Pre-K Team
WCHE - 2026-2027 Pre-K Teaching Team
Pictured front row left to right: Emily McMurray, Heather Richards, and Christina Otwell
second row: Nikita Nichols, Eva Carey, Kelsi Arieno, and Emily Hanley
third row: Estrella Webb, Kristen Mitts, and Kaylyn Cipione
Kelsi Arieno -- Hi, families! My name is Kelsi Arieno, and I am so excited to be joining the West Cypress Hills Elementary family as the Pre-K Aide! I have a heart for working with young learners and love watching their confidence, curiosity, and creativity grow each day. I believe the best learning happens through play, exploration, kindness, and lots of encouragement!
When I’m not at school, you’ll usually find me spending time with my three daughters, baking sweet treats in the kitchen, tending to my garden, or enjoying the outdoors. I can’t wait to build meaningful relationships with our students and families and help make this school year full of laughter, learning, and memorable moments. Here’s to a fantastic year together!
Kaylyn Cipione – This is my 4th year teaching ECSE! I am new to WCHE, I taught at SHE last year and LPE the previous year. I started teaching in College Station after graduating from Texas A&M. My degree is in Wildlife and Fisheries, but I quickly started my alt cert after graduating! I am originally from Cypress, Texas but moved here right after my husband and I got engaged (my husband is from Austin!). We got married in April and we have 3 dogs, all labs. In my free time I like to bake, read, spend time with family, and swim in the lake. I am so excited to start at WCHE!
Emily Hanley – I moved to Austin in 2006 from Katy, Texas. I am married to my husband, Greg and have 1 child named Griffin, who will be in 5th grade at WCHE. I have a dog named Finn and am going to get him a friend soon. I taught 2nd grade last year, and have taught Kinder and 3rd prior. This is my 19th year teaching and second year at WCHE! Excited to be teaching Pre-K this year with all my new Tigers!
Juliana Hardy - Hi! I’m Juliana Hardy, and I’m so excited to join the West Cypress Hills Elementary family as a Pre-K teacher! I’m a proud UT Austin graduate—Hook ’em!—and earned my master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University Texas. I live in the LT side of Dripping Springs with my husband, Keith, and have three wonderful children: Jeremiah(7th BCMS), June(5th BCE), and Jensen(2nd BCE). Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, staying active, and reading.
Emily McMurray – I moved to Austin in 2012 from Chicago, Illinois. I am married to my husband, Matt, and have two children who attend school in LTISD. My daughter is entering 9th grade at LTHS, and my son will be in 7th grade at LTMS this year. I also have two very spoiled dogs, a Goldendoodle named Hank and a Cavapoo named Cash. Prior to becoming part of the Tiger Family, I taught preschool for 4 years. The 2026-2027 school year will be my 7th at WCHE, and I'm looking forward to another great year as a Tiger.
Kristen Mitts – Kristen Mitts is thrilled to join the West Cypress Hills Elementary family as a Pre-K teacher. With 17 years of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping young learners grow through hands-on experiences, creativity, and play. She is excited to build meaningful relationships with her students and their families and looks forward to an amazing school year.
Christina Otwell - This will be my 5th year as a WCHE teacher, and 7th year teaching Special Education for LT school district. I am happily married with two girls. I enjoy teaching yoga and hiking in my free time. I am greatly honored to be named by my peers as West Cypress Hills Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year.