About Us

Faculty and Staff

Our Faculty

  • Photo of Rebecca Benson
    Rebecca Becca Benson
    Staff Accountant
    Joined Trinity March 2023
    Texas Tech University - BBA
  • Photo of Rocio Cantu
    Rocio Cantu
    Director of Human Resources
    Joined Trinity December 2022
    The University of Texas Pan American - Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Photo of Adrianne Clifton
    Adrianne Clifton
    Associate Head of School
    Joined Trinity 2008
    Texas Tech University - B.S.
    University of Texas at Austin - M.Ed.
    Read Bio
     
    Adrianne has been an educator for 23 years. Her experience includes teaching grades 2-4 and ESL in Spring, Texas, followed by administrative roles in Round Rock ISD and then Midland ISD before becoming the Admission Director at Trinity School in 2008. Adrianne earned a bachelor’s degree in education and her advanced degree in educational leadership. She brings knowledge of multiple school settings to her role at Trinity in hopes that she can assist parents in comparing their placement options.
  • Photo of Ashley Cox
    Ashley Cox
    Director of Marketing and Communications
    Joined Trinity June 2023
    Texas A&M University - B.S.
  • Photo of Sonja Erlandson
    Sonja Erlandson
    Administrative Assistant to Middle/Upper School
    Joined Trinity 2014
    Texas Tech University
    Read Bio
     
    Sonja is a 27 year old Midland native. SheI attended Trinity School from the age of 3 and graduated in 2010. She began working at Trinity in 2014, coaching volleyball and basketball as well as substitute teaching. Eventually, she found her place in Kindergarten and absolutely loves it. When not at school, she enjoys sports, reading, watching Netflix, traveling anywhere with water, and spoiling her kitten Charlotte! 
  • Photo of Jennifer Garner
    Jennifer Garner
    Advancement Coordinator
    Joined Trinity 2019
    Texas A & M University - B.S.
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    A graduate from Texas A&M,  Jennifer Dickens holds both a B.S. in Journalism and a teaching certificate.  She has taught in the private school sector for over 10 years, and joins Trinity from Kingdom Prep Academy in Lubbock. Already a Trinity parent and committed volunteer, Ms. Dickens will be the Advancement Coordinator. 
  • Photo of Shelby Hammer
    Shelby Hammer
    Head of School
    Joined Trinity 2018
    Duke University - A.B.
    University of Alabama - M.A.
    Teachers College, Columbia University - M.Ed.
    Read Bio
     
    Shelby Hammer’s career in independent schools began when she started seventh grade at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, Louisiana. After graduating from STM, she attended Duke University, where she received a B.A. in history. Following graduation, she got her first teaching position at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. During her four years there, she taught history and English (and one PE class!) to students in grades 5-9. In Huntsville, Shelby met the love her life, and the newlyweds moved to Tuscaloosa where she received an M.A. in history from the University of Alabama. Since then, she has worked at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was the Director of Financial Aid/Associate Director of Admissions; Highlands School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was the Head of Middle School; and River Oaks Baptist School in Houston, Texas, where she served as the Head of Middle School and then as the Assistant Head of School for Special Projects. During her time at ROBS, she received her M.Ed. in Private School Leadership at the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. She began her tenure as Head of School at Trinity in 2018 and has embraced life in Midland. In her spare time, she likes to cook, read, and play golf. She and her husband, Allen, have two children, David, a Trinity School alumnus, and Betsy, a current Trinity student.
  • Photo of Megan Irwin
    Megan Irwin
    Head of Preschool
    Joined Trinity August 2022
    University of North Texas - B.S.
  • Photo of Dawn Jones
    Dawn Jones
    Website Administrator/Registrar/Upper School Life Skills Teacher
    Joined Trinity 2018
    Louisiana State University - B.A.
    Louisiana State University - B.S.
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    Dawn has been teaching high school for 20 years.  She started her career in Fort Worth in 1998 and recently moved to Midland with her husband, Tim Jones. When not at work Dawn likes to workout or go for a run with her dogs.
  • Photo of Tim Jones
    Tim Jones
    Head of Upper School/Associate Head of School for Strategic Initiatives
    Joined Trinity 2018
    Texas Christian University - B.S.
    Vanderbilt University - M.Ed.
    Read Bio
     
    Originally from Odessa, I moved to Fort Worth after high school to attend TCU. In the Summer of 2000, I became the Athletic Trainer at Trinity Valley School. During my career at TVS, I also spent time as a classroom teacher, assistant director of the Experiential Education Program, and as the school’s Director of Athletics for almost a decade.

    This variety of opportunities cultivated a passion for independent school education that ultimately led me to pursue a master’s degree in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University.

    Returning to West Texas and joining the Trinity School community as the Head of Upper School has been a rich and rewarding experience. It is a delight to observe the ambitious teaching and learning that occurs in the classrooms, studios, and athletic facilities at Trinity School -- and the opportunities for this are plentiful.

    In my time away from school, I enjoy watching college sports, reading, cooking and traveling with my wife, Dawn, and our three German shorthaired pointers, Gus, Sage and Deacon. Additionally, I always look forward to tech-free weekends and spending time in the great outdoors; hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, cutting firewood, or sitting around a campfire listening to classic country and Texas red-dirt outlaws.
  • Photo of Kobi Lincoln
    Kobi Lincoln
    Director of Institutional Advancement
    Joined Trinity 2012
    Texas Tech - B.A.
    Texas Tech - Master of Public Administration
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    Kobi Lincoln grew up in Midland and has spent the past 12 years in development work in the nonprofit sector in West Texas. She earned the designation of Certified Fundraising Executive in 2012, was the 2011 Permian Basin’s Fundraising Professional  of the Year, and was named one of Midland’s 40 under 40 in 2016. She loves the family environment of Trinity and working closely with brilliant colleagues, dedicated parents, and incredible supporters. 
  • Photo of Steve McCarthy
    Steve McCarthy
    Athletic Director
    Joined Trinity July 2022
    University of North Texas - B.A.
  • Photo of Mike Mendoza
    Mike Mendoza
    Director of IT
    Joined Trinity March 2022
    Sul Ross State University - BS
    Lubbock Christian University - BS
  • Photo of Chrystal Myers
    Chrystal Myers
    Head of Middle School
    Joined Trinity 2017
    University of the Southwest - B.S.
    University of the Southwest - M.S.
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    Chrystal Myers is the Head of Middle School. She is most interested in the best practices for educating and understanding Middle School students. Being part of a like-minded, vision-driven community where excellent work takes place daily makes working at Trinity School a true fulfillment and joy for her. When not at work, she enjoys beautiful sunsets at Lake Brownwood with her husband and two children.
  • Photo of Cherrelle Perez
    Cherrelle Perez
    Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable & Purchasing Agent
    Joined Trinity May 2021
  • Photo of Ortencia Perez
    Ortencia Perez
    Controller
    Joined Trinity 1985
  • Photo of Brian Peters
    Brian Peters
    Head of Lower School
    Joined Trinity August 2021
    Clarion University - BS
    Pennsylvania State University - M.Ed.
    Pennsylvania State University - PhD
    Read Bio
     
    Brian Peters is thrilled to be starting his 36th year in education at Trinity School.  He was born, raised and educated in Pennsylvania.  Brian received a PhD in Education from Penn State University in 2015. In his professional career in education he has taught music (K-12) and intermediate grade (3rd and 4th) general education.  He has been an instructional coach in Reading and Language Arts, an elementary school principal and a district curriculum director.  Brian is very excited to return to the heart of education, which is in the classroom with students.

    He and his wife recently relocated to Midland from Humble, Texas to be close to their daughter, son-in-law and four terrific grandchildren.  They visit their son as frequently as possible in Miami Beach, Florida.  Brian enjoys reading and music.  He is always in the midst of training for the next distance running event or triathlon.

    He can’t wait to begin the journey of learning that is fueled by curiosity to always be learning about the world we live in.
  • Photo of Katie  Presley
    Katie Presley
    Admission Coordinator
    Joined Trinity August 2023
    Texas Tech University - B.S.
    Angelo State University - M. Ed.
  • Photo of Sarah Rapier
    Sarah Rapier
    School Nurse
    Joined Trinity August 2021
    Midland College
  • Photo of Jessica Raymond
    Jessica Raymond
    Executive Assistant to the Head of School
    Joined Trinity September 2023
  • Photo of Correy Roy
    Correy Roy
    Administrative Assistant to Preschool/Lower School
    Joined Trinity August 2023
  • Photo of Cheryl Spotts
    Cheryl Spotts
    Director of Admission and Financial Aid
    Joined Trinity 2012
    Cascadia Community College - A.A.
    Read Bio
     
    Cheryl Spotts holds a degree in Integrated Studies from Cascadia Community College in Bothell, Washington, where she was the Valedictorian of her class. After ten years as an Emergency 911 Dispatcher, Cheryl decided to find a career more congruent to her family's schedule where she could still use her multi-tasking and critical thinking skills.  She is excited to serve Trinity in her admission and financial aid roles, and is happy to have found a spot where she can continue to help others.  
  • Photo of Jamie Terry
    Jamie Terry
    Chief Financial Officer
    Joined Trinity 2018
    UT-Permian Basin - BBA
  • Photo of Shannon Weisenfels
    Shannon Weisenfels
    Director of Spiritual Life, Community, and Belonging
    Joined Trinity 2018
    Texas A & M - B.A.
    Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary - Master of Divinity
  • Photo of BettyAnn Whitten
    BettyAnn Whitten
    Educational Technology Specialist
    Joined Trinity 2012
    University of Texas-Permian Basin - B.A.
    Read Bio
     
    Betty Ann Whitten has over four decades of teaching and instructional technology experience. She earned her B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Texas-Permian Basin. She was a classroom teacher for 17 years and an Instructional Technology Trainer for 18 years before joining Trinity in 2012. As the Education Technology Specialist Mrs. Whitten is responsible for providing support to teachers in integrating technology and innovation into their curriculum. This role involves maintaining educational software subscriptions, providing training for teachers and staff, and assisting with the implementation of technology tools and resources. Mrs. Whitten teaches a trimester Computer Applications course to ninth grade students. She also serves as the yearbook advisor and teaches Journalism.

Vina Rahlfs Award for Excellence in Teaching

Established in 2013 in honor of long-time teacher Vina Rahlfs and her decades of service, the award is presented to a faculty member in any division. The winner is selected by the Head of School from nominees by faculty colleagues.

Vina Rahlfs Award Winners

List of 12 items.

  • Jo Weber

    2012-2013
  • Angela de Pageler

    2013-2014
  • Beth Cain

    2014-2015
  • Elizabeth C. Webb

    2015-2016
  • Cathy W. Erlandson

    2016-2017
  • Melissa Goode McCabe

    2017-2018
  • Paige Gates

    2018-2019
  • Terry Miller

    2019-2020
  • Thomas LaFarelle

    2020-2021
  • Morgan Adams

    2021-2022
  • Fiona Mueller

    2022-2023
  • Jessica McMullen

    2023-2024

The teacher chosen

  • Embodies the Mission, Values, and Seven Core Competencies of Trinity School;
  • Employs creative, interesting, and engaging approaches to instruction; and
  • Demonstrates sincere empathy toward students of all levels of ability, learning styles, learning differences, and makes accommodations for same without lowering the established scholastic standards of Trinity School.

Mrs. Melissa McCabe, History Teacher

Teaching at Trinity has always been a team effort. One rarely accomplishes anything alone. I have been able to implement my style of teaching with constant and positive support from my colleagues, parents, staff, and administration. The end results of our combined talents show up every day in the students’ accomplishments and will hopefully continue in their life’s journey.
    • Sixth Grade Teacher

Trinity School of Midland

© 2019 Trinity School. All Rights Reserved.
© 2019 Trinity School. All Rights Reserved.