2010-2011

Administration

Laura Thompson:  Head of School

Education: BS University of Georgia, M.Ed Georgia College and State University, Ed.S. Georgia College and State University
Years Experience: 22
Years at CLA:  1
Hobbies:  Reading, walking and playing with my granddaughter

Gayle Perry:  Administrative Assistant
Education: 
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Shelley Riviello:  Business Manager
Education: AA- Pensacola Junior College, BA-University of West Florida
Degree: BA Accounting
Years at CLA: 4
Hobbies: Going to the beach, swimming, snorkeling, boating, skiing, playing volleyball, reading, watching movies and traveling

Vicky Wonders:  Director of Development
Education: Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree: BA, Marketing
Years at CLA: 1
Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, traveling, entertaining family and friends

Jesse Lucio:  Maintenance
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FACULTY

Cindy Adams: Preprimary Teacher

Education: AA Liberal Arts, Pensacola Junior College, Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Certificate
Years teaching experience: 1 as teacher
Years at CLA: 7 years (1 year as teacher, 6 years as teacher aide)
Hobbies: Photography, Scrapbooking

Kristin Ball:  Kindergarten
Education:  University of West Florida
Degree:  BS Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Years teaching experience:  34
Years at CLA:  24

Hobbies:  Entertaining, reading, traveling, gardening

Jim Benny:  Art (Preprimary - Eighth Grade)
Education: BA Graphic Design/Communications
California St. University, Chico
MFA Fine Art, New York City University, Hunter College
Years teaching experience:  17
Years at CLA: 5

Carol Courcy: Technology (Preprimary – Eighth Grade)
Education: Central Connecticut State University
Degree: BS Business Education
Years Teaching Experience: 30
Years at CLA: 20
Hobbies:  Graphic arts, cooking, working out, ball room dancing

Paulette Drasutis:  Spanish (Preprimary through Fourth Grade)
Years teaching experience:  30+
Years at CLA:  30
Hobbies:  Loves teaching, traveling and watching movies

Christina Gallant Helms (Tina):  Music (Preprimary through Eighth Grade) and After School Voice
Education: Samford University (1994- 1996), University of West Florida (1996-1998)
Degree: BA, Music
Years teaching experience: 12 years (teaching voice/piano lessons/general music)
Years at CLA: 8
Hobbies: Traveling and learning about the history and culture of those places. Singing and playing music, hanging out with friends and family, watching movies, playing board games and Wii games, and sleeping!

Melissa Hessler:  Preprimary through Fourth Grade
Education: Augsburg College and University of Minnesota
Degree: B.A. in Education
Years teaching experience: 18 years
Years at CLA: 3
Hobbies: Running, biking, boating, reading

Candy Janson:  Preprimary
Education: AA, Pensacola Junior College, BS, Florida State University Degree:  BS, Home Economics Education, Montessori Teachers Certificate-Montessori-Montessori Teacher Education Center, San Francisco Education Center, San Francisco Bay Area
Years of teaching experience:  22
Years at CLA:  21
Hobbies and special interests: Reading, searching the web for new ideas, cooking

Ruby Kilkenny:  Lower School Teacher Assistant, After Care Supervisor
Education:  Ohio University
Degree: AA – Child Development
Years of teaching experience:  28
Years at CLA: 3
Hobbies:  Cooking, reading

Maureen Lee:  First Grade
Education: Spring Hill College and University of South Alabama, classes at University of West Florida working toward  Masters Degree in Educational Leadership
Degree: BS, Elementary Education
Years teaching experience:  24
Years at CLA:  1
Hobbies: Cooking and reading

Maureen Leccese:  Middle School Spanish
Education:  East Stroudsburg University, University of Madrid
Degree:  BS in Education and Spanish K - 12
Years Teaching Exp.: 30 +
Years at CLA: 4
Hobbies:  Traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with family & friends

Dolly Lucio:  Preprimary Teacher Assistant
Years teaching experience:  2
Years at CLA:  2
Hobbies:  Decorating, cheerleading coach, camping, spending time with family, Florida Gator football fan

Art Merlan:  Middle School Physical Education
Degree:  University of West Florida (Bachelors degree 1978)
United States Sports Academy (Masters degree 1991)
Years of Teaching Experience:  27 years
Years at C.L.A.:  18 years
Hobbies:  Playing sports, gardening, and cooking

Connie Miller: First Grade
Education: Auburn University, BS Regular and Special Education, MA Special Education
Continuing Education: University of Maryland, University of Phoenix
Degree: M.A. +
Years Teaching Experience: 14 full-time and sub/tutor/teach part time for 13 years
Years at CLA: 1½ as librarian and 1½ as first grade teacher
Hobbies: FUN, travel, beach, boating, photography, crafts

Jeanna Mincy:  Second Grade
Education:  Florida State University
Degree:  Elementary Education
Years Teaching Exp.: 13
Years at CLA: 1
Hobbies:  Reading, shopping, beach and boating activities

Jennifer Mitchell:  3rd grade
Education:  University of Central Florida
Degree:  BS, Elementary Education, 1991
Years Teaching Experience: 19
Years at CLA: 14
Hobbies: Playing tennis, reading and hanging out with family at the beach

Cathy Niemeyer:  Middle School Science Teacher
Education:  University of Missisippi
Degree:  BS, Biology
Years teaching experience:  24
Years at CLA:  17
Hobbies:  Traveling, reading, cooking, spending time with my daughter, family and friends

Rita McGartland:  Middle School Language Arts
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Jennifer Russell:  Middle School Social Studies
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Dr. Dawn Sadir: Middle School Math
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Mary Springer-Alonzo:  Media Specialist (All grades)
Education:  Framingham State University
Degree:  MEd, 2003
Years teaching experience:  10 years both in the US and abroad
Years at CLA:  1
Hobbies:  Swimming, reading and traveling

Cindy Terry:  Preprimary Teacher Assistant
Education:  Teaching certificate, North American Montessori Center; Currently working on CDA at Pensacola Junior College
Years teaching experience: 15
Years at CLA:  15
Hobbies: Going to the beach, working out, reading and working in the yard

Samantha Warner:  Fourth Grade
Education: Boston College
Degree: B.A., Elementary Education and Mathematics/Computer Science, M.A., Developmental and Educational Psychology
Years Teaching Experience: 3
Years at CLA: 1
Hobbies: Running, math puzzles, reading, and taking care of her puppy