Academic mentors are crucial members of your child’s success team. These individuals will be your family’s number one contact. Upon completion the week’s assigned lessons, students will email their work to their personal mentor who will then grade and return the work. Not only will mentors be there to guide your student towards achieving their academic goals, they will also assist by holding them accountable to these goals and maintaining the standards of NEW College Preparatory.
Mrs. Sue Arnn – Mentor
Ms. Sue Arnn, Mentor, earned a Master’s Degree in secondary English from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in the fall of 1999. Her post high school career began with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with a major in piano. She has taught in various public schools along the Mississippi River Delta region in eastern Arkansas for the past 30 years. During that time, she also received certification in elementary education and gifted education, taking courses from universities such as the University of Arkansas, University of Mississippi, and University of Alabama. Ms. Arnn enjoys teaching students of all ages and among her highest achievements is a National Teacher of the Year nomination and selection for Who’s Who in American Education. She retired from public school education in the fall of 2007 to care for her mother but desires to continue learning and teaching.
Mrs. Cathy Bankhead – Mentor
Mrs. Cathy Bankhead is a graduate of Brigham Young University, with a BA in Communications and Fine Arts, emphasis in Broadcast Journalism, and a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she began a 12 year career in the financial industry, working primarily as a financial analyst evaluating multi-million dollar commercial real estate loan transactions. She also held positions in business lending and wealth management. Mrs. Bankhead left her job in banking as an Assistant Vice President when her second child was born in order to devote more time to her family. She joined the New College Preparatory Academy staff in 2008 and presently works as a mentor.
Ms. Caroline Hamed – Mentor
Ms. Caroline Hamed is a graduate of the University of Houston where she majored in Health Fitness with a minor in Mathematics and French. Ms. Hamed student taught at a number of public schools in the Houston area, before becoming a mentor with the NEW College preparatory Academy. She is an avid martial artist of 12 years and continues to teach martial art classes at night. Currently, Ms. Caroline Hamed is the operations manager of Gateway America, one of the NEW College Preparatory Academy satellite schools and is a mentor in the program working directly with students using the NEW curriculum. She uses her experience as a martial arts instructor and her knowledge in Education to provide the students of Gateway America with a first class learning environment.
Mrs. Robin Stowe – Mentor
Mrs. Robin Stowe earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Owner of White Knight Technologies, an Information Technology consulting firm concentrating on document management and web design and development, Mrs. Stowe has served as an Information Technology consultant in the manufacturing industry for over twenty years. Mrs. Stowe has had experience with public, private, and homeschool education while searching for the appropriate learning experience for her own children. Pleased with the educational progress of her youngest child through the curriculum offered, Mrs. Stowe has joined New College Preparatory Academy as a mentor.
Mrs. Jo Vaccaro – Mentor
Ms. Jo Vaccaro earned her Masters in Education at Stephen F. Austin State University, after receiving her B.S. in Education at the University of Texas. Ms. Vaccaro is certified by the State of Texas as a high school math and history teacher and has 36 graduate hours of mathematics. She taught 6th grade mathematics through AP calculus and retired from the Texas public school system after 29 years of teaching. Since retiring, she has taught in private schools and at a two-year private college. She has also worked as a private math tutor for 7 years. Ms. Vaccaro has served as a mentor with New College Preparatory Academy since September of 2007.