About Us
Whatchamafeelit was created by the same classroom teachers who create learning and enrichment activities for the Andy Roddick Foundation’s nationally award-winning Summer Learning Program.
“We want to ensure families are able to navigate each aspect of education, from academics to emotional expression, and our hope is that Whatchamafeelit builds a foundation for students to do well in and out of the classroom.”
— Andy Roddick Foundation Chief Programs Officer Mary Riggs
Our Curriculum Team
Jenny McClure
Jenny McClure began her career as an elementary school teacher where she was passionate about finding creative ways to make learning fun for her students. She soon learned the importance of building relationships first and foremost. During her 11 years in education, she was introduced to social and emotional learning (SEL) through the district's use of the Second Step curriculum. She soon realized how necessary these skills were and placed emphasis on teaching and embedding those skills into the classroom each day. She now shares her passion and expertise in SEL by training and coaching after school and summer program professionals to bring SEL strategies, best practices, and explicit lessons into their programs. Ms. McClure holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin.
Brigid Mejia
Brigid Mejia began her career as an elementary teacher but quickly found her passion in after school and summer enrichment programs. During her 15 years in youth education and development, she directly experienced the importance of supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) in both youth and their families and made that the cornerstone of her work developing programming for children and families at the Andy Roddick Foundation. Ms. Mejia earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in sociology from California State University Long Beach and her Masters of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Bilingual and Bicultural Education from Texas State University
Jennie Nelson
Jennie Nelson began her career as a family literacy instructor focused on adult English as a Second Language programming, where she fostered educational experiences between parents and children. She then transitioned an elementary teacher, where she spent 8 years providing education and social and emotional support for children. Ms. Nelson brings her passion for education and supporting the holistic development of children to the Andy Roddick Foundation where she oversees child and family programming. Ms. Nelson is fluent in English and Spanish and earned a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Spanish from Kansas State University.
Erikah Padilla
Erikah Padilla’s career in youth development began as an undergrad as she served as a youth mentor in summer recreation and after school programming. After graduate school, she began her career in early childhood education as an owner and teacher of a preschool program. She then transitioned to teaching in an elementary classroom, where she spent 5 years developing children’s academic and social and emotional learning skills. She brings her passion for holistic child development to the Andy Roddick Foundation where she oversees child and family programming. Ms. Padilla is fluent in English and Spanish and earned a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona and a Master of Art in Education with a specialization in Culturally Responsive Instruction from Ashford University.
Mary Riggs
Mary Riggs started working in youth development as a youth herself – developing programs for younger children and serving as a summer camp counselor. For the past 20 years, she has designed, implemented, and evaluated programs focused on supporting children’s development including afterschool and summer programs for elementary children focused on social and emotional development, early childhood education, family programming, and mental health support programs. Ms. Riggs earned both her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology, with an emphasis on child development, and Masters of Social Work (MSW), with a focus on children and youth, from the University of Michigan and her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Boston University.
“When I picked up a tennis racket at age nine, it built my self-esteem and gave me a sense of self-worth because I could do something well.”
— Former ATP World No. 1 and Founder and Chair Andy Roddick
Contact ARF.
The Andy Roddick Foundation works with our community to expand opportunities for young people to learn, thrive and succeed. We envision a world where all young people have endless opportunities to discover and achieve their potential.
inquiry@arfoundation.org
(512) 298-1960
8509 FM 969, Building 509
Austin, TX 787824