ELEVATE Academic Support
Learn how our staff collaborates with you and your student to enhance their educational experience at Cornerstone Christian Schools.
ELEVATE Academic Support Program
The ELEVATE Academic Support Program is distinctively designed to serve students with diagnosed learning differences. Our goal is to help ALL students unlock their potential, become independent and active learners who develop the skills necessary to overcome their learning barriers to achieve academic success and make disciples of Christ.
Students are the central focus of ELEVATE and we will review (with parents and guardians) their individual needs and create a unique learning plan to help them thrive in their educational endeavors.
ELEVATE teachers will work with classroom teachers to effectively implement the learning plans in all the student’s classes. We will provide a variety of tutoring and academic supports to assist the individual learning needs of our students as well as ensure the appropriate paperwork is in place for standardized testing, AP testing, and for when students head off to college.
ELEVATE staff will work with our families to raise all learners to their greatest potential.
Elizabeth Long, Ed.D.
ELEVATE Director
Dr. Elizabeth Long graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in May 1998 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Special Education. She began her teaching career in June 1998 in a self-contained special education classroom. In December 2000, she earned a Masters in Education with a Special Education concentration. She served in the Special Education classroom until 2006. In August 2011, she received her EdD in Education Leadership from Walden University. Her dissertation examined barriers and approaches to teaching Social Studies.
Dr. Long’s teaching certifications include: Texas Teaching certifications in Elementary grades 1-8, Special Education PK-12, English as a Second Language PK-12, and Social Studies, grades 4 - 8. She also holds ACSI certifications for both Elementary Teacher and Secondary Teacher of Science and Social Studies.
Emily Reed
Academically Talented Instructor
Emily Reed is a native of Monahans, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Administration from Texas A&M International University.
Emily has been teaching for nine years and has previously taught Kindergarten, 2nd & 3rd grades. She holds certification as an ESL EC-6th grade generalist, Gifted and Talented certification, as well as certification in SPIKE programming from Carnegie Mellon University.
Emily is passionate about supporting students to reach and go beyond their expectations to achieve their goals.
Laura King-Flores
Learning Specialist
Laura King-Flores is a native of Eagle Pass, Texas. She is a graduate of Sul Ross State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. With over fifteen years of experience in education, Laura holds certification in General Education, Special Education, and Bilingual Education. She has served as a classroom teacher, special education co-teacher, resource teacher, and social skills teacher.
Laura loves sharing her gifts with students in order to help them become lifelong learners!
“It brings me joy to help build a student’s confidence. I believe in creating lasting relationships with our CCS families to help our students grow spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. God has blessed us all with unique and individual abilities and I take joy in helping students become their best to honor Him.”
Stacy Halstead
Learning Specialist
Stacy Halstead was born and raised in Nebraska and Kansas but considers Texas as her home having lived here longer than anywhere else! She is a graduate of Evangel University and holds a degree in Elementary Education. In between being a stay-at-home mom, Stacy has six years of full-time teaching experience in both public and private schools in Kansas, California, and Virginia. Over the last ten years, Stacy has served as a substitute teacher – nine of those years at CCS! This includes twelve long-term teaching assignments.
This is Stacy’s 20th year as part of the CCS family – having served as a parent, room mom, volunteer, teacher aid, and substitute. She has three sons who are graduates of CCS.
Stacy loves helping students and watching them succeed and perform beyond what they thought they could. It is a joy to be able to praise God and give Him the glory for these accomplishments.
Stephanie Whitfield
Learning Specialist
Stephanie Whitfield is a native of San Antonio. She graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with honors in Elementary Education and Special Education K-12. She also holds a master’s degree in Literacy Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Stephanie brings over 18 years of experience to CCS. In addition to teaching in a traditional classroom, she has experience in Assisted Learning-Self Contained Environments, Behavior Modification-Self-contained Centers, Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities, Inclusion/Collaborative teaching, and individualized instructional support.
Stephanie is passionate about helping students be successful in the classroom. She loves to help them identify their unique strengths to enable them to become the strong independent learners God has created them to be. She knows that student can do ALL things, through Christ, who gives us strength.
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ELEVATE Academically Talented Program
The ELEVATE Academically Talented Program is designed to serve our Warriors who are working significantly above enrolled grade level in their academics. Our goal is to help our Warriors understand that God has given them these gifts of knowledge to make their world a better place.
Elementary students who consistently score 95% or higher on the Renaissance STAR test in math or reading are invited to an optional academic enhancement program. During this pull-out program, our Warriors are taught to be active problem-solvers who seek to expand their knowledge and understanding in various educational endeavors.
Secondary Warriors are able to enhance their academics by taking above-level math courses, participating in honors classes, or taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Our ELEVATE Academically Talented Program will support our Warriors in their academic growth, curiosity, creativity, and cooperative learning skills while growing in God’s plan for them.
