Director
Wendy
Dr. Wendy Schulze has been appointed as Director of The Woodlands Preparatory School. Dr. Schulze has been in the educational environment for the past twenty-nine years and holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. She has held positions in administration and also served in staff development, curriculum development, and teaching at various schools. She founded The Beacon School, a private school for gifted students, prior to moving abroad. Overseas, she had experience in both American schools and International Baccalaureate schools and was key in implementing the IB Primary Years Program into a school. This is an area Woodlands Prep is pursuing and the Board of Directors is pleased to have her leadership strengths guiding the school.
Dean of Students
Ken West
Mr. West earned a B. S.E. from Stephen F. Austin State University and has post graduate work in science from the Texas A & M system and in education from the University of Houston. He has thirty years of experience in both public and private schools. Mr. West taught physics in Plano, Katy, Northwest Academy, and Willis ISD. In addition to his AP certification from Rice University he is also certified in GT and IB. Mr. West is a two time winner of the Tandy Math-Science Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the University of Texas program Teacher of the Year in Willis ISD. Mr. West will be teaching physics and math here at the Woodlands Academy Preparatory School.
Director of Administration
Jolynn Buckingham
Mrs. Buckingham joined The Woodlands Prep School during its second year of operation. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Anthropology from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Buckingham spent 10 years as a manager for a major office supply manufacturer before devoting time to raising her two sons. She spent years as a soccer coach, baseball coach, Boy Scout leader, and school volunteer. She returned to the educational field and has twelve years of administrative experience. She is currently our admissions director.
Administrative Assistant
Amelia Maia
Mrs. Maia joined the Woodlands Prep School in August 2001. She has degree in a business economics and accounting and spent 11 years in foreign exchange and personal banking, before taking on the role of mother to two sons. During this period of time, she actively participated in voluntary roles at the respective schools. Mrs. Maia is currently our administrative assistant for the lower school.
Administrative Assistant
Sue Reid
Mrs. Reid joined The Woodlands Prep staff at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year. She brought with her years of experience in both accounting and operations management. Mrs. Reid has worked as a paraprofessional in education for four years prior to joining our staff. She spent many years volunteering in her daughter’s classrooms, helping with Special Olympics, and doing various duties in the children’s ministries at her church. Mrs. Reid also served on a school’s campus site-based decision making team for two years. Mrs. Reid is currently our administrative assistant for the upper school.
Network Admin.
Josh McMahon
Josh McMahon has recently joined the Woodlands Prep staff as head of the IT department. Mr. McMahon is not a newcomer to The Woodlands area or the education field. He has been in the Information Technology field for 8 years. As a student at ITT Technical Institute, he was hand selected to join the network administration team at Prairie A&M University, where he supported over 3000 students and teachers. He gained further experience when he joined the IT department for Lexicon Genetics Inc., located off Research Forest. There he supported over 800 employees onsite. Mr. McMahon holds a degree in Computer Networking Systems Technology and certifications in Network Security. Since he has joined Woodlands Prep, he has implemented a network security system.
Counselor
Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith comes to us from The Phelps School, a private college preparatory boarding school outside of Philadelphia. After working for three years as the Director of Development and Alumni affairs, Amanda obtained her Masters of Education in Secondary School Counseling and has enjoyed working with students of all ages as a guidance counselor since 2005. At Woodlands Prep, Amanda will serve as the College Counselor, working collectively with the juniors, seniors, and their parents. Together she is sure that they will accomplish great things, making every effort to send each student to the college of their choice. As a part time employee, the days that Amanda is not physically in the office, she spends with her one year old daughter, Savannah Grace.