Knightly News
October 27, 2022
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Letter from the Principal |
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Our students and staff are off to a great start this year. We are settled into classes and routines, and things are buzzing along in the second quarter! Classes, sports, clubs, and activities are all in full swing, and we are a full K-12 school for the very first time! Congratulations to our volleyball and football teams on great seasons. We're excited to watch the playoff runs! We had our first PIE meeting, and plans are underway for all of the year's events. This 2022-2023 school year is shaping up to be a great one!
We have a special environment at Trivium, and it truly never gets old. Our hope for this year is that we all gather with one another to make this a wonderful and positive year for everyone. We are so glad that our sports teams are well supported, and we are proud of our volunteers who work tirelessly on our behalf. From concession stands to the copy room, we have willing volunteers who donate their time.
Let us know if we can help in anyway. If you are willing to volunteer, get in touch with us, and we will find a place for you. Everyone is welcome. Thank you for trusting us with your children's education!
Proud to be a Knight!
Marsha Cawthon
Principal
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Join us next week for Donuts with Dudes!
Grades K-6th
Students with last names A-M - Wednesday, 11/2
Students with last names N-Z - Thursday, 11/3
7:30-8am in the cafeteria and patio
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As we are growing in size and have added a senior class, we are so excited to welcome new staff members to Trivium for the 2022-2023 school year and wanted to introduce them to you. Please help us welcome the following new staff members! |
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Monica Alvarez
Behavior Interventionist
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Monica Alvarez is our new Behavioral Interventionist, and she has worked in Special Education for 17 years. Her undergraduate degree is in Sociology from Texas Woman's University. Her Master's degree is in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Intervention, awarded by the University of North Texas. She is extremely excited to join a passionate team at Trivium where the focus is kept on the students! |
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Synthany Berry
7th & 8th Grade Math
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Ms. Berry started as a substitute at Trivium and quickly fell in love with the school and the students. She graduated from UNT in 2020 with a BS in Marketing and Quantitative Business, and she is currently pursuing her certification for secondary math. She is looking forward to working with our students and making this the best school year! |
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Aaron Beussman,
7th Grade Humanities
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Mr. Beussman grew up in the small town of Springfield, Minnesota where he graduated from Springfield Public High School. After graduation, he attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota where he graduated with a degree in History Education. Following graduation he returned home and taught a 6th grade class at St. Anne's Catholic School in Wabasso, Minnesota. While he enjoyed that experience, he always dreamed of adventuring out of his Midwest safe haven. Due to that craving, he moved to Plano with his best friend in July of 2021. Mr. Beussman substituted in Garland ISD last year and was hired to teach humanities here at Trivium last summer! |
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Anthony Cadogen
Permanent Substitute & Coach
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Mr. Anthony Cadogan, better known as Coach C, is the middle school boys’ basketball coach and substitute teacher here at Trivium. He was born and raised in NYC. He graduated in 2019 with his Bachelor’s in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. As a former collegiate athlete, he enjoys sharing his talents as a youth personal trainer in his spare time. Coach C is most motivated by the opportunity to impact the next generation positively. |
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Devin Campbell,
PE and Boys' Athletics
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Coach Campbell grew up in Plano where he graduated from Plano senior high and went on to Texas A&M to earn a degree in Business. Teaching was always an adventure he wanted to pursue, and it was solidified after spending a year substitute teaching at Trivium. After subbing at Trivium, he completed his certification to teach 4-8 Social Studies. He was fortunate enough to be hired in his home district of Plano, where he taught middle school history, GT, and coached. After two wonderful years in Plano, he is so excited to come back to where it all began! He will be coaching PE as well as our high school football and baseball programs. He and his wife Jordan are humbled to be a part of the Trivium family. That word- family- is why he chose Trivium. The emphasis on family and doing what is right for kids is evident, and he hopes to continue to build onto this tradition.
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Ashley Chandler
Secondary College & Career Counselor
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Ms. Chandler is the College & Career Counselor for grades 7-12 at Trivium Academy. This school year marks her 9th year in education and 7th year as a school counselor. Ms. Chandler hails from Mississippi and has lived in Texas for 5 years. She enjoys cooking, listening to music, watching TV, attending musicals, plays & concerts, and spending time with close friends and family. Ms. Chandler is looking forward to collaborating with students and families to help students reach their future college and/or career goals.
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Tony Cooks
6th Grade Science and Coach
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Mr. Cooks or, as some may say, Coach Cooks, is a first year teacher who enjoys being around kids and bringing out the best in them. He is teaching 6th grade science this year. He has coached sports teams prior to coming to Trivium, and he will continue coaching here at Trivium. He currently serves as the middle school flag football coach. Coach Cooks is a middle child of 3 and also the tallest of 3 brothers. He is a photographer and a graduate of UTA. He loves swimming and listening to music in his free time. He says that being here at Trivium is one of the best decisions he’s ever made! |
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Kristine Coreil, DMA
8th Grade Humanities
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Dr. Kristine Coreil just finished at 28-year career at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she taught music. She is very excited to continue her journey as a professional educator, joining the faculty at Trivium Academy as an 8th grade Humanities teacher! She is from Natchitoches, Louisiana. She lives in McKinney with her husband Jeff, who also retired from college teaching to be a band director in Little Elm. She has a Bachelor of Music Education degree, with dual certification in music and English, as well as a Master of Music from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has two college-aged daughters—one in Chicago and one in Memphis. She loves performing as a French horn player, a pianist, and an organist. Dr. Coreil is looking forward to bringing together the academic areas of English, American history, social studies, and the arts to form a balanced humanities curriculum.
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Michael Dover, JD
High School Humanities
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Michael Dover joins Trivium this year to teach US History, AP US History, US Government, AP Government, Economics and AP Macroeconomics. This is his 9th year teaching. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has a law degree from Southern Methodist University and a masters degree from Lamar University. In Mr. Dover’s free time, he enjoys travel, cooking, and sports, especially soccer and college football.
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Leah Fleitas
High School Science
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Leah Fleitas is very excited to join the secondary science department at Trivium! Her son and daughter already attend the school, and she is thrilled to be even more a part of the community this year. Her experience in education spans more than 20 years. She is a Baylor undergraduate with a degree in Biochemistry. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Educational Technology. Additionally, she serves as a Senior Fellow for the University of Notre Dame’s STEM Teaching program. She is certified, both by Texas and internationally, by the International Society for Technology in Education. She is enjoying getting to know her students and their families! |
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Austin Gilly
6th Grade Inclusion & Coach
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Mr. Gilly starting working as a long-term substitute last year for 6th grade humanities and quickly learned that he had found his calling. He is working in 6th grade humanities again this year as well as offering inclusion support on the 6th grade team. He loves FC Dallas soccer and coaches the boys soccer team here at Trivium. He loves traveling with his wife, Kassie, and hanging out with his dog, Jude, and cats, Fiona and Rambo. |
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Ashley Hollingsworth,
CTE Business
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Ashley Hollingsworth is in her third year of teaching this year. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and spent 14 years working in the oil and gas industry in a variety of roles, the most recent being a Business Operations Project Manager. In 2020, she decided to take a step back from corporate America to help students develop a love of business. She began her teaching career in Houston ISD before relocating to the Dallas area to be closer to family. Mrs. Hollingsworth wants to help her students find a love and passion for learning and help them set and achieve their goals for the future.
Mrs. Hollingsworth has been married to her husband for 14 years and they share a 12-year-old daughter. In their spare time Mrs. Hollingsworth and her family love to spend time at home with their two cats and dog. They spend their weekends relaxing and entertaining friends and family. They enjoy family movie or game nights. When they are able, they love to travel both near and far.
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Mrs. Hollingsworth is excited to be at a small school with a student focus and start the Business program. She is enjoying getting to know each of her students and helping them grow as students and individuals.
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Junie Jones
College and Career Counselor
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Junie Jones works with the Trivium Counseling Department assisting juniors and seniors as they identify and achieve their post high school educational goals. She brings twenty years of public school guidance experience and is excited to join the Trivium team. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to Colorado, and exploring the world with her dog. Junie finds inspiration in the wisdom, vulnerability, and hopefulness of her students. |
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Steven Kalich
Secondary Theatre
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Steven Kalich is teaching Theatre and Speech and Debate. He was born in Houston, Texas which prepared him for years of sitting in traffic and a lifetime of sports fan disappointment. He discovered his love of theatre and performance in middle school and continued to act in plays throughout high school. He received his Bachelor’s in Theatre from The University of Texas and his Master of Arts degree in Theatre from Texas A&M - Commerce. When he is not at rehearsal or learning more about theatre, he enjoys cooking at home with his girlfriend and watching movies on the couch with their dog, Browser the Schnauzer. He is excited to join Trivium Academy because we are truly committed to the success of students. He believes in creating opportunities for students to gain valuable experiences and build skills that will last a lifetime. |
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Homa Lewis, JD
HS Humanities
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Homa Lewis is starting her 30th year in education, which includes working for Plano ISD, Lovejoy ISD, and now Trivium. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Texas Tech and her JD from SMU. She has 3 children and 6 grandkids who are the light of her life. In her spare time, she loves to read and binge watch shows on streaming services. Ms. Lewis was at the table with us when we were first brainstorming a charter school, and we’re very excited to finally have Ms. Lewis join the Trivium family.
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Trace Mallett
Special Education
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Trace Mallet is thrilled to serve on the Special Education team at Trivium Academy. He started his journey working alongside adults with disabilities at Texas State University while earning his bachelors degree in Exercise Sports Science. He has served as a 1-on-1 behavioral paraprofessional, and a special education teacher before joining the Trivium team. He has also worked at H.E.R.O.E.S. Special Needs camps in Richardson for seven years during the summers. This is his 12th year in education, all in the special education field. He received his Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas- Arlington. When he is not working, he enjoys playing basketball, watching college football (Hook ‘em Horns) and spending time with family and his 5 year old son, Becket |
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Andrew Preisler,
HS Spanish
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Mr. Preisler is extremely excited to be the Spanish teacher at Trivium Academy for this school year! Mr. Preisler has both a bachelor's and a master's degree in foreign languages/foreign language education and has worked with students ranging from middle school to adulthood. He's very enthusiastic about helping students reach real-life, daily fluency in their language of choice and hopes to inspire students to take their bilingualism further. He's always ready for questions, conversations, or practice! |
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La Dawn Ragsdale
Special Education Compliance Coordinator
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La Dawn Ragsdale is excited to be part of the team at Trivium Academy. She has been in education 19 years with 13 of those years in the Special Education world. Previous to entering special education, she taught Algebra I and II in East Texas and served as a math specialist for students who were struggling to pass the state math exams. She did her graduate work in Special Education at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she received her Educational Diagnostician Certification. She is certified to teach Special Education students in EC through 12th grade. She also has her Principal Certification which covers EC through 12th grade.
She has lived in Allen for eight years. Her four grown children are scattered across the United States. Her two grandbabies are in College Station being raised by Aggies.
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Articles and reviews of his have appeared in Journal of Mass Media Ethics (now Journal of Media Ethics), The Doctor T. J. Eckleburg Review, Papers on Language & Literature, the Canadian publication Comment, and Dallas Morning News, as well as other publications.
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Marshall Surratt
High School English &
Commercial Photography
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Marshall began in education by teaching journalism for eleven years at the University of North Texas, where he was the first Mayborn Fellow, writing in particular on literary journalism. He subsequently was an adjunct professor in English at Dallas Baptist University, teaching Composition & Rhetoric and World Literature. Before coming to Trivium, he also taught nineteen years in middle school and high school, teaching mostly English classes in grades 8-12. He prefers teaching at the secondary level, where he feels he can make more connections with students and help students build good foundations to take into college.
In his breaks from the teaching year, with help from some grants, he has committed himself to writing about and photographing people and groups who have sought to make a difference in their communities.
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Shun Thomas, PhD
504/MTSS/At-Risk
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Dr. LaShundra “Shun” Thomas is an educator and one of many servant leaders in the Collin County area. She was an educator in the Plano Independent School District for 18 years. Dr. Thomas has had experience with teaching K-12th grade in the various roles of general educator, special education teacher, team leader, district MTSS Interventionist, and district section 504/MTSS Coordinator. Although she loves all of her students, her true passion lies with being of service to her entire community.
She is currently an active member of the Junior League of Collin County where she serves on its board as Director of Governance. She serves on the board of the Art Centre of Plano, in addition to serving on its board, she is also the chair of the Education Committee.
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Through her passion for the arts, she also serves on the advisory board for the Plano African American Art Museum. She also proudly serves on the board of Dauntless Source, a nonprofit that teaches Yoga and Mindfulness to at-risk students. She is certified to teach Early Childhood through 4th grade, Early Childhood through 12th grade for special education, as well as English as a Second Language. She is also a certified specialist in restorative practices, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and proficient in implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports within the classroom as well as school wide. She has a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Services, a Master’s degree in Human Services, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications.
Shun is married to James Thomas III. They are empty nesters and have four sons. JT (31), Chase (28), Trevor (27), and Chris (25). In addition to spending time with them, she loves cooking for them all… even if it does feel like she is cooking for an army 😊.
Shun has always wanted to work for Trivium because of its mission and core values. She has watched its growth from afar and thought that it was time that she came to be a part of its success. She is looking forward to collaborating with everyone.
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Collin Vanlandingham,
6th-12th Grade Band
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Collin Vanlandingham is Trivium’s new band director. He has a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He has taught five years with three years being spent in a public school in Oklahoma and two at Trinity Christian Academy. He has been the head band director in all five years of teaching, and he is excited to continue that at Trivium. He chose Trivium because of the opportunity presented with the band program. He is excited to be working with students on jazz, marching band, concert band, and everything in-between!
He has also been a great addition to our pep rallies. If you see him, ask him for a dad joke!
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Evelyne Van Overveld
Inclusion Support Teacher
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Evelyne van Overveld joined Trivium Academy as a Classroom Aide this year. She is part of the SPED team and provides inclusion support for secondary students. She tries to help out wherever needed in between, because she loves working with the amazing staff and students here. Her professional background is not in education, as she used to work as a paralegal/permit clerk for the local government prior to their family moving abroad. |
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Their family moved from their home country, the Netherlands, almost 10 years ago. After living in Singapore and Munich, Germany, they found their forever home in Plano, Texas in 2019. Ever since moving, she started volunteering at the international and local schools her children attended, and that is where her love for education began. Her oldest sons, Valentijn and Diederick, go to UTD now (Whoosh!) and their daughter Madelief is living her best life in 6th grade here at Trivium Academy. One of her passions is food: cooking and baking, and going out to eat. She loves sharing the food she makes, so be on the lookout for treats! |
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Crystal Vasquez
6th Grade Math
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Crystal Vasquez is our new 6th grade math teacher, and she is thrilled to join Trivium this year! She completed both her undergraduate and Master’s of Education degrees at SMU in Dallas. She taught 3rd grade in Plano ISD for four years before having her two beautiful baby girls. She has been home with them the last couple of years, soaking up all the baby cuddles, but she was eager and excited to get back to the classroom! She feels so lucky to continue her teaching journey at Trivium. |
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Lisa Veteto
Quest (GT) Coordinator
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Lisa Veteto is the Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Education at Trivium, and she is also helping us get started on our new adventure into UIL Academic competitions. She has returned to Trivium Academy after teaching in Bangkok, Thailand for four years. Before that, she was the QUEST teacher at Trivium from 2016-2018. She has been teaching for 36 years. Most of that time was spent in the Plano Independent School District.
She is married to Mike, who is also a teacher. They have 2 sons. Connor lives in Denton where he is a professional musician and teacher. Callan lives in Richardson. He is a professional artist and graphic designer for a dental lab.
We’re very excited to have Lisa back at Trivium where she belongs!
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Karina Watson
Elementary Spanish
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Karina Watson is the new K-6th grade Spanish teacher. She has been in education for about 11 years now. She started off as a preschool teacher in Carrollton and then earned her B.S in Speech and Language and Audiology. She was a home health bilingual speech therapist for about a year. Although she thoroughly enjoyed her career as a therapist, she decided to return to teaching. She is excited to continue her teaching journey here at Trivium. |
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Karlee Young joined Trivium this year as a 2nd grade teacher and coach! She is from Farmersville, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University-Commerce and competed on the Women’s Track & Field Team for two years before she transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University. She graduated from SFA in December 2020 with her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree. She taught first grade in Nacogdoches for her first year of teaching but decided to come back closer to home this year. She is overly excited about being a part of the Trivium family and coaching staff. She chose Trivium because we have great opportunities for our students as well as staff and she wanted a school that she could call her family. |
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Secondary Ascender
Parent and Student Portals
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The Ascender Portal is available for secondary parents and students to set up an account to view grades. There are four links below. The first two links are the actual websites to login to either the student or parent portal in Ascender. The last two links are instructions for setting up your parent or student account.
All current families should have an Ascender Parent Portal account as that was used for registration. Returning secondary students should have an Ascender Student Portal account as this was used to sign up for classes.
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- October 27: Elementary APEX Fun Run
- November 2: Donuts with Dudes (last names A-M)
- November 3: Donuts with Dudes (last names N-Z)
- November 7: UIL Congressional Debate Region Tournament
- November 7: Fall Festival
- November 7-11: Book Fair
- November 11-12: Fall Theatre Performance
- November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break
- November 29: Elementary Curriculum Night
- December 12-15: Secondary Semester Exams
- December 16-January 3: Winter Break
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Phone: 469-854-9007
2205 E Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75010
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