriate distribution of labor among teams.

Rosa Elia holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Edward’s University, and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BLA) in Accounting from Dominican University,

Rosa Elia and her family spent many years in Austin before recently moving to Dallas. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, fine dining and spending precious time with family and friends.

Charlotte Kelley

Executive Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

As Receptionist and Executive Assistant to Head of School, Charlotte brings much joy to the SMES community and receives blessings in return. She looks forward to enthusiastically greeting and welcoming each child every day. Charlotte also loves welcoming our visitors and families while also ensuring each school day runs safely and smoothly.

Before joining SMES in 2023, Charlotte served on community boards and volunteered while focusing on family.

Charlotte graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Marketing, and received a Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. She worked for a national advertising agency and in the nonprofit sector.

Charlotte enjoys entertaining, travelling, and games with friends and family.

Rachel Carter

Interim School Nurse

Father Greg Pickens

SMES Chaplain

Alexa Aines

Blessings Teacher

Chris Allred

Cherubs Teacher

Sydney Arnett

PreK 3 Teacher

Lisa Berry

PreK 3 Teacher

Vicki Bonner

Saints Teacher

Elizabeth Brannian

Blessings Teacher

Sarah Cashman

PreK 3 Teacher

Dee Dee Collins

Butterflies Teacher

Hilary Crosby

Stars Teacher

Leenah Crutchfield

PreK 4 Teacher

Melanie Dasbach

Science Teacher

Barbara Davis

PreK 4 Teacher

Ivonne Diaz

PreK 4 Teacher

Jessica Ernst

PreK 3 Teacher

Laura Fields

PreK 3 Teacher

Elli Rose Focht

PreK 4 Teacher

Lisa Glieber

Kindergarten Teacher

Marianne Gregory

PreK 3 Teacher

Holly Hardman

PreK 4 Teacher

Shelby Hendryx

Director of Early Childhood Music

Debbi Henry

PreK 4 Teacher

Carol Hicks

Doves Teacher

Susan Hill

Angels Teacher

Nora Hubach

PreK 3 Teacher

Jingi Humphrey

Cherubs Teacher

Dawn Igaz

PreK 4 Teacher

Susan Janin

PreK 3 Teacher

Riley Kintz

Stars Teacher

Marlys Krueck

PreK 3 Teacher

Jenni Lamoreaux

Kindergarten Teacher

Shelby Maberry

PreK 3 Teacher

Anne-Marie Mazzanti

PreK 4 Teacher

Michelle McIlroy

PreK 3 Teacher

Theresa Meis

Little Lambs Teacher

McKay Parker

PreK 3 Teacher

Cristina Peterson

Butterflies Teacher

Eve Pineda

Toddlers Teacher

Linda Potthoff

Angels Teacher

Katrina Randle

Toddlers/Twos Teacher Assistant

Noelle Schmidt

PreK 3 Teacher

Danielle Sender

Twos Teacher

Sally Titmas

PreK 4 Teacher

Amanda Walz

Toddlers Teacher

Hannah Winton

PreK 4 Teacher

Misty Wombacher

Toddlers/Twos and Enrichment Support