Our Faculty

Mr. Moore is an artist, puppetmaker/puppeteer, former musician and librarian. He holds a B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the University of Texas at Austin, and a M.F.A. in Painting and drawing from the University of North Texas. He also Holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Mr. Moore has an extensive background in film/video and theatrical production. He has taught at both the college and lower school levels, and is excited to bring his unique and varied gifts to the KAPS program as he heads into his fourth year with us.

mmoore@kapschool.org

Although a Texas native, Mrs. Gardner is a graduate of The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and holds a B.F.A. in Studio Art: Drawing and Painting, with an emphasis in Art History, and a Master of Education in Curriculum Design and Instruction from AIU. She is an artist, animal enthusiast, avid gardener, and lover of all things music. 

Mrs. Gardner uses a variety of art media to inspire students to find their voice, and discover themselves through their own creative process.

kgardner@kapschool.org

Mr. Hooper primarily teaches social studies plus speech and debate with duties on the special education team. He comes to KAPS after twenty-three years in healthcare working for a large Central Texas health system and three for-profit health plans in various roles of revenue generation, cost containment and access to care. Prior to healthcare he was an educator for thirteen years in Texas and in international schools serving as a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, and project manager. Current subjects taught: Government, Economics, US History, World Geography, Speech and Debate. Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Secondary Education (MEd) and holds multiple teacher certifications from the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.

thooper@kapschool.org

With over 10 years of tutoring experience, I have supported students from elementary through college levels, helping them build confidence and achieve academic success. Ms. Cuff holds a B.S. in Communication and Business Law with a minor in Special Education, as well as a Master’s in Management and Leadership. In addition to teaching Business courses at the collegiate level, I have worked in curriculum development at trade schools in Austin and San Marcos, redesigning programs to better serve diverse learners.

As an educator with dyslexia, I am deeply committed to creating a supportive and empowering learning environment. I am passionate about helping students—especially those with learning challenges—discover their strengths and see the classroom as a place where they can thrive.

acuff@kapschool.org

Ms. KT Nowotny is a fifth-year Texas educator who has been working with individuals of all abilities and backgrounds since the age of eight. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Throughout her career, Ms. Nowotny has gained experience across a wide range of educational settings and age groups. From teaching middle school, to diving into the wonderfully unpredictable world of early childhood, and now making the leap to high school, her career path has been less of a straight line and more of an educational scavenger hunt. She likes to joke that she’s collecting grade levels like Pokémon.

Some of her favorite experiences include volunteering with Strike Force, a local bowling league for individuals with special needs, and serving as both Vice President and President of Venturing Crew 133 in New Braunfels, where she led and mentored young adults. She also partnered with a colleague from a neighboring school district to co-lead an American Sign Language Club at the middle school level.

Ms. Nowotny is excited to begin this next chapter in high school education. She looks forward to bringing her creativity from the kitchen, her passion for community theatre, and her commitment to inclusive learning into the classroom. Her goal is to create a welcoming environment where every student ~regardless of their background, experiences, or abilities~ feels seen, supported, and encouraged to succeed.

knowotny@kapschool.org

Mr. Towers has previous 15 years in IT, and 5 years teaching all middle school core subjects, as well as highschool physics, biology, and math. With a B.S. in Computer Science, and Biology, he has a passion for learning and understanding, not only for his students, but also for himself. With his lifetime dedication of furthering his own knowledge and understanding, Mr. Towers has a vast collection of interesting, but useless facts.

ctowers@kapschool.org