Academy Prep Center - St. Petersburg

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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 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.

		Simone Bennett Development Coordinator Phone: 727-322-0800 x2106 Email: sbennett@academyprep.org Simone Bennett, who joined the Academy Prep staff in December 2008, has extensive experience in the non-profit world, having worked in development positions for over seven years. Ms. Bennett came to Academy Prep from Eckerd College where she served as the Executive Assistant to the VP for Advancement. Prior to Eckerd, Simone was a longtime Development Assistant at the Museum Fine Arts. In addition to working closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees, her primary roles include the student sponsorship approach, marketing and introducing organizations and individuals to Academy Prep. Ms. Bennett earned her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies from Eckerd College. She actively volunteers with community organizations such as The Studio@620, Junior League of St. Petersburg, Salvador Dalí Museum and Museum of Fine Arts.

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.

		Bridgett Blum AmeriCorps Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2123 Email: bblum@academyprep.org Bridget Blum graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Psychology, enabling her to aid in research interventions focused on children’s motivation in the classroom. She also majored in Art Studio with a drawing and painting concentration. Bridget is originally from Iowa, and she will be teaching Drama and assisting with P.E. at Academy Prep. She is excited to use her creative capacities to further the students’ understanding of theater and improv.

		Heather Christenson AmeriCorps Teacher 727-322-0800 x2123 Email: hchristenson@academyprep.org Heather graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A in Political Science concentrating in comparative politics. Heather also majored in Spanish, minored in Italian, and studied abroad for a summer in Toledo, Spain. An Ohio native, she will be teaching Spanish in the fall. As a member of the Academy Prep staff, Heather is excited to supplement the students' education of the language with an appreciation of Spanish and Latin culture that she has gained from her travels and from her Puerto Rican/Columbian roots.

		Lynette L. Davis Community Relations Director/Volunteer Coordinator Phone: 727-322-0800 x2104 Email: ldavis@academyprep.org Lynette L. Davis, B.A., a native of St Petersburg, FL comes to Academy Prep St Petersburg with 12 years of experience working in programs serving Pinellas County youth. She was a highly sought out Guest Speaker in the Pinellas County Speakers Bureau from 2000-2007 giving Psycho- Education workshops to over 7,000 kids and adults annually on topics ranging from Anger Management, Decision Making Skills, Goal Setting, Cultural Diversity, to the Prevention of Teen Pregnancy as a Family and Community Development Educator for Family Service Centers, Inc. Lynette received her Bachelor of Arts, from the University of South Florida, St Petersburg Campus. She has graduate education hours towards a Masters of Education through Nova Southeastern University.

		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.

		Joseph Ravi Fernando AmeriCorps 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. He was primarily interested in the physics of semiconductor devices and electric circuit theory. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, he will be serving Academy Prep St Petersburg as the Computers and Technology teacher.

		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.

		Jared Hutchinson AmeriCorps Teacher 727-322-0800 x2114 Email: jhutchinson@academyprep.org Jared Hutchinson graduated from Penn State University with a BA in International Politics where he focused on international political economy and Latin American politics. He also studied Spanish and Business as well. Jared hails from the Philadelphia area and plans to teach Spanish and assist with Music at Academy Prep.

		Adrienne Kendrick Office Manager Phone: 727-322-0800 x2122 Email: akendrick@academyprep.org Mrs. Kendrick brings a wealth of leadership and customer service experience, as well as professionalism to our team. Before coming to Academy Prep, she was employed with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Pretrial Services and the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. We are very fortunate to have Adrienne as our Office Manager.

		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.

		Peter Leonard AmeriCorps Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2120 Email: pleonard@academyprep.org Peter Leonard graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in History with a concentration in Religious History. A Philadelphia native, Peter is currently the AmeriCorps teacher of Health and Physical Education. He plans to extend his passion for athletics and fitness beyond the classroom by coaching Academy Prep’s sports teams and serving as the school’s Athletic Director.

		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 Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x 2115 Email: emann@academyprep.org Elizabeth Mann 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 served as an AmeriCorps Art instructor last year, and has taken a full time teaching position as Art instructor this year. She looks forward to engaging her students in creative exploration.

		Ron Sammond AmeriCorps Teacher Phone: 727-322-0800 x2114 Email: rsammond@academyprep.org Ron Sammond is a New Jersey native, who graduated from Eckerd College in May, 2009. He double majored in History and American Studies and minored in anthropology. While at Eckerd College, Ron worked as a Resident Advisor for two years. Ron joins us as the Speech and Debate instructor and will also assist in Computer Skills. This past March, Ron was part of an alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans. There, he and other Eckerd college students volunteered in the Lower 9th Ward which is still devastated 5 years after Hurricane Katrina. Ron looks forward to passing on to students the importance of service work in the community through various enrichment activities at Academy Prep. During the fall and winter, if he has time, Ron can be found frantically searching for a television that is broadcasting the New York Giants football game

		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.

		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.

		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.

		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.

		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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