Our Team

I come from a family of educators—my dad was actually the principal of Plant High School for several years—and I like to say that education is in my blood. I was an educator in Hillsborough County for almost 20 years and have held elementary teaching positions in most grade levels, served as a math coach, and was assistant principal for five years. I have my master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and I am also a certified gifted teacher.

Teaching is truly my passion. I love connecting with my students, and planning and executing creative lessons. That’s really my main hobby, but in my spare time, I also enjoy riding my Peloton, reading and I look forward to traveling again in the future.

My life has been dedicated to education: from gaining my undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida and Masters of Education in Leadership at the University of Tampa to 18 years as a classroom teacher and Science Coach to spending the past 3 years as an Assistant Principal.

Inquiry-based learning has been a passion of mine throughout my 20+ years as an educator. As a parent of an STM student, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of an entire school following this model. I look forward to working alongside an amazing faculty, dynamic students and their families.

In my spare time you will definitely find me outside hunting, fishing, exploring and traveling with my wife and 2 kids and our Bernedoodle, Comet.

I graduated from the University of South Florida with a dual degree in Psychology and Mass Communications. I also hold my Master of Science degree in School Counseling.

I strive to be a supportive, reliable adult in the educational system that students can count on no matter what they need. My goal is to build a strong relationship with each and every student, and I’m passionate about social and emotional learning, specifically in the areas of empathy, coping skills, and self-esteem building. I’m excited to continue building out our school counseling program and providing students with the tools they need to be successful in and out of. the classroom.

When I’m not at STM, you can typically find me planning my next concert, cuddled up with a good novel (and my cat - he is never more than 10 feet away from me!) or thrift shopping. I will try my hand at anything crafty, especially if it gives me an excuse to use my Cricut!

Transformation has been a reoccurring theme I’ve embraced in my life for as long as I can remember, so needless to say I’m thrilled to join the STM community in my 19th year teaching.

I grew up in the small town of Wilmington, Delaware, until attending college at the University of Tampa. While there, I earned a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

The first 18 years of my career in Hillsborough County Public Schools provided invaluable lessons in professional and personal growth, however my teaching philosophy mirrors that of STM and I look forward to the opportunity where I can practice the holistic teaching approach I’ve always believed in.

My husband and I have three children along with our four-year-old Havenese, Papa. In our free time, we love spending time outside and traveling any chance we get. My personal hobbies include gardening, cooking, audiobooks, home improvement projects and thrifting.

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With a passion for fostering creativity and critical thinking, Amanda brings over nine years of experience in middle school education. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida, Amanda is committed to empowering students through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Having taught a range of subjects—including media arts, history, and art—Amanda believes that education should be dynamic and student-driven. With a focus on creating a well-rounded learning environment, she strives to develop students' creative potential while helping them make meaningful connections across disciplines.

In addition to her classroom experience, Amanda has served as Assistant Head of School for two years, where she worked closely with staff and administration to enhance the educational experience for all students. Her work has been recognized by the Education Law Association, where she was published and presented at the Annual Conference in 2017.

Amanda is dedicated to providing every student with the tools to succeed, inspiring them not only academically but also personally, through exploration, collaboration, and innovation.

"The important thing is never to stop questioning." - Albert Einstein

This will be my 20th year in education. My passion is math and science. As a child, I struggled with both subjects, only to discover it was because I was only being taught the subjects in a very traditional way and setting. I strive to provide alternative methods and hands-on experiences to build knowledge in the classroom every day. I have my Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Go Bulls!

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy taking cycling and yoga classes. My spouse and I are theme park enthusiasts, and enjoy the local theme parks along with the international ones! I also love traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I have a very special bearded dragon, Squiggy, who is also a part of our classroom community. He is two years old and loves to listen and watch children learn daily!

“When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.” This was always my dream since I was a little girl mostly because I had some extraordinary teachers, especially in elementary school, that really ignited this passion in me. I still think about those special teachers and the impact they had on me. I have always hoped I would be THAT teacher for my students, a teacher they fondly remember, long after elementary school. Forming connections with my students, helping them discover and build on their strengths, and creating life-long learners are some of the reasons why I love being a teacher.

My passion became a reality when I graduated from the University of Tampa with my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education as well as my ESOL and reading endorsement. I then went back to UT to get my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I have been a teacher in Hillsborough County for 10 years and I have always been passionate about reading. There’s nothing better than helping my students build their love for reading.

Other passions and hobbies of mine include going on adventures with my dog Luna, going to the beach with a good book, going to an Orange Theory class, or spending time with friends and family. I also love to travel, so I’m usually planning my next trip!

From the time I was 8 years old, playing pretend school in my basement, I knew teaching was my calling! I have been an elementary teacher in Hillsborough County for the past 10 years. Originally from New Jersey (Go Mets!), I moved to Tampa in 2011 to attend the University of Tampa. There, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education along with an ESOL endorsement.

Through my teaching experience, I have developed a deep passion for teaching math and science. I am committed to creating hands-on, engaging learning opportunities that capture my students' interests.  I enjoy integrating interactive, real-world lessons into these subjects to ignite curiosity and nurture a love for learning. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is seeing my students genuinely excited about their learning! 

I currently live in Westchase with my husband, Mike.  When I’m not teaching, you’ll likely find me exploring new restaurants, traveling, or spending quality time with friends and family. I also love to go to sporting events and have grown to be a Tampa Bay Lightning fan!

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Helping children learn has always been a passion of mine, from “playing school” with my sisters and brother in my youth, to babysitting and working with children at church and in preschools as a young adult. This inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. I believe education includes teaching the WHOLE child-not just academics, but developing their social and emotional intelligence as well. Developmentally appropriate, play-based learning where children have the opportunity to be creative, hands-on, and learn the social skills necessary to thrive in life is at the core of my philosophy.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University, and I hold a teaching certificate in the state of Florida, with an ELL and Reading Endorsement additionally. I have taught 19 years; one in first grade, and the last 18 in Kindergarten. I’ve been married to my husband Tony for 27 years. We have 3 sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law (who also teaches kindergarten). You will usually find me spending time with them on the weekends, and I LOVE Seminoles football-one of the many reasons FALL is my favorite season. I love decorating, especially for the holidays! Reading with a nice cup of hot tea or taking walks is my idea of relaxing. I enjoy binge-watching Netflix and hanging out with our family and friends for Game Night. My favorite place to travel is the mountains, although I love quick getaways to the beach or historic places too!

At a young age, I discovered my passion for education. From playing school with my dolls to babysitting the neighborhood kids to working in a gym nursery in high school, I knew teaching was what I was meant to do.

I graduated from the University of Florida, Go Gators, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and a minor in Elementary Education. My husband’s military career at the time relocated us to Savannah where I decided to pursue my dream of teaching. I taught 1st and 4th grades while obtaining a Master’s Degree in Special Education. I shifted my focus towards ESE and taught in an inclusive setting for K-5th grades. A few years later, we moved to New Orleans where I worked for Special Olympics Louisiana before returning back to my hometown of Tampa. For the past 7 years I’ve been a stay at home mom (aka Uber driver, homeroom parent, boo boo fixer, cheerleader, etc) to my two beautiful children, Kendall and Austin.

Outside of working with this amazing school and team, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, Gator and Lightning games, exercising, and cooking with an occasional nap squeezed in.

There is nothing in the Universe that I enjoy more than sparking imagination in little minds, helping students establish a love for life-long learning, encouraging self-love and acceptance, motivating them, and watching as they discover the “ah-ha” moments each and every day. For over 20 years I have had the amazing opportunity to work with children as a classroom teacher, tutor, mentor and storyteller. Born and raised in Chicago, I’m proud to say I am a “Chicagoan” and still call it home, even though I’ve lived in Tampa since 2008. I attended Purdue University in Indiana, just two hours and a few dozen cornfields away from my home, and received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a certification to teach grades pre-K through fifth grade.

A wise man in a red sweater once said- “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.” My two children remind me every day the importance of play, as well as our mischievous tabby cat, Ewan McGregor. At home you might find us cranking up the music and having our very own dance party. I love a good game night with family, attending my kiddo’s sports activities, volunteering with JDRF as an outreach mentor, yoga, travel, coffee, animals, and I am a HUGE lover of reading (picture books are my jam) which is how my Books with Miss B story time channel for little humans came to be. In Chicago when it snows you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. I’m the snow angel type, even as a big human.

I have always loved working with children! There is just something magical about it. My main focus is creating an environment that allows them to experiment and learn about the world around them. I want to open them up to new ways of thinking and innovative problem solving. I have two amazing girls that have both taught me different ways to approach teaching and life. I want everyone to feel included and an important part of our class. My hope would be they leave my classroom with confidence, friendships and excitement!

I am excited to be part of this wonderful school again this year. I have been a preschool teacher for over 15 years. My teaching experience began at the J.C.C. My passion for teaching was reawakened when I was given the opportunity to run a pod in 2019 for kindergarteners. Along with teaching, I also tutor young children and teach Spanish. My passion is creating a stimulated child-centered environment which promotes each students' developmental areas. I love to provide an environment in which students’ curiosity can flourish. I believe engaging the child with nature daily as it allows them to make effective connections to their environment.

When I’m not working, I enjoy the company of family and friends. I enjoy going for bike rides, nature walks, cooking, and traveling.

I come from a family of six children (I am number four) and love it! My sister and I taught my younger brother to read at the youngest of age at our “school” that is very similar to STM. I spent my teenage years babysitting and volunteering in the church nursery as much as possible. I always loved being around young children. I am actively working on obtaining my Early Childhood Certificate.

I grew up in England, gained my A Levels and went to College to be a Legal Executive.

I have been a stay at home Mum for the past ten years while we navigated the military life and moved from England to Tampa. I spent a lot of time volunteering and set up a Private Organization to help pregnant military spouses. Most of all, I loved being with my children.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my two amazing boys. I enjoy working out, the beach, Lightning games, and spending time with friends.

My heart has always been passionate about teaching little humans ever since I can remember. I started volunteering at 15 years old. I went to Learey Technical College and received my Associates in Early Childhood Education.

I pursued early childhood education for the personal reward and happiness that it brings to me as I watch my students grow into little adults.

I tutored younger elementary students and nannied for years. I was also a lead teacher at Amy Gail Buchman Preschool for 8 years. I love art, especially charcoal drawings, pastels and painting.

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my husband and family. We love to have cookouts, travel, and host game nights. I also love mudding in my ATV and Jeep.

"Todas las personas grandes han sido niños antes. (Pero pocas lo recuerdan)"  -El Principito

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I come from a long line of women that have a passion for education and working with children and families. It has been an honor over the past 17 years to hold the baton. I graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Theatre-Performance and have been in numerous professional productions locally whether it is onstage or behind the scenes. My most important role is being the proud mother of two wonderful children, Noel and Esperanza, who inspire me daily.

Yoga and wellness are also a big part of my life and I have my 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification and I love sharing the practice with students and adults. 

I believe in the transformative power of arts education and I strive to create an inclusive, dynamic, collaborative  classroom where students feel empowered to express themselves, take risks, and grow as individuals. I look forward to creating with your student, and sharing the beautiful language of Español with them! 

When I am not working you can find me cooking and eating (because I LOVE food), working out, acting, and spending time with my loved ones!  

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