Heritage Elementary School

Hi Heritage families! If you are looking for something fun and close to home, this is a great opportunity!

🏖️ Come have fun with Coach Hernandez on this last session of P.E. Summer Camp at North Riverside! Open to all children in Keller and surrounding communities!

Welcome to The Pride, Paul Licciardi! 🐾🎊
_________________

Hello, Heritage Panthers! I’m Mr. Paul Licciardi. I’ve been teaching music for nearly two decades now, and while the stages and classrooms have changed, my passion for helping students find their "voice" has only grown stronger.

My Musical Journey
Before I traded the subway for the highway, I spent 13 years serving as a Band Director in the NYC Department of Education. My academic foundation started with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, which eventually led me to earn a Master’s degree in Music History. That love for history isn't just academic - it’s a huge part of who I am!

Beyond the classroom, I’ve been lucky enough to take my music on the road. I’ve performed with various bands and orchestras across New York City, London, England and even through Japan. These international experiences taught me that music truly is a universal language, and I bring that global perspective into every lesson I teach.

From the Big Apple to the Lone Star State
In 2022, my family and I decided it was time for a new adventure, so we packed up and moved to the DFW metroplex. Since arriving, I’ve spent the last 4 years teaching in FWISD, and I am excited to start my Keller ISD journey.

When you walk into my classroom, you’ll quickly notice my three favorite words: Focused, Formative, and Fun.
I believe that music education should be rigorous and meaningful, but if we aren't having a blast while doing it, we’re doing it wrong!

Life Off the Podium
I’ve been married to my wife for 19 years, and together we have four amazing children ranging from 2 to 17 years old. Yes, you read that right - I’m currently navigating everything from toddler tantrums to teenage driving lessons!

Sports, Spices, and Soccer
I am a die-hard Yankee fan (don't hold it against me, Rangers fans!) and a passionate follower of Serie A soccer. If you hear someone shouting "Forza Napoli!" on a weekend morning, it’s probably me cheering on the Azzurri (Blues).

I absolutely love cooking - it’s another way I get to be creative. I’m always trying new recipes especially Tex-Mex, though being of Italian descent, I’ll admit I have a soft spot for the Italian classics. There’s nothing better than a Sunday afternoon filled with the smell of a simmering sauce and a game on the TV.

I’m so excited to continue sharing my love of music with the Heritage Panthers’ community. Whether we’re performing Tika-Tika patterns on rhythm sticks or perfecting chord progressions on the ukulele, I promise it’ll be an experience to remember!

Welcome to The Pride, Sonja McCormick! 🐾🎊
_____________________

I have been teaching for four years in the local area, those grade levels being Pre-kindergarten, and First grade. I love reading books and also enjoy traveling to explore new places such as Puerto Vallarta and Montreal. Previously I worked for court services in San Antonio and in Fort Worth. My alma mater is the University of Delaware. I hope to instill a zeal for reading in my students, and am excited to teach and motivate our young scholars as they enter Kindergarten.

Welcome to The Pride, Marisa Espinoza! 🐾🎊
____________________

Howdy everyone!
My name is Marisa Espinoza, and I am excited to be joining the team at Heritage this year. I have a passion for working with children and helping students grow both academically and personally. This is my 2nd year as a teacher, but I’ve been working with children for about 8 years now. I am looking forward to building positive relationships with students, families, and staff while creating a fun and engaging learning environment. Outside of work, I enjoy taking care of my houseplants, leisure shopping, and I love spending time with my boyfriend and our 2 year old son. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this school community and can’t wait for a wonderful year together! 💛

Welcome to The Pride, Allison Recio! 🐾🎊
_______________________

Hello, my name is Allison Recio, and I am excited to join the 1st grade team! This coming year will be my 9th year teaching. I have previously taught pre-k, kindergarten, and special education k-4. I am originally from upstate New York and moved to Texas in 2021. Outside of school, I enjoy reading and being outdoors, camping, hiking, and fishing. This past April, my husband and I welcomed our first baby, Weston! Becoming a parent has made me even more passionate about supporting young learners as they grow both inside and outside of the classroom. I am looking forward to a great year at HES!

Welcome to The Pride, Ashley Callis! 🐾🎊
___________________

Hello! My name is Ashley Callis, and I am so excited to be joining the Heritage Elementary family! This will be my 12th year teaching. I have taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd. All my years have been in Keller ISD at Basswood Elementary. I love teaching Kindergarten! In my free time, I love to travel. My favorite place to be is the beach.

We are so proud of our HES Alum on their upcoming graduation! 🐾💛🎓

Last Friday, HES got to learn about so many different jobs during our annual Career Day! Thank you to all who volunteered to share about their careers and made a lasting impact on our students 🐾💛

Come join us in celebrating Kim Kirkpatrick in the her upcoming retirement this week! 🩵✨

Join us for the Summer Send Off! Dinner provided by Grace Church.