Directory | The Emery/Weiner School

Faculty & Staff Directory

Department

Last Name

Ms. Jessica Barrientos

Middle School Counselor

2022

(832) 204-5900

Texas A&M University - B.S.
University of St. Thomas - M.Ed. Education

Bio

Jessie joined EWS in 2022. Before joining EWS, Jessie worked for almost 20 years for the Houston ISD. During that time, she was a teacher, an administrator, and for the past five years, a school counselor. Jessie is currently completing her professional counselor license (LPC). Jessie is passionate about working with adolescents and their families as they navigate the middle school years. Jessie is a loyal Texas Aggie and regularly takes road trips to College Station during football season. She is an avid Houston Astros fan, and if she’s not in a seat at Minute Maid Park, she is rooting for them from home. She enjoys watching her son play soccer, spending time with family, cooking, working out, reading, and watching a good TV series or movie.
Ms. Jennifer Bauer-Conley

Director of Fine Arts

2010

(832) 204-5900

Manhattanville College - B.A.
Manhattanville College - B.A.

Bio

Jennifer, commonly known as ‘JBC’, joined EWS in 2010. She comes to Houston via her beloved home state of Maine, and her second home in New York City, where she worked for over 10 years as a performer, director, choreographer, and teaching artist in professional theatre, youth theatre, and school arts settings. JBC earned her undergraduate degree in Dance/Theatre and Political Science while apprenticing under Broadway dancer and choreographer Bonnie Walker. JBC has directed & choreographed more than 250 shows, has served as an adjudicator for national high school theatre competitions, is a dedicated member of the artistic staff at the prestigious Stagedoor Manor, and continues to work as a private mentor and coach for students performing on Broadway stages and in major motion pictures. She is a nominee and winner of the Helen Hayes High School Theatre Awards, the Metro Awards, and the Tommy Tune Awards for her work in school theatre, and in 2016 she was honored by Playbill as one of the 10 Teachers Shaping Broadway. When not directing and choreographing for the EWS Theatre Family, JBC loves spending time with her two wonderful daughters and husband (former EWS teacher Ryan Walker), visiting family and friends in the Northeast, and nerding out on all things sci-fi.
Ms. Oshrat Ben-Shahar

Middle School Hebrew Teacher

2023

(832) 204-5900

Bio

Oshrat attended Yeshivat Tzfirah from middle school through twelfth grade. She graduated from the Yeshiva with a focus on "Plastic art". Shortly thereafter, she served in the Prime Minister's office for two years. After finishing her service, Oshrat attended Bar Ilan University in Israel where she earned her BA in Judaic Art followed by earning a teaching diploma.
Ms. Cara Bendayan

Upper School Social Science Teacher

2020

(832) 204-5900

Vanderbilt University - B.S.
Relay Graduate School of Education - M.A.T.

Bio

Cara joined EWS in 2020. Before joining the Emery team, Cara taught in a Houston-area, public charter school for seven years. Throughout that time, she taught many humanities courses, including World History, AP World History, US History, AP US History, and AP Government. Moreover, she began an English remediation program for high school students. In conjunction with her love of cultures and literacy, Cara taught English as a volunteer for Tuleeni Academy in Uru, Tanzania in June 2017 and for TALMA in a Druze village in Northern Israel in the summer of 2019. In her free time, Cara enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs, doing crossword puzzles, reading, and exercising. As a native Houstonian, she loves to cheer on the Astros and Texans. When Cara attended I. Weiner Middle School as a student, she learned the value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and she continuously aims to instill this value in Emery students.
Ms. Hannah Bender

English Department Chair and Middle School English Teacher

2021

(832) 204-5900

The University of Texas at Austin - B.S.
Lamar University - M.Ed.

Bio

Hannah joined EWS in 2021. Before joining Emery, Hannah worked as a teacher in HISD for five years. While in HISD, Hannah’s school awarded her with Teacher of the Year two years in a row. Hannah’s work, however, extended beyond just educating students. Hannah mentored both new and student teachers at her school. Hannah also frequently led, presented, and taught professional development workshops to other educators. Prior to educating students and teachers in HISD, Hannah graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where she received a degree in Applied Learning and Development. There, Hannah developed her passion for education and served as a creative director for a dance company. Hannah continued her education, while teaching in HISD, and graduated in 2020 from Lamar University with her master’s degree in counseling and development. When Hannah is not at school she enjoys cooking new recipes, reading books, and watching Houston sports.
Mr. Joshua Blice

Director of Campus Operations & Technology

2005

(832) 204-5900

University of Houston - M.Ed.
Sam Houston State University - B.B.A.

Bio

Joshua has been with EWS since 2005. Before arriving at EWS, Joshua taught in public schools for four years in the Houston area and prior to that he worked in retail. During his time in public schools, he was a Magnet Coordinator for an elementary school and also helped coordinate Algebra curriculum. Joshua currently oversees Blackbaud and other programs associated with it as well as assisting teachers and students 6-12 with technology used in and out of the classroom. He has taught Algebra I, Geometry, Yearbook, and Website Design in previous years. In his free time he enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and watching old movies.
Ms. Melissa Borinski

Assistant Director of Communications

2022

(832) 204-5900

University of Georgia - A.B.
University of South Carolina - M.L.I.S.

Bio

Melissa has been with EWS since 2022. Before coming to EWS, Melissa worked in independent schools for six years. She has taught Broadcast Journalism, literacy skills, Algebra I, and Algebra II at the high school level. Melissa supports the Advancement and Admissions Departments by coordinating photography/videography for all school events and day-to-day campus activities, generating content for all school social media, and tracking student, faculty, and alumni accomplishments for the school's biannual magazine. Melissa currently co-advises Yearbook at EWS in addition to her marketing and communications duties. In her free time, Melissa enjoys photography, reading, and trying new restaurants.
Ms. Angi Boudreaux

Middle School Dean of Students

2008

(832) 204-5900

University of Houston Clear Lake - B.A.

Bio

Angi has been with EWS since 2007. Before beginning her career at EWS, Angi taught Physical Education as well as coached volleyball, basketball, and track at Bay Area Christian in League City. While there Angi’s experience brought many trips to the State Volleyball playoffs as well as 1 State Championship Discus thrower. Her teams competed every season in the TAPPS State Track meet and received many 1^st place awards. Angi now teaches in the Middle School striving for excellence from each of her student-athletes. Angi has had very successful 7^th grade Volleyball teams and has won the GHAC Championship in 2008, 2015, and 2016. Angi brings 15 years of experience in the classroom as well as on the court and enjoys every season she coaches. When not at Emery, Angi has a set of boy/girl twins who keep her very busy. She also recently traveled to Israel with a group of Emery/Weiner faculty in which she gained a new passion for students as well as her commitment to Emery. The connection of Emery to Israel became very real as she explored the Holy Land and is eager to return one day.
Ms. Hue Bui

Controller

2021

(832) 204-5900

University of Houston - B.B.A.

Bio

Hue joined the EWS business office in March 2021. Before arriving at EWS, Hue previously held accounting roles within Blazek & Vetterling, LLP, The Woodlands Township, and St. Francis Episcopal School. In her free time, Hue enjoys spending time with her son and puppy, watching movies, and traveling.