Dr. Chris Royael
Head of Schools
Dr. Chris Royael has been in educational leadership and pastoral ministry for over 30 years. He has served as a Dean in student life and development for 12 years at Oral Roberts University, as an upper school principal and superintendent for 15 years, and in an executive pastoral role for 14 years in South Texas. Since 2020, he has served as the Director of Church Ministries and Support at Cornerstone Church.
Dr. Chris is a former ICAA Accreditation Commissioner, Accreditation External Review chairperson, and was named the ORUef 2015 Christian School Administrator of the Year. An ordained minister, Dr. Chris speaks regularly and conducts workshops on leadership, ministry, and school culture. As an adjunct professor in the Grad school of Education at ORU, he trains future principals and educational leaders.
Dr. Chris & his wife, Amy, have three beautiful girls—two in college and the youngest will be a freshman at CCS.
Dr. Royael earned his B.A. in Biblical Literature New Testament, his M. Div., and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
Peter Barnes
Director of Academic and Administrative Operations
Peter Barnes has served students and families in Christian schools for over 30 years. He holds Bachelor’s and Master's degrees from Louisiana State University in Music & Fine Arts with advanced graduate studies in Foreign Language and Educational Leadership.
Mr. Barnes taught high school French, Bible, Speech & Theater and Music for sixteen years at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. He transitioned into school leadership in 2002 and has since served in numerous capacities including Assistant Principal, High School Principal and Headmaster. He has served as an officer in numerous professional organizations including the Southeast Louisiana Rally Association, the Baton Rouge Area Officials’ Association, and as President of the Louisiana Association of Independent Schools. During his 7 years at CCS, he has served as Elementary Principal, Fine Arts Director and Assistant Superintendent.
Mr. Barnes loves serving students, faculty, and families at CCS. He believes in using the tools of education to help others build an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Darrell Pankratz
High School Principal
Darrell Pankratz has over fourteen years in education and leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration.
Mr. Pankratz believes that education is a calling and a mission. He has served in a variety of teaching and administrative positions both in Texas and Virginia. During his time as a teacher, he taught advanced science courses and sponsored multiple student organizations. After eight years in the classroom, he transitioned to district and school leadership and has served in numerous roles including District Science Specialist, Assistant Principal, and Associate Principal. He has also served as a committee member on various organizations which include College Board and Virginia Science and Engineering Fairs.
Mr. Pankratz is excited to be a part of CCS and is looking forward to serving all our Warrior families.
Jason Driver
High School Assistant Principal
Jason has 13 years of experience in education and ministry. He has served ten years in education in various roles as a teacher, varsity baseball coach, athletic director, and dean of students while serving three years as a youth pastor and young adult internship director. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. He holds teaching certificates with the Texas Education Agency and Association of Christian Schools International. Additionally, he has received a Certificate of Ordination as a Minister and was awarded a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School.
Jason is honored and excited that God has called his family to San Antonio to serve the students, faculty, and parents at Cornerstone Christian Schools. Go Warriors!
Nidia Webber
Middle School Principal
Mrs. Webber has served in both public and Christian school education for 24 years. She has taught Spanish and Leadership Skills Development at both the middle and high school level, served as the Director of Student Life, and was also an assistant principal. She has a BA in Sociology, an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, and an MEd in Educational Leadership.
Nidia is very excited to be joining CCS and can't wait to see all the great things God has planned for our faculty, staff, and students this year!
Dr. Jaime Villarreal
Middle School Assistant Principal
Dr. V has been in education for 28 years as a high school mathematics teacher and recently as a secondary administrator. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, a master’s degree in educational technology, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership. His certifications include Secondary Mathematics and Master Technology Teacher. Dr. V received his Pastoral License through the Missionary Church Organization in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was involved in ministry for 16 years as a youth pastor and associate pastor.
Dr. V is excited to be a servant leader at Cornerstone Christian Schools dedicated to the preparation of Cornerstone Warriors whose lives will impact the world through the application of God’s Word and sharing the Gospel to all.
Erika Pruneda
Elementary School Principal
Erika Pruneda has 22 years of experience in the education profession. She is a native San Antonian and received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Pruneda holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and has served as a Pre-K, 1st, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teacher. During her time as a teacher, Ms. Pruneda pursued a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership and transitioned into school leadership in 2007. She has served in various school leadership roles including Administrative Intern, Vice Principal and Principal.
As an educator, Ms. Pruneda’s commitment to all students, parents and staff is to provide a biblically based, safe, fun, highly engaging learning environment that allows all students to learn at high levels. Additionally, she is committed to enriching students' school experiences with extracurricular activities that allow all students to become overall well-rounded citizens. It is her hope that our precious elementary Warriors will make long lasting memories, during their time here, that they will cherish for a lifetime.
Rebecca Jones
Elementary Assistant Principal of Academics
Mrs. Jones embodies servant leadership with a heart for students to grow, explore, create and take their learning to a higher level. She is a graduate of Longwood College in Farmville, Virginia with a BS in Psychology, and a MS in Special Education. She has been an educator in both the public and private sector and has twenty-five years of educational experience. She believes in differentiated instruction, providing each student with exactly what is needed to excel.
Andrea Freeman
Elementary Assistant Principal of Discipline
Mrs. Freeman has been in education for 14 years. She graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a bachelor's degree in Education and is in pursuit of a master's degree in Educational Leadership. In Mrs. Freeman's educational experience, she has taught various grades and subjects in elementary and secondary classrooms. She has also served in leadership roles of grade level chair, team lead, and athletic coordinator.
Mrs. Freeman is passionate about educating and fostering the whole child while also guiding them to exude a Christ-like character. She steps into this role with the excitement of being charged to help disciple the spiritual growth of children through Godly behaviors and interactions. Mrs. Freeman feels that CCS provides the ultimate learning and life experiences for each individual student and their families.
Will Stansell
Head of Football Operations
In January of 2021, Will Stansell was named to serve as the Athletic Director for Cornerstone Christian Schools. He has over 15 years of coaching and educational leadership at both the high school and collegiate level.
A native of Rome, Ga., he graduated high school from Armuchee High School where he played quarterback and defensive back for the Indians football team and ran track. Will played quarterback and Special Teams under Jack Crowe at Jacksonville State University and later graduated from the University of West Georgia with a degree in English. He holds two master’s degrees from Jacksonville State University: English and Sports Management.
AD Stansell is proud to be a part of the Warrior team and believes every second of the time allotted to our coaches and faculty should be filled with Christ-centered, meaningful and engaging moments geared toward the development of the whole child. He and his wife Bri’Anne have three children, Chief (6), Lola (4) and Tennyson (2).
Steve Angell
Assistant Athletic Director
Coach Steve Angell, his wife, Traci, and their children, Hannah, Sarah, Leah, and Joshua moved to San Antonio in 2019 to join the Cornerstone Christian Schools team. Currently, Coach Angell is working with athletes in high school football, middle school football, and high school basketball.
Coach Angell has been coaching youth and high school sports for over 25 years at all age levels and in multiple sports. His teams have demonstrated continual success on the field and on the court, winning championships while preparing athletes for their next steps in life. “Being a positive influence on kids and making an impact in their lives is what coaching is all about.”
In addition to coaching, Coach Angell has been in full-time pastoral ministry for over 25 years. His life verse is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has provided numerous opportunities for Coach Angell to share the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. Andrea Wagner
Assistant Athletic Director
Andrea Wagner was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and has joined the CCS family as an Assistant Athletic Director overseeing communications and sport information, as well as the Head Girls Cross Country and Track coach. In her first year at CCS, the Cross-Country team won its first State Championship title, and the Track team won its second State Championship title.
In 2002, Coach Wagner began running marathons and has completed 52 marathons since then. She emerged as an elite marathon runner in 2014 when she won the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon. She then went on to qualify for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials by running a personal best of 2:41:05 at the 2014 Chicago Marathon, finishing in the top 20 women. She previously worked as a program manager for Girls on The Run teaching young girls the importance of self-confidence and physical fitness and has also been a private running coach for all distances.
Andrea holds an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications and Journalism from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University, as well as her Doctorate Degree in Communication Studies and Sport Management from the University of Alabama.
Cynthia Hughes
Director of Admissions
Cynthia Hughes, with two decades of experience in marketing, community relations, public affairs, and communications, is excited to serve as Director of Admissions. Her knowledge and passion for CCS is felt by everyone she encounters. She believes in the importance of breaking down the admissions process into manageable steps and is excited to provide expert guidance and structure throughout the process.
Cynthia is a native of El Paso, Texas and speaks fluent Spanish as a second language. Along with her uncompromising commitment to God, Cynthia enjoys spending quality time with her family, being active in the community and serving through opportunities in the church family.
Gabriela Rodriguez
Director of Extended Care
Gabriela Rodriguez has been a member of Cornerstone Church for over 15 years. She previously served in our Early Childhood Ministry and for the past 5 years has had the privilege of serving as Director of Extended Care. Gabriela and her husband, Jacobo have 4 children, Joaquin Daniel, Maximiliano, Mateo Nicholas, and Benjamin. She enjoys spending quality time making memories with her family. Gabriela is committed to providing fun and engaging activities for students during the after-school program.
Amy Royael
Director of Academic Advisement
Over the past 25 years Amy has served in a variety of roles and responsibilities at 6 different Christian schools in both Texas and Oklahoma. She has worked as a teacher, curriculum director, accreditation officer, academic principal, principal, and the last 9 years as an academic counselor. Amy provided instructional and administrative guidance as a team member on ICAA and Cognia Accreditation review visits for over 15 years, reviewing a variety of schools all over the nation. With a heart for continuous improvement and excellence, Amy successfully led the Self-Assessment process for four re-evaluation ICAA and Cognia accreditation visits within a 14-year time period at her respective schools. Her desire is that each student will realize their worth in God’s eyes, discover their unique God-given gifts and talents, and follow Him in their chosen path after CCS all for the glory of God.
Amy earned her B.S. in Education and M.A. in School Administration at Oral Roberts University while serving in student leadership and summer missions. Her husband and three precious girls are the joy of her life.
Leesa Jones
Director of Student Life
Leesa has 19 years' experience in marketing and 13 years in education. She received a Bachelor’s in Marketing and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Franklin University.
Leesa started at CCS in admissions and has worked the past 4 years in secondary. She planned the last 4 Senior class graduations and was instrumental in organizing and creating many of the secondary events. Leesa is excited to work with the high school students to build the culture of the school with fun, student-driven, Christ-centered events.
Leesa has 2 children both graduates of Cornerstone Christian School.
Kendal Hagee
Director of Health Services
Kendal Hagee has been a Registered Nurse for 22 years and has served in a multitude of places in the medical field and in ministry. As the Director of GEI Health Services, she leads a team of qualified Healthcare Professionals across all of our campuses including CCS.
Kendal is a graduate of The University of the Incarnate Word where she earned a BSN in nursing with honors. She is a mother of 4 CCS students, and the wife of Matthew Hagee - Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church.