The Well Staff

Janet Schneider

Kinder Instructor | NW Campus

Readers' Theater Instructor | FW Campus

After becoming a Christian at 15, and dedicating my life to God, I served as leader/teacher in every ministry I could in our young church and found I enjoyed children’s ministries the most.

After studying under Godly Pastors and professors of Florida Bible College, I learned to present a clear gospel and teach the Word. When I married and had 3 children, Christian education then became a high priority. Helping the church start a Christian School, I trained for the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) program and began teaching First, then Second grade for about 20 years, during which time I trained at Pensacola Christian College and was qualified to teach the ABEKA curriculum. KUMON Math center was a year round part time job I did for most of 35 years. Being a tour guide and outdoor nature teacher during summers and weekends for a wildlife preserve park in south Texas, was HOT but so fun.

My favorite hobbies are Art, nature walks, and working with children which has brought me a lot of Joy and opportunities to share the gospel! No child left my class without knowing they were loved and had the ability to share their faith in Christ.

Brittany Turner

STEM Instructor | FW Campus

I came to Christ through reverent research for years over his creation. Time after time, it became conclusive that his will is intentional down to atoms and quarks. You can say Science led me to the Lord. I graduated with an Associate of Science from Gateway and later a Bachelors degree in Integrative Studies from Northern Kentucky University. With that foundation I have worked in nursing, legal and child safety across a broad spectrum of roles. I also have a long standing culinary background that I enjoy incorporating into my classroom activities when I can.

I have taught in the classroom for 5 years and have 8 years homeschooling experience. I enjoy hands on learning and a collaborative teaching approach.

My husband of 17 years and I have spent the past 15 years in Kentucky and have recently moved back to South Texas to settle down. We have three children and love to travel. When I am not teacher you'll catch me hiking, baking, gardening or reading. I enjoy watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball, visiting museums and seeing classical orchestra live.

Jaclyn Moreno

Spanish Instructor | NW Campus

Hello! My name is Jaclyn (Jackie) Moreno, MA, CCC-SLP. I earned my Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Our Lady of the Lake University and have been a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist since 2003.

For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of serving children and families through pediatric speech and language therapy and Spanish instruction. I am passionate about helping children develop communication skills, confidence, and a love of learning through engaging, meaningful experiences tailored to their unique strengths and needs.

My faith is at the center of my life. I was raised in a Christian home and remain actively involved in ministry through Oak Hills Church, where my husband and I volunteer in the children's ministry and participate in Bible studies. Over the years, I have also served on missionary trips to Mexico and Europe and as a translator in Mexico.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our daughter, and our sweet dog, Cinnamon. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, volunteering, and learning new things. My favorite children's book is The Secret Garden because of its themes of growth, discovery, and transformation. Greece is my favorite travel destination, and I’ve visited three times. Along the way, I’ve enjoyed adventures such as zip-lining through the jungles of Costa Rica, rappelling down mountains in Israel, and exploring the beautiful beaches of the Cyclades Islands.

I believe every child is uniquely created with purpose and potential, and I am honored to partner with families as they support their child’s growth, communication, and lifelong learning journey.

Valerie Hill

CORE Creative Arts Instructor | NW Campus

My name is Valerie Hill. I am originally from Detroit, MI and have been living in San Antonio for 18 years. I am a wife and mother of two children.

My hobbies are writing, praise dancing, and baking. In my education background I have a bachelors in Psychology and in the process of pursuing my masters in social work. For the last 15 years I have worked in the nonprofit and social services arena. For 3 years I have worked in the school system as an instructional aide and Substitute teacher. Nevertheless, for the last five years I have been a stay at home mom and homeschool my children.

I am a passionate Christian believer and attend Embassy Ministries. I came to know the Lord at the age of 16 and my passion is to share the good news of Christ and see many souls come into the Kingdom of Heaven. The ministry work I have been involved with for the last 15 years is teaching in the children’s ministry, over the outreach ministry, and my husband and I were youth pastors for a season.

I am so excited, grateful and blessed to be a part of the team at the Well. I look forward to teaching the students creative arts. I am also very passionate about working with the youth. Altogether, I look forward to serving the students and parents under the Well’s vision and mission to engage, equip, and inspire!

Melanie Caswell

Assistant | FW Campus

Hi! I’m Melanie, and I’m so excited to be joining The Well this year. Faith has been a central part of my life from an early age, and I have always felt called to serve others.

I’ve been married to my husband since 2018. We have two children whom we homeschool. I enjoy camping, running, hiking, traveling, and spending quality time outdoors with my family.

Since 2021, I have served in children’s ministry at my local church. Prior to this season, I worked for 13 years with the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department before stepping away from my full-time position to focus more intentionally on my family, homeschooling, and ministry. I’m excited for this new season God has me in.

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Victoria Vale

Pre-k & Kinder Assistant Teacher | NW Campus

I grew up homeschooled and am a proud alumna of The Well. It is such a joy to now give back to the program that has poured so much into my life over the years!

Over the last six years, I have had the privilege of teaching in a variety of settings, including serving as a guest teacher at The Well, leading a four-day "Art & Jesus" workshop for children, and hosting online events for youth. In April 2024, I graduated from Bethel School of Music, a 12-month online college program that included courses in worship leading, biblical foundations of worship, music theory, music business, songwriting, and music production. During my studies, I had the opportunity to learn from renowned professionals such as Brian and Jenn Johnson, Julia Cameron, Pat Pattison, Jeff Mathena, Eric Allen, and many others.

As a creative at heart, I love songwriting, musical theater, and helping others discover the fullness of their creative gifts. I am currently pursuing entrepreneurship through the development of an online program called Created 2 Create. My vision is to equip young creatives with practical and spiritual tools that foster creativity, kindness, and confidence while helping them learn what it means to truly glorify God in everything they do.

You can find me on Instagram at @victoryvale8, where I share updates about Created 2 Create and showcase my own creative projects. Blessings!

Susan Ulrich

STEM Instructor | NW Campus

Bio coming soon!

Vasthy Borjas

E+ Spanish Instructor | FW Campus

Hello! My name is Vasthy Borjas. I’m originally from Honduras and recently moved to San Antonio, Texas after marrying my best friend. In 2025, I graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a degree in Spanish. I'm incredibly excited to share this beautiful and culturally rich language with my students.

Since I was 16 years old, I’ve been actively involved in my church, where I developed a close relationship with God. Over the years, I’ve served as a youth leader and taught children in our church community—experiences that deepened my love for teaching and mentoring young people. I strive to reflect kindness, compassion, and love in everything I do, as Jesus teach us to do, and I hope to be a positive influence on my students both in and out of the classroom. In my free time, I enjoy baking, cooking for family and friends, hiking, exploring new places, and spending time with my loved ones.

Dae Higgins

Art Instructor | NW & FW Campus

Hey y’all, my name is Miss Dae. I am a Mother, Artist, and Teacher. Since 2015, I have immersed myself in the art world as a teacher, and God has opened doors for me to Teach Art Classes for organizations such as National Geographic and Disney. I have also taught painting classes at night out of PWAT Art Studio for over ten years.

I love giving back by volunteering in the community, teaching free classes at community centers, senior centers, in homeschool settings, and at churches. Through this work, I enjoy visiting different churches around San Antonio to bring art to the Christian community. Faith Baptist is a church I hold close to my heart and have been visiting for over thirty years. I believe art is a reflection of God’s beauty and love, and I want every child to know that their creativity is a gift from Him meant to shine in the world.

Sienna Mendiola

Assistant | NW Campus

Bio coming soon!

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Mariana Rodriguez

Assistant | NW Campus

I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and I am the first generation in my family to be born in the United States after my family immigrated from Mexico in search of a better future. I am fluent in both Spanish and English. Understanding the sacrifices my parents made to provide opportunities for our family has inspired me to work diligently, serve with humility, and seek to meet the needs of others before my own.

I have been happily married for eight years and am blessed with three beautiful children. In my free time, I enjoy reading, volunteering at a clothing closet, and memorizing Scripture. My desire is to leave a legacy of faith by investing in and cultivating multigenerational faithfulness to Christ.

I came to know Christ as my Savior at the age of 24 and have surrendered my life to following Him. For the past ten years, I have had the privilege of serving children in ministry as a Children's Director, overseeing Sunday School programs, Vacation Bible School, and Scripture Memory Conferences. Last year was my first year homeschooling, and it has been an incredible blessing for our family. I am excited to walk this journey alongside such a wonderful community of believers and look forward to growing together in faith and fellowship.

Lauren Bonnema

Pre K Instructor | NW & FW Campus

My name is Lauren Bonnema. I am a proud believer, wife, and mother to 3 amazing children who I have been homeschooling for the past 5 years.

We were blessed in 2023 to join The Well family with my children as students, and are very grateful for the lessons and friends we developed here. I am excited to offer my knowledge and energy back as the Preschool teacher for this amazing community.

I grew up in San Antonio, TX; involved in youth programs at UUMC as well as Youth Fire at Cornerstone church. I cultivated an appreciation for active living competitively dancing for Earle Cobb Dance Studio, and playing club soccer in the greater San Antonio area. My love for working with children has been longstanding, as I have been caring for and tutoring children since I was in my early teens, teaching Sunday school, and working in childcare professionally over the past 18 years. I believe that the best way to stay active, is by participating in challenging activities that bring you joy! I incorporate this into my own life now, through adult dance classes and exploring nature. My goal in this position is to teach P.E. fundamentals with a capital F-U-N! I am passionate about helping children learn and grow through love, and helping to guide them with the discernment provided by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Michelle Mayer

Geography Instructor | Core & More NW Campus

Music Instructor | FW Campus

I grew up in a small community in Minnesota, where I attended my church’s grade school and later graduated from St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul. After earning a degree in Elementary Education and Staff Ministry from Martin Luther College, I moved to San Antonio in 2004.

I taught in a multi-grade classroom for seven years before having the joy of staying home to care for my own children. During my years of teaching, I met and married a San Antonio native from my church. As our children were growing up, I enjoyed leading women's Bible studies, tutoring students, and teaching piano lessons.

Today, I live in West San Antonio with my husband and our three children. Homeschooling was never part of my original plan, but after six years of homeschooling, I can hardly imagine doing anything else. It has been an incredible blessing for our family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey.

Laura Mendiola

Health Nutrition & PE Instructor | Core & More NW Campus

Hi, I’m Laura! I’m a homeschooling mom of three and have been on this homeschool journey for over 10 years. I’ve been married to the loml Max for 20 years, and together we’ve spent much of that time serving in education and ministry. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watercolor, thrifting, and exploring local coffee spots.

I hold an Associate of Arts in Church Ministry from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and currently serve part-time as Discipleship Director at my local church. I’ve taught in various church and homeschool settings, developed curriculum, and mentored both students and adults. I’m passionate about helping students think critically and engage with meaningful ideas.

My husband and I have been part of our church for the last 10 years where we both serve in teaching and pastoral roles. I came to faith as a young adult and continue to grow in both understanding and relationship with Christ. I’m thankful for every opportunity to walk alongside others in their own faith and learning journeys.

Laura Hernadez

Spanish Instructor | Core & More NW Campus

My name is Laura Hernandez and I am very excited to be joining The Well. After graduating from UTSA with my bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and becoming certified as a bilingual generalist classroom teacher, I taught Spanish in the Dual Language program for HISD and NEISD for 6 years. I am currently a homeschool teacher to my lovely daughters and substitute at various Northeast schools. My goal is to motivate students to learn Spanish and progress in their acquisition.

In my free time I enjoy volunteering with the elderly, traveling, cooking, being outdoors and spending time with my lovely family. I hope to share my love for God with my students and inspire them as they strengthen their identity and trust in him. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Erica Aguilar

Physical Education Instructor | NW Campus

My name is Erica Aguilar, and I am passionate about serving the Lord through education. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and strive to live a life that honors, serves, and reflects Him in all that I do. Since 2019, I have been actively involved in ministry and previously served as a missionary, experiences that have deeply shaped my calling to disciple and nurture others through Christ-centered teaching.

I bring over two decades of teaching experience across various educational settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, equipping me with both instructional and leadership perspectives. As the mother of a 13-year-old son with special needs, I have a deep compassion for diverse learners and a strong commitment to creating supportive, grace-filled learning environments where every child is seen, valued, and encouraged to grow academically and spiritually.

Rachel Spurgeon

Assistant Director & Admin | FW Campus

Hi, I'm Rachel! I grew up in California, but since marrying my high school sweetheart in 2005, I've had the opportunity to live all over the world as an Air Force chaplain's wife.

I am the proud mom of six children, all of whom I have homeschooled from the very beginning. For more than 25 years, I have worked with children through various organizations, military chapels, camps, local churches and ministries. Over the past ten years, I have also taught in homeschool co-ops, where I especially enjoy sharing the love of Jesus with the youngest members of our community.

I'm a homebody at heart who loves spending time with my family, enjoying a great cup of coffee, listening to audio books, tending to my plants, organizing, cooking, woodworking, and serving in ministry at my church in West San Antonio.

Angela Bello

Assistant Director & Admin | NW Campus

Hi, I'm Angela Bello! I am the proud mom of six children and Nana to two wonderful grandchildren. I love spending time with my family, especially during card games and family movie nights.

I have been homeschooling for 14 years and have taught students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Throughout my homeschooling journey, I have had the privilege of serving in three different homeschool co-ops in a variety of roles, including teaching, administration, and coordination.

I came to know Christ in January 2008 at Abundant Life, and since then I have been blessed to serve in children's ministry, youth ministry, outreach, and women's ministry. For the past 14 years, my family and I have been faithfully serving at Mighty Fortress Church. We are incredibly thankful for all that God has done in our lives and for His continual guidance and faithfulness.

I am excited for the opportunity to serve and support the wonderful families of The Well as we journey together through the adventures of homeschooling. I look forward to encouraging, equipping, and walking alongside you in this season of learning and growth.

Nicey Priestley

Founder & Executive Director | NW & FW Campus

Nicey Priestley was raised on military bases in Europe, but has resided in San Antonio for over two decades. She is married and has five daughters whom she has homeschooled since birth. In addition to earning a degree in Psychology with a concentration in Early Childhood Development from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Nicey has acquired over a decade of experience working with elementary and preschool children. During her tenure as a teacher and tutor, Nicey came to the understanding that every child has a unique learning style that an educator must accommodate if they are to maximize the child's learning potential.

This knowledge along with her passion for early childhood education has allowed her to create fun, hands-on lesson plans that get kids excited about learning! For many years Nicey operated a licensed in-home preschool and it was during that time that a vision began to form and the seed for The Well was planted.

Additionally, she volunteers with AWANA and ministries at her church. In her free time she enjoys reading, exploring nature, biking, hiking, running and spending time with her family.