Teacher Biographies 
2008-2009
Orlando, Florida
Staff members with "golden hammers" are from Southwood's inaugural staff of 1997!
Kindergarten
Teachers
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Graduated From: Jamestown College, Jamestown , ND with a B.A. in Elementary Ed. Nova University MS in Early Childhood & Florida State Endorsement in Early Childhood Disabilities |
Teaching Experience: 15 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info:Married with 3 children - Andews 13, Eric 10 and Megan 7 |
Pets: Dog named Golz (she is a soccer dog) |
Something interesting about me: I love being with my family. My three children all play soccer so we are busy every weekend on the soccer field. My family are Miami Dolphin fans! Go Fins! We go to all the Dolphin home games. |
Graduated From: University of Florida (BA In Special Ed, Masters in Early Childhood) |
Teaching Experience: 4th year! |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: My husband, Kevin, and I are newlyweds. I have a younger sister who is an Assistant Dean at Cologate University. My mother resides in Deltona, FL. |
Pets: One dog - her name is Brooklyn, she is a Rottweiler/Chuhuahua mix breed. |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy going to the movies with my friends and family. I love to cheer for the Gators during football season! |
Graduated From: Baruch College, NY: Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Queens College, NY to earn a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. |
Teaching Experience: 6 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: Married to my husband Fernando for almost 15 years! Have a wonderful son, Danny (12 years old) and a delightful daughter, Eloisa (9 years old). |
Pets: Cat named Tipton (the king of the house) and a leopard gecko named Link. |
Something interesting about me: Love to drive 1200 miles to go see friends and family in New York. |
Graduated From: Florida State University |
Teaching Experience: 3 years |
Grades taught: K |
Family Info: I have been married to my wonderful and supportive husband, Scott for 3 years! I also have two step-children, Marisa and Mason. |
Pets: 1 year old Westie named Weinke (pronounced "Winky") |
Something interesting about me: I love to read great books at the beach and spend time relaxing with my family and friends! I also enjoy going to FSU football games in the Fall. |
Graduated From: UCF |
Teaching Experience: 2nd year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I have an amazing family that I love to spend time with! |
Pets: No pets but I am a dog lover. |
Something interesting about me: I love kids! |
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Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: 5 years |
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Grades taught: Kindergarten |
Family Info: I have an amazing family that I love dearly! |
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Pets:I have a small, white energetic toy poodle named Mercedes |
Something interesting about me:Teaching children has always been a dream of mine. |
1st Grade
Teachers
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Graduated From: UCF |
Teaching Experience: This is my 2nd year! |
Grades taught: 1st grade |
Family Info: I have a younger sister named Alisha. I am also in a serious relationship with my boyfriend Jason. |
Pets: None at the moment, but I want a dog in the future. |
Something interesting about me: I love surfing and mountain biking! |
Graduated From: UCF - Early Childhood Education |
Teaching Experience: 5 years |
Grades Taught: rKindergarten & 1st grade |
Family Info: I have a boy named Gavin who was 2 years old in May |
Pets:2 dogs - both rescued from the pound in Tallahassee - Indy and Garcia |
Something interesting about me:I love going to the beach, spending time with my family and friends, reading and watching football - Go Noles! |
Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: 7 years |
Grades taught: 1st and K |
Family Info: I am married and my husband's name is Mike. We just had a son named Kaiden on July 29th. My Mom and Dad teach and live in Ocala, brother Blaine works in downtown Orlando and just got married this summer! |
Pets: 2 dogs named Haley and Montana |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy going to the movies. |
Graduated From: UCLA |
Teaching Experience: 4 years |
Grades taught: 1st and 4th |
Family Info: : My family lives in California. I have a sister who lives in San Francisco and another sister who lives in Los Angeles. My parents live in Laguna Niguel. |
Pets: None...:( |
Something interesting about me: I was born and raised in Southern California. I moved to Orlando a year ago and I love it. I enjoy cooking, eating, and shopping at Target! |
Graduated From: University of Florida |
Teaching Experience: 2 years! |
Grades taught: |
Family Info:My mom and dad live in Niceville, FL where I grew up. I have an older brother who also lives in Orlando and is an engineer for Disney. |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I love Gator sports and love traveling to Gainesville to watch them whenever I can! |
Mrs. Mary Ramirez 
National Board Certified
Graduated From:Luther College in Decorah, Iowa |
Teaching Experience: 16 years |
Grades taught: 1,2 & 3 |
Family Info: I am married and my husband works as a corporate trainer for Curascript Pharmaceutical. |
Pets: Lobi a black Labrador |
Something interesting about me: I grew up in Iowa and even detasseled corn for a summer job. |
2nd Grade Teachers
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Mr. Anthony Ballone 
National Board Certified
Graduated From: Graduated from |
Teaching Experience: 11 years |
Grades taught: 3rd and 5th and 2nd |
Family Info: My parents and sister live in |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: |
Graduated From:UCF |
Teaching Experience: This is my first year! |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: My family is from NYC but now lives in Georgia. I moved to Florida a couple of years ago. |
Pets: Two wonderful cats named Choco and Nala. |
Something interesting about me: I am new to the Orlando area. My favorite hobby is skiing. |
Graduated From: University of Connecticut |
Teaching Experience: 7 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: Mom and Dad live in Orlando, older brother lives in CT, younger brother lives in PA |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I grew up in CT. I like to read, write, shop and travel. I also work in entertainment at Walt Disney World and am a huge Disney fan! |
Mrs. Carol Freelin 
National Board Certified
Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: This is my 9 th year teaching. I received my National Board Certification in 2006. |
Grades taught: 3 - 5 |
Family Info: Married to my wonderful husband, Dan. I have two children. My loving son, Danny is seven years old. My beautiful daughter Madison Marie is 4. |
Pets: : I have 2 energetic dogs, Dakota and Tinky who think they are human. I also have one not so energetic turtle, Juny. |
Something interesting about me: I love to go to the beach and being outdoors. My family enjoys going to Florida state parks. |
Graduated From: Bradley University |
Teaching Experience: 12th year |
Grades taught: 2nd and 3rd grade - I love teaching 2nd grade the best! |
Family Info: My husband Eric and I are the proud parents of Sadie Rose(age 4) and Nathaniel(age 1). My parents live in Tampa, Florida and my brother, sister-in-law, niece Sally Jeanne, and nephew Jaden live in Plymouth Meeting, PA. |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me:In my spare time I like to scrapbook, play on the computer, read stories to my children and spend time with my family. |
Graduated From: Florida State University Go Noles! |
Teaching Experience: 1st year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I got married in March to my husband Drew. I have 1 brother and 1 sister. Most of my family lives here in Orlando. |
Pets: I love pets but currently have none of my own. |
Something interesting about me: I was born in NY but raised in Orlando most of my life. I love to read, shop and go to the beach. Disney is my absolute favorite place to be. |
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Graduated From:Loyola Marymount University & Gifted Endorsed |
Teaching Experience: 23 years |
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Grades taught: Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Bilingual Crosscultural Education |
Family Info:Husband, Ralph Pesi married 23 years. Children David, 17, Janine 11 and Jonmark 9 |
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Pets: Grayson-cat |
Something interesting about me:I love sports! I enjoy taking photos and creating scrapbooks. I collect children's books. |
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Graduated From: Indiana University |
Teaching Experience: 16 years |
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Grades taught: 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 6th |
Family Info: 2 children, Matthew, 10th grade and Brian, 9th grade at FHS |
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Pets: Dogs - Buddy and Snickers |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy traveling during the summer with my boys and have been to 45 out of 50 states, Europe, Canada and Mexico. I am very patriotic. |
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Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: 6 years |
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Grades taught: 3rd |
Family Info: I have been married for 4 years to Reshard who works in business advertising at a local bank. I have a new baby girl named Amarianne! |
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Pets: |
Something interesting about me:I'm expecting my first child in March! I enjoy traveling, scrapbooking and shopping.
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Graduated From: East Stroudsburg University, PA |
Teaching Experience: 2 ½ years |
Grades taught: K, 1, 3 |
Family Info: I have been married for 3 years. My parents and younger sister live in NJ. |
Pets: none |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy reading, traveling, shopping and spending time with my family and friends. |
Graduated From: University at Buffalo (Masters) SUNY Fredonial (Undergrad) |
Teaching Experience: This is my 3rd year! |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: |
Pets: I have one dog named Oliver who is the love of my life! Mrs. Creel has his sister Molly! |
Something interesting about me: I love teaching 3rd graders! My hobbies include reading, snow skiing, going to beach and shopping. |
National Board Certified
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Graduated From: Fitchburg State College - MA (B.S.) Masters in Curriculum & Instruction at National Louis University |
Teaching Experience: 23 years |
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Grades taught: 1-6 |
Family Info:Two married children live in Mass. My husband Roger is a deputy for Osceola Sheriff's office and a passionate aviator. |
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Pets:Two active 5 year old cats-Cassidy and Sundance |
Something interesting about me:I love to read, workout and practice a holistic lifestyle. I became a National Board Certified teacher in 1999. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 3rd grade! |
Graduated From: UCF, Masters in Elementary Education |
Teaching Experience: 4 years |
Grades taught: 1st grade and 2nd grade |
Family Info:I am an only child - my family lives in Tampa. |
Pets:I have a dog named Chase who is a maltese |
Something interesting about me: I love to travel. I take a trip to a new place every summer. I have even hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. |
Graduated From: Butler University |
Teaching Experience: 10 years |
Grades taught: 3rd and 5th |
Family Info:Married for 13 years - son Gabriel who is 8 and daughter Emma who is 4. |
Pets: 1 cat named Noodle who is 15 years old. |
Something interesting about me:I love nature and doing fun outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding, swimming, water skiing and canoeing. |
Graduated From: Rhose Island College |
Teaching Experience:This is my first year! |
Grades taught: |
Family Info:I live here in Orlando with my husband Jason. My parents live in Rhose Island and my sister and my twin nieces live in California. |
Pets:I have a dog named Maya, she is a pug. I also have three cats that live with my parents - their names are Meggie, Mollie and Mou. |
Something interesting about me:I come from a very large family, my Dad is one of 14! |
Mrs. Gail Wilkosz
National Board Certified
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Graduated From: UCF |
Teaching Experience: 20 years |
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Grades taught: 3rd & 5th |
Family Info: I have been married for 13 years. |
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Pets: 2 Jack Russell Terriers - Duchess and Zoe |
Something interesting about me: I like to read, see movies, scrapbook and spend time with my husband and dogs. |
Ms. Cassandra Witty 
National Board Certified
Graduated From: B.S. from University of Florida and M.A. from University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: Teaching since 1999! |
Grades taught: 2nd and 3rd |
Family Info: My family lives in the Central Florida area. I am a native Floridian! |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I love to travel and take photographs. I also enjoy outdoor activities and protecting the environment. . |
4th Grade Teachers
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Graduated From: Suny New Paltz Master +30 credits |
Teaching Experience: Over 30 years |
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Grades taught: 3rd, 4th & 5th |
Family Info: Husband Steve who is a Federal Agent, son Brian is a senior at UCF, daughter Caitlin who is studying Computer Digital Design |
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Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I have an avid interest in fitness, long distance running and being outside. I have run two marathons. I lived and taught in Milan, Italy for 8 years and traveled extensively. Love to entertain and cook italian. I received the "Golden Hammer" award at the beginning of this year for being an original Southwood teacher who made it through the first years our school was open! |
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Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: 5 years |
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Grades taught: 4th |
Family Info: : My very large family lives in Palm Bay. I have a handsome nephew Dante who will be 5 in September and my beautiful niece Hailey was born last march! |
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Pets: I have one cat Dori who is 7 years old. |
Something interesting about me: I am a native Floridian and I have never seen snow! |
Graduated From: UCF - Masters Elementary Education, Bachelor's, Speech Pathology |
Teaching Experience: 4 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I have a husband who works in law enforcement, two younger sisters and an older brother, and three nieces and three nephews. |
Pets: 1 furry fluffball dog named Teddy |
Something interesting about me: I love to watch movies, and I am a huge reality TV junkie. I am also a 5th generation Florida native. |
Graduated From: State University of New York at OSWEGO |
Teaching Experience: 3rd year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info:I just got married this summer, my husband and I live here in Orlando. All of my family lives in upstate New York. I have an older brother, a younger sister, and a nephew just born in March! |
Pets: I currently have a cat named Buffy - she is named after the show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and a dalmation puppy named Daphne. |
Something interesting about me: I was born and raised in New York, and love to ski and ice skate!” |
Mrs. Colleen Velasquez 
National Board Certified
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Graduated From: UCF, Elementary Education |
Teaching Experience: 11 years |
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Grades taught: 4th & 5th |
Family Info: I am married to a wonderful man named Thomas and our beautiful daughter Sophia is 3. I have 2 beautiful nieces in Texas. |
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Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I have been at Southwood since it opened. One year I took my 4th graders to 5th grade. |
5th Grade Teachers
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Graduated From: University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
Teaching Experience: 12 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: Married, two grandchildren who live in Seattle. 2 sons, Chad, Seth and 1 daughter Joy all married! |
Pets: Not at this time but I love dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, birds and fish. |
Something interesting about me: I have taught school in Kenya at Reft Valley Academy. I have traveled in Englad, Kenya and Eduador. I love to read, cook, craft and travel. |
Graduated From: FSU |
Teaching Experience: 8 years |
Grades taught: 2nd & 4th and 5th |
Family Info: Daughter-Jessica Lauren, attends Florida State University and my son Nicholas Ryan is a senion at CCHS IB program. |
Pets: 1 dog, Lexus |
Something interesting about me: I love reading and learning something new everyday! |
Graduated From: Bachelor's Cal Poly, Pomona, CA Maters: San Diego State University, CA |
Teaching Experience: 13 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: 3 children; Devin 17, Matthew 9 Nikki 7 - married twenty years |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I was born and raised in Southern California. I enjoy watching my younger children play soccer and listen to my oldest daughter play her violin. |
Graduated From: UCF |
Teaching Experience: 3 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info:Parents and oldest brother live in Atlanta, GA along with my sister-in-law and two nieces. Middle brother lives in Breckenridge, Colorado. |
Pets:I love to travel, read and play in the water. |
Something interesting about me: I love traveling and have recently taken up snowboarding and skydiving. |
Graduated From: University of Central Florida |
Teaching Experience: 2nd year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I come from a big family! My mom has 11 brothers and sisters. Most of them live in the sunny Florida keys. |
Pets: I have two dogs; a Jack Russell named Maverick and a Boston Terrier Smidge. |
Something interesting about me: I am a true Floridian! I was born and raised in the oldest city, St. Augustine. I just started reading the Harry Potter books; I am on book three. |
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Mrs. Connie
Weeks-
National Board Certified
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Graduated From: BA - Metropolitan State College (Denver, Colorado). MA University of Colorado |
Teaching Experience: 21 years |
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Grades taught: 1, 2, 3 & multi-age |
Family Info: I have two beautiful children, Chad Chad is a college student at Queens University in Charlotte, NC playing lacrosse and Rachel is a seventh grader at Hunter's Creek MS. |
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Pets: We have 1 chihuahua named Baxter. |
Something interesting about me: I have a master's degree in Curriculum: Reading and Writing from the University of Colorado. I am also a National Board Certified teacher. |
Specialists 
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Jacqueline Butler- Speech
Graduated From: |
Teaching Experience: |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: |
Ms. Wanda Carmenate - ESOL
National Board Certified
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Graduated From: Bernard Baruch Adelphi University (Graduate Work) |
Teaching Experience: 11 years |
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Grades taught: ESOL |
Family Info: |
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Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I am a county level instructor for ESOL training, have won 2 Disney Teacheriffic Awards and became a National Board Certified Teacher in English as a New Language Early to Middle Childhood (ENLEMC) in 2001/2002 school year. |
Graduated From: |
Teaching Experience: |
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Something interesting about me:
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Graduated From: University of North Florida |
Teaching Experience: 5 years |
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Grades taught: P.E. |
Family Info:My mother and father live in Tennessee and my brother goes to college and coaches high school football. |
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Pets:Dog named Marlee |
Something interesting about me:I'm a huge Miami Hurricanes fan and enjoy being outdoors. |
Graduated From: Oral Roberts University |
Teaching Experience:18 years |
Grades taught: ESE |
Family Info: Husband, George, daughters Mandy and Aylon, son Ryan and daughter-in-law Tiffany |
Pets: |
Something interesting about me: I moved to Orlando from Tulsa, OK where I lived for the past 23 years. I also lived in Johannesburg, South Africa for 3 years.
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Christiane Licata - Art 
Graduated From: Kean College of NJ - Bachelor of Fine Arts |
Teaching Experience: 1 year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: Married, husband Joe and 2 boys |
Pets: Beta fish |
Something interesting about me: I moved to Orlando from NJ in 2003 |
Ms. Samantha Hinnant 
Reading Coach
Graduated From: MESA State College |
Teaching Experience: 3 years |
Grades taught: 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
Family Info: |
Pets: I have two adorable Boston Terrier's named Loki and Turbo. |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy hiking, rafting, volleyball and staying healthy! |
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Graduated From:Master's Degree from UCF for Exceptional Education |
Teaching Experience: 7 years |
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Grades taught: K-4th Varying Exceptionalities |
Family Info: I grew up in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I am the youngest of five children. My family is very loving and supportive. |
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Pets: My dog's name is Iris. She is very white and has black spots on her head and back. |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy hiking, camping, running, biking, kayaking, sailing, reading and eating. I also paint, write poetry and enjoy making jewelry. |
Graduated From: University of South Florida |
Teaching Experience: 2nd year |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I have one younger brother who went to Southwood! |
Pets: I have two rabbits, a boy named Bugsy and a girl named Kiri. |
Something interesting about me: I play the flute and piano. |
Mrs. Francesca Lampugnani - Guidance 
Graduated From: University of Milan, Italy (Undergraduate BA), Rollins College, Winter Park (Master's degree) |
Teaching Experience: 10 years in mental health counseling with 8 years being in a school environment |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I am married with two children; Julian is in first grade and Chiara is 2. My extended family and siblings live in Italy. |
Pets: 1 dog, Daisy, who is a mixed German Shepard and Lab |
Something interesting about me: I love to cook (especially Italian food!) and read about nutrition, health, wellness. I practive yoga and meditation. Favorite thing to do is travel. |
Ms. Carol Mulcahy - Behavior Specialist 
Graduated From: Florida Atlantic University |
Teaching Experience:15 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: I have one older brother, two nieces and two nephews. |
Pets: An adorable, loving cat named Sophia, one sweet and old dog named Wrinkles and one really hyper affectionate dog named Ronnie. |
Something interesting about me: I enjoy reading, working out and anything that involves the outdoors.
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Graduated From: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan |
Teaching Experience: 25 years |
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Grades taught: SLD-ESE |
Family Info: Husband John-we have been married 23 yeras. We have been blessed with our daughter Hope. |
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Pets: Dog - Skip - border collie & terrier. Loves to play frisbee and soccer |
Something interesting about me: We moved here from Michigan 5 years ago. I love to go to the beach, play the piano, read bike ride and I love to watch basketball games. |
Ms. Kay Williams -EBD
Graduated From: Anderson University and UCF |
Teaching Experience: 6 years |
Grades taught: |
Family Info: My parents live in Ohio, where I was born and raised. My brother and his wife live here in Orlando. |
Pets: None! |
Something interesting about me: I love to visit Disney World and watch Ohio State Football games! |
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