Our Staff

We're proud to introduce you to our talented and dedicated staff, who bring a depth of caring, knowledge, skill, and experience to our work, and see to it that each student has a deeply rewarding educational experience every day of the school year.

Director Karen Porter M.Ed.. NBCT
Secretary Madeline Zecman
Science Teacher Patricia Ashton, MS
Art / Media Teacher "Effie" Stephanie Rodriguez, BFA
Art Consultant Lisa Smith, BFA
History Teacher Amanda Erickson, MA, RPA
Grades 1-3 Teacher: Jennifer Hoben
Political Science Guest Lecturer Dr. Jim Morrison, PhD
Math and Science Teachers Matthew Silec and Jonathan Hipps
Foreign Student Coordinator Patricia Viamonte MFA
Guidance Counselor and Negotiation Specialist James Porter, Ph.D., M.Ed., Ed.S.
Accounting Pearl Griffin
Accounting Advisor Javier Soler

Karen Porter is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher with more that 20 years of teaching experience. She is currently an Independent Educator and Publisher and has her own company, Loga Springs Academy. She is a published author of the books, Modern American Drama, Peace Peace Peace: a Coloring Book from Around the World, and Abby’s Read-Along, Sing-Along Picture Books which includes 40 hours of continuous English grammar and reading instruction. She was an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Florida, and University of Florida as well as a Multicultural Liaison for Pinellas County Schools in Clearwater Florida. She has taught Teacher Training and Cross-Cultural Communication for the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, Pinellas County School System, Saint Andrews University in Scotland, East China Normal University in China, and Rutgers University in New Jersey. Having worked in various educational settings, she is aware of the many different types of assessment and educational methods for teaching. She has presented in New York, Seattle, Orlando, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Scottish, and Florida at various educator conferences including the international Teachers of English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL) and the British Association of Language Education Professionals (BALEP). Karen also is certified by the State of Florida in Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (5-9).

Patricia Ashton is a native Floridian who began her studies at Univerity of Miami and subsequently worked with the Tropical Atlantic Biological laboratories. Pat completed her graduate work at University of Florida and is an educator, field biologist, botanis,t and author as well as an ecotourism expert with over 27 years of experience in teaching, museum and zoo education programs and exhibit development, park planning and operations, teacher and staff training, curriculum design and evaluation, international travel development and endangered species habitat management. Pat is co-author of the three-volume set, The Handbook to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida and has written a number of curricula, book chapters, and articles. She leads teams of experts in completing projects worldwide such as designing museums and parks, creating successful ecolodges, designing nature trails, and evaluating the education and marketing feasibility of various properties for development. Pat has served as secretary and newsletter editor for the Gopher Tortoise Council. She also has spent over 20 years studying gopher tortoise forage habitat and has carried out various field research projects on a variety of species including algae, burrowing owls, tortoises, salamanders, snakes, and lizards.

'Effie' Stephanie Rodriguez has a BFA from the University of Florida. She recently showed her work in the Gallery in the Reitz Union in an exhibition entitled "The LOL Show." The project included a selection of drawings employing Internet memes from Longcat to O'RLY Owl, and featured comical pictures, jokes, and phrases and videos from the Internet. Effie is web-savy and skilled at involving students in illustration, web site development, video editing, design, animation, and media in general. Students love her upbeat, positive style in presenting ideas and her amazing knowledge of how technology can be used as an artistic tool.

Amanda Erickson holds a Masters Degree from the University of London. She has worked with British schoolchildren directly promoting historical preservation and archeology, and done extensive field work in archeology in Britain, and the United States including sites in St. Augustine Florida and Homosossa Springs. As Education Assistant for the Education and Public Programs Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History Amanda works on outreach and program development. She also iis an avid reader of history and enjoys working with students.

Jennifer Hoben has been teaching since 2001. She received the Teacher of the Year Award in 2009-2010 at her previous elementary school and is certified to teach grades K-3 . Her philosophy of education comprises a number of aspects.  She believes children cannot reach their full potential without their basic needs being met. As an educator, she recognizes the importance of teachers doing all they can to encourage each student's interests and gifts. Through empowering our children with the self -confidence, self-respect, and social skills needed to function in society we help them to become passionate, lifelong learners. Jennifer is dedicated to instilling a love of learning in her students, a sense of understanding and compassion for others that extends naturally across all ethnic and cultural lines, the practice of treating others with kindness and respect, and the ability to believe that we can make a difference in our lives and in the world.

James Porter is a Ph.D. in Mental Health Counseling with special training in bullying prevention and reduction.  Since 2002, Jim has gained practical experience counseling a diverse population individually, in families, and in group settings. He is a registered mental health intern and a State of Florida Supreme Court Certified Dependency Mediator. Says Jim: "When we learn to negotiate win-win agreements, our relationships improve. Our families, employees, employers, workmates, and schoolmates become active in helping meet our needs. What is more rewarding perhaps is that we get to contribute to their lives."

Jonathan Hipps holds a BS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He has a passion for math and science and loves to teach physics. Jonathan is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Dr. James Morrison is a political science professor who has retired from the University of Florida. He wrote The Polish People's Republic and taught at the University of Florida for many years.

Mathew Silec has a BS from the University of Florida in Mechanical Engineering. He loves to teach math.