The People Who Hold This School to Its Word
Meet Our Team
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
Cecil Lopez
Founder and Head of School
Cecil Lopez founded Peak STEM Christian Academy so Fort Worth families have an empowering choice in education: a school built on the truth of God’s Word, with rigorous STEM and high academic standards.
Experience and credentials
- M.A., Education Administration and Supervision, Saint Peter’s University
- B.A., Psychology, University of the Philippines
- Texas Principal EC–12 and Texas Generalist EC–4 certifications
Raised in the Philippines by a mother of steadfast faith who raised ten children through poverty, Cecil came to faith in the Gospel at age nine (1 Corinthians 15:3–4), a foundation that has guided her life and vocation ever since.
Over more than two decades in Texas PK–12 education, Cecil served as an Instructional Lead Coach, partnering with leadership teams on more than 70 campuses to design coherent instructional systems, coach teachers and accelerate student achievement, with results that included significant STAAR gains and TEA distinctions.
Earlier, as an assistant principal in Crowley ISD, she launched the district's first PBIS initiative, which Region XI recognized as a regional model for positive school culture. At Istation, she authored the national K–5 Math Instructional Framework.
For Cecil, the mission behind Peak is personal. As a veteran educator, she saw high-stakes testing drain the wonder out of learning. The turning point came when her son, Gabriel, met a middle school teacher who wove hands-on STEM into every lesson and sent him home inspired. Today Gabriel studies Industrial Applied Mathematics and serves in prison ministry.
Peak was born from that conviction: potential is universal, but opportunity must be intentionally built. Partnering with veteran educators, a committed founding board, and leaders across Fort Worth's civic, business, and faith communities, Cecil and her team are establishing a school where academic excellence meets timeless truth to equip resilient problem-solvers rooted in Christ.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)
Cecil and her husband, Jaime, also a career educator, call Fort Worth home.
Our Board
Our board is made up of professionals in law, finance, education, and real estate who've chosen to invest their time and expertise in Peak STEM Christian Academy. They guard our mission and steward our resources faithfully, with our students always at heart.
Shirleen Galinsuga
Public Relations and Marketing
Ms. Galinsuga is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a proven record of launching and scaling successful healthcare ventures.
Christopher Chapa
Finance
Mr. Chapa is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Financial Consultant® with over 8 years of experience helping families and professionals achieve financial security.
Atty. Stacy Parada
Law and Governance
Atty. Parada is a licensed Oklahoma attorney and a graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law, currently working on obtaining her Texas license.
Atty. Norma Bazan
Law and Governance
Atty. Bazan is a board-certified legal expert and lifelong public servant with deep roots in the Fort Worth community.
Dr. Teri Conley
Educational Leadership and Governance
Dr. Conley is a veteran education leader and former campus principal with nearly 30 years of experience advancing student outcomes across public schools, nonprofits, and state-funded initiatives.
Selina Lopez
Real Estate, Facilities and Public Relations
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Ms. Lopez is a dedicated community advocate with a deep-rooted commitment to local excellence.
Lucy Vasquez
Educational Leadership and Governance
Mrs. Vasquez is a highly accomplished educational leader and governance expert with over 25 years of proven experience.