Science Department
William Beckham, the Science Department Head, is a graduate of Texas Tech. Coach Beckham started teaching Environmental Systems and IPC at Southwest in 1999.
Cotton, Kristin, a biology and chemistry teacher at Southwest, is a graduate of UTA with a BA in English (1997) and a BA in Chemistry (2001). Ms. Cotton taught at Colleyville Heritage High School before coming to Southwest in 2008. Ms. Cotton is a Member of American Mensa.
Eric Counts started teaching at Southwest HS in 1998. He began teaching while in the Air Force working as a surgical assistant. Mr. Counts completed his bachelors degree at George Mason University in Virginia and during his masters degree at TCU he taught Honors Biology Lab and researched the effects of botulinum toxin on neurotransmitter release. Currently, he teaches biology and IPC. “All my life I have had an interest in science and a curiosity for how things work.”
Jessica Estes began her teaching career here at Southwest in the fall of 2006. She graduated from TCU but also spent 2 1/2 years at the University of Miami. Ms. Estes teaches AP Environmental Science, Leadership (for student council), Honors Anatomy and Physiology, PreAP Biology and Aquatic Science. She is the advisor of the award winning student council. “I have worked with marine mammal rescue associations in Texas and I have assisted in multiple whale and dolphin strandings!” AP Environmental Science Summer Work
Nile Fischer is from Arlington, born and raised there. He is a 7th generation Texan, whose ancestors go back to 1832 in Texas. Mr. Fisher have a BS in Biology from UTArlington and attended "The University" of Texas in Austin for 2 years. He is currently working on his Masters in Biology at Texas Wesleyan. Mr. Fisher began his teaching career at Nolan Catholic High School in 1989. He has been at Southwest since 2007. “For fun, I travel, hike, ride bicycle and go camping. I spend my free time working for environmental protection of our air, land and water.”
Carolyn Johnson graduated TCU with a B.S. in Biology (and a Combined Science minor) Ms. Johnson taught Biology, Chemistry, IPC and Environmental Science along with Dance/Drill Team Director at North Side High School in Jan., 1990 – Aug., 2003. I was also the Science Dept. Chairman. She then taught Physics and Chemistry, Chemistry, and Chemistry in the Community at Mansfield High School until 2007. Ms. Johnson has been at Southwest teaching Biology and Chemistry (Regular and PreAP) since 2007. My blood bleeds purple, and I have known the TCU Fight Song and Alma Mater since I could walk. I am willing to shout the TCU cheer “Rif Ram Bah Zoo Lickety Lickety Zoo Zoo Woo Wah Wah Woo Give’em “Heck” TCU” to anyone who wants to hear it!
Kimberly Phillips
Jessica Prado graduated with a BS in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M. After 2 years conducting cellular research at UNT’s Health Science Center, she decided she’d rather see more people than microscope slides on a daily basis. She began teaching at Southwest HS in 2001 and has been a proud member of the Raider family ever since. Ms. Prado currently teaches Chemistry and the Pre-AP Biology classes for the Southwest Academy of Petroleum Engineering and Technology.
Lori Roque Lori Roque began her teaching career here at Southwest in 2008 after graduating from San Diego Christian College. Ms. Roque currently teaches Biology, Biology PreAp, and Chemistry PreAp. class webpage
Kristina Wenz started teaching Anatomy & Physiology, Biology and Honors biology at SHS in 2009. Ms. Wenz began her teaching career in FWISD in 2001 after graduating from the University of TN at Martin.
“One of my favorite things to do is to travel and take pictures of wildlife and my favorite place to travel to is the Amazon Jungle. ”
Sharla Simpkins has been our Science Lab Technician since 2009. She is a 1987 graduate of Southwest. “I have two beautiful and brilliant children, Alexis who is 13 years old and Austin who is 5 years old. Any time not spent with my wonderful children, I spend being involved at church in the Children’s Ministry and the Mass Choir.”