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 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.

  • 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 at St. Andrew’s, first as a classroom teacher and later as a member of the Admissions team. 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.

Board of Trustees


  • Angie Berry, President of The Compass School Board of Trustees, is the co-founder of CAVU Holdings, Ltd., which invests in private equity and venture funds, operating companies and other private opportunities, including real estate. Angie also partnered with her husband Tim to launch a successful investment management business.

    Angie received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tulane University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She has participated in several real estate organizations, including Commercial Real Estate Women, Real Estate Council, Urban Land Institute and CCIM.

    Angie has served and supports several national and regional non-profits where she often spearheads charitable giving and fundraising events. She is passionate about causes that advance education and equity.

    Angie and her husband Tim have three children and reside in Austin, Texas.


  • Alexandra Miele, Secretary of The Compass School Board of Trustees, is an investor and wellness enthusiast. She leads the U.S. division of an International Family Office, backing U.S. brands for global expansion. Formerly VP at Rockefeller Capital Management, she focused on Next Gen initiatives.

    Alex fundamentally believes in the concept of doing good while doing well, and while opportunistic, views all investment opportunities through an impact lens. Prior to Rockefeller, Alex spent three years at Goldman Sachs on their Portfolio Management team within GSAM. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy & Public Affairs with a concentration in Business Ethics from Claremont McKenna College.

    Active in health advocacy, she serves on the board of the Cristine Meredith Miele Foundation. Alex is passionate about neuroscience, women’s health, and the link between bodily and mental health.

    Alex splits her time between New York City and Park City, UT with her goldendoodle, Duke.

Advisory Panel

Our advisory panel is a team of trusted educators who offer expert insights and diverse counsel.


  • Regina is an Associate Professor and Co-Academic Program Coordinator for the Education Leadership Program at George Mason University—College of Education and Human Development. With over thirty years of experience, she is committed to promoting equitable access to the promise of equal educational opportunities. At Mason, Regina teaches graduate courses, including school law, organizational and leadership theory, managing human and financial resources, building schools and communities, and adult motivation and conflict management.

    Before joining the faculty at Mason, Regina served as the Managing Director and a subject matter expert for American Educational Services, Inc. She provided visionary leadership and strategic guidance to facilitate professional and leadership development to school community constituents in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and East Baton Rouge. Working closely with school leaders, researchers, and university professors, she led collaborative teams to develop leaders’ capabilities and capacities to address multidimensional school improvement issues. Before her work in the private sector, Regina served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary, secondary, and district levels in Chicago and Hazel Crest, Illinois.

    Regina has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education, a Master of Science degree in Education Administration and Supervision, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Policy and Leadership. She is passionate about preparing education leaders to address complex challenges and make ethical decisions, prioritizing teaching, learning, and well-being.


  • Kama Bruce is a seasoned teacher, educational leader, researcher, consultant, and social justice advocate in public and Independent Schools. Kama is currently Assistant Head of School at Catlin Gabel in Portland, Oregon, prior to which he served as Assistant Head of School, Lower School Division Head, and Middle School Dean of Students at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Austin Texas.

    He has over 25 years of experience in PS-12 educational settings working with students, families, and educators of diverse background and experience. He has presented at local and national conferences regarding educational design, curriculum reform, progressive education, student centered scheduling, and social justice in education.

    With four degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, his educational research centered on social justice oriented mid-career educators and sociohistorical understanding of race in the United States. He is the son of two social workers, both of whom deeply influenced his motivations to promote access to quality educational opportunities for all students.


  • Adam taught middle and high school humanities, 2nd grade, and a mixed 3rd/4th grade class before discovering a love for working with younger learners in Kindergarten classrooms. He is an advocate for highly relational independent schools and is particularly interested in admissions work, teacher training and mentoring, curriculum and project design, school marketing, and helping grown-ups see things from a child’s perspective.

    He enjoys modeling open-mindedness, curiosity, and compassion in his interactions with others and is passionate about equity in independent school admissions, family outreach and parent education, school culture, teacher development and instructional improvement, and innovative program design. He is also interested in what the emerging field of educational neuroscience can tell us about literacy and math development in the early grades.

    Adam earned a BA in Secondary Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and an MEd in Independent School Leadership from George Mason University. He and his wife live in the San Francisco Bay Area.


  • Over his 25 year career in education, Mark Richards has served as a high school English teacher at public schools in Seattle, a MS/HS librarian at the Carol Morgan School in the Dominican Republic, a middle school curriculum director in Austin at Trinity Episcopal and St. Andrew's, and is now returning to the northwest as the Intermediate School Division Head at Seattle Country Day.

    He is known by colleagues as innovative, collaborative, and focused on student-centered decision-making. Mark's work centers equity and inclusivity, authentic school to parent partnerships, and empowering students to find joy and purpose in learning. He has specific training in project-based learning, curriculum design, adaptive leadership, and improvement science.

    Mark holds a Bachelor's in Secondary English Education from the University of Idaho, an M.Ed. from Lesley University, and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard.