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.

Graciela Ornelas

Core Spanish Instructor | NW Campus

Hi. My name is Graciela Ornelas. I am married and I have lived in Texas all my life. I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren. I like to cook, tend to my plants, and travel with my husband.

I became interested in becoming a teacher when I was in high school. I took a class my junior and senior year to help the teachers and students at the elementary school. Years later, I graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies at UTSA. Eventually I pursued a Master's degree in Bilingual Education at Our Lady of the Lake University. I have teaching experience with elementary students for 30 years in public schools.

I became a Christian as a teenager. I have served as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and as a greeter at church. I was also a member of two Christian organizations while I was attending college. I am currently attending a church in my community. I look forward to working with the students at The Well and I hope to inspire them with the Spanish language.

Sienna Mendiola

Assistant | NW Campus

Hi, I’m Sienna! I’m a homeschool graduate and currently attend Northwest Vista College, where I’m completing prerequisites to pursue a career in radiography. I grew up serving in my local church and have a passion for working with children and helping them feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged. I regularly volunteer with Pre-K and kindergarten at my church, serve as a small group leader for middle school girls, and provide childcare through babysitting and church ministry. I also love baking and creating new crafts and activities to do with the kids.

I’m excited to join The Well as an assistant and look forward to encouraging students as they learn, grow, and discover the gifts God has given them.

Ann Aragon

Physical Education Instructor | NW Campus

Hello, my name is Ann and I’m so excited to be joining The Well this year. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas all my life. I have been married to my husband for 11 years but have been with him more than half my life! We have four beautiful children together.

Christ is our foundation and I love spending time with my family. Together we have attended Mighty Fortress for 12 years. I enjoy reading, being outdoors, going to parks, and relaxing with my loved ones but also enjoy traveling when able especially our quick trips to the beach!

As a child I knew I was loved by Jesus and that He was God, but it wasn’t until I became a mother that I fully understood to surrender my life to Him as my Lord and Savior. I am so thankful to have learned who Jesus was at a very young age. I truly believe that every child has a purpose and Im excited to share and teach that love. I am excited for this next season at The Well, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for this next journey ahead.

Brittany Turner

STEM Instructor | FW Campus

CORE Science Instructor | NW 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.

Chrysti Robertson

E+ Music Instructor | NW Campus

Hi! I'm Crysti! I grew up in the South Dallas region and met my husband at church. We have been married for 18 years and have four incredible kiddos. I love to spend time with my family: cooking, painting, time in nature, playing games, and building furniture with my husband. We are honored to pastor GFC Far West in Rio Medina.

For 25 years, I have been in church ministry and taught students & children in theater, music, choreography, and the Bible. I began a theater in South Dallas called Love Your City Theater where the focus is still, 10 years later, to reclaim the arts for Christ and impact people with the power of redemptive storytelling.

Since coming to Christ at the age of 16, I have always had a call on my life to share God's story in a creative and meaningful way and it is my joy and passion to teach others to do the same.

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.

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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 three amazing children whom I have homeschooled for the past seven years.

We have been blessed to be a part of The Well family, and my children have grown so much through the friendships and lessons they've experienced here. So it is a joy and an honor to pour back into this community as the Preschool Teacher.

I grew up in San Antonio, TX, active in youth programs at UUMC and Youth Fire at Cornerstone Church. I've cared for, taught, and tutored children since my early teens through Sunday school, childcare roles, and nearly two decades of hands on experience in early education.

One of my greatest passions in teaching is using music and song as a foundation for learning. I believe young children learn best when their whole bodies and hearts are engaged through rhythm, repetition, joy, and play. Whether we're practicing letters, exploring nature, or learning to work together, you will often find us singing, moving, and celebrating the beauty of learning that God has woven into every child.

My goal in this role is to cultivate a classroom full of wonder, movement, worship, and FUN; where Preschool fundamentals are taught with love, creativity, and the gentle guidance while sharing the Love of 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.

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.