Our Board

Jordan Elliott, CSBOC, SHRM-CP, pHCLE, has a passion for KAPS that is deep-rooted into her personal experience as a former KAPS student (2002 alum), former employee of KAPS (2008-2016, Supt 2012-16), and current proud parent of two current KAPS students.
Currently, Jordan serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Charter School Success, an organization that supports charter administrators, boards, and business offices across the state of Texas. In her role, she oversees PEIMS, Federal Grants and State Programs, Payroll, Human Resources, and TEA Charter Governance Training. Jordan believes in the mission of KAPS to educate and empower students with knowledge, skills, and practices to be successful and compassionate in school and life.
She knows that in order to archive this mission, each child’s individual needs must be nurtured in a school environment that celebrates creative freedom, collaboration, compassion, citizenship, student voice, choice, and respect for all. A tireless advocate in the Texas charter community, Jordan approaches her role as  President of the KAPS Board with a balance of heart and practicality, and a solid background of charter expertise.

Erin Stonehawk-Hearn is thrilled to bring her background in education, the science of wellbeing, organizational leadership, and charter school management to the KAPS community. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from The University of Pennsylvania, Erin is passionate about transforming education through creativity, curiosity, engagement, and empowerment. Erin currently serves as a Senior Director at InsideTrack where she has consistently provided strategic leadership for the Support Operations division. Her career highlights include managing college counseling departments for a charter school management organization in Austin, directing innovative social-emotional learning initiatives for a charter school district in Dallas, and spearheading restorative justices initiatives with a focus on positive outcomes. Erin holds certifications in change management, coaching, mindfulness, and restorative practices. Ever since hearing about the mission and vision of KAPS, Erin has wanted to contribute to this vibrant community. Erin lives in San Marcos with her spouse, Kennedy Stonehawk, two dogs, and a cat.

Paul began his tenure at KAPS in 2002, the school's third full year of operation, in the role of Principal. He served in that role for 10 years and received his M.A. from The University of Texas at Austin while on sabbatical from his Principal duties. During his time at UT, Paul was privileged to serve as a KAPS Board Trustee for the first time. Paul continued his educational service as Chief Financial Officer for two separate central Texas ISDs. He also served in the role of Chief Academic Officer and also served as Interim Superintendent work. Paul now works for the Texas Education Agency in the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration. Paul believes that all students who enter the doors are budding lifelong scholars who should be uniquely challenged academically and provided for according to their individual needs and goals. Paul moved to Wimberley in 1999 and lives there with his beautiful partner, Lisa.

Amy, her husband, and two children moved to Wimberley six years ago.  One of her children graduated from KAPS in 2021 and the other is currently a Sophomore.  As a relative new comer to the Wimberley Valley, Amy is committed to work tirelessly and do her best to represent and advocate for the students, teachers and staff of Katherine Anne Porter School. 
Amy works in Business Development and is the Marketing Manager for a corporation the constructs municipal water wells.  After studying Music Education and Special Education, she graduated from Texas State University with a BAAS degree.  She also serves as Secretary on the Board of the Hill Country Community Band and Secretary of the KAPS PTSO.  In her free time, Amy plays the clarinet in the HCCB, and SMART Orchestra and will be performing an upcoming City of Buda Summer Musical.

David is a proud graduate of KAPS Class of 2018. Before enrolling in KAPS in 2015, he struggled with his grades, as well as “fitting in”, but within a few months,  he went from failing most of his classes to straight A’s and  a thriving social life, thus making KAPS a safe haven, if not a ‘home’ for David. In the three years he spent as a  KAPS student, David was involved with several school/community events. He took the lead on  Prom committee and co-organized Arts Fest with a fellow student his senior year. He also single handedly planned  a field trip to Texas State University's Bobcat days so KAPS students could tour the campus and learn more about going to college.

After graduation, David went on to work at restaurants as a kitchen manager, as well as at call centers preventing ID fraud. Most recently, he works as a care counselor at a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) with boys in the foster system that have been taken out of abusive households, all of which have experienced some form of trauma or neglect. Here David has gained many skills,  such as TIC (trauma informed care), TBRI (trust based relational intervention), and EBI (emergency behavioral intervention). With his general understanding of child developmental psychology and how trauma can affect the brain, and his experience as a KAPS student, David hopes that he will be able to benefit the KAPS student body.

Along with a Master of Liberal Arts in Political Science, a Master of Public Administration, and A.B.D in Multicultural Gender and Women’s Studies, Pam brings 12 years of teaching experience and student counseling to KAPS. Her career highlights include curriculum development, grants management, and student organization expansion. She holds certifications in Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Women in Leadership, Mindful Teaching, Time Management in the Classroom, Motivational Strategies, and Project Management.

Pam served as the editor for the National Public Administration Journal and has several articles published in Texas government textbooks. She believes that all students should have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in a safe environment. She has lived in Wimberley for more than 35 years and has a large extended family in the Valley.

Sean Rife graduated from KAPS with the class of 2001. He was a young father at the age of 17, and acknowledges that his enrollment at KAPS was one of the 'saving graces' of his young life. Sean began his career as a lifelong carpenter and builder at the age of 19. He took some time in his twenties to explore the field of social work, working at the Hays County Juvenile Justice Center and Burke Home for Boys, which inspired a life-long interest in advocating for the well-being of our adolescent community. 

 Sean's youngest two children are current students of KAPS, which along with his wife, makes an entire family of Dragons! Sean, and his family, are dedicated to the KAPS mission and hope to be part of the school's growth & sustainability. Dragons for life!

Taye is a native Austinite and spent his youth roaming the Hill Country. He knows it's a special place to be a kid, grow up, and have fun. Wanting to show his boys the value of an education, Taye went back to school at age 42, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Texas State University, with a degree in English and a minor in History. He is now a Content Designer at Toyota.

Taye’s first career was in social and environmental justice, as a community organizer. He worked for four different non-profits, and volunteered for many more. From protecting our lakes and rivers to LGBTQ rights, there are few causes he hasn't championed. While living in San Francisco, Taye was a supervisor at San Francisco Conservation Corps, a non-profit providing professional job training and educational development for 18-26 year olds, reducing social and economic barriers, and uplifting low-income and disadvantaged communities. 

Of all the jobs he has had, fatherhood has been the most challenging and rewarding. Both of his sons attend KAPS, and Taye loves the school's diversity and sense of community.