OUR STAFF

MARGARET CONNOR

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.

STEVEN FOY

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!

RUSS MOWRY

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!

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.

ABE KINNEY

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.

FERRIS DUHON

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.