Academy Prep Center - St. Petersburg

Links to : Academy Prep Center of Tampa | Academy Prep Foundation | Academy Prep Graduate Support Program

The Story


Staff & Faculty



St. Petersburg Center Administration

		Lincoln J. Tamayo Interim Head of School Phone: 727-322-0800 x2101 Email: ltamayo@academyprep.org Lincoln received his B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame, his J.D. from The University of Florida College of Law, and his Ed. M., Administration Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University. In December 2002, Lincoln assumed the responsibilities as Academy Prep's Head of School. From August 2001 through November 2002, he was Chairman of English for the Children of Massachusetts, the successful initiative petition campaign to reform the bilingual education laws of Massachusetts. He was subsequently invited by Governor-elect Mitt Romney to serve on Mr. Romney's transition team through January 2003. From 1997 to August 2001, he was Principal of Chelsea High School, Chelsea, MA, (student enrollment, 1500, faculty and staff, 150). He has also served as Assistant to the President of Boston University and Secretary to the Boston University Board of Trustees, and most recently as a community columnist for the editorial board of the Tampa Tribune. Lincoln was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1985.

		Barbara A. Peck Director of Development Phone: 727-322-0800 x2109 Email: bpeck@academyprep.org Barbara Peck has over 30 years of experience in resource, business and program development, administration, board and volunteer development and coordination in both private and non profit settings. She has specialized in strategic planning; major gifts and endowment; grant writing and research; and advocacy and lobbying on behalf of clients. She has held senior executive positions in a variety of non profit institutions and organizations for the arts, higher education, communal service organizations and health services. She is currently a consultant with The Ostroff Group, a national fundraising organization and is a former adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and has lectured on fundraising to local and national organizations. She holds a BA from the University of Florida and an MS from Old Dominion University.

St. Petersburg Center Faculty & Staff

		Leanne Bayne Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2111 Email: lbayne@academyprep.org Leanne graduated with a B.A. in Visual Arts and Spanish at Eckerd College in 2000. After working at Academy Prep as an AmeriCorps teacher and later as an academic teacher, she earned her M.A. in Elementary Education at USF in 2006. During her time at Academy Prep, Leanne has taught a variety of subjects and activities. She is now the boys’ History teacher and enjoys bringing the past alive for her students.

		Carrie Coffin AmeriCorps Teacher Email: ccoffin@academyprep.org Carrie graduated from Eckerd College with a B.A. in History and a concentration in Spanish. While at Eckerd College she interned in the Office of Advancement where she studied fundraising and non-profit organizations. As a Spanish teacher she hopes to inspire her students to utilize the opportunities created by language study in the local community and abroad.

		Danielle DiRosa Teacher APSP AmeriCorps Supervisor Phone: 727-322-0800 x2112 Email: ddirosa@academyprep.org Danielle graduated from Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts with degrees in Chemistry and Secondary Education. She also earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida. Before coming to Academy Prep Danielle worked with college students in Housing and Residential Education. She joined the Academy Prep family as the boys’ science teacher. Additionally, Danielle works closely with the AmeriCorps Teachers.

		Whitney Drake AmeriCorps Teacher Email: wdrake@academyprep.org Whitney Drake is joining Academy Prep St. Petersburg as an AmeriCorps teacher after graduating last year from Notre Dame with a BA in Spanish, Peace Studies and Latin American Studies. During her time at Notre Dame, she volunteered within the Latino community and also studied abroad in Chile. She is from Des Moines, Iowa, and is attending law school next year. She looks forward to teaching our students Spanish language and culture this coming year!

		Ravi Fernando Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2120 Email: jfernando@academyprep.org Mr. Fernando graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2009 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a focus on the physics of semiconductor devices and electric circuit theory. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, he served Academy Prep St Petersburg as the Computers and Technology teacher for a year, and is now working very hard with our young ladies on learning about Science.

		Katie Files AmeriCorps Teacher Email: kfiles@academyprep.org Katie Files graduated in 2010 from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in English. Originally from Philadelphia, Katie is new to the St. Petersburg area. She is excited to bring her passion for learning and teaching literature to the classroom as the Language Arts teacher. Katie also has a love for sports, especially football and basketball, and plans to be an active participant and coach in the students’ athletic programs.

		Natalie Fink AmeriCorps Teacher Email: nfink@academyprep.org Natalie is the new Computers and Health teacher. She graduated in 2010 from Eckerd College with a Bachelor's of Arts in Economics and Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science. Interested in sustainable development, Natalie plans to help Academy Prep form an after school environmental club that focuses on sustainable initiatives at the school. Natalie is excited to begin teaching the great students of AP this fall.

		Kathy Goldberg Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2117 Email: kgoldberg@academyprep.org Kathy relocated to Florida five years ago from New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Rhode Island, her Masters from Rutgers University, and graduate credits from Rider University. Before joining Academy prep, Kathy taught math on the middle school and college level, developed curriculum for basic skills, and extensively tutored high school students for the ACT and SAT college admission tests. As our girls math instructor, she believes in blending traditional math instruction with real-life problem solving.

		Kevin Gunter Facilities / Maintenance Email: kgunter@academyprep.org Kevin, a native of St. Pete, joined the Academy Prep family in 2004. His extensive technical and construction experience is invaluable to our campus’ needs. Kevin’s talents are also responsible for our beautiful lush landscape. As our assistant baseball coach, Kevin shares his love of the sport to motivate our team.

		Deborah Kurelik Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2118 Email: dkurelik@academyprep.org Deborah holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mass Communications and recently received a Master of Arts in Reading Education from the University of South Florida. Since joining Academy Prep, she has taught English, Photojournalism, and Tennis. Deborah enjoys teaching History to our young ladies.

		Kelinda Lockett Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2113 Email: klockett@academyprep.org Ms. KeLinda Lockett is our boys' English teacher. KeLinda holds a BS in English Education and certifications in middle school Integrated Curriculum and Secondary English Education. She has experience as a Senior Program Coordinator, a Middle School Language Arts teacher and a Reading Instructor for low learners. KeLinda is also the sister of an Academy Prep graduate!

		Elizabeth Mann Community Relations Coordinator / Art Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x 2115 Email: emann@academyprep.org Elizabeth Mann is our Art Teacher as well as our Community Relations Coordinator. She graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.A. in Sociology and a B.S. in Criminology. Before coming to Academy Prep, Elizabeth worked in the Admissions Department at the University of Tampa. She began her time with Academy Prep as an AmeriCorps instructor. She loves to engage her students in creative exploration and build lasting relationships throughout the community.

		Kitty Pelster Rawson Development Coordinator Phone: 727-322-0800 x2106 Email: krawson@academyprep.org Kitty Pelster Rawson has spent her entire professional career with nonprofit organizations. A graduate of Eckerd College, she has worked for her alma mater, St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie, LA, Prevent Blindness Florida, and, most recently, for Family Resources where she served as a community relations specialist for You&Me.WE. Along the way she earned a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of South Florida. She volunteers with Business and Professional Women (BPW), serves on the boards of Faith and Action for Strength Together (FAST) and Project Prosper and is an active elder at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. She enjoys social action, reading, knitting, crocheting, gardening, walking and hiking in her spare time.

		Shabazz Rogers Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2110 Email: srogers@academyprep.org Mr. Shabazz is a veteran of Rites-Of-Passage Programming for inner city, at-risk male and female youth at New York City’s African Poetry Theatre and the Suncoast Boys and Girls Club. With the YMCA, he was instrumental in the successful development and implementation of an academics-based character development enrichment program, the Y-Achievers. Mr. Shabazz has taught mathematics at Education Services of America at the St. Petersburg Broach School, and owns and operates a Tutorial Service. As our boys’ math teacher, Shabazz enjoys mentoring the young men of Academy Prep while sharing his enthusiasm for education.

		Virginia J. Scott Guidance Counselor Phone: 727-322-0800 x2141 Email: vscott@academyprep.org Virginia J. Scott comes to Academy Prep from Family Service Centers, Inc. in which she had worked for about 9 years, as Family Life Educator and more recently Life Skills Educator. Family Life Educators provided training presentations on various topics in prevention to Pinellas County School children, grades (K-12) and adults in the immediate community. The program was funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board for almost 25 years. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg College (Gibbs Campus), and Eckerd College, with a degree in Human Resources, also, major/course study at USF in Education, Criminal Justice, and Psychology, and has served the Tampa Bay Area in Child and Family Services for more than 25 years. Mrs. Scott looks forwards to sharing her love and respect for children with the Academy Prep family.

		Alex Shadley AmeriCorps Teacher Email: ashandley@academyprep.org Originally from Cincinnati, Alex attended University of Notre Dame and graduated with a degree in History. He looks forward to teaching physical education and health. He will also be coaching several of the athletic teams.

		Antoinette Smith Administrative Assistant I Phone: 727-322-0800 x2100 Email: asmith@academyprep.org Antoinette Smith was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. She spent 15 years in the insurance industry and has a strong background in customer service. Antoinette is the parent of a successful middle school student and she has a healthy respect for the educational system. She looks forward to helping the parents, students and staff in any way possible.

		Jessica Strong Language Arts Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2119 Email: jstrong@academyprep.org Jessica Strong graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis,where she concentrated on social and education policy. A North Carolina native, she relocated to St. Petersburg 3 years ago to serve as an AmeriCorps writing teacher. In addition to her year in AmeriCorps, Jessica has served as Academy Prep's Community Relations Director, and is now the girl's Language Arts teacher.

		Christine Tarbox Office Manager Phone: 727-322-0800 x2122 Email: ctarbox@academyprep.org Christine has worked in Accounting and Office Management for the past 30 years. She worked at Academy Prep Center of Tampa for over three years before moving to Colorado where she worked for the Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce as the Finance and Human Resources Director. Christine recently moved back to Florida and is excited to be at Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg.

		Scott L. Toscano Development Assistant Phone: 727-322-0800 x2140 Email: stoscano@academyprep.org Scott was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida. He received his B.A. from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. His studies focused on Behavioral Sciences and the Humanities with a minor in Interpersonal Communications. He was a store manager for Barnes & Noble Bookstores at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg from 2003 - 2006. He left to join the Peace Corps in Azerbaijan in 2007 in a Youth Development position. He lived with families for the duration of his two years and three months of service in this Muslim nation. Scott has more than twelve years of volunteer and other experience working with non-profit organizations such as the National Conference for Community and Justice through their Anytown program and The Studio@620 as event staff.

		Steven Walker Administrative Assistant II Phone: 727-322-0800 x2105 Email: swalker@academyprep.org Steven A. Walker is originally from St Petersburg, FL but lived in Rochester, New York for the majority of his life. He comes to Academy Prep of St Petersburg, Fl with many years of experience working as an Administrative Assistant. Steven has worked for over 9 years with Family Service Centers, Inc as a Program Resource Specialist with the Childnet Program. He has supported many other programs within the organization such as Way to Work and Father Services Program. Steven was a mentor with the KUNGA Program and served in the U.S. Army for 10 years. He is a 2006 graduate of St. Petersburg College.

		Allie Whiteley AmeriCorps Teacher Email: awhiteley@academyprep.org Allie graduated with a B.A. in Human Development and Women’s and Gender Studies from Eckerd College in 2010. Her main concentration was on women and children. Allie is originally from Fairfield, Connecticut and in the fall she will be teaching Language Arts Two. While attending Eckerd College, Allie traveled to several countries, including: China, England, and France. Allie plans to use her global perspectives to teach her students the importance of learning is through experiencing.

		John Yarrow Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2116 Email: jyarrow@academyprep.org John Yarrow graduated from Frostburg State University with a BA in Elementary Education. He is currently completing his Masters in Educational Administration and Management. He previously taught Elementary School and 6th grade Language Arts before coming to Academy Prep. He looks forward to imparting his love of science to our girls.

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