From student to staff, parent to peer group, donor to director—every single person involved with Archway is absolutely vital to our collective success, and to the culture of gratitude, humor, hope, and love that inspires real trust and real transformation.
We could not be more proud of our community, and we invite you to connect with the wonderful individuals and organizations who keep us moving forward each day.
Marian Kennedy-Busby
Principal
Marian Kennedy-Busby
Principal
Marian first came to Archway Academy through Southwest School in 2011 as one of our English teachers, and now oversees the daily operations of the school as our principal. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston and her Master of Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (go Coogs!). While she was born in New York, she got to Texas as fast as she could when her family moved here. Working with Archway’s diverse population of students means that no day is ever dull and as a lifelong learner, she finds herself reaping the benefits of student knowledge. When asked why she works at a sober high school, Marian’s reply is: “It’s an experience that I will treasure my entire life. Archway is a community that embraces students where they are and supports them in reaching their full potential. For some students, we may see their potential before they do, but with consistency, accountability, and support mixed with love, they begin to see themselves in a brighter light. The transformation is an amazing thing to see.”
When Marian isn’t at Archway pouring her heart and soul into our students, she’s spending time with her husband fishing, dancing, and simply enjoying life. She also loves being with her parents, extended family, and her sister and family. Trying out the culturally diverse food scene in Houston is high on Marian’s list, as well as going to movies, shopping, sitting around the kitchen table laughing, reading, listening to music, and walking her dog, Sheba. She also takes time to learn about her family’s Creole culture and history and serve the community. Marian emphatically states that she is living her first-grade dream of working with students and making a difference, and wouldn’t trade her time at Archway for anything.
David Claunch
Math & Science
David Claunch
Math & Science
David joined the faculty at Archway Academy in 2017 and instructs Archway students in algebra II, pre-calculus, and physics. Hailing from Kentucky and Tennessee, David earned an Associate Degree in Engineering from Tidewater Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University. For the next 21 years of his life, he worked as an estimator and project engineer in the construction industry in Virginia. In 2003, David began the long journey of recovery from alcoholism, and discovered a love for art—specifically the art of clowning, storytelling, and balloon sculpting—which led to a third degree in his repertoire, a Master of Arts in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University.
After he earned his master’s, he spent five years as a traveling performing artist participating in balloon story theater shows, storytelling festivals, and clown conventions. In 2014, he changed careers to begin teaching high school at his alma mater, where he also found out about recovery high schools; four years later, his journey led him to us at Archway. He enjoys his newfound passion, SCUBA diving, has earned his divemaster certification, and considers himself lucky to work with a STEM enrichment program every summer in Key West, Florida. David has long thought of teaching at Archway to be his dream job and loves nothing more than to come to work every day and spend time with his students.
Nancy Coles
Social Studies and English at The PaRC Campus
Nancy Coles
Social Studies and English at The PaRC Campus
Nancy joined Archway Academy at the PaRC, an adolescent residential substance abuse treatment center, in 2017 as a lab instructor. Prior to that, she was at Southwest Schools and worked for many years in both retail and as a real estate agent.
In her spare time, she shares her life with her family, especially her grandson Cole, and enjoys reading, going to movies, riding bikes, and socializing with her friends. Nancy’s favorite part of teaching at Archway is that her work matters, and she loves learning alongside her students, interacting and discussing the subjects at hand, and getting to know her students that she says change her life for the better.
Barbara Combs
Special Education
Barbara Combs
Special Education
Barbara has been at Archway Academy since 2016, but has been a staple in the education field since 1991 when she first became a teacher. She was born in Gary, Indiana, the birthplace of Michael Jackson, and strives to make the world a better place, taking a cue from the lyrics of Jackson’s well-known song “Heal the World.” Barbara stayed close to home for college, graduating from the University of Indiana.
She helps our students heal both academically and emotionally as our special education and support teacher, and enjoys working at Archway so that she can be a part of guiding students who have been given a second chance at success. Barbara firmly believes we’re all our brother’s keeper, and lives out that mantra every day at Archway.
Tara Brace-Hrozek
Math & Foreign Language
Tara Brace-Hrozek
Math & Foreign Language
Tara teaches algebra I, geometry, algebraic reasoning, Spanish, and STAAR EOC algebra I at Archway Academy, and has been with us since 2016. Before coming to Archway, she taught algebra I and both regular and pre-AP geometry at Kempner High School in Fort Bend, where she was also the girls’ JV soccer and freshman volleyball coach. Born and raised in Austin, Tara received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology (pre-med track) with a minor in Spanish from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She also played soccer and swam competitively while in college.
In her spare time, Tara hangs out with her husband and two sons who are one and five years old. Tara is grateful for the opportunity to do what she truly loves—teach— at Archway, and she enjoys being part of a school culture that supports student recovery and inspires them to reach their full potential. Her goal in teaching our students is to make as much of a difference in their lives as they do in hers.
Eric Johnson
Science and Math at The PaRC Campus
Eric Johnson
Science and Math at The PaRC Campus
Eric has been with Archway Academy since 2022 and teaches both science and math at The PaRC Campus. He was born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward where he attended Jack Yates High School, finishing as valedictorian of his graduating class, and then went on to graduate from Howard University’s School of Business. He began teaching mathematics in 2017 and while he grows as an educator, his passion is watching his students grow academically.
Eric chose to come to Archway to be able to work with youth who are healing and need a teacher that can motivate them to love learning, and he intends to work in the recovery field for many years to come.
Ilma Khanbabi
Science
Ilma Khanbabi
Science
Prior to becoming part of the Archway Academy family in 2019, Ilma taught AP/pre-AP chemistry in Fort Bend ISD and biology in Sheldon ISD, and she was also part of the special education teaching staff at both middle and elementary schools in North Carolina. Ilma has degrees in political science and English from the University of Illinois as well as a degree in biological sciences from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her passion for education led her to attaining a Masters in Health Sciences in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a concentration in reproductive biology and cancer biology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2016.
Ilma’s passions include STEM education and conservation, and she loves learning new languages and traveling the globe to visit friends and family. She enjoys spending time with her dog Gimli, rescue kitten Floki, rescue hedgehog Bella, and her fiancé, Brad. After work, Ilma can often be found hitting up a yoga studio or practicing yoga in the park; in fact, she became a certified yoga instructor in 2018 and now teaches both yoga and meditation at Archway.
Chris Miller
English
Chris Miller
English
Chris has been at Archway since 2013 where he teaches English I, II, III, and IV as well as an elective law class. The son of a retired Air Force colonel, he grew up all over the country and the world, finally landing at Texas A&M University for college, where he majored in English and minored in philosophy. Before Archway, Chris taught high school math for four years at Gonzalo Garza High School in Austin, but his career path took a different direction when he decided to get his law degree at the University of Houston Law Center. He practiced law for five years, but realized that his heart was still in teaching, and returned to the profession at Archway.
Chris is engaged to the love of his life and they have an October 2022 date set for the wedding. Speaking about Archway, Chris says there’s nowhere in the country he would rather teach as he loves our students, staff, and mission. He feels that recovery provides an important and meaningful context for students’ education in terms of their personal growth and accountability, and learns as much from his students as he teaches them in the classroom. His hope is that his passion for both teaching and learning will inspire Archway students to be lifelong learners themselves.
Roland Parsons
Physical Education
Roland Parsons
Physical Education
Roland first started working at Archway Academy through Southwest Schools back in 2011 as one of the physical education (P.E.) teachers. He is a born and bred Houstonian, and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education from Alcorn State University, where he was a collegiate athlete.
Outside of work, Roland coaches basketball for his son’s team, and enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and son. Traveling is quickly becoming a new hobby for the Parson family as they all just received their passports, and they love to try out new restaurants around the country. Working with such a diverse population of students, learning new things from them every day, and watching how mentally tough they are as they walk through recovery is what inspires Roland’s love of teaching at Archway.
Sonny Sanborn
Social Studies & Lead Teacher
Sonny Sanborn
Social Studies & Lead Teacher
Sonny came to Archway Academy in 2009 to join our faculty as the social studies teacher—his classes include U.S. history, world history, government, economics, psychology, sociology, and world geography. He also holds the distinction of lead teacher, serving as a liaison between teaching staff and school administration. Sonny grew up in Denton and went on to earn a degree in history with a minor in education as well as a master’s degree at a seminary in Fort Worth. He quickly moved back to Texas and earned his master’s degree at a seminary in Fort Worth. Prior to joining us at Archway, he served as a youth minister/associate pastor at two different churches for about 10 years before making the transition to a teaching career. He began his new path as an educator at a private, college preparatory school and was there for five years. He likes to say that he’s been working with teenagers for 28 years, and before that, he was one!
Sonny married his wife, Laura, in 1988 and they have five children together, ranging in age from 8-22—their youngest was in their home as a foster child from birth, and they had the absolute joy of adopting her right before she turned two. He loves spending time with his family, and when he’s not at Archway, he’s with his wife and kids, at a basketball gym, on a soccer field, or simply at home enjoying games and movies together. Sonny’s love for Archway and the students runs deep, and he wouldn’t teach anywhere else, calling it a true community of people who expect each other to grow—not just the students, but the adults, too (although he admits he’s still working on his transformation!).
Isabelle Scott
Lab Instructor
Isabelle Scott
Lab Instructor
Isabelle is brand new to the education field and just joined the Archway Academy family in 2021 as a lab instructor. The daughter of a Marine, she grew up moving all over the American coasts along with her two sisters and brother. After settling in Houston part of the way through high school, she graduated from St. Agnes Academy before heading to Texas A&M University (whoop!) to study geographic information systems.
Isabelle is having a blast immersing herself in the Archway community and working with her students in the lab. She is extremely passionate about the growth, accountability, and recovery Archway stands for and she works hard to embody it by reflecting on the positive changes she can make simultaneously within herself. Supporting and transforming each other while still focusing on building a strong academic foundation is what she sees that makes Archway special, and Isabelle counts the Archway students on her gratitude list every morning while drinking her coffee. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting, and volunteering with the Red Cross.
Staff
Sasha Coles, LMFT, LPC
Executive Director
Sasha Coles, LMFT, LPC
Executive Director
Sasha came to Archway Academy in 2008 and is the executive director, as well as a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a native Houstonian and stayed close to home for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, obtaining both from the University of Houston. Prior to joining us at Archway, Sasha was the director of the high road at The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston where she ran the Alternative Peer Group and Intensive Outpatient Program, and she also served as the board chair for the National Association of Recovery School for six years.
Sasha and Archway Academy recently featured in the independent documentary film “GENERATION FOUND” by filmmaker Greg Williams, and she has also participated in several other documentaries as well as both local and national news stories. She is a highly sought-after presenter and speaks nationwide about addiction, recovery schools, teen development, organizational safety, failure to launch, and media influences on youth.
Hailey Clay
Recovery Coach
Hailey Clay
Recovery Coach
Hailey has the unique position of being both an Archway Academy alumna and a staff member, having reunited with the Archway family in 2021 as a recovery coach. She is a licensed chemical dependency counselor whose passion is working with adolescents struggling with substance use disorder, and she is currently working toward her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Houston Downtown. Prior to coming back to Archway, Hailey worked as a youth group coordinator for an Alternative Peer Group as well as a counselor in a residential treatment facility.
Archway Academy holds a special place in Hailey’s heart as it was a symbol of hope and a second chance for her, and she feels like it provides the same comfort to many teens who need it.
Micah Culverhouse
Recovery Specialist at The PaRC Campus
Micah Culverhouse
Recovery Specialist at The PaRC Campus
Micah joined the Archway Academy staff in 2022 and is an alumni of the school, having graduated in 2017. After graduation, he spent four months in India trekking the Himalayas and taking leadership courses with NOLS, a nonprofit global wilderness school, and then returned to Utah where he became an assistant group lead at Elements Wilderness, where he attended as a student in 2015. Once completing Elements, Micah moved to Portland where he helped start an Alternative Peer Group that services under-represented communities in the area; after spending time there as the lead peer support specialist, he relocated to Salt Lake City and decided to attend the University of Utah studying software engineering.
As a person in recovery, he is thrilled to have returned to Archway to be able to support and give back to the community that helped guide him through a crucial period in his life. In his spare time Micah enjoys reading, spending time with his dog Birdie, and writing code for a video game he’s developing.
Jamie Edwards, MA
Director of Community Relations
Jamie Edwards, MA
Director of Community Relations
Jamie joined Archway’s staff as the director of community relations in 2018. Prior to that, she spent 21 years in secondary education, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from McNeese State University as well as a Master of Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is also a certified family recovery coach (NCFRC). Jamie thrives on using her experience in education to speak on behalf of families and believes education is a powerful component of decreasing the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorder.
She currently serves as part of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Houston Recovery Initiative, serves as both the chair of the Family Recovery Committee and secretary for the Adolescent Committee for the Houston Recovering Oriented System of Care (ROSC), and is the co-chair of the Members Committee for the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) Houston chapter. Jamie has previously worked with both state and local officials to advocate for legislation that would increase addiction and peer support services in the state of Texas, and has testified before the state’s House Judiciary Committee.
Jamie firmly believes that the family is an integral and important part of the recovery process, and sees the benefits daily of the work Archway Academy staff puts into the family system as a whole—one of the many reasons she believes so strongly in the school’s mission.
Brooke Hudson
Senior Development Consultant
Brooke Hudson
Senior Development Consultant
Jamol Matthews, SHRM-CP
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Jamol Matthews, SHRM-CP
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Jamol came to Archway Academy in 2020 as our director of finance and human resources. He originally hails from Louisiana and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, as well as a certification in human resources.
Jamol is also passionate about his faith, family, friends, and good food, especially pasta and brownies. He has a true passion for helping others and loves the fact that Archway provides daily check-ins for all students, as well as the incomparable love and support that the school provides and the dynamic group he works with.
John Moring, CFRE
Director of Advancement
John Moring, CFRE
Director of Advancement
John joined the staff at Archway Academy in mid-2022 after spending the prior decade as the director of development at The Westview School as well as a stint on the development staff at the Houston Food Bank. He and his family have lived in the Houston area since 2008.
John had already been on his way to knowing and loving Archway through its social media presence and the “A Way Through” podcast, but was completely sold when he toured the school with Executive Director Sasha Coles and saw in person how in tune the staff is with our amazing students.
Obadiah Pendleton, PRSS, RSPS
Recovery Coach
Obadiah Pendleton, PRSS, RSPS
Recovery Coach
Obadiah came to Archway Academy in 2022 as his first foray into the recovery support field, his 40-year career previously being in the sales and marketing industry with a stint as the former CEO of Diaspora Marketing Group. He is a native Houstonian who attended Alief Hastings High School and is a fierce advocate for change and growth with a special interest in the urban and underserved communities in the Houston inner city areas. Obadiah has volunteered at the St. John’s United Methodist Church downtown Bread of Life homeless project for nearly 30 years as well as the Houston Food Bank. In addition, he has worked with the Center for Recovery, Wellness Resource Center, and in recovery support at the Cheyenne Center, and he has brought support groups such as anger management and trauma-informed care to the Sunnyside Multi-service Center, which provides care and support to the Southeast Houston community.
Obadiah chose to be a part of the Archway family for its longevity and consistency with supporting kids on their many different pathways to recovery.
Cryslin Ward, LCDCI
Enrollment Coordinator/Recovery Coach
Cryslin Ward, LCDCI
Enrollment Coordinator/Recovery Coach
Cryslin started at Archway Academy in 2014 and has been in the recovery field since 2009. Her first job in the recovery field was at an adult residential facility called The Right Step, but she decided she wanted to gain experience working with adolescents and made the move to work at Palmer Drug Abuse Program. She fell in love working with teens and called a friend who worked at Archway to see if there were any openings—and the rest is history. Cryslin was born and raised in Houston, graduated from Cypress Falls High School in 2007, received her Associate of Science degree at Lone Star College, and then attended the Institute of Chemical Dependency School for her LCDC license.
Working with adolescents who are in recovery is a passion for Cryslin. As someone who attended a public high school and felt that she didn’t have anyone to talk to when she was struggling, she knows that what Archway stands for is.
Andrew Warren, LPC-A, LCDC
Admissions and Navigation Specialist
Andrew Warren, LPC-A, LCDC
Admissions and Navigation Specialist
Andrew became an alumnus of Archway Academy in 2010 and he joined the staff in 2013, working in various capacities before becoming our admissions and navigation specialist. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Tech University as well as a Master of Science in Clinical Health Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. His journey with Archway began during adolescence while seeking treatment for a substance use disorder in 2008, and his family was introduced to several amazing resources available to teens struggling with addiction in Houston, including Archway. He enrolled shortly before his 18th birthday.
Throughout his undergraduate career, Andrew stayed in touch with the staff at the school and was elated when they approached him about joining the team after his college graduation. He has never stopped believing in the Archway Academy mission, and he is thrilled to be a part of living out that mission every single day as a member of our team.
Board of Directors
Jeanine Baker
Dr. Elin Berg
Chase Bice
Emilie Booth
Jennifer Burdette
Dale Burrus
Vice President
Joan Dunlap
Michelle Fredricks
Anthony Fry
President
Tracey Gerl
James Clifton Gillock IV
Secretary