Passionate Educators at MacUNITED

The involvement of experienced and professional instructors at MacUNITED enriches the learning experience by bridging the gap between education and the real world. Students benefit from practical insights, expanded opportunities, and key mentorships from their teachers that prepare them for success.

Through classroom interactions at MacUNITED, students learn directly from successful educators, giving them an academic advantage. These educational experiences inspire our students and expose them to college courses during their high school career, allowing them to graduate with both a diploma and a degree.

Experienced Instructors

Sarah Moran, Director of MacUNITED Early College High Schools

Sarah brings over 14 years of teaching and administrative experience in both local and international environments.  Having obtained a Bachelors in International Relations and a Master’s in International Development along with certifications in Social Studies 8-12 and Principal K-12, Sarah's educational journey began in San Antonio, where she graduated from Madison High School in NEISD. She pursued higher education at Fairfield University, the University of the Incarnate Word, and St. Mary’s University.

Sarah's commitment to education led her to serve as a secondary English and science teacher in Sierra Leone with the United States Peace Corps, followed by teaching experiences in San Antonio and Niamey, Niger. Returning to her roots, Sarah is honored to lead MacUNITED, driven by a passion for educational excellence and innovation. Married to an educator and mother to three children attending NEISD schools, she is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment and advancing educational opportunities for all students at MacUNITED.

Lisa Ybarra, Counselor 

A seasoned counselor specializing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Business, Lisa brings a wealth of expertise and qualifications to her role. With a Bachelor's Degree and two Majors Degrees in Education and School Counseling, Lisa has amassed over a decade of experience in higher education, including three years as a College Readiness Advisor and nine years as a School Counselor. Her philosophy centers around each student achieving success through strong support systems and opportunities.

Lisa's dedication and impact are underscored by her impressive achievements, including receiving the Yellow Rose of Texas Service Award, being recognized as a Summa Honoree, and earning several military service awards. She has also been honored with The Holy Cow Award, Employee of the Month accolades, and numerous Certificates of Appreciation for her contributions to student success and the educational community. Lisa finds great fulfillment in witnessing her students cross the graduation stage, marking their achievements and futures.

Nicole Dickson, Science Instructor

Nicole brings seven years of teaching experience and a robust academic background in Science to her role as an educator. With a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, 7-12 Science Teacher Certification, ESL certification, and a Master's in Education at UIW, Nicole has taught a variety of subjects including middle school science, chemistry, honors chemistry, physics, AP physics, and biology. Nicole settled in San Antonio after growing up as a military child, transitioning from laboratory work to a rewarding career in education. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband, elementary school-aged daughter, and their two dogs. 

Nicole is deeply committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and motivated to succeed. Her dedication is evident in her roles as Robotics coach and Science Department Chair. Nicole's achievements, which includes the Science Department Certificate of Excellence,  reflect her commitment to educational excellence and leadership for her students.

Tammie Bennet,  English & College Dual Credit Instructor

Tammie has over two decades of experience teaching high school English, ESL, AVID, and Reading, complemented by her role as an adjunct faculty member at San Antonio College. Originally from Laredo, Texas, Tammie relocated to San Antonio to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word. Prior to her career in education, she spent 13 years in the Marketing and Advertising industry, eventually leaving to pursue her childhood dream of teaching. Tammie taught in Southside ISD for one year and then dedicated 11 years to SAISD while also earning a Master’s in Educational Administration. She later taught for three years in Irving ISD before returning to San Antonio, a city she proudly calls home.

Embodying a Growth Mindset approach, Tammie believes deeply in the potential of every student to achieve academic success through effort and perseverance. She encourages her students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, emphasizing the importance of determination and grit in their educational journey. Tammie’s teaching philosophy aims for students to excel academically and contribute positively to society. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, evident in her sponsorship of grant-winning projects in the Silver and Black Give Back Team Up Challenge, highlighting her dedication to nurturing student achievement and community engagement.

Zachary Brune, Social Studies Instructor

Zachary has a passion for history and education as a Social Studies teacher, with two years of experience teaching Texas History and World Geography at both middle school and high school levels. Raised in a family of educators, Zachary’s commitment to teaching was shaped by his mother’s influence and his own early aspirations to teach and coach. He graduated from Macarthur High School in 2018 before pursuing collegiate education at Sam Houston State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in History with a minor in secondary education.

As an educator, Zachary believes in fostering critical thinking among his students by embedding historical events within their broader socio-political, economic, and cultural contexts. His teaching approach integrates active learning strategies such as discussions, debates, and hands-on activities to deepen students' understanding of historical complexities. Zachary is dedicated to creating a classroom environment that promotes curiosity, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives, aiming for his students to become informed citizens capable of navigating the complexities of the world around them.

Jason Hendricks, Mathematics Instructor

Jason began at NEISD as a student before returning as a dedicated secondary math education, now with over 25 years of experience. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Mathematics from Southwest Texas State University, graduating in 1998. His teaching journey began at Taft High School before transitioning to Wood Middle School to pursue both teaching and coaching opportunities. After three years, he moved to Madison High School where he spent 12 years teaching and coaching before settling at MacArthur High School for the past decade.

Outside the classroom, Jason is a devoted family man, married for 22 years with a daughter who graduated from MacArthur in 2021 and a son enrolled at MacArthur. He enjoys photography, cooking for loved ones, and family trips to the Air Force Academy to visit his daughter, as well as traveling to airshows and historic sites across the United States. Jason’s teaching philosophy centers around genuine understanding through active listening, a principle he applies both in and out of the classroom, earning him accolades such as the MacArthur High School Teacher of the Year and an HEB Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement semifinalist.

Doris Quintero, Spanish Instructor

Originally from Colombia, Doris spent 29 years in her native country, completing her bachelor's degree in Foreign Language Teaching with a focus on English and French. She furthered her education in the United States, earning a Master's degree in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Doris is a Spanish and ESL teacher at MacArthur High School, but began her career teaching English and French for four years in Columbia before moving to San Antonio to pursue higher education.

In San Antonio, Doris tutored Spanish language learners at UTSA and taught Medical English in an intensive program for student doctors and nurses from Mexico. She later joined the adult education program at NEISD to teach ESL courses. For the past five years, Doris has dedicated herself to teaching high school Spanish, with nearly three of those years spent at MacArthur High School. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes proficiency-oriented pedagogies that engage students in authentic tasks relevant to their daily lives. Doris has further contributed to NEISD by developing a successful Medical English curriculum and designing engaging curricula for adult ESL learners.

Melody Faraji,  Business & Finance Instructor

Melody blends real-world business expertise with a passion for education as the dual enrollment business teacher at MacUnited. With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration earned in 2022, Melody's educational journey is complemented by her extensive experience in the business sector. Melody spent four years in the Rio Grande Valley teaching high school business courses, where she also served as a UIL and Business Professionals of America sponsor, guiding teams to compete in the BPA National Leadership conference in Chicago, IL.

Melody's teaching centers on inspiring lifelong learners through innovative teaching methods and fostering an inclusive classroom environment that prioritizes students' social-emotional wellness. She believes in recognizing each student as an individual with unique needs and interests. Melody's dedication to her students has been recognized through accolades such as multiple CTE Teacher of the Month awards and heartfelt praise from both students and colleagues for her impactful teaching style and commitment to educational excellence.

Tanya Buckley, English Instructor

Tanya has been an integral part of MacArthur High School for six years. Her path to education began with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from North Carolina State University, followed by twelve years in management, recruiting, and human resources before obtaining her teaching certification. She has since taught English I, II, III, IV, English I Honors, English I GT/Honors, Pre-AP English I and II, AP Literature and Composition, and AP Seminar over her 14 year career.

Passionate about a love for language and literature, Tanya is dedicated to life-long learning and critical thinking abilities within her students, believing deeply that literacy is the key to success. Her most important role is assisting students with discovering their passions. Outside of the classroom, Tanya enjoys life with her family and dogs, spending free time on reading, cycling, home improvement projects, and traveling.