About Us

Terra Luz was created in 2011 by a group of families seeking a secular educational alternative for their children. We were looking for bridge between homeschooling and private school, and our program was born. We originally started as homeschooling co-op and now Terra Luz has blossomed into a small Community School.We welcome like-minded families who would like to join us on this journey and be part of our wonderful community.

OUR COMMUNITY


Andrea Gaudin Triche, M.Ed

Andrea & sons. Domi, left, musician and artist currently studying abroad in Mexico.
Jay, right, an athlete and college baseball player in West Texas.

I hold an EC-6 teaching certificate from the State of Texas as well as a B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Education from Texas State University in Elementary Education. I have over 10 years experience working with children, and over 20 years experience mothering. I'm also bilingual in English and Spanish.

Six years ago, after the birth of my youngest child, I left my teaching job in the public school to stay home with my daughter. A fan of progressive early childhood education, I created a Reggio-Emilia inspired program out of my home, which flourished into a beautiful and dynamic preschool, we often call it the "original" Terra Luz.  Many of these families are still with us in our program.


Andrea and Sophia at the schoolhouse ranch

With my oldest boys out of high school, coupled with my daughter embarking on her “formal” schooling years, I realized that I wanted an alternative for my youngest this time around. 

When my friend Karen asked me to partner with her in educating our children, I jumped in, full force, and here we are, on this exciting adventure. I'm one of the co-founders and currently the teaching guide.

In addition to teaching, I’m also a photographer, enjoy hiking, chasing sunsets, and am an avid gardener, with big dreams of one day having my own homestead.



Karen Hernandez, M.Ed



Karen and Daughters, Alaira and Inaiya
Nicaragua

I have a B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Education from Texas State University in Elementary Education. I have 6 years experience working with children. I'm also bilingual in Spanish and conversational in ASL.

Disillusioned by my experiences of teaching bilingual Kindergarten in public school, I decided I wanted something different for my children.





Karen and family in Switzerland

Our program educates each child according to his or her unique gifts, learning needs, and interests. This program is a place where creativity and independent learning flourishes.


I enjoy traveling the globe and giving my children a multicultural experience. We enjoy yearly summer trips to Costa Rica, and also have taken my children to Nicaragua, Switzerland, Paris, and this summer, we're going to Columbia.

Felissa Taylor Nause, M.Ed

 

Felissa Nause will join Terra Luz in 2013-2014 as the Spanish teacher. Felissa founded Día de los Niños, a Spanish Immersion Program in 2005 after seeing how quickly her own two sons acquired the language.  Her philosophy is that if one is able to bridge what children learn from school to home, they will have a greater chance of success in their second language. 

The Dual Language Program at Terra Luz will not only provide children with a bridge for learning concepts for the student, but for the parent as well.  She feels parent involvement is vital to Spanish success and does her best to keep parents plugged into what the children are learning. 

She is a native Texan and former bilingual educator.   Her favorite way to teach the language is through song, movement, and dance.  She also uses child-centered activities to promote Reading and Writing in Spanish.

Professional accomplishments include a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas State, working with the Texas Education Agency and Texas A&M to write Texas State Standards for Second Language Learners, serving as a Reading Tutor for AISD and an ESL instructor for ACC.

"In this ever-increasing global economy, it is imperative that we teach our children a second language.  It will not only aid them economically, but will also bridge cultures and make the next generation more open to others different from themselves."