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.
HannahArrington
Upper School English Teacher
(832) 204-5900
University of Mississippi - M.A. University of Mississippi - B.A.
Hannah joined EWS in 2024. She has taken students on international educational trips to Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, the U.K., and Peru. In her free time, Hannah enjoys swimming, cooking, and listening to audiobooks.
MelissaBorinski
Assistant Director of Communications
(832) 204-5900
University of Georgia - A.B. University of South Carolina - M.L.I.S.
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.
David BrodyLipton
Upper School English Teacher
(832) 204-5900
Sarah Lawrence College - B.A. Boston University - M.A. (Creative Writing & Secondary English Teaching)
Brody joined EWS in 2024. He has taught in schools both large and small, north and south, domestic and abroad. In his free time, Brody enjoys writing; his stories have appeared in Flash Fiction Magazine, Spelk, Literary Mama, and Cowboy Jamboree. In 2020, Brody was awarded 1st Place in the Reflex Fiction 2020 Winter Contest.
DavidLombardi
Upper School English Teacher
(832) 204-5900
University of Houston - Ph.D. Miami University - B.A. Eastern Washington University - M.F.A.
David joined EWS in 2018 and teaches Upper School English. He has over eight years experience teaching English at the university and high school levels. In 2012, he received a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. He has published short stories in literary journals, as well as the anthology, Best New American Voices 2010. He is the father of two daughters, and will travel for food, coffee, and tennis courts.
Jessie has taught tenth and eleventh grade English since 2014. In 2021, she was awarded the Texas Exemplary teacher distinction. Jessie graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. Jessie has worked as a wildlife biology field assistant throughout southern California, an environmental educator at the Ballona Wetlands, and a naturalist at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. She currently teaches English II, Creative Writing, and Journalism at EWS. Jessie enjoys swimming, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two pugs.
BenjaminRawlins
Upper School English Teacher
(832) 204-5900
Oklahoma Christian University - B.A. Belmont University - M.A. Vanderbilt Divinity School - M.T.S. Baylor University - Ph.D.
Before arriving at EWS in 2022, Ben taught writing and literature at the college level for nine years while pursuing his master's and PhD. In graduate school, Ben researched and studied modern American poetry, specifically the work of H.D., Marianne Moore, and Elizabeth Bishop. While in graduate school, Ben deepened his passion for teaching, and he is excited to continue to explore this passion at Emery/Weiner. Along with his university teaching experience, Ben has also worked with middle and high school students at Vanderbilt Summer Academy, an academic summer program. Outside of work and study, Ben enjoys being outside, working out and playing sports, spending time with friends and family, reading contemporary literature, and watching movies.