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About My Time
ABOUT

My Time Academy offers an unparalleled school experience with a warm learning environment, professional and degreed teachers, low teacher to student ratios, while offering an engaging, high interest curriculum created especially for young minds. My Time curriculum was designed to stimulate a child’s innate desire to move, explore, play, and learn.​

  • Year-Round, Licensed Preschool for ages 2.5 - 7 years

  • Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 2:00pm 
    with extended hours offered until 5:30pm 

  • Spanish, Music, Gymnastics, STEM Labs, Kindergarten Bridge, Art

  • Child-Centered Learning

  • Open Play

  • Character Development & Mindfulness

WE ALSO OFFER:

  • Hourly After-School Enrichment Classes including Preschool Gymnastics, Dance, Languages, Music, and more!

  • School Holiday Break Camps

  • Summer Camps

Founder & Administrative Team

About the Owner

"Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love, is
called passion."

- Simon Sinek

 

Lorie Baez  Founder & Director


known as “Miss Lorie” to her students, is a native Austinite and has over 25 years experience teaching children in elementary and preschool. During her time at The University of Texas, she taught young children dance and gymnastics and found she had a true love for teaching. Today, Lorie has established a reputation for high caliber instruction designed to maximize a broad learning experience. She believes the role of a teacher is to assist children in learning and self-discovery through movement, creative expression, and a variety of hands-on experiences that tap into the natural curiosity of children.

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Lorie has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas in Applied Learning & Development with a specialization Reading and English as a Second Language (ESL). Lorie is an active volunteer in the Lakeway area and enjoys spending time with her husband and three active sons. Her hobbies include photography, fitness, camping, boating, and travel. 

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Ms. Karly  Director/Registrar/STEM/Curriculum Specialist/Professional Development

 

Ms. Karly is a native Texan! Karly graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas. She immediately began her teaching career with Keller ISD as a 4th grade teacher serving on the science committee and fostering her students love for nature and “critters” as often as possible. Her desire to empower children and spark their love for adventure led her to spending her summers as the Camp Director of YMCA Camp Grady Spruce on Possum Kingdom Lake. Karly’s love for adventure eventually took her to South Africa. Her new job title: “foster mom” to a baby rhinoceros at Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center. Upon returning to the states, Karly met her Prince Charming and soon found her way to Austin. Excited to return to her life’s passion, Karly began her Austin teaching career as a PPCD 4-year-old teacher with Austin ISD and then on to Eanes ISD where she taught 3rd and 1st grades. Karly partnered with the Gifted and Talented teacher in Eanes to lead professional development for staff to integrate differentiation and higher order thinking in the classroom.

Her son attended 2017 Summer Preschool at My Time and Karly offered to volunteer. She knew immediately that My Time was a special place for children and she had to be a part of it. Karly holds the “All other Duties as Assigned” job title at My Time, as she can be found assisting in the classroom and office as needed. She brings her a passion of STEM/STEAM curriculum and draws on her experience as a Gifted and Talented Services Trainer for the Region XIII educational service center to integrate STEM activities and opportunities for My Time children. Her passion for science in the elementary classroom and a desire to encourage children to explore, discover and learn benefits My Time as she works alongside our staff with STEM/ STEAM Curriculum Development ideas.

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Ms. Dedee  Administrative Assistant

DeDee has been working with young children for the last 15 years and has 3 children of her own. She is currently working as an administrative assistant to support administration. She has taught in the 2-3's Caterpillar classroom for 3 years and has many worked in the childcare industry prior to being hired at My Time. Dedee has a background in the medical field as she worked as a Registered Medical Assistant for 12 years. In 2021, Dedee received her real estate license and enjoys helping local families find their forever home. Additionally, she is a travel agent and loves helping families book trips to Disney and around the world!

 

A native of New Jersey, DeDee moved to the Austin area years ago and immediately fell in love with the hill country and friendly Texas people. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, concerts and spending time with her kids/family.

OUR AMAZING TEACHERS 

*All of My Time Kids Academy staff are background checked and fingerprinted for your child's safety.

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Ms. Shayla 

Ms. Shayla is joining us this year as a lead teacher in the Firefly classroom. Shayla is from Southern California and just moved to Austin Texas with her husband the summer of 2021. She obtained her Associates degree in Social Behavioral Science as well as teaching dance for 5 years in California. 

 

Shayla moved to Kentucky to pursue her dreams in becoming an Early Childhood Educator. While attending Union College in Kentucky she was a substitute teacher at a local Elementary School. In May 2021 she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, watching movies and spending time with family.

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Ms. Tori 

Tori joined the My Time Team in 2021 as the Lead Teacher of the Busy Bee class. Tori is from Sacramento, California, but moved to Texas as soon as she could! Tori comes to My Time with previous years of classroom experience and holds a degree in Child Development for Elementary Education from California State University. Tori has always wanted to be an educator and has a true passion for early childhood education. She is beyond excited to be a part of the My Time team! In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, and she loves spending time with her family, friends and 2 kitties.

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Ms. Megan 

Megan joined My Time Kids Academy as an Assistant Teacher in 2020. Her compassion for children and joyful demeanor make her the perfect match for our teaching team. She is currently completing coursework towards her Early Childhood Certification and hopes to become a preschool teacher in the future. Megan wears many hats at our school from Early Care and After Care Lead teacher to classroom assistant and lending a hand in the office with paperwork and files. Megan enjoys working with children and enjoys being an integral part of their growth and development. Students adore Megan and her patient ways of implementing fun and engaging activities. In her spare time, Megan enjoys her 5 dogs, hiking and babysitting. We are blessed to have such a dedicated passionate teacher at our school. 

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Ms. Carrie 

Carrie figures she's practically a Lake Travis old timer, having been here for over 15 years now. Carrie has years of experience as a nanny and has also taught preschool, toddler ski school, and leads a multi-age learning co-op in her neighborhood. Her son is the center of her world and his curiosity inspires her educational direction.

Carrie has a bachelors degree in Geography, and her interests in travel, culture, and anthropology often reflect that.  Experiential education, creative play, art, and intimacy with the natural world are highest among her educational passions. Carrie is passionate about play-based early childhood and loves to implement strategies in her classroom from the from the many trainings she attends. 

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Ms. Sarah 

Sarah is joined our Team as a Assistant Teacher for the 2021 school year. Sarah is a student at The University of Texas- Austin majoring in History. Sarah loves working with children and brings preschool experience with her from previous local preschool. Her great work ethic and friendly disposition make her an immediate student favorite. Sarah is a native Spanish speaker adding another bi-lingual teacher to our staff! Sarah graduated from high school in Waxahachie before moving to Austin, Texas. Sarah is assisting 4-5's as well as early care and after care programs.

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Ms. Bridget

 

Ms. Bridget is a Master Teacher with over 25 years classroom experience with certifications in the practice of play in Early Childhood. Bridget draws on her wealth of knowledge to deliver high quality play based learning opportunities that engage and ignite children's inner curiosity. Bridget leads our Learning Enrichment Team at My Time and works with students to support their developmental needs through one-to-one or small group lessons. Ms. Bridget's patience and love for children has made her a My Time favorite amongst staff and students. We are so fortunate to have an incredible educator on our team!

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Ms. Kris 

I am Kris Sandahl and I will be leading the butterfly class on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this year. I started teaching at My Time as the music specialist in 2019. I have a Masters Degree in Music where I studied Opera and Music Theater. For over 20 years, my passion for teaching has been working with young children with a focus on development rather than performance. I ran a thriving Kindermusik business and private music studio in Southern California and taught elementary music until my husband Jim and I moved to Austin 16 years ago to raise our children close to family. My oldest daughter Helena is now pursuing her dreams at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a sophomore in Upstate New York. We adopted our 17-year-old daughter, Julia, from Siberia, when she was six years old and it is through this experience that I learned about brain development, delays, trauma, ADHD, autism spectrum, home schooling and lots of patience! Today she’s a bright and funny Junior at LTHS! I continue to run a private music studio at our home in Lakeway called Studio 405 where I teach voice, guitar and piano. Outside the classroom, I have fun with my animals, photography, hiking, natural health, and reading. I could not be more excited to be teaching your children in the pre-k classroom this year in addition to continuing as My Time’s music specialist.

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Ms. Brie

BrieAnna (Ms. Brie) earned her degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Applied Learning and Development.  She has several years experience teaching Pre-K through 6th grade. Brie has been fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom to her two children, which has been the most fulfilling and rewarding experience. As her kids grew more independent,  she began volunteering at their schools and realized how much she had missed teaching. Brie not only has a passion working with children but also teaching yoga. In 2012, she became a certified yoga instructor and has applied many of those principles towards the growth and well being of the young minds she has helped shape over the years.  She is eager to return to teaching at 'My Time' and share her love of Child Development. 

 

“I’m honored to be part of this magical school and community. My goal is to encourage exploration, whilst building a lifelong love for learning and creativity in every child.”

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Ms. Asmita

Asmita joined My Time Kids Academy as Assistant Teacher at the beginning of 2022. After coming to the US and being a stay at home parent of two boys for a decade, she realized that working with children was definitely what she would like to pursue. Her love for children convinced her to be an early child care provider. Asmita has completed her undergrad in Psychology and earned a Masters degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management. She has previously worked as an Assistant Lecturer, teaching Human resources and Communications to Undergraduate students for a few years in India. Besides spending time with her two boys and family and friends, Asmita enjoys baking. Decorating and eating deserts is one of her favorite things to do.

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Ms. Monika

Ms. Monika moved to Austin in 2021 after living in San Diego for seventeen years. With a Master of Science degree in Entomology as a Gemologist and worked as Diamond grader in GIA at Carlsbad, CA. Her passion for early childhood lead her to Child Development classes from Miramar College in San Diego. Monika is very energetic and enthusiastic with a 'happy-go-lucky' personality. She adores kids and her belief is that "The Teachers are back-bone of the future". Ms. Monika is an experienced educator from her years as the Science Olympiad Coach in middle school to her seven years as coordinator of the Study-Buddy program in San Dieguito Alliance. Monika hosted an elementary learning pod in her home at the beginning of the pandemic in order to provide continued structure and consistency for the four students in the pod. Monika loves travelling with her family and is looking forward to sharing her passions for cooking, painting and singing with her students.

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Ms. Maria

Maria Paz-Tripi joined My Time Kids Academy as an Assistant Teacher August 2022. After coming to Austin over 22 years ago and being a full time parent of 3 boys for 20 years, she realized that working with children was something she would like to pursue. Her love for children and the possibilities to enrich their lives with her knowledge convinced her to be an early child care provider. Maria completed her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and Art History and earned an Associates in Culinary Arts, as well as a Certification in dietary Management. She continues to work as a cookbook recipe developer, nutritionist, and restaurant consultant.  She has significant knowledge in allergy free cooking, and diet modification and has taught cooking from preschool children to adults, sharing in what she believes is the transformational power food can bring to any experience from learning to celebrating a special event. 

Maria and her 2nd son cater events from time to time, and she bakes for her husbands' restaurant in Driftwood. A foodie through and through, Maria and her family love to go on culinary adventures throughout the Country and the World.  

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Ms. Linda

Joining My Time Kids Academy this year in the Caterpillar class is Lead Teacher, Ms. Linda, with over 7 years of classroom experience. In addition to her classroom experience, she was also certified as a Behavior Technician for children on the autism spectrum. Linda hails from Southern California where she graduated with a degree in Radio/TV/Film from California State Northridge. While working in the entertainment industry, Linda got an early taste of teaching as she taught acting workshops to young adults. With the birth of her second child, she took time off to focus on her family. The journey into early education began 10 years ago when Linda volunteered at her daughter’s preschool. From that moment on, her love of early childhood education was sparked and a new career began. 


Linda calls Dripping Springs home where she resides with her family. If and when she has free time, you can usually find Ms. Linda on the pitch watching her son play soccer or watching her daughter play volleyball. She enjoys live music, exploring Austin’s delectable eateries, and walking her dog, Oliver.


“I valued my children’s preschool education. It is the foundation that introduced them to a lifelong love of learning and I hope to bring that love, nurturing, creativity, and curiosity to all my students.”

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Ms. Fran

Ms. Fran is excited to join the My Time Team as our Spanish teacher. She is from Santiago, Chile. After getting her Business Administration degree she worked in Human Resources and Customer Success for 10 years. Five years ago, she moved to Texas with her husband, three daughters, and their dog and became a full-time mom. She enjoys being with children and helping the community. She volunteers with her daughter's Elementary School helping at the library, organizing the book fair, and co-chairing the school Talent Show, among other things. Fran enjoys spending time with her family, running, and visiting new places.

She is super excited to be part of My Time teaching her native language to our students. 

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Ms. Alyssa

My Time Kids Academy in 2022 as the Gymnastics coach. Ms. Alyssa is also part of the assistant teacher and extended care team. She is a proud graduate of The University of North Texas with a degree in Communication Studies & Rehabilitation Studies. Alyssa grew up as a gymnast, from the age of 2 years old and became a competitive gymnast for 8 years. Her experience as a gymnast led her to becoming a Level 1 Gymnastics Coach in her home town. Alyssa moved to Austin shortly after graduating college. She enjoys the live music and outdoor activities that ATX has to offer. 

"I am excited to be a part of the MTKA team. I am really looking forward to coaching all of our little ones and helping them to develop their coordination and gross motor skills in our fun and engaging gymnastics class!"

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