Ms Aguayo is a native Texan, raised in the Rio Grande Valley (Weslaco). She attended Brandeis University in Waltham, MA for her undergraduate studies (Anthropology, English, and History) and Harvard University in Cambridge, MA for graduate studies in History. Upon returning to Texas, Ms Aguayo began teaching with Austin ISD, first at the Liberal Arts Academy (LAA) and then making the move to the LBJ campus when the LAA merged with the Science Academy to form LASA. Ms Aguayo is proud to be a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and a Milken Educator ('09). One of her favorite things is watching students realize that history is more than a long list of names and dates; she can't wait to share her love of history with a new group of students.

I teach Social Studies at LASA High School, including World Geography and AP World History. I am originally from Long Island, New York (yes, you will hear my accent!). I live in Austin with my husband, two young kids, and two pit bulls. I love to run, hike, read, do art work, and be with my family during my free time. During my Bachelors, I double majored in Arabic Studies and History at Binghamton University. After graduating, I studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo and taught English at AMIDEAST in Alexandria, Egypt in 2011 for a little over a year. During my time living in Alex, I met my husband. When I came back to NY, I went on to earn a Masters in Teaching Social Studies from Stony Brook University, while working as a home instructor (and raising two babies!). I am very passionate about learning and teaching- especially Arabic and Social Studies. I look forward to getting to know you and learning with you through out your time here at LASA! Feel free to always come and say hi to me!

I've been teaching at LASA for many years. I've had the opportunity to teach pretty much every social studies course there is over the course of my career, from 7th grade Texas History to Sociology, but now I'm happily teaching the two best ones!

I love teaching World History because it brings an immensely broad scope to the way we think about our lives and modernity. World history focuses less on the small and isolated story of a single country and more on the interwoven tapestry of a global network of human beings. In this network, the social cannot be disentangled from the political, and no region exists without the support of its neighbors and its neighbors' neighbors.

I love teaching Ethnic Studies because it reminds us that American history is the history of all Americans, not just a privileged few. Students deserve the opportunity to hear and read about the lives of Americans who are too frequently left out of traditional histories. I really enjoy discussing new perspectives on American history with my students and helping them unpack some complicated and difficult ideas about race in the United States.

I can't wait to meet all of you! If you have any questions about these courses, feel free to write me an email.

Jason Flowers has been teaching AP US History at LASA for many years. In addition to APUSH, Mr. Flowers teaches American Film and coaches Quiz Bowl and History Bowl along with Mr. Escandell. He is originally from South Louisiana and has a B.A. in history from LSU along with a master’s degree in social studies education from North Texas. Mr. Flowers is also the head coach and team leader for Team USA for the International Geography Olympiad and serves on the board of directors of the National Consortium of Specialized STEM Schools. Under normal circumstances, Mr. Flowers spends lots of time traveling, but since March has spent lots of time riding his road bike around Austin. He lives in Austin with his partner Meagan and his two kittens Moxie and Muffin.

/*-->*/ /*-->*/ I’m Josue Garcia and I joined the social studies department during the 2023-24 school year. I’m from Amarillo, Texas but have lived in Austin for more than 15 years. I have a BA in Political Science and an M.Ed in secondary education from Texas State University. Before teaching I worked in various fields that included fundraising for non-profits and voter outreach for local city elections. I love teaching Social Studies and the Humanities because it gives me the opportunity to elevate marginalized voices and show how the different experiences of the past have shaped our society now, and how our current experiences continue to shape our society for the future. I live with my amazing wife, Maggie, and our anxious dog, Scallop. I’m a huge soccer fan and can talk soccer all day. My two favorite teams are Manchester United and Austin FC. I also love almost any outdoor activity you can name and recently have started to become a big fan of cruise travel with my wife.

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, my family moved to Washington, DC where I went to high school and first fell in love with our imperfect, but wonderful democracy. After college (Vanderbilt University, BA 2004 - History) and law school (University of Wisconsin, JD 2006), I spent fourteen years on active duty as an Army Judge Advocate (JAG) prosecuting felonies, practicing national security law, and working on human rights issues in "garden spots" like Afghanistan, the DMZ in Korea, and Fort Hood, Texas. Along the way, I was very fortunate to work with many elite professionals, including Army and Navy Special Operations units in Afghanistan, but I found my assignment teaching students at the DoD's ABA-accredited law school to be the most personally rewarding.
After leaving active duty, I served as the general counsel of two Texas state agencies, but I realized that I missed interacting with students in the classroom and jumped at the opportunity to work with stakeholders and future leaders in our democracy. I am thrilled to be on the LASA social studies team!

Greetings! This is my 10th year at LASA and my 26th year teaching. My teaching experiences include; teaching Biology in Tanzania as a Peace Corps Volunteer, World History and Geography teacher in Albany, NY, IB History in Caracas Venezuela, AP Macro/Micro/World History and Geography in Taiwan, AP Macro and Micro/AP World/Asian Studies in South Korea, World History/English Literature/P.E. in Japan.
I enjoy music, cooking, traveling, and home life.
Hobbies include DIYs, guitar, reading with a focus on biographies, history, politics, and economics (When I have time).

Ceud mìle fàilte, a Chairdean!  A hundred thousand welcomes, Friends!  My name is Jen LeCompte, and I am a CTE STEM teacher.  My experiences in education and industry have been incredibly varied, giving me opportunities to learn and develop some fascinating skillsets.  My degree is in Liberal Arts, which allowed me to do a little bit of everything in college.  After, I found myself wanting more math, which took me to Indiana University for a time.  I've had a career in the accounting world as a consultant and forensic accountant, as well as working in the mental health space as a certified Life Coach and Wilderness Guide.  I've taught in math and computer sciences, the humanities, and I seldom say ""no"" to a new teaching challenge. 

When not thinking about projects and experiments we get to try in class, I'm spending time with my family.  Music is integral in my day to day.  Currently, I'm beefing up my guitar skills, as well as learning whistle and the Irish flute.  I am a Gael, speaking and singing in Gaelic with a lovely community of fellow Gaels.  However, I will never turn down an opportunity for a musical sing along!  
 

Ceud mìle fàilte, a Chairdean!  A hundred thousand welcomes, Friends!  My name is Jen LeCompte, and I am a CTE STEM teacher.  My experiences in education and industry have been incredibly varied, giving me opportunities to learn and develop some fascinating skillsets.  My degree is in Liberal Arts, which allowed me to do a little bit of everything in college.  After, I found myself wanting more math, which took me to Indiana University for a time.  I've had a career in the accounting world as a consultant and forensic accountant, as well as working in the mental health space as a certified Life Coach and Wilderness Guide.  I've taught in math and computer sciences, the humanities, and I seldom say ""no"" to a new teaching challenge. 

When not thinking about projects and experiments we get to try in class, I'm spending time with my family.  Music is integral in my day to day.  Currently, I'm beefing up my guitar skills, as well as learning whistle and the Irish flute.  I am a Gael, speaking and singing in Gaelic with a lovely community of fellow Gaels.  However, I will never turn down an opportunity for a musical sing along!  
"

This is my first year on the faculty at LASA after teaching 8th grade U.S. History at Dobie Middle School for the last two years. After graduating from Rice University with a double major in history and political science, where I also walked on the football team, earning a athletic scholarship. I began my career with Teach For America in Houston teaching fifth grade. I've also worked in London for the NFL, and spent nearly a decade in Chicago and New York in advertising & PR after earning an MBA from Northwestern University. 

Upon moving to Austin in 2005, I shifted to tech, working at Dell in corporate strategy and product management for Google, opened my own consulting firm and joined an AI startup. Upon returning to the classroom in 2022 after three decades (!), I now look forward to sharing my somewhat unique perspective with the LASA community. I'm also a LASA parent as my oldest son is a freshman!
 

I’m Eric Martanovic, teacher of AP Government, AP Macroeconomics and baseball coach.

I have been a coach, mentor, and teacher for many years. Prior to teaching, I was a store executive for Target. I have a BS in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, where I was a scholarship athlete and graduated in four years. I still appear in some of the single season and career top-10’s for baseball statistics at the school. After a two-season stint in professional baseball, I went on to earn my MS in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2005, where I focused my interest in the topics of constitutional law and Supreme Court cases. In 2012, I earned my MA in Teaching from Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

I’m an active volunteer in youth sports. I serve as Vice President for Oak Hill Youth Sports Association, coach 9u baseball and flag football. I love to bake a variety of breads and sweets around the holidays and host gatherings around my backyard barbecue.

Running, hiking, golfing, and mountain biking are some of my favorite outdoor activities… other than baseball of course!

I have two amazing children, a son Callen (9) and a daughter Carley (8), along with two delinquent dogs and one well-behaved cat… that sometimes knocks things off counter tops. This summer I watched countless baseball games, went to Lake Tahoe and swam in 55 degree water and hiked a black diamond mountain slope, taught the kids how to surf at South Padre Island, had a weekend stay at the Commodore Perry Estate, and coached the 8u Raptors to two championships.

My name is Kim Pettigrew and I've been teaching at LASA for many years and most of those I was teaching APUSH. I'm a native Austinite and actually graduated from LASA having been taught by a handful of teachers still working here. I got both my bachelors and masters in history at UT Dallas but I am an ardent TCU fan (I know confusing). My parents live in town and I live with my cat, Tigger. I have one brother, a sister-in-law, and a five month old niece, who I just adore. In addition to APUSH I sponsor Model UN and teach Native American Studies. I normally travel quite a bit in the summer but obviously this weird year has made that so much a thing. When I'm not working, I enjoy cuddling with my cat, crafting, and reading.