Meet our team.

Educators at TCS bring a wealth of expertise and a dynamic, flexible approach to their teaching, adapting their methods to meet the needs of their students. They channel their own curiosity and passion for learning, encouraging students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and embrace a love of discovery every day. By modeling a growth mindset and curiosity-driven learning, our educators inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and compassionate leaders.

Geoff Harrison, Founder and Head of School

As a forward-thinking leader, Geoff Harrison understands that the keys to student success today are in adaptability and innovation. He champions a "whole child" approach to education, and, as an educator, Geoff envisions a transformative learning community that encourages a growth mindset, empowers identity construction, stimulates creative thinking, promotes character development, and develops independent learners confident in sharing their ideas.

Geoff holds a degree in History with a minor in Special Education from the University of Oregon and a MEd in Independent School Leadership from George Mason University. A lifelong learner, he travels to schools nationwide, attends conferences, and actively seeks new ways to enrich learning experiences. Geoff's commitment to education runs deep; his educational journey includes experience from pre-kindergarten through college, including coaching cross country, track and field, basketball and soccer.

Geoff's leadership style reflects his dedication to teamwork and perseverance. He embodies the "platinum rule" – treating everyone with the respect they deserve – and believes in the importance of fostering a strong sense of belonging, building lasting relationships, and embarking on courageous conversations.

Geoff enjoys life in Austin with his wife Niki, their three daughters, and two dogs. He takes pride in being a father and in fostering a love of learning within his own family. He appreciates the great outdoors and can be found running in the trails, riding his bike, or playing backyard games with friends.

School Team

  • Tiffany, an Austin native, received her K-12 education through Austin ISD schools before attending and graduating from The University of Texas with a double major: a B.S. in Textiles and Apparel Design and a B.A. in Plan II Honors.

    Tiffany launched her career at McKinsey & Company, consulting on growth and customer experience strategy. Her passion for education led her to The Pingry School, where she served as Director of Strategy — managing COVID-19 response, strategic planning, school expansion, institutional research and more.

    Leveraging her consulting expertise alongside her experience in independent schools, Tiffany founded Neighborly Strategies, which crafts innovative solutions that blend human-centered design thinking with data-driven insights.

    After working in Dallas and New York, Tiffany returned home to Austin, where she currently lives with her cherished rescue pup, Ghost.

  • Adriana Mata comes to The Compass School with over 15 years of educational experience across independent and public schools across San Antonio, PK-2nd grade. A native of south Texas, Adriana is a proud Chicana who carries her culture with her in everything she does. She is dedicated to creating a classroom environment where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to embrace their own identities.

    Adriana is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where she earned a Master’s degree in Bicultural Studies. She holds certifications in Early Childhood through 6th Grade (EC-6) and English as a Second Language (ESL). Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in English with a concentration in Digital Humanities at UTSA.

    Most recently, Adriana has worked for the past 5 years at a school of innovation for the Edgewood district. Here, she helped to launch a project-based learning initiative where students developed critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

    Outside the classroom, Adriana and her husband Jonathan stay busy keeping up with their two dogs, Lola and Coco. They enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring parks across the state as a way to recharge and connect with nature.

  • Anna Yakabe, Director of Learning brings over ten years of experience in independent schools, with a focus on Kindergarten through Third Grade. A Japanese native who spent part of her childhood in Indonesia, Anna brings a culturally conscious approach to her work, fostering inclusive learning environments where students are encouraged to support and uplift each other’s potential.

    Anna holds a B.A. in Communication from Hamilton College and a Master’s in Education from Lesley University. Her career began in Massachusetts, followed by Lower School teacher roles in New York City. After moving to Austin in 2017, Anna worked first as a classroom teacher and later as a member of the Admissions team at an independent school. As a Third Grade teacher, she designed a differentiated, inquiry-based math curriculum that catered to diverse learning styles, ensuring every student was challenged and supported. Most recently, Anna ran a private tutoring business, mentoring students to navigate their upper elementary and middle school journeys with confidence.

    Anna lives in Austin with her husband, Jim, and their dog, Clyde.