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The list below is of the staff at Pinellas Preparatory Academy. Our staff are highly devoted to seeing children succeed and well qualified to teach in our unique setting.

Staff Members

Curtis Fuller, Superintendent
E-mail Address: cfuller@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2108

Mr. Fuller's Master's Degree in Educational Leadership is from Cardinal Stritch University. His Bachelor's Degree is from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He taught in Wisconsin for 5 years as a special education teacher and an intermediate classroom teacher prior to moving to Florida to accept the Principalship of Pinellas Preparatory Academy. He is certified in Educational Leadership, as a Principal, elementary teacher, special education teacher, and as a Director of Curriculum. This will be his sixth year at Pinellas Prep.

Joell Ramsdell, Principal
E-mail Address;  jramsdell@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extenstion:  2102

 

Mr. Ramsdell holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in Music Education and Vocal Performance, a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Kansas, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and is completing his doctorate in Educational Administration from Baker University.  He taught music for 21 years and served as an assistant principal for the last 10 years.  He is a National Board Certified teacher in Early and Middle Childhood music and the recipient of the Kansas State Teacher of the Year in Arts and Disabilities.  Mr. Ramsdell is the proud parent of a 16 year old daughter and the keeper of two dogs, Bustopher and Guss

Donna Hauser, Office Manager
Phone Extension: 2401
Email Address: dhauser@pinellasprep.org

Karen Deakley, Administrative Assistant
E-mail Address:  kdeakley@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:  2405

 

Arly Dalley, Data Management Technician
Email Address: adalley@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2402

Kathy Barajas, Administrative Assistant and Before and After Care
Email Address: kbarajas@pinellasprep.org

 

4th Grade

Lindsay Johannesen, Language Arts & Social Studies
E-mail Address: ljohannesen@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2255

Janet Marsden, Math and Science
E-mail Address: jmarsden@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2254

Karen Salata, Self-Contained
E-mail Address: ksalata@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:  2251

Stephanie Schell, Self-Contained
E-mail Address:  sschell@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:  2253

 

5th Grade

Reggie Adkins,  Language Arts & Social Studies
E-mail Address: radkins@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2130

Darlene Cumberworth,  Language Arts & Social Studies
E-mail Address: dcumberworth@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2126

Mrs. Cumberworth holds a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies from Mt. St. Mary College in NY. She is now teaching fifth grade Language Arts and Social Studies after several years experience as a Spanish teacher. She has been employed with PPA since 2004 and in that time has grown as a teacher and individual.  Having traveled and lived in Spain for almost a year she is fluent in Spanish and passionate about learning other cultures and teaching diversity.  Calling FL her home since 1994 she is happily transplanted in a warmer climate that pales in comparison to her warm personality

Sara Hernandez, Language Arts & Social Studies
E-mail Address:  shernandez@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:  2128

Sara Hernandez was born and raised in the Clearwater/Largo area. Sara’s family opened a small Montessori school over 60 years ago, which started Sara’s love of education at a young age. Sara attended Florida State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Secondary English Education, with an Endorsement in ESOL. Sara has taught Language Arts/English at the high school, middle school and elementary school level. This is Sara’s first year at PPA, and she is greatly looking forward to a fun and successful school year! Sara truly enjoys working with children of all ages and ability levels; her ultimate goal is to help each student recognize his or her potential and special qualities that contribute to the school community. When Sara isn’t teaching she loves to cook, exercise, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Brenda Welt, Math & Science
E-mail Address: bwelt@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2124

 

6th Grade

Kenny Clapper, Math
E-mail Address: kclapper@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2140

Kathleen McGrath, Language Arts
E-mail Address: kmcgrath@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2138

BA degree from Northeastern University in Boston and The College of New Rochelle in NY. Mrs. McGrath has over 15 years of teaching experience in Florida and New York.  She holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Columbia University in New York and Dowling College, also in New York

Alicia Pizzo, Science
E-mail Address: apizzo@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2139

Mrs. Pizzo is a graduate of University of Alabama with a BA in Public Relations. She did marketing for 3 years, but she always wanted to teach. Mrs. Pizzo substitute taught for a year in Pinellas County schools. She became certified to teach Mathematic grades 5-9 in April of 2004, and Science 5-9 in 2008. Her first year of full-time teaching was at Pinellas Prep and she is looking forward to an exciting  year at Pinellas Prep.

Kelly Smith, Social Studies
E-mail Address: ksmith@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2137

Ms. Smith is a graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with a degree in Early Child Development.  She holds an Elementary K-6 License, as well as a 5-9 Integrated Curriculum License.  She can hardly believe that this is her 11th year teaching and her 8th at PPA.  She is thrilled to be back for another year as the 6th grade Social Studies teacher and can’t wait to get to know each and every one of her 88 students.  She absolutely loves teaching ancient history and it is her sincere hope that her students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the diverse cultures that make up this planet we inhabit.  Ms. Smith also travels with students abroad.  She enjoyed an amazing and educational trip to Greece this past summer with several former PPA students and can't wait to show more students the world!

 

7th Grade

Haley DeBaker, Social Studies
E-mail Address: hdebaker@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2146

Haley DeBaker graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor's Degree in Broadfield Social Science.  She holds teaching licenses in 5-12 Social Studies and 5-9 Integrated Curriculum.  Mrs. DeBaker grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Florida in 2009 to teach at PPA.  She is currently working on her Master's degree at USF.

 

Description: Anchor

Beth Crosa, Language Arts
E-mail Address: bcrosa@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2144

Click here to view Mrs. Crosa's Blog

Allan Gowan-Smith, Science
E-mail Address: agowan-smith@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2141

Liz Kreel, Math
E-mail Address: lkreel@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2142

 

8th Grade

Cindy Barber, Language Arts & Social Studies
E-mail Address: cbarber@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2145

Mrs. Barber graduated from college in North Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education. She holds Florida Certification to teach both English (grades 6-12) and Social Studies (grades 5-9). She taught high school in North Carolina for two years at a private school. Mrs. Barber and her husband, David, and their son, Josh, relocated to Clearwater, Florida. Upon becoming certified to teach in the state of Florida, Mrs. Barber taught Middle School Language Arts for eight years in the Catholic School System in Pinellas County. Next Mrs. Barber joined the staff at Wellington School and taught fifth grade self-contained for a year. She happily returned to teaching Middle Grades English when she joined PPA in 2004. She has loved being here ever since! With her husband, retired from the United States Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater after 21 ½ years of active duty and now working as a Network Computer administrator for the City of Largo, and her son, a graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School and a Junior at USF, Mrs. Barber has been enjoying her favorite past times: reading, drawing and painting, scrapbooking and spending time with close friends and family. Mrs. Barber is a Highly Qualified Teacher certified to teach English 6 – 12 grades and Social Studies 5 – 9th.  She is eager for her fifth year at PPA to be as successful as the previous four.

Kristi Engels,  Math
E-mail Address: kengels@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2150

Mrs. Engels graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences.  After perusing a degree in Accounting for two and a half years, Mrs. Engels realized that her true passion was for mathematics and decided to make a transition to teaching.  In 2005 Mrs. Engels moved to Florida and became a Highly Qualified teacher certified to teach Mathematics 5-9. Mrs. Engels has since been a part of the PPA family for 5 years.  She is excited and looking forward to another great year at Pinellas Preparatory Academy.

Suzanne Mizzi,Science 
E-mail Address: smizzi@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2143

Suzanne Mizzi has been part of PPA family for 5+ years. She is certified in K-6 Integrated, General Science 5-9, Social Science 6-12,  5-9 Integrated and HEALTH K-12. Ms. Mizzi currently is pursuing a Graduate Degree in Leadership Education to enhance her teaching strategies in the classroom.  She looks forward to another successful year at Pinellas Preparatory Academy and feels fortunate to be part of such a creative, positive and supportive “family”.

Cheryl Mourer, Social Studies Teacher
E-mail Address: cmourer@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2148

Ms. Mourer is a S.C.A.T.T. graduate of the University of South Florida's College of Education. Her Bachelor's degree is in Elementary Education and a Masters of Arts in Social Science Education with a specialty in Applied Anthropology. She comes to us from Dunedin Academy and Tampa’s Independent Day School where she taught 6th and 7th grade English and Social Studies. Ms. Mourer has extensive training in Kagan Cooperative Learning strategies, one of the main teaching models used at Pinellas Prep. Her teaching methods are geared to all learning styles and multiple intelligences. Cheryl joined the Pinellas Prep faculty because of its high student expectations and quality of staff.

 

Specialists

Susan Benway, ESE/Gifted
E-mail Address: sbenway@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2236

Prior to joining the staff of PPA during its first year, Mrs. Benway enjoyed a twenty year career in adolescent counseling and mental health. As Director of Educational Services at Bay Harbor Residential Treatment Center, a privately owned psychiatric hospital in Largo, she served as department head, case manager, and teacher to adolescent students attending school at the facility. Subsequent to this, she worked for Charter Behavioral Health Systems as a GED Preparation Teacher for a residential population of students enrolled in Pinellas County's Drop out Prevention Program. Prior to that she worked as a Prevention Specialist, Life Skills Coach and Community Outreach Speaker, for Family Resources in St. Petersburg, providing case management and prevention counseling to over 3,500 adolescent and pre-adolescent runaway youth. Susan earned her B.A. at Western Connecticut State University and her ESE K-12 certification at USF. She also holds an Endorsement in Gifted Education and certifications in both Elementary Education and Middle School Integrated Curriculum.

Ricardo Charria, Spanish Teacher
E-mail Address: rcharria@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2118

Kim Quagliotti, ESE
E-mail Address: kquagliotti@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2250

A graduate of USF with degrees in K-12 Special Education and K-6 Regular Education, Mrs. Quagliotti has taught for many years in a variety of settings, from kindergarten through 8th grade, in special education as well as regular education, and in both private and public schools. She came to Pinellas Prep in 2002 for our private school atmosphere, and the emphasis on cooperative learning and multiple intelligences. Mrs. Quagliotti will establish a classroom environment as a place where students can achieve to the best of their abilities, as well as feeling safe and deeply cared for.

Betty Lou Romaine, P.E. & Health
E-mail Address: bromaine@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:

Betty Lou Romaine graduated with a B.A. from the College of Notre Dame. She is married and has three children, ages 17, 13, and 11. She is an experienced substitute teacher in Pinellas County and has been involved in sports all her life, including playing high school and college softball, and coaching a variety of sports for the past ten years. She also helps organize basketball leagues at her local church. She loves kids, sports, and being outdoors.

Tony Schell, P.E. & Health
E-mail Address: tschell@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension:

Mr. Schell earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Clearwater Christian College, where he also played college soccer. He began teaching in Pinellas County Schools in 1994.   He has coached soccer for over 10 years and also has coached basketball and volleyball. He married in 1991 and has 4 daughters, three which have attended PPA. This is Mr. Schell’s second year at Pinellas Preparatory Academy.

Elvira Tye, Spanish
E-mail Address: etye@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 237

Aimee Wickstrom, Art Teacher
E-mail Address: awickstrom@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2320

Devin Page, Music
E-mail Address: dpage@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 3321

 

Other Staff Members

Susan Asciutto, Educational Assistant
E-mail Address: sasciutto@pinellasprep.org
Phone Extension: 2200

Ms. Asciutto has worked as a paraprofessional for many years. As a student of St. Petersburg College, she is currently earning credits towards a degree in Education. She feels privileged to work with the energetic, caring, and professional staff here at PPA.

Kristen Morgan, Educational Assistant
E-mail Address:  kmorgan@pinellasprep.org

Bobbi Bartholow, Before / After Care Staff
E-mail Address: bbartholow@pinellasprep.org

Ms. Bartholow has worked with our before and after care program since 2005.  She has had two years of child development training and worked at Learning Daycare prior to joining PPA.

Krista Davis, Before and After Care Staff
Email Address: kdavis@pinellasprep.org

Justin Romaine, Before and After Care Staff
 
Diondra McCullough, Before and After Care Staff
Steve Tye, Maintenance
Email Address: stye@pinellasprep.org
Mike Bartholow, Maintenance
 
David Bookhammer, Maintenance
 
David Currie, Maintenance
Email Address: dcurrie@pinellasprep.org
Larry Murray, Maintenance
Email Address: lmurray@pinellasprep.org

 


Most of the Professional Portraits provided above were provided courtesy of

Thomas Bruce Studio
7925 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(727) 577-5626
www.thomasbruce.com

 

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