OUR STAFF
We've been practicing "college prep - with heart" for almost 50 years!
The core of Huntington-Surrey School is our passionate team of teachers, who follow a high academic standard to guide their values, creativity and leadership. Take a look below to learn more about each of our team members.

Head of School
Margaret was named Head of School and Executive Director of Huntington-Surrey School in 2021. Studying at both Rice and Harvard, Margaret earned her chemistry degree from Rice University and was an industry consultant on protective clothing and equipment. After witnessing the amazing benefits that Huntington-Surrey provided her eldest child, she decided to change careers to become a science teacher. From 2008 through 2021, she served Huntington-Surrey as science teacher and as adviser for Beta Club and the National Honor Society. Margaret is also the winner of the ACS Division of Chemical Education Southwest Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching.

MICHAEL ZUMPANO
Dean of Students
As Dean of Students, Michael believes that education should emphasize the cultivation of the mind and heart as well as academics. Michael brings more than 20 years experience in public and private schools as well as his own experiential learning program, Minds in Motion. A certified yoga teacher, Michael also teaches our Friday PE/yoga elective. Michael has a Master's degree in Education from SUNY-Cortland.

Social Studies & Latin
Earning his PhD in Classics, Steve did his undergraduate work at Haverford College and his graduate work at the University of Texas. He Has been teaching at Huntington Surrey for the past 13 years and each year always looks forward to interesting discussions with old and new students alike!

Math & Technology
With Bachelors Degrees in both Mathematics and Education from St. Edwards University and a Master's from Princeton, Russ is now in his second year teaching at Huntington-Surrey. Russ has to be just about the most approachable, kind-hearted math teacher around and we are so glad to have him with us!
_edited.jpg)
LIGHT GERMAN, PH.D.
Founder and Director Emerita
Past owner and Director of Huntington-Surrey for 40 years, Dr. Light German provides teacher mentoring. Dr. German instituted Huntington-Surrey's unique 1-1 Literature program. She continues to teach as Director of Writing and Reading Skills Development at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

JOHNI WALKER-LITTLE
College Advisory/Faculty Support
Loved by students, families, and staff, Johni brings 30 years of her knowledge, enthusiasm and joy to Huntington-Surrey High School. With a Master's degree from the University of Texas, Johni co-teaches the College Advisory class as well a teaching 1-1 literature.

English I, II, & 1-1 Literature and Spanish
Carpentry
Abe earned his Bachelor's degree in English and is finishing his master's at Texas State University. He exhibits a passion for and expertise in literature and writing. Abe is also an artist and carpenter.

CATHY MOORE
English III, IV and 1-1 Literature
Cathy earned her Bachleor's in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Cathy has thirty years of teaching high school English, German, and Latin. She is especially fond of the Transcendentalists and Romantic poets. A skilled quilter, Cathy also teaches Fabric Arts.

Advanced Physics, Statistics, and Astronomy
Ferris has taught at Huntington-Surrey for over twenty years. As an accomplished teacher, musician (a founding member and violinist with the Austin Civic Orchestra), and attorney, Ferris has kindly and patiently guided our students through advanced level coursework. Ferris obtained his BA from Rice and law degree from the University of Texas Law School. While challenging and encouraging our students he also supplies us with weekly king cakes!

BLAIN MAMIYA, PH.D.
Science
Blain is a PhD medicinal chemist with years of experience teaching at high school (regular and AP levels for Chemistry, Biology, and Physics) and college levels. This month he is finishing a lectureship at Texas State University. He has extensive publications (both books and journal articles) and has won numerous scientific awards, including teaching awards.

KRISTINA MACKENZIE
Administrative Assistant, Spanish, Yearbook/Lit Magazine
Kristina Mackenzie is another Southwestern University graduate; her degree is in International Studies with a capstone addressing Islamic Spain. She also studied at the Universidad de Grenada in Spain and is fluent in Spanish.

CALUM MACKENZIE
WORLD GEOGRAPHY, 1-1 LITERAURE
Calum Mackenzie has his degree in History from Southwestern University with a capstone in Japanese history (the Iwakura Mission) and brings experience in editing. His specialty was editing international works to incorporate American linguistic ephemera. (He also has experience in sword making!)

TINA CAVANAUGH
ASL
Tina is a highly trained ASL teacher who has had her own business teaching sign for years. Her degree is from Northwestern State University.

TRISHA KUMMER
Art
Trisha Kummer is an established artist (her watercolors just placed in the juried art exhibition, "Hope for Spring") and teacher with extensive experience in both private and public schools. She has a BA in Fine Art from the University of Minnesota and graduate coursework in Art Education.

CHUCK ANASTASIOU
Music Ensemble
An accomplished guitarist (folk, country jazz, and surf music), Chuck brings a passion for and expertise in music. His music ensemble class accommodates students with varying levels of experience.

GEORGIA LOSCHIAVO
College Advisory
Georgia, a Huntington-Surrey alumna, co-teaches College Advisory. Georgia has also taught Latin at Huntington-Surrey. Georgia earned her Bachelor's degree from Southwestern University.

BRADEN BROWN
French and SpanishTeacher
Recently earning his PhD in Linguistics, Braden Brown joins Huntington-Surrey to teach French I and II as well as Spanish II and III.

LILY CONNOR
1-1 Literature Teacher
Lily Connor, who graduated with honors from Huntington-Surrey, joins our faculty as a 1-1 literature teacher. Lily, a published author, earned her Masters in Eastern Philosophy from St. John's College and a Bachelor's from Southwestern.

MELBA ROBBINS
1-1 LIterature
Melba brings over 25 years of Huntington-Surrey teaching experience and a passion for literature, especially British literature, to her 1-1 classes. Melba earned a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.