302 Country Estates Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666, United States
512-392-9404 /Fax : 512-392-9048
Meet the staff
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
The day I was born, God told me I was going to teach school with children, and I have never known anything else. That was God’s plan for me. Why would you do anything else if that was God’s plan for you? If you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.
My educational background started when I graduated from San Marcos High School in 1953. I went on to study at Southwest Texas State University, where I got my Bachelors of Science in Education in 1957.
A love for teaching was found at Pana Maria, where I taught general education and music. Afterwards, I went on to teach migrant 4th and 5th grade students at KARNES City for one year. I then moved on to Easthaven Baptist in Pasadena where I taught first grade for both years I was with the school.
After Easthaven, God’s plan set forth to make my life what it has been for the last 53 years.
We had found a facility on the base of Camp Gary, where later the school would be started. They said they could not have a private entity on base, so we moved the school. At the time, it consisted of only 12 students, so we moved them into our dining room. Thus, the start of Wonderland School.
After the first year, Wonderland began its first expansion. Granddad owned property and an opportune moment was seen. We used the bottom half of a two-story house for one year that was owned by grandad, and during that time we built a four-room school house. The school was moved from our dining room into the school we built.
Eventually, as our reputation as a school grew, so did our student population. We once again needed more space. We moved again to Country Estates, and that has become what we all know now as Wonderland School. Back then the building was about half the size it is now. We have built so much upon it since then, and Jim has added so much since as well, including a gym and a library.
We, as well as all our students, are so lucky to call this place home.
Mr. Fife ~ Principal
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
I graduated from San Marcos High School in 1978 and went on to graduate from Southwest Texas State University in 1983 where I received my Bachelors in Business Administration. I also received my teaching certificate in Business and Physical Education.
I then went on to receive a Masters in Educational Administration and a Mid Management certificate in 1993 from Southwest Texas State University.
Switching gears, I taught High School and coached at Klein Oak High School from 1984-1995. It was that year where I finally found my calling and came to Wonderland where I have been Principal since 1995.
Mrs. Naseem
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder/Kindergarten
Mrs. Naseem
This is my ninth year at Wonderland. I have occupied many different positions in the school. I started in the Critter room, taught Kinder for a few years, and then was the office manager.
This year I am also teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade Math and love it.
I graduated in 2010 from Texas State, with my Bachelors in Education in EC-6 and ESL.
Mrs.C.
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
Mrs. Naseem
I have been a certified Texas teacher for six years. Five of those six years have been spent at Wonderland teaching 4th grade English and Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, and 6th grade World History. In the past I have been an active member of the WPA, holding the roles of Parent Liaison and Vice President. I have also worked as assistant administrator for the past 2 years.
Lucy Silguero ~ Barnyard
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
Holy greetings! I have been a part of the Wonderland family for twelve years! I love Wonderland because of our motto - “Praising Him with every breath we take!” 😍
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
Valeria Baracatt~Critters
When my kids turned four years old, I got a job as a substitute teacher in the Head Start Program here in San Marcos. I had the opportunity to work with infants and also with kids from one to three years old. I discovered that working hard, child development, compassion, and basic sense tell you that all kids are different and they need an adult who can kindly and patiently work with them.
It is my first time working in Wonderland. I am highly motivated and I particularly enjoy working as part of a team.
My goal is to highlight the education skills that I’ve learned throughout gaining my Teaching
Stephanie Olivo ~ Busy Bee
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Valerie Guardiola~Teddy Bear
I have been in childcare for about 18 years. This will be my third year here at Wonderland School. I am a wife and mom of two children. My son is 13 years old and my daughter is 8 years old. I am so excited about the upcoming school year
Valerie Guardiola~Teddy Bear
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Valerie Guardiola~Teddy Bear
In December of 2011 I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education through 6th grade and a minor in Special Education from Texas State University. This will be my seventh year teaching and my third year teaching preschool at Wonderland School.
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Monkeys
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
Priscilla Castillo ~ Big Bird
Bonnie Thompson ~ Noah
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
I attended Tyler Junior College and Southwest Texas back in the 70s. I have taught pre-school here at Wonderland for over fifteen years. My three children went to school here at Wonderland. I worked for Comal ISD for 11 years, retired, and am happy to be teaching here again.
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
Mary Beth Thielen ~ Foxes Pre~k
I am happy to return to Wonderland after completing thirty years of teaching in the public school system. My experience includes 1st grade, 2nd grade, Music, and Pre-K. My husband and I both graduated from Southwest Texas State University with degrees in education. We have one daughter who graduated from TSU with a degree in Respiratory Care.
Pooh pre-K
Trish Richardson ~ Kinder
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
Trish Richardson ~ Kinder
This is my eleventh year at Wonderland but I’ve been teaching for twenty-one years total. I graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont with a specialization in reading. I love teaching reading to young children so they can have a love of books and sense of adventure.
Rebecca Cruz ~ Kinder
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
Trish Richardson ~ Kinder
I began pursuing a teaching career at San Antonio College where I received my Associates degree in Liberal Arts, then moved onto Texas State University where I completed my Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. My college career prepared me for a very diverse range of students as I worked for four years with students of various backgrounds throughout grade levels ranging from Pre-K through 5th grade. After completing my studies, I was a guest teacher for Hays Consolidated Independent School District. I gained experience teaching 5th-8th grade Special Education, Physical Education, Technology, and all level classes.
I am Vice President of the WPA and this is my second year as Social Media Coordinator for the school. For the last two years, I have been a part of the Wonderland family, teaching Kindergarten.
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
I have 29 years of experience at the elementary level. I received my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State). This is my first year at Wonderland.
Debra Eckols ~Second Grade
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
Frances Silguero ~ First Grade
Biography
I have a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor and a Master of Education from Texas State University. I have been teaching for 30 years, with an additional four years as a substitute teacher. Throughout those years, I taught ages 3-6, 2nd-4th grades, Special Education for grades K-6, Mythology, and Latin for grades 9-12. This is currently my third year at Wonderland and I am teaching 2nd grade
Vicky Kepler ~ Third Grade
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
After graduating from ETSU in Commerce, Texas with a degree in Social Science, I began working in a small, family owned school in Houston as Administrative Assistant to the principal. After four years of working in the office, I began teaching first grade. Later I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at Catholic schools in Port Lavaca and La Grange before “retiring” and moving to San Marcos, where I found Wonderland! This is my third year here and my eighteenth year teaching.
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
Ginger Laughlin-Chiles ~ 4th Grade
I began teaching in public schools in 1985 after graduating from Houston Baptist University with a degree in Elementary Education and Guidance. After 30 years of teaching public school in various districts throughout Texas, I decided to teach in the private sector. I have taught all grades first through six and look forward to being Wonderland’s fourth grade teacher.
5th Grade
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Matt Contreras is a San Marcos native, and a Wonderland alumnus. While in college here, Matt was a private tennis coach giving lessons around the San Marcos area.
Matt enjoys coaching kids and teaching Physical Education and Sports Specific Training.
He is currently the head middle and high school tennis coach, as well as the Head Middle School Football coach at San Marcos Academy.
Carolyn Doherty~Resource Teacher
Matt Contreras ~ Physical Education
Carolyn Doherty~Resource Teacher
I graduated from Texas A&M. I was a public school teacher for 30 years. I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and K-5 reading intervention. I am excited to be the resource teacher here this year.
Debangana Banerjee Art
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
Carolyn Doherty~Resource Teacher
I was born and raised in Santiniketan, India. I received her MFA in printmaking from Visva-Bharati University (2005), India. I was a National Scholar in India before earning her second MFA at Louisiana State University in 2010.
I worked as a visual designer in Communication across the Curriculum program at LSU. I participated in many solo and group exhibitions in India, Japan, Australia, England, Canada, and the United States.
I published a poetry chapbook Come Back River (Finishing Line Press) in 2014. I taught art in middle school and also taught art classes to children with disabilities and economically disadvantaged children and youth in India.
I have curated art shows at the San Marcos Public Library and at the Activity Center. I am a member of San Marcos Art League. I have taught art at El Centro, San Marcos and conducted art camp at the Wonderland School and San Marcos Public Library in summer 2019. I also give private one on one art lessons to children.
I live with my husband and daughter in San Marcos.
Risa Schneider ~Music
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
Jennifer Padgett ~Computers
I have been teaching for 12 years and have a Masters Degree in Education. I teach a variety of subjects including: technology; multicultural art and education; math; language arts; and reading. I also provide some tutoring in social studies and science, as well as test preparation for the STAAR, SAT, and ASVAB tests.
Being an educator is a gift! I deeply believe that every child has his/her own unique set of abilities and talents. As a teacher it’s a joy to be able to help children find theirs and expand upon them.