Our People.

There is nothing more important in the creation of a high quality preschool than in the selection and development of high quality staff.  We are committed to maintaining a committed, caring, well-trained team of teachers and leaders, and as a non-profit organization we are led by a group of mission-oriented board members.

Quality Hiring Standards

Our experienced Director ensures that all teachers employed at Petra meet high quality standards in regards to safety, skill, and experience. Petra's hiring progress requires teachers to not only meet the standard licensing requirements and background checks, but also includes extensive reference checking and character assessment.​

Teacher Development

Growing and developing our teacher's skill and experience is a high priority to us. Our Director regularly meets with the team for ongoing training and development. Additionally, our Director trains all new staff on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques, a proven method to nurture children and encourage quality behavior. You can read more about TBRI at the on "Our Program" page.

---

OUR STAFF

Mindy Jones, Preschool Director

​Mindy Jones grew up in New Orleans, LA and relocated to Austin in 2005 due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, Mindy started working for a private preschool in north Austin as a Preschool teacher, ultimately ascending to the role as Curriculum Coordinator, where she  supported and developed teachers with curriculum implementation, behavior management, and classroom management. In 2017 Mindy left this rewarding role to pursue an even more exciting opportunity -- the privilege to serve as Petra Preschool's first Director where she strives daily to meet the need of a quality preschool with a gospel-informed approach for Austin families.

Jen Reichert, Administrative Coordinator

After earning her Master's degree in education and teaching for ten years, Jen switched to child welfare and has spent countless hours over the years walking alongside families through each unique facet of the fostering and adoption process. In 2017, she founded Stand Up Eight, a one-of-its-kind nonprofit that serves families in their homes after adoption. Jen has been trained in multiple disciplines of behavior management and is a certified Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner. In addition to bossing everyone at Stand Up Eight and helping out at Petra Preschool, she serves on the Adoption Knowledge Affiliates board of directors, is a Licensed Child-Placing Agency Administrator, and volunteered for years on The Heart Gallery of Central Texas Committee. Jen got hitched to BJ Brown in April 2010, and they live in Round Rock, Texas, with their mutt, Barkley (yes, he's named after Charles). Jen has been crafty since before Pinterest was born, is addicted to strong coffee, is a die-hard football fan, and hopes to someday be a beach bum.

Holly Heldenfels, Infant Classroom - Lead Teacher

​Holly grew up in Austin and returned to her hometown after graduating from Texas A&M University in 2009. She has enjoyed a fulfilling 10 year career in childcare and development as a professional nanny specializing in postpartum and newborn care. She also spent time living and working in Haiti in 2015 working in the area of orphan care, and is passionate about orphan prevention and family preservation, leading to her becoming a foster mom in spring 2019. Her first foster son is a student at Petra and she was thrilled to join the school's team as a teacher and get involved with their mission. Holly has been a partner at The Austin Stone Community Church for 9 years and serves in the KIDS and For the Nations ministries. In her spare time, Holly loves snuggling and playing with her son, thrifting with friends, trying new restaurants with her foodie dad, reading, and listening to podcasts. 

Maria Morataya, Walkers Classroom - Assistant Teacher

Maria is originally from Medellin, Colombia and has lived in Austin with her husband and two girls for the past year. She and her family are very close and with God as their center they face challenges with courage, love, and patience. Maria loves to read and explore the outdoors with her family. 

Crystal Cranfield, Toddler Teacher

Crystal was born in Florence, Mississippi. She has three children of her own: a daughter and two boys, and her family currently lives in Elgin, Texas just outside of Austin! She enjoys caring for her animals and digging for native artifacts when she’s not in the classroom.
​
Crystal and her family moved from Mississippi to Florida in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. There she found her love for caring for children; she worked for two different child care centers in Tampa adding up to 10 years of childcare experience. In 2014, she moved to Texas, and in Crystal’s words, she “feels blessed to serve our children. I am so excited that God led me to be a part of this program at Petra Preschool!”

Bridget Clapp, Support Teacher

​​Bridget grew up in Corpus Christi and just moved to Austin. She graduated from Texas State University  with a major in Family and Child Development. She spent some time in Austin interning at a nonprofit,  called Wonders and Worries, supporting children and families dealing with serious illness. After that, she moved to Wisconsin for a year to serve as a missionary first for high schoolers and then for young adults.  Now Bridget is getting her master’s degree online in Therapeutic Recreation. Outside of school, she loves  spending time running, hiking, or swimming outdoors. She also loves reading and trying out new  hobbies!

Alejandra Morataya, Support Teacher 

I started volunteering at Petra Preschool about a month ago and I have loved it! I’ve always wanted to volunteer with kids and Petra gave me the opportunity to do so. I love babies and kids, and I am currently majoring in Nursing with hopes of becoming a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Nurse one day.

​I am originally from El Salvador. I have been living in the United States for a year and a half. It was difficult at first when I moved because I had just graduated from high school and had to leave all of my friends and family behind. God has always been an important part of my life and I have always put God first in every decision that I have made. He has helped me through all of these big changes in my life and has always been there for me.