St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy

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Faculty

ADMINISTRATION

Suzanne D. Barry
Head of Schools/Head of Upper School
Suzanne Barry is the Head of Schools/Head of Upper School for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy. Mrs. Barry received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Mrs. Barry has been a driving force for innovation in education throughout her nearly 20 years of educational leadership, in both public and private education. Her field experience as part of marine mammal rescue teams, crewing as an environmental field scientist, collecting data and monitoring water quality and marine life has been vast. Mrs. Barry has worked with several of the most premier agencies in these fields. She co-authored a chapter in the publication, Breaking the Mold of School Instruction and Organization focusing on her innovative science base programs. She was honored with the Medal of Excellence from the Florida State Senate and was awarded Outstanding First Year Teacher at Fort Pierce Central. Mrs. Barry continues to pioneer and implement exceptional educational instruction in her role at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy.
sbarry@staacademy.org
Mandy Doss
Head of Lower School
Mandy Doss is the Head of Lower School at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Marketing/Sales Management from Florida Atlantic University in 2000. In 2002, she returned to school to pursue a career in education and received her ESOL endorsement, as well as her professional teaching certificate through the state of Florida. Mrs. Doss has been involved in both public and private elementary education for the past 16 years and was awarded Outstanding First Year Teacher at Weatherbee Elementary in 2003. For the past 10 years, Mrs. Doss has been employed at St. Andrew’s in a variety of positions, which include teaching, student support, admissions, and administration. Mrs. Doss is a native of Fort Pierce. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family.
mdoss@staacademy.org
Charlie Bridge
Coordinator of Student Life, Athletics, and Development
Charlie Bridge is the Coordinator of Student Life, Athletics, and Development for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy. Mr. Bridge received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Youth and Family Studies from Indian River State College. Mr. Bridge worked in the collegiate athletic field. While at SUNY Jefferson, a state college located in New York, he undertook a variety of roles including eight years as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, five years as Head Women’s Softball Coach, Director of Intramurals, and adjunct instructor. While at SUNY Jefferson he was recognized as both the Mid-State Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball and Women’s Softball Coach of the Year. His men’s basketball team once climbed as high as #7 in the country and his softball team ascended the ranks to #16 in the country. Mr. Bridge also spent the previous eight summers on the Senior Staff at Camp Kennybrook, an overnight summer camp located in the Catskill Mountains.
cbridge@staacademy.org

LEADERSHIP

Greg Ayres
Registrar
Gregory Ayres is an Upper School History and Science Instructor at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy and serves as the Incident Response Planner and Registrar. Mr. Ayres has managed and staffed on numerous congressional and municipal political campaigns across the nation and attended Officer Candidates School with the United States Navy. Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Florida International University with minors in Public Administration and National Security Studies Mr. Ayres combines both personal experience and academic expertise into his classroom lessons and administrative tasks. Mr. Ayres strives to develop leaders prepared to tackle our community’s and the world must intractable issues.
Rhonda Blakey
Director of Development & Public Relations
Rhonda Blakey is the Director of Development & Public Relations for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy. Mrs. Blakey has over 25 years of experience in business development, donor relations, non-profits, public relations, HR and marketing background. She is originally from the Midwest and attended the University of Illinois. Mrs. Blakey has had a longstanding commitment to our community serving on boards that focused on children’s issues such as Early Learning Coalition, Treasure Coast Food Bank, CASTLE and the FL Organic Aquaculture Foundation and is currently on the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Alumni Council. Her role at the academy is to ensure the sustainability and continued growth of the school through a variety of philanthropic efforts and the engagement of corporate partners, academy families, community leaders and our stakeholders.
rblakey@staacademy.org
John Causby
IT Administrator
John Causby is the IT Administrator who oversees the technological needs at St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy. Mr. Causby has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry. He graduated with an Associates degree in Computer Technology from Kieser College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Causby has numerous IT certifications, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Dell DCP, and Microsoft MCP. His mission is to support the evolving advances in technology that allow the students and faculty to reap the benefits of modern IT developments.
it@staacademy.org
Cheryl Horgan
Business Support Manager
Cheryl Horgan is the Business Manager for St Andrew's Episcopal Academy. Mrs. Horgan received her Accounting degree from Johnson & Wales and has been with St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy since 2010. She worked for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 2010-11 and was St. Andrew’s employee of the year in 2013-14. Mrs. Horgan enjoys being with her family and playing golf.
chorgan@staacademy.org
Jenny Huff
Logistics Coordinator and Admissions Support
A Fort Pierce native, Mrs. Huff graduated from Indian River State College with an AA in Business and then went on to the University of Central Florida to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Before joining the Academy team she was an accountant for 8 years. Mrs. Huff now enjoys working with families and helping them get to know the Academy. Outside of work, Jenny spends her time at the beach and boating with her husband and daughter.
jhuff@staacademy.org

Meet Our Faculty

 

The faculty at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Academy are highly qualified and dedicated to helping your student succeed. Below you will find information on each of our faculty members, such as their qualifications, schools attended, and more. Have questions? Please feel free to schedule a tour or contact us at 772-461-7689.

 

Early Childhood

 

Kindergarten – 3rd Grade

Michelle Aiello
Extended Day and Lunch Coordinator
Lauren Annen
Elementary Instructor

BS Degree in Business Management - Johnson & Wales University

Greg Ayres
History, Math, Science Instructor

BS Degree in Political Science - Florida International University

Officer Candidate School United States Navy

Debbie Benson
Early Childhood Instructor

AS Degree, Child Development - Palm Beach State College

ESE Training through Palm Beach County School System

Reverend Sharon Britcher
Theology Instructor

Deacon, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Hillary Cappelen
Administrative Support Specialist

BS in Psychology - Salve Regina University (Newport, RI)

Courtney Collins
Elementary Instructor

BA Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies - Florida Atlantic University

Rachael Cooper
Elementary Instructor

BA Degree in Elementary Education - North Greenville University  

Mariel DeHaven
Early Childhood Instructor

11 years of Early Childhood Education Experience

Kristen Dewar
ECE Enrichment
Elementary Spanish

10 years of Early Childhood Education Experience

Kathleen Edwards
Christian Education and Theater Instructor

MS Degree in Technology Education - John Hopkins University

BA Degree, Elementary Education - Loyola University

Alyssa FitzGerald
Math And Social Studies Instructor

BS Degree, Elementary Education with a minor in Integrated Sciences and Mathematics - Saginaw Valley State University (Michigan)

Henry Fuller
Facilities
Lauren Harvey
Early Childhood Instructor

BS Degree in Human Services, with a specialization in Youth and Families - Indian River State College

AA Degree in Psychology - Indian River State College

Sarah Helderman
Elementary Instructor

BS Degree in Early Childhood Education - Western IL University 

AA Degree in Arts and Teaching - Black Hawk Community College  

Samantha Key
Music and Orchestra Instructor

BA Degree in Music and Education - Monmouth University, West Long Branch NJ

Kim Kraaz
Early Childhood Assistant
Melissa Kreisl
Lower School Front Desk and Theater Instructor

BA Degree in Theater - University of Central Florida

Elizabeth Laughlin
Elementary Instructor

BS Degree in Christian Ministry - Ozark Christian College  

Sue Mancheck
Spanish Instructor

BA Degree in Elementary Education, minor in Spanish

Marcia Mays
Student Support

BS Degree in Behavioral Studies - University of Central Florida

Advanced Director Credential

Deborah Mowery
Science And Writing Instructor

Master's Certificate in Reading Recovery, concentration in English

Robert Navarro
Music and Orchestra Instructor

MA Degree - New York University

BA Degree - City College of New York in Music Performance and Education

Three-time Grammy Award recipient

Brandy Nelson
Upper School Science Instructor

BS Degree in Wildlife Ecology - University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

Laura O’Kane
English and Language Arts Instructor

BA Degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Interpersonal Communications

Joseph Perez
Upper School Instructor

BA Degree in English - Wesley College (Dover, DE)

 

Karen Petersen
Spanish Instructor

MS Degree in Spanish Language and Culture - Salamanca University, Spain

BS Degree, Education - Valdosta State University

Lorenzo Roan
Facilities Coordinator
Afton Marie Simeone
Elementary Instructor

BA Degree in Elementary Education - Florida Gulf Coast University

Jenna Specker
Early Childhood Instructor

BS Degree in Business/Marketing

Shelley Starnes
Elementary Instructor

BA Degree in Diversified General Studies; minor in Biblical Studies - Hope International University

AA Degree in General Education, Early Childhood Education Certificate

Susan Tedder
Reading and Social Studies Instructor
Team Leader

MS Degree in Education - University of Florida

BS Degree in Elementary Education - University of Florida

Chaute Thompson
Academy Counselor

MS Degree in Mental Health Counseling - Walden University

BA Degree in Psychology - Florida International University

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Qualified Parenting Coordinator

Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator

Emma Williams
Art Instructor

MFA - Adelphi University

BA Degree in Art Education - Adelphi University

 

4th – 6th Grade

 

Middle School

 

High School

Electives