“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Jayme Bynum Co-Founder and Head of School
Jayme has a background in History and Political Science from East Carolina University. After working in the legal field Jayme began to pursue a higher passion in competitive dog training, and attended the world renowned Starmark Dog Training Academy in Hutto, Texas. Through the Academy she became a Certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist. Once hired on as a trainer upon graduation, Jayme had the privilege to be the on set dog trainer for major motion films that came through the Academy. Always the entrepreneur, Jayme is the Co-Founder of Dog School Austin LLC in Austin, TX.
Having lived in seven different states during her school years, Jayme experienced a wide array of academic models, including homeschooling. She now has four children of her own, who have inspired her mission to find the best schooling method out there, that will prepare each of them for their futures. The Acton Academy model has made this pursuit a reality and she wants nothing more than to share this vision and help bring education to the 21st century. In 2014 Jayme co-founded, Acton Academy West Austin, along with her husband Joey, where she is the Head of School. At Acton Academy West Austin Jayme plans to inspire children and parents to find their calling and change the world.
Joey Bynum Co-Founder
Joey was born and raised in Austin, TX. While working towards his Mechanical Engineering degree, Joey balanced academics and his love for competitive rowing for Texas Crew. He went on to become a head coach for Texas Crew. Joey then worked for several years in the oil and gas business, in Houston, TX. He was then offered an opportunity to take an engineering job in Bucharest, Romania. After almost four years overseas with his wife and children, he was ready to make a change and expand his education. He was accepted at the Acton School of Business and made the move back to Austin with his family to complete his degree.
While receiving his MBA at Acton he had first hand experience with the students at the Acton Academy, and was more than impressed with what he saw. Joey knew then that the Acton model was the place for his own four children. With his love for coaching and the Socratic method he was inspired along with his wife Jayme, to open their own Acton Academy in 2014 and create an environment where children are free to find their own callings and change the world. Joey is the head of curriculum as well as the middle and high school Guide at Acton Academy West Austin. Feel free to read more about Joey on Linkedin.
The Bynum Family
As a couple Joey and Jayme have always been known to take the road less traveled. In 2009 they moved overseas to Bucharest, Romania with their six month old son. As a family they were able to travel to almost every country in Europe, over their four years living abroad. As a family of four they ran the Bucharest half marathon. They have competed together in the 100 mile Colorado river race. They completed their goal of traveling together to all 50 states (48 of them by road-trip)! Joey and Jayme have always been a team that seeks purpose, fulfillment and adventure, while being dedicated to living a life of meaning. As a family they founded Acton Academy West Austin in 2014, not only for their own four children but for as many families as they can serve.
Meet Our Guides
Joey Bynum - Middle and High School Guide
While receiving his MBA at Acton he had first hand experience with the students at the Acton Academy, and was more than impressed with what he saw. Joey knew then that the Acton model was the place for his own four children. With his love for coaching and the Socratic method he was inspired along with his wife Jayme, to open their own Acton Academy in 2014 and create an environment where children are free to find their own callings and change the world. Joey has been the head of curriculum as well as the middle and high school Guide at Acton Academy West Austin. Feel free to read more about Joey on Linkedin.
Tyler Santiago - Middle and High School Guide
Tyler is from the small town of Nacogdoches, Texas where he grew up, and continues to be very active. He has yet to find a sporting activity he doesn't like, and has a particular passion for soccer, however there is nothing he loves more than spending time with his family and loved ones. He moved to San Antonio to attend the University of the Incarnate Word, and after graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 2012, he moved to Austin where he worked with a youth soccer organization for 10 years prior to joining Acton Academy West, and is excited to be part of such a positive and innovative, environment.
Catherine Walsh- Elementary Guide
Catherine was raised in a small town in Illinois where she spent most of her childhood playing outside. She moved to Austin, Texas for a change of pace and due to her sister having moved here 5 years previously. While in Austin, she began coaching children in rock climbing and gymnastics. She found a passion for working with and teaching children. She went back to school while in Texas and finished her Bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in biology from Texas State University. Catherine’s long term goals involve working with children in a psychological setting, and she really identifies with the Acton model of learning. She has been able to continue working within this passion as a Spark Guide at Acton Academy West for a year. She is now enjoying the role of a full time guide in the elementary studio. Catherine enjoys spending time outdoors, rock climbing, yoga, cooking, and reading.
Maya Landers - Elementary Guide
Maya Landers grew up in Austin, though she did explore after her high school years by moving to Nanjing, China, where she taught English at a Chinese kindergarten. When she returned to Texas, she pursued her love of experiential education by working with Austin-based nonprofits, such as Austin Bat Cave, the Colorado River Alliance, and Creative Action. She found a home at Acton Academy West Spark before returning full time to continue with her BA in English at University of Texas. She looks forward to returning to Acton West as an Elementary Guide where she knows she will be back in her natural element as a Socratic guide.
Sara Esposito - Elementary Guide (Part-Time)
Trained as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), Sara Esposito was born and raised in southeastern Wisconsin. She completed her undergraduate education at the University Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology at Texas State University. After her schooling, she spent six years conducting psychoeducational assessments and providing therapeutic services for surrounding Austin area public school districts.
In 2015, she transitioned from assessment in the public schools to guiding mixed-aged students for Acton Academy West. During her previous time at Acton West, from 2015-2019, Sara enjoyed being a Socratic Guide and watching her students learn and grow their knowledge, creativity and curiosity. In 2019, she stepped away to embrace motherhood with the birth of her son. Currently, in addition to working at Acton Academy West, she delivers tailored coaching services for students and parents, helping them unlock their true potential and achieve their goals. Sara is excited to rejoin Acton Academy West and looks forward to being a part of the community!
Callie Keyzer - Spark Guide
Callie Keyzer grew up in New Jersey and moved to Texas in 2022. Before moving, she worked in behavioral special education for several years before moving to Texas. Callie currently goes to college to pursue degrees in History and Education. She joined the Acton West team because she loved the freedom the children are given to explore and nurture their own needs rather than traditional “one fits all” experience. Callie finds that helping children foster their own interests creates a happy and healthy environment, where both the students and guides are constantly learning from each other. In her spare time Callie enjoys spending time outdoors and with her pets!
A Note from Us
Founding Acton Academy West Austin is our calling. We are so fortunate to be on this hero’s journey with other extraordinary heroes and their families, in this wonderful community we have built together. We invite you to explore Acton and we look forward to getting to know you and your family along the way.
We are modeling Acton Academy West Austin after the original Acton Academy that was founded here in Austin, Texas. Jeff and Laura Sandefer have inspired us in every way and we are thankful for their expertise over the years and ongoing mentorship. We invite you to learn more about them below.
Laura Sandefer Co-Founder and Head of School
Raised by a science teacher and minister, Laura lived on both coasts and in between as a child, then landed at Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science.
After working in London and New York City in the aviation insurance business, Laura yearned to follow her heart into the world of teaching. She went back to Vanderbilt's renowned Peabody College and received her Master of Education. This led her to work in arts education at the Oklahoma Arts Institute. Laura later married Jeff Sandefer and has two sons and a step-daughter. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.
Her greatest hero is her beloved late mother who was a Master Teacher as none other. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: "Be curious."
Jeff Sandefer Co-Founder and Middle School Lead Guide
Jeff Sandefer is an entrepreneur and a Socratic teacher.
As an entrepreneur, he began by starting his first company at age 16 and most recently sold Sandefer Capital: an energy investment firm with several billion dollars in assets.
As a teacher, he co-founded the Acton School of Business, a school dedicated to America’s next generation of principled entrepreneurs and famous for its 100-hour work weeks. The Princeton Review has consistently ranked Acton’s teachers, students and program among the best in the country. While at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students voted him the school’s Most Outstanding Teacher for a total of five times, and he was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.
Jeff has been a longtime board member of National Review magazine, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the Philanthropy Roundtable and the Harvard Business School and is one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.