About TCS: Faculty and Staff
Mary Sue Houser, Director
Mrs. Houser is a Tucson native and an alumna of TCS. She has a BA in Education from Smith College and a Master’s of Library Science from the Catholic University of America. Mrs. Houser has been a preschool director, educator, librarian, and educational consultant in southeastern Arizona for over 20 years. Her husband Ed, is a school superintendent in Bonita, Arizona. They enjoy keeping up with their daughters, Heather, Hannah, and Hattie and grandchildren, Isabelle, Jasper, and Jesse. They have a small pistachio orchard in Willcox.
Roni Byrne, Office Manager
Mrs. Byrne is grateful to start her first full year as office manager and third as a TCS parent. Having served on the board of directors she is curious to see what things look like from the other side! Trained as an attorney and mediator in the UK and the US she also has experience teaching fifth and sixth grade. This is why she has such tremendous respect for the TCS staff. In addition she spent five years as an office manager for book stores in Los Angeles and Boston. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Shane and three kids; loves animals, movies and camping.
Cheryl Lazaroff, Assistant Director, Teacher of A2 and A3 Groups
Mrs. Lazaroff returns for her 35th year to teach the three-year-olds and the Extended Day Program. She received her B.A. degree from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont, California, following studies at Goucher and Haverford Colleges. She has a lifetime Child Development Programs Certificate from California. Cherie and her husband, David Lazaroff, a well-known local naturalist, are the parents of Cat. Cherie enjoys camping, symphony concerts and reading.
Barbara Bounds Solot, Assistant, Teacher of A2 and A3 Groups
Mrs. Solot returns to TCS after being away for two years. Prior to her leave of absence, Barbara had been with TCS for seventeen years: eleven years as an assistant teacher or lead teacher and six years as a parent and board member. Mrs. Solot graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science degree in Family and Consumer Resources from the University of Arizona. She is married to Alan Solot and together they have two sons, Alex (23) and Stuart (18), both of whom are TCS alumni.
Barbara enjoys children, children’s literature, musical theatre, classical concerts, resale shopping, beach houses and reading. She is very happy to be back at TCS.
Kathy Sjogren, Teacher of B Group (East Room)
Mrs. Sjogren is thrilled to be starting her sixth year at TCS after having been away for eleven years. Kathy received a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from U of A in 1978 and a Child Development Associate certification in 1991. Kathy and her husband, Jon, have one son, Jon, a credit analyst in Denver. Kathy enjoys exploring in the desert, learning about nature and writing science curriculum. There is not an animal alive that Kathy doesn’t love.
Gail Abbott, Assistant Teacher of B Group, (East Room)
Mrs. Abbott is starting her fourth year at TCS. She has a background in Special Education and has over 20 years of experience working in elementary and early childhood. Gail enjoys walking, playing golf, and taking vacations.
Amanda Tronsdal, Assistant Teacher (West Room)
Mrs. Tronsdal, a former TCS parent, begins her third year as a Teaching Assistant. She is excited about the upcoming school year both as being part of the B Group Team and watching her son, Mac begin his adventures at his new school. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arizona
and a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the Providence Institute. Studying and teaching yoga is her passion and is looking forward to sharing that with the children.
Barbara George, Teacher of B Group (West Room)
Mrs. George, a past TCS parent starts her 14th year at TCS. She is so excited to begin her third year as teacher in the B group. She has a degree from the U of A in Rehabilitation and Psychology and a minor in music. She has worked with children in different capacities for over 24 years. Before coming to TCS, she worked at Child and Family Resources as an after-school Recreation Director involving children with special needs. Barbara and her husband David have 2 children, Ben and Sarah. Barbara is enjoys being the mother of two teenagers. She loves children, animals, music, family dinners, corny musicals and having coffee and chatting with her friends.
Susan Whiting, Kindergarten Teacher
Susan Whiting has been at TCS since 1999. She has served the school as a parent, board member, substitute teacher, extended day teacher, summer school teacher, and kindergarten teacher. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education from the University of Arizona, taught kindergarten at Gale Elementary as well as Wheeler Elementary, and has substituted in the elementary grades for TUSD and CFSD. Susan and Henry Hill have two sons, Morgan (15) and Wyatt (13). They all enjoy travelling, art, games, hiking, sailing, reading and just being together.
Holly Clark, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Clark is a native Tucsonan. Her love for TCS includes seven years of parental involvement and service on the Board of Directors and Trustees. Holly has 19 years of experience in education. She has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Holly and her husband, Reid, have two children, R.J. (10) and Reilly (6). She especially enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and U of A sports. Holly is absolutely thrilled to be teaching kindergarten at TCS!
Connie Frasquillo, Assistant Teacher of Kindergarten
Ms. Frasquillo will be in her fourth year as an assistant teacher of Kindergarten. Connie has worked with children in various capacities most of her life. She has raised five children of her own (four of which are boys) while also taking care of her four nieces and nephew. She does various things to fill her time such as, facilitate Divorce Recovery groups, an Al-Anon group at the women's jail and is currently teaching a Sunday School class at her church. In her free time she nanny's, reads, reconfigures furniture, bakes, and likes to update her blog. She will also be teaching parenting classes this year.
Monica Lopez, Assistant Teacher of B Group, (East and West Room)
Mrs. Lopez is happy to be returning for her third year as a staff member at TCS after having been a substitute in all the classrooms. Monica Lopez's family includes her 12 year old son Miguel, a TCS alum who has muscular dystrophy, her 6 year old daughter Gabriela, who starts first grade this year, and her husband Oscar. Her family likes to travel on mini vacations and go to baseball games. She teaches a children's class at her church and she's a U of A alum who enjoys cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and reading
Vicky Empey, Assistant Teacher
Ms. Empey is very excited to start her fourth year as Extended Day Assistant. She earned a BA in Animation, Graphic Design, and Illustration at the Art Center Design Collage. Ms. Empey is currently working on a degree and certification in early childhood education. She has spent the last six years working with 2-5 year olds, has taught art, and enjoys helping children learn. Ms. Empey is very active in her church and enjoys reading, watching great movies, painting, drawing and swimming.
Reena Mahoney, Alumni Development Coordinator
Mrs. Mahoney begins her 27th year at TCS. After 26 years as administrative assistant, and some health problems, Reena moves to the part time position of Alumni Development Coordinator. Reena was a parent at the school, a TCS Board of Directors President and has taken computer course work. She and her husband, Jay, have two grown daughters, Shawn and Shannon, who are TCS alumnae. Reena enjoys reading, and spending time at their cabin in the White Mountains.