Flower Mound

List of 11 members.

• 

  Polly Dwyer 

  Flower Mound Headmaster

  Bio

  Paula (Polly) Dwyer is a Texan, born and raised. She attended the University of Oklahoma on a French Horn scholarship but fell in love with the art of teaching and changed her major. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in School Administration. She began her teaching career in Noble and Moore Oklahoma. She taught college undergraduates “Models of Instruction” for the University of Oklahoma and supervised student teachers for several years before moving home to Texas to teach science at Highland Park. She obtained a second master’s in Life/Earth Science at the University of Texas, Dallas.

  
  In 2003, she began teaching math, science, and history at Coram Deo Academy. The Dwyers chose to bring their three young children to CDA as it offered outstanding education with excellent teachers while including parents in the educational process. They believe in the parents’ responsibility to raise their children. In doing so, their children are equipped to manage the world’s challenges by filtering the information through the biblical worldview.
  
  

  In 2005, Paula was promoted to be Logic School Principal. She was named the Flower Mound Campus Administrator and Logic/Rhetoric Principal in 2007. In 2016, Paula was named as the Distinguished Administrator of the Year for the Texas Private School Music Educators Association. She currently serves as the Rhetoric School Principal and Campus Administrator for the Flower Mound campus.
  
  

  Paula is married to Paul and has three children, all who have graduated from CDA. Paula and her family attend Denton Bible church. She is a member of the choir. She loves athletics, the arts, history, and science. If you see her in car line, wave! She loves to greet the families of CDA.
• 

  Yvette Cavender 

  Flower Mound Grammar Principal

  Bio

  Yvette Cavender began her partnership with CDA as a parent in 2004, when her children were in grammar school.  Soon after, she began teaching second grade, and is now the Grammar School Principal at the Flower Mound campus.  She has seen the benefits of classical education play out in the lives of her own children and considers it a privilege to collaborate with others in teaching and training students under CDA’s model. 

   

  Mrs. Cavender holds Bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Political Science and Economics.  She is a certified teacher in the state of Texas.

   

  Yvette and her husband live in Carrollton.  Their son Chapin is a computational biophysicist at UC-San Diego and their daughter Raegan is a grammar school teacher. 
• 

  Kristan Williams 

  Flower Mound Logic Principal

  Bio

  Kristan Williams has been with Coram Deo Academy on the Flower Mound Campus since August 2011. She began teaching 5^th grade and moved into teaching mathematics to 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders before taking on her current position. Kristan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a lifetime certified teacher. Before coming to CDA, Kristan helped start a University Model School in the Woodlands, TX.
  
  

  As the Logic School Principal, she hopes to rally around the Logic School children and become a mentor to them and their families.
  
  

  Kristan has been married to her husband, Cory since 1993 and they have three children.  Her oldest daughter, Jenna graduated in 2016 from Coram Deo and recently graduated from Abilene Christian University with a marketing degree. Kristan's middle daughter, Allyson graduated from Coram Deo in 2019 and is currently attending Oklahoma University, and her son, Trevor is currently enrolled at Coram Deo on the Flower Mound campus. 
• 

  DeAnne Thomas 

  Flower Mound Rhetoric Principal; Math Chair
• 

  Matt Holland 

  Dean of Students; RS Theology - FM

  Bio

  Matt discovered Coram Deo through students at his church, and was immediately impressed. For two years, he developed conversations with some of the staff, and he and his wife made plans to send their own children there once they were old enough. Since 2017, he has served as the Dean of Students at Flower Mound.
  
  

  Matt received a Bachelor’s Degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas. He then went on to Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a Master’s in Writing and another Master’s in Biblical Studies.
  
  

  He has been at Irving Bible Church since the late 90s, where he and Camille met. They led the College Ministry for years and have also served small groups in high school and currently work with young adults in the 20’s and 30’s community. Matt’s writing has appeared, among other places, on Relevant.com, in Youthworker Journal, and in the Christian Research Journal.
  
  

  Matt and Camille married in 2008. They have three children, Levi, Annabelle, and Audrey.
  
  

  “Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14
• 

  Shelley Connell 

  FM Dean of Women; RS Science
• 

  Jennifer Musgrove 

  Flower Mound Admissions Coordinator
• 

  Tegan Thacker 

  Campus College Coordinator - FM

  Bio

  Tegan (pronounced like Megan) first heard about Coram Deo Academy when she and her family attended services at Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Flower Mound. She was very interested in the school because of the uniqueness of the University Model, integrated with a Classical education and the collaborative nature of the school, where parents are their student’s primary educators.

   

  Mrs. Thacker was born and raised in San Diego, California. She has been married for almost 16 years to her husband Matthew. They have two boys, Levi (8) and Jude (6). Mr. and Mrs. Thacker share a common interest in music since they both studied it in college. Tegan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Hope International University and a Master of Science degree in College Student Affairs and School Counseling from California State University. Matt is an Alum of Biola University and is a Band Teacher.

   

  Over the last 15 years, Tegan has been working with college and high school students in various school settings for many years. She has worked with college students at Vanguard University of Southern California, California State University in Bakersfield, Concordia University in Irvine, and Hope International University. She has also worked as a High School Counselor in various school districts in the Orange County, CA area.

   

  When meeting with students and families, her goal is to get to know the student and work to reduce the common stressors within career exploration and college admissions by providing solid and accurate information and by walking families through the process, in small groups and in individual sessions.

   

  Some areas of personal interest to Tegan are health and nutrition, college admission, and she loves cooking and trying new foods. Tegan is an extrovert and enjoys meeting new people, building relationships and learning the perspective of others.

   

  Tegan and Matt have serve in their church choir and assist with teaching Sunday school.
• 

  Jeff Cornell 

  Flower Mound Athletic Director

  Bio

  Jeff Cornell  serves CDA athletics as the Interim Flower Mound Director of Athletics as well as the Volleyball Program Coordinator.  Jeff’s oversees the development and success of the athletic program here at CDA while working closely with Headmistress Dwyer to provide a common faith-based vision for our student-athletes.  Coach Cornell has had an active role in the FCA of Central TX and has implemented faith-based initiatives at all the schools he has worked at.  Jeff has served as a UIL 5A Head Volleyball Coach for the past 14 seasons at University High School in Waco TX. 

  During his time there, Jeff was able to lead the team to its first playoff appearance in school history, its first district championship, and its first back-back playoff appearance.  Coach Cornell has been an integral part of seeing many athletes play at the NCAA level, including two who just finished playing D1 at the University of Houston and the University of Louisiana respectively.  Coach Cornell has been named Coach of the Year at the district level in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2021 and was awarded the Super-Centex Coach of the Year by the Waco Tribune Herald in 2015.

  Coach Cornell and his family are currently transitioning to Flower Mound from Waco TX, where he and his family have attended Antioch Community Church for the last 14 years.

  During his time there, Jeff was able to lead the team to its first playoff appearance in school history, its first district championship, and its first back-back playoff appearance.  Coach Cornell has been an integral part of seeing many athletes play at the NCAA level, including two who just finished playing D1 at the University of Houston and the University of Louisiana respectively.  Coach Cornell has been named Coach of the Year at the district level in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2021 and was awarded the Super-Centex Coach of the Year by the Waco Tribune Herald in 2015.

  Coach Cornell and his family are currently transitioning to Flower Mound from Waco TX, where he and his family have attended Antioch Community Church for the last 14 years.
• 

  Elizabeth Bowen 

  Fine Arts Chair; Electives - FM

  Bio

  Elizabeth Bowen has directed bands and taught private trumpet lessons since 1987. She taught for 4 years in the Denton Independent School District as a junior high band director and has taught at Coram Deo Academy, teaching grades 5-12, since 2003.  In addition, she has taught private trumpet lessons throughout Denton County since 1992.

  
  Mrs. Bowen received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas. During that time, she was a drum major of the UNT marching band for 2 years and a teaching assistant, directing the University Band and the Basketball Band. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA).

   

  Mrs. Bowen started the CDA band program in 2003. The program's mission has always been making music for God’s glory. As band director, she has taken the program from 16 students in a single band to over 100 students at both the Flower Mound and Collin County CDA campuses.  Both campuses have three Concert Bands, a jazz band, and a Pep Band.  

   

  Every year since 2007, Mrs. Bowen has taken qualifying students to the TPSMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Also, under Mrs. Bowen’s guidance, many logic and rhetoric school students have qualified for middle school and high school region honor bands. Since 2008, CDA band students have qualified for the TPSMEA All State Band every year.  CDA is consistently in the top 3 schools in the state for number of students to qualify for the TPSMEA All State Band, as well as the top 3 schools in the state for number of students to qualify for TPSMEA State Solo and Ensemble contest.

  
  Under the direction of Mrs. Bowen, the CDA Symphonic Band has participated in the TPSMEA Concert and Sight Reading Contest since 2011, earning the Sweepstakes Award each year.  In addition, she has taken her Intermediate Band to the Sandy Lake Funfest and now the Pride of Texas Music Festival since 2011, earning a Superior rating each year.

  
  She has enjoyed teaching private lessons to CDA trumpet students.  Since 2008, she has had students make the TPSMEA All State Band each year.  Three of Mrs. Bowen’s private lesson students have made first chair in the TPSMEA All State Band.

   

  Mrs. Bowen has been married to her husband, John, since 1989. They have three children, all of whom attended CDA and were a part of the CDA band program.
• 

  Teri Praslicka 

  District Nurse Manager

  Bio

  Teri Praslicka has been with CDA since 2006.  Teri graduated from Baylor University with her BSN.  Immediately certified as an RN, she interned and worked at Baylor Medical Center as an Operating Room Nurse.  She has worked as a private nurse for a Plastic Surgery group and for a Dallas OB/GYN, and has also worked as a floor nurse at Children’s Medical Center and on staff for Dermatology Associates of Dallas. Working in these areas has prepared her for a multitude of challenges and diverse situations faced in school nursing.

   

  Teri has been married to her husband, Bron, since 1985. They live in Double Oak and attend The Village Church in Flower Mound. The Praslickas have three grown children, two of whom graduated from CDA.  Their class of 2015 graduate is currently working on his PhD at Texas A & M.  The entire Praslicka family is grateful that the love of learning, independent thinking and problem solving are skills well engrained into their everyday life due to the rigorous curriculum and amazing instructors at CDA.