Our story

Alchemy’s genesis springs from tireless nights and early mornings dedicated to learning and growing as educators through listening to students and families and nerding out over pedagogy. We are a founding team of eight with diverse experiences and expertise and we have been dreaming up Alchemy Studios & Labs since 2020.

Meet the Founding Team

Suzette Avila

  • Suzette Avila is a native Houstonian and University of Houston student, majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She has interned at BakerRipley working in operations, technology and logistics before using her bilingual expertise as part of the Reading Intervention team. Suzette has expertise navigating the public charter, ISD, and private high school contexts in Houston as a former student and advocate for her family. She leads in communicating with patience, empathy, and an open mind in communicating with students and families in hopes of bridging the gap between home and school.

Kate Moss

  • Kate Moss is a veteran educator, Montessori enthusiast, and creative maker who brings a passion for coherence and adult learning experiences to Alchemy Studios & Labs. Kate is an alumni of the University of Alabama and Teach For America and holds a  Masters in Education with a Montessori specialization from Xavier University. Kate currently coaches school and district leaders across the state in implementing high-quality Instructional materials in ELAR. Kate will transition full time to the Alchemy team in the summer of 2025. In her free time, Kate enjoys sewing garments, exploring new topics through podcasts and books, and spending time with her husband and pets.

Kevin Chavez

  • Kevin Chavez brings a recent marketing degree from the University of Texas at Austin, along with experience from an internship at the TFA Institute. Adept at building connections, managing projects and translating between English and Spanish, he boasts experience in content creation, sales operations, and administrative support. A technology enthusiast and team player, Kevin thrives in collaborative environments, ensuring clear communication and data management. His passion lies in creating impactful content and fostering strong relationships.

Anthony Nguyen

  • Anthony is an award-winning, passionate educator with 10+ years of experience in instruction, coaching, curriculum development, and blended learning implementation. His passion is supporting leaders and educators in deepening their content knowledge to provide quality instruction and to cultivate a love of math.

David Lopez

  • David Lopez is an experienced educator, school administrator, and operations leader with over eight years of experience in K-12 education. Beginning his career as an English teacher, David has a deep passion for creating student-centered learning environments. As an administrator and director of operations, he has successfully led innovative programs, ensuring the smooth running of schools while fostering high-quality educational experiences. His leadership extends into the community, where he co-founded Somos Spring Branch, a nonprofit focused on advancing equity and empowering Latino families. At Alchemy Studios and Labs, David blends his expertise in education, school operations, and community engagement to create a transformative learning space that promotes creativity, equity, and lifelong learning.

Nicholas Mendoza

  • Nicholas is a creative, innovative, & award-winning educator who brings a passion for fostering a love of learning to Alchemy Studios & Labs. Nicholas is an alumni of Arizona State University and Teach For America Houston and he is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Rice University. Nicholas has been designing Alchemy Studios and Labs since 2022 and before that he coached teachers and school leaders. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys making music and art, watching films with Kate, and being a tourist.

Phillip Riddick

  • Philip Riddick is a Houston, TX based educator and creative who brings a passion for student experience and culture to Alchemy Studios & Labs. A native of Norfolk, Va., he earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a TFA Houston Alum. Currently, Phil serves as a campus leader and AP educator on Houston’s Southside. As a teacher leader, Phil works to empower student voices by creating opportunity, fostering connection, and centering radical empathy. His creativity and passion for expression uniquely positions him to lead the humanities work at Alchemy in the Summer of 2025. In his free time, Phil enjoys watching movies in IMAX, creating new DJ sets, and spending time with friends and family.

More about our staff…

  • School directors are all certified teachers with master’s degrees and specialized training in blended & personalized learning, Montessori education, the science of teaching & learning, and innovative math education

  • We have two national award winning teachers whose students have achieved highest data in major networks across the nation

  • Our learning partners include the Big Picture Learning Network, High Tech High, and Teacher-Powered schools