People of PS

People of PS: Cindy Hilton

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Cindy Hilton, Lower School 5th grade Language Arts teacher about her professional background including five years in finance and 17 years in education. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast.  Cindy Hilton holds an Associate of Science in Biology from San Jacinto College and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. She is certified in EC–6 Generalist, EC–12 Special Education, English as a Second Language (ELL), and Gifted and Talented (GT).  Throughout her teaching career, Cindy has worked with 2nd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, Special Education, and GT students, building a strong foundation in supporting a wide range of learners.   Cindy and her husband Jay, the School's Director of Facility Operations, not only work together at PS, but they also work together in their community. She and her husband pastor a small church in the Clear Lake area where she teaches Sunday School, and is part of the praise team. In their free time, the Hiltons enjoy fishing in Galveston Bay, Port Aransas, and Rockport. Cindy also enjoys bible journaling, reading, sewing, and embroidering.  Jay and Cindy have been enjoying life together for 30 years, and they are proud parents to sons Blaze (24), Bishop (22), and Brooks (13), and bonus son Charles (20). At home, her family also cares for chickens, ducks, and two quirky German Shepherds.

People of PS: Elliott Roddy

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Elliott Roddy, PS Class of '03 alum, about his journey from dishwasher to restauranteur and chef. Elliott was part of the first graduating 8th grade class at Presbyterian School and remembers his time at PS with fondness. He is a member of the  School's Alumni Board, which helps plans alumni events and brainstorm new ways to engage alumni. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast.  Elliott holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and an associate's degree from the Art Institute of Houston. He worked for several notable local Houston restaurants from fast casual to fine dining.  He currently owns his own restaurant called Elliott's Table and has recently expanded his business to include a private event space. Elliott is passionate about creating a chef-driven dining experience where everything is scratch made. His restaurant is a small intimate place offering only dinner service Wednesday-Saturday. Between using local wine distributors to local pastry chefs, Elliott is bringing together the best of what Houston offers.

People of PS: God Is...Writing Book Authors

Tune in to hear Dr. Mark Carleton, Head of School, Brenton Smith, School Chaplain, Terry Flores, Lower School Art Teacher, and Allison Parker, former PS Bible Teacher, share the inspiration behind their new book, God Is...Writing, which they co-authored and illustrated this year. Check out this podcast episode now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast.  God Is...Writing is Presbyterian School's new faith-based children's picture book. This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to the foundational truth that God speaks to us through Scripture. With rhythmic, memorable verse and stunning collage artwork inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s own faith journey, God Is…Writing invites families to explore the Bible together, discovering that since God is the Author of all Scripture and the author of the stories of our own lives, we can trust we will find Him (and ourselves) on every page of His Word. Purchase this book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/God-Writing-Dr-Mark-Carleton/dp/B0G9BKSYYF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EKIK0WRBK1IC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SrUM4pW37VEkggXu3Hh33nqSKppK_XwDANIdufN4O64GsIfQH7qdGBrtXIsFap7XH9q5lKM4Dkd15LAyyngSpXrblGJY9Y7PDO2JQGoOXOnmcpUZNCTIh73mxPSk248FhHiEYUdkZukEGHOgUAQCSfdHaRMdUD77wM2mqlc20yDGrnjqNEBwWTzPjujAO2aBdWmOSKm2yD2lLd_Yu7_mnr4IWDGhhbhFowUhw1N_FcA.DH9GDjCXmgRcXuRbG8Q9S045H24SnFRcwrvlrbkgO-A&dib_tag=se&keywords=god+is+writing+carleton&qid=1771356882&sprefix=god+is+writing+carleton%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1] now!

People of PS: Brandon Walker

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Brandon Walker, Head of Middle School, about his journey from an independent school student to a teacher, administrator, and parent. Brandon’s life and career trajectory was altered by independent school educators who saw his promise and had the capacity and desire to invest in his growth. Their belief in him, coupled with access to rigorous academics and meaningful mentorship, not only changed his life but inspired his commitment to doing the same for others. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast.  Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Statistics from Purdue University and a Master of Education in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University. His leadership is rooted in the conviction that schools are more than academic institutions; they are places where students are known, challenged, and empowered. He considers it both a privilege and a calling to help shape an environment where adults invest in students’ potential and every student flourishes. Outside of school, Brandon enjoys reading, journaling, camping/hiking, and spending time with his family.

People of PS: Ashley Kennedy

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Ashley Kennedy, PS Middle School Bible Teacher and Middle School Girls Associate Director at First Presbyterian Church (FPC), about her love for middle school students. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast.    Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Texas A&M University, and decided to pair her desire to help people with middle school aged students. After graduating from college, Ashley quickly realized her true passion was investing in students and watching them grow. She currently serves as the Middle School Girls Associate Director at FPC and works part-time as a Bible teacher at PS—two roles that let her spend her days with the most joyful, hilarious, and big-hearted group of middle school girls. Ashley's work with students was heavily influenced by her many transformational years at Laity Lodge, an ecumenical retreat center in the Texas Hill Country, where she was both a camper and camp counselor.  When she's not hanging out with girls, Ashley enjoys exploring The Heights and listening to audiobooks. Some of her favorite moments are walking through her neighborhood anticipating a new street or cozy corner to discover with coffee in hand listening to an audiobook. In everything she does, Ashley is eager to build community, cheer students on, and create spaces where girls feel seen, known, and deeply loved.