Meet The Teachers

Principal and Head of School, Mr. Pete Gaffney has been an educator in Seminole County for an impressive 30 years. In that time, he has been the principal of two schools, Keeth Elementary School and Winter Springs High School. The kids know him as Papa Bear and he can be seen throughout the day chatting with students in the courtyard or the lunchroom as his approach to leadership centers around building relationships with our students, teachers, and the local community.

On the rare occasions that he is not on campus attending events, Mr. Gaffney can be found spending time with his family or playing golf (He loves to play golf!). His hobbies also include collecting sports memorabilia and exploring wildlife.

A strong supporter of the IB Program, Mr. Gaffney shared that he values “the camaraderie and the togetherness combined with amazing students and fantastic teachers/staff.” His words of wisdom for the entire school would be, “Don’t just “GO” to school; “DO” High School!” And as the readers can guess, his final summation is, “And as always, “GO BEARS.”

Assistant Principal Arika Sutton has worked for SCPS for 13 years. During her career, she has gained experience in a number of areas. She began teaching 6th Grade Pre-IB Language Arts at Sanford Middle. She then taught Creative Writing, Debate, Literature & Film Studies, English 1, and Reading at Lake Brantley. After that, she taught Health Academy English 1, Reading 10, before becoming the Instructional Coach at Seminole High School.

Because of her talent and versatility, she was promoted to School Administration Manager-AP Coordinator at Lake Howell HS before becoming the Assistant Principal over the IB Program at Winter Springs HS

Ms. Sutton earned her Bachelor of Science English Language Arts Education 6-12, ESOL as well as her Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, singing, and spending time with her family. What she enjoys most about being the director of the IB program at Winter Springs is the direct interaction with tomorrow's leaders. She shared, “Each day I get to collaborate with scholars who are change agents within our district and globally. Within our program, our teachers mentor our students, and we create a pipeline of success ensuring that our students leave Winter Springs High School ready to serve the world.”

IB Coordinator, Dr. Paula Vickers, has been an educator in Seminole County for over 35 years. Her commitment to excellence was celebrated when she was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2023. During her tenure at WSHS, she has served as an Instructional Coach, New Teacher Lead, English Department Chair, and Newspaper advisor.

Dr. Vickers earned her Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees from the University of Central Florida, with a focus on English Language Arts Education and Educational Leadership.

What she enjoys most about being the IB Coordinator is the opportunity to work in a leadership capacity while still interacting throughout the day with IB students. “These students are remarkable. They are eager to learn, grow, and explore new possibilities. It’s exciting to be a part of this program.” In addition to her responsibilities, she is also the IB Club sponsor.

In her spare time, Dr. Vickers enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, attending rock concerts, and relaxing at the beach.

One of our newest IB team members is Brynn Martorell, certified school counselor, who is entering her second year at WSHS. Some of her responsibilities include creating schedules, senior and junior credit checks, and leading parent/teacher conferences. In addition, she recently presented to the freshmen students to inform them about the IB program, the Bright Futures Scholarship, Xello, WSHS clubs and sports, and graduation requirements. Later in the term, she will present to the senior students to inform them about requirements for the High School Diploma and the IB Diploma, college/career exploration, financial aid and scholarships, and final tips for senior year.

Ms. Martorell finds great satisfaction in her work. She shared, “I love helping students reach their goals.”

Ms. Martorell earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UCF and Master of Arts in Counselor Education from UCF.

In her free time, Ms. Martorell loves serving at her church and watching movies.

Upon entering Ms. Brandi Cough’s classroom, it is evident that she values literature. Quotes from Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451, and To Kill a Mockingbird cause students to think critically about history, politics and social issues. Her room provides a preview of the themes that will be explored throughout the school year.

With 21 years of experience (13 at WSHS), Ms. Cough is well equipped to prepare her students for the rigors of English. Currently, she teaches Pre-IB freshman English and English III.

Ms. Cough earned her Masters and Bachelors of Secondary Education in English from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. In her spare time, Ms. Cough enjoys traveling and reading.

Like the rest of our IB Team, Ms. Cough gains a lot of satisfaction working with her students. “My favorite part of my discipline is teaching literature that hopefully students will enjoy and realize that reading can be fun. I specifically enjoy the Pre-IB and IB program because it challenges students to be their best selves.”

Leveraging over two decades of classroom expertise, Ms. Pam Gaskill brings depth and meaning to the AP curriculum. Her commitment to the AP program is rooted in a genuine passion for academic rigor and student growth. She shared, “I get to teach. I plan my lessons, I choose my texts, and I adapt my year to the ebbs and flows of my classes. I get to choose how to teach my standards and prepare students for the exam. Years ago, a great AP Lit teacher (Ms. Charlotte Roberts) told me that every day, when the bell rings, you have to shut the door on the noise and just teach. The students are waiting for you to share your love of literature, so share it, and work to have them love it too. So, that's what I try to do every day.”

Specifically, regarding AP Lang, Ms. Gaskill values the art of rhetoric. For AP Lit, it involves “discovering the intricacies of the human condition.” For AP Capstone, she shared, “There's a practicality to this course as well as the component of being able to follow your curiosity.”

Ms. Gaskill graduated from UCF with a BS English Education, from Rollins with an MLS (Master of Liberal Studies), and was named WSHS Teacher of the Year in 2024. In her spare time, Ms. Gaskill enjoys reading, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with the family. She encourages everyone to, “Pick up a good book and read this summer. Take time to go outside - go for a walk, work in the yard, visit some of the amazing parks in the area. Spend time with your family; the days get shorter the older you get, so build the memories now with those you love.”

With 34 years of teaching experience, veteran English teacher Dottie Ivey brings a wealth of wisdom to her IB students. Ms. Ivey graduated from UCF with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and later earned a Master of Liberal Studies from the prestigious Rollins College. Ms. Ivey loves “watching students succeed and grow.” As she put it, “I love seeing the ah ha moment.” In her free time, Ms. Ivey enjoys sailing, kayaking, and reading.

With 15 years of teaching experience, Katie O’Neal is thrilled to join the team at WSHS this year to inspire and guide IB students. A passionate lifelong learner, Ms. O’Neal holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Kennesaw State University as well as a Master of Education in Literacy from Clemson University. Outside the classroom, she stays active through her favorite hobbies, which include reading, playing tennis, and traveling to new destinations with her family. Her rich educational background, deep enthusiasm for literacy, and years of classroom expertise make her a fantastic addition to the WSHS community.

Multi-talented Dr. Ariadne Bernal is a member of the World Language department. Not only does she teach Spanish, but she is also the advisor of Leaders in Action. With six years of teaching experience and a professional background as a licensed dentist, Dr. Bernal offers a unique perspective to our world languages department. As a Pre-IB Spanish teacher, Dr. Bernal is driven by the opportunity to inspire critical thinking and cultural appreciation. “I love helping students develop a global perspective through language,” she said, “and fostering connections that help them grow both academically and personally.”

Outside of the classroom, she is a devoted wife and mother of a 32 year-old daughter. She also enjoys exploring the world. An avid traveler, she has visited over 35 countries across four continents including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. These journeys have allowed her to bring authentic, real-world cultural experiences directly to her students.

Erin Park brings 13 years of teaching experience and a deep-seated passion for global connections into her IB Spanish classroom. An accomplished educator, she holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts, an MA in Education from Saint Joseph University, and an MS in Education Technology from Central Connecticut State University.

What Ms. Park enjoys most about being an IB teacher is working with teenagers, stating, “I've worked with every age group from preschool up, but this age group is my favorite, and having 3 teenagers at home helps me connect with them. I also love that IB Spanish encourages real communication and deeper cultural understanding. It's rewarding to see students make connections between what we do in class and the world around them.”

Ms. Park 's extensive global experience—including living with host families in Spain, Italy, Japan, and Guatemala, teaching English in China, and backpacking through Central America—profoundly shapes her approach to teaching and connecting with students. When she’s not in the classroom, she can be found spending time outdoors, especially hiking and skiing.

Dr. Kelly Raines was born abroad, and her parents were second-culture children. She was the first one on her mother's side of the family to graduate college. Having lived in Canada, India, Brazil, Panama, and Costa Rica helped her to develop a global perspective that is accompanied by a deep love for all people.

Dr. Raines is entering into her 25th year of teaching, having experience at the middle school, high school, and university levels. She earned her B.A. Political Science- International Relations from Southern Connecticut State University, an M.A. Spanish Literature and Latin American Civilization from Wichita State University, an Ed.S. Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida, as well as an Ed.D. Education/Organizational Leadership from Southeastern University. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, trying new things, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends playing board games and laughing. As a side note, Dr. Raines shared that she was fortunate enough to have married the love of her life one month after turning 21, and the couple was blessed with, as she shared, “Some pretty amazing children!”

As a new member of the WSHS IB team, what Dr. Raines looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to “the process of developing students who are caring, reflective, and globally minded learners,” stated Dr. Raines. She continued, “I am beyond excited to engage students in meaningful inquiry that encourages them to think critically and make real-world connections. I also look forward to collaborating with student leaders in Leaders in Action to serve the WSHS community with care and distinction. Most importantly, I am eager to get to know each student and faculty/ staff at WSHS and work together to make every day count! Drop by my room sometime. I would love to meet you!”

Latin teacher, Mr. Daniel Robie, has been educating students at Winter Springs High School for 25 years. During this time, he has sponsored Brain Bowl and Latin Club. One distinction of his career was being named Seminole County Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Robie’s degrees include an AA in Arts (UCF, 1987); BA in Latin (Michigan State University, 1996); MA in Classics (University of Georgia, 1999); and MA in Educational Leadership (American College of Education, in progress).

In his spare time, Mr. Robie stays quite active. He enjoys cooking, especially using vegetables and herbs that he has grown himself. He also participates in karaoke, exercises at the gym at least four to five times per week, and on occasion cruises on Virgin Voyages. He also enjoys playing video games from 25 years ago. In addition, Mr. Robie stays current with standardized testing trends by analyzing and teaching strategies pertaining to the PSAT/SAT and ACT when he can.

Mr. Robie shared what he values most about being an IB teacher by stating, “The WSHS people (students, teachers, administrators) involved in the IB program are the best!!!”

Science department chair Aracelis Torres earned a Bachelor of General Science from the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. In her spare time, Ms. Torres loves to read and practice woodworking.

What she enjoys most about being part of the IB team is the students. "Their curiosity and how thirsty they are for knowledge is inspiring," she shared. In addition to teaching Environmental Systems and Societies, Ms. Torres sponsors the Leadership organization alongside co-sponsor Ms. Gaskill, organizing various extracurricular events. This role allows her to build relationships across the entire campus. "Leadership helps me connect with even more students in all realms of the school, not just IB students," she explained. Working at WSHS is deeply fulfilling for Ms. Torres, who emphasized, "Teaching is my passion!"

Mr. Chris Adamson is a dedicated science educator specializing in advanced high school coursework, including Chemistry 1 Honors, AP Environmental Science, IB Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. Through his rigorous academic curriculum, he prepares students for higher-level scientific inquiry, environmental awareness, and college-level chemistry principles.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Adamson plays an active role in student leadership and academic honors organizations. He co-sponsors the Science National Honor Society with Physics teacher Mr. Andrew Huskey and the Rocketry Club alongside Renewable Energy teacher Mr. Dave Johnson. Additionally, he collaborates with Ms. Keisha Pritchard as a co-sponsor for the National Honor Society, helping recognize and mentor academically outstanding students across campus.

For over a decade, Andrew Huskey has been inspiring students in the world of physics. A dedicated educator with 11 years of experience, Mr. Huskey earned his foundational expertise close to home, completing his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education Physics at the University of Central Florida. His passion lies not only in teaching the laws of the universe but also in fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Huskey's interests reveal a well-rounded and analytical mind: he enjoys deep-diving into the history of cinema and television and unwinding with video games, activities that often require the same critical thinking and system analysis he encourages in his students.

As an IB teacher, Mr. Huskey finds his greatest fulfillment in the challenging and rewarding nature of the program. He shares that what he enjoys most is "being challenged by my students and watching them grow." The demanding curriculum and the intellectual drive of his IB classes keep him engaged, ensuring he is always on top of his material. Ultimately, witnessing his students grasp complex concepts and develop into confident, analytical thinkers is the core joy that drives his continued commitment to education.

Science teacher Lisa Mas is one of the newest members of our IB team, but she comes to our school with over 12 years of experience. She clarified by stating that “those twelve years have been over the course of twenty-four years. I started teaching right out of college, stopped after my son was born, taught online during my children’s elementary school years, and went back

into high schools as a long-term substitute teacher for science classes before returning to full time teaching.”

Joining the Bear Nation has been a great move for Ms. Mas. What she likes most about teaching Pre-IB is “100% the students. They are incredible. I am fascinated with how they think. They are curious and innovative. They are kind and funny. I feel so grateful to be in the presence of the great minds that will shape the future. I also love learning. I am enjoying learning about I.B. because I am new to it,” she said.

Ms. Mas’ teaching style has been influenced by her personal experience as a mom. She shared, “My perspective as a mom who has two children who have recently graduated (and one who is about to) a fairly intense high school program really influences my teaching. I understand the pressure and rigor the students are experiencing and try to meet them with compassion, understanding and flexibility, while maintaining high expectations.”

Ms. Mas earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from UCF. She also attended the University of Florida and the College of William and Mary where she studied Gifted Education.

In her spare time, Ms. Mas loves to read, sharing, “I read over 100 books every year.” She also enjoys taking long walks with her husband, watching good movies and TV, and watching girls’ volleyball (especially Wingate where her daughter plays!).

Rebecca Thomas-Ghent may be a new face on the IB team, she brings a wealth of expertise to the program with over 12 years of teaching experience in Seminole County.

Ms. Thomas-Ghent holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently putting the finishing touches on her Master’s degree in Math and Science Education. Her deep background in both understanding how students learn and the intricacies of STEM education makes her a fantastic addition to the IB faculty.

When asked what she is most excited about in her new role, Ms. Thomas-Ghent highlighted two main highlights which include reconnecting with students she has taught in the past as well as the opportunity to expand her own professional horizons by mastering the innovative, inquiry-based IB approach to instruction.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Thomas-Ghent enjoys soaking up the outdoors, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and making memories with her family and friends.

When it comes to dedication in the classroom, few match the legacy of Jay Bergman. With 41 years of teaching experience under his belt, Mr. Bergman brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge, passion, and expertise to his students every single day.

Mr. Bergman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and his Master’s degree in Statistics at Texas A&M University.

Inside his classroom, learning is anything but one-size-fits-all. Bergman designs his courses around choice and dynamic instruction. "The kids are wonderful," Bergman shared. "I think my class gives them a variety of options that cover the curriculum."

That varied approach pays off, but Bergman credits the real success to the students themselves. Preparing students for rigorous academic programs takes grit, and he is quick to praise the perseverance of those who sit in his room. "The kids are hardworking, and they have the 'stick-to-it-ness' that is needed to complete the program," he claimed.

When he isn't guiding students through statistical concepts, he can be found traveling and cherishing quality time with his family.

Veteran educator Rebekah Krausman has 27 years of experience under her belt, 24 at WSHS and three in Alaska. She currently teaches several levels of Calculus at the AP and IB levels. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics, B.A. in Mathematics Education, and M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Central Florida and the University of Alaska.

During her years at WSHS, she has had the opportunity to lead the Hunnybears dance team alongside her daughter, Breana Krausman, who also teaches in the math department at our school.

As a devoted educator, Ms. Krausman offers tutoring during both lunches and after school. Ms. Krausman shared her enthusiasm as an IB teacher. “I love the brilliant IB students I've been able to teach. Their level of maturity, kindness, and responsibility for their education is impressive and they amaze me every day.” In her spare time, Ms. Krausman enjoys snuggling with her grandbabies, taking her puppies to the beach, and creating first order differential equations to solve.

Skilled computer science teacher Mr. Tim Gallagher has been a member of the Winter Springs High School faculty for his entire 25 year teaching career. As a member of the IB Team, he said, “I enjoy being part of a team that is working to provide the top-tier experience for our students.”

Not only does Mr. Gallagher work with IB students, but he also writes marching band shows for our very own WSHS Band of Gold as well as for several other high schools and universities. Because of his talent and reputation, Mr. Gallagher has been selected many times to judge marching band competitions around the country.

Mr. Gallagher earned his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Miami and later earned an M.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Central Florida. In his spare time, Mr. Gallagher enjoys biking, reading, going to theme parks, and spending time with his family.

Math department chair, Lesley Schmidt, has been teaching at WSHS for 21 years. As a teacher devoted to educating young minds, being involved in the IB Program has been quite satisfying. What she likes most about being a Pre-IB teacher are the qualities of an IB Learner Profile. She said, “I have travelled internationally on several occasions, and I really appreciate the sentiment of global citizenry. I love the concept of developing lifelong learners who place an importance on open-mindedness. I value creativity and community service, which are core values of the IB program. I enjoy being around people who have these qualities and the Pre-IB students tend to embody them.”

During her college years, she attended Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan. Although she started college with a Math Education major, Ms. Schmidt ended up

earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics instead. Her minor in college was theater and she had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in London.

When she is not teaching, Ms. Schmidt enjoys reading fiction and science fiction, as well as playing Dominoes, Euchre, and other games.

Winter Springs Chorus has a rich tradition of earning Superior Ratings at District and State Music Performance Assessment and earning Honor Choir status with Disney's Candlelight Processional for many years. Through the leadership of Chorus Director, Kara Ferland, the WSHS Chorus has performed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York City with composer Eric Whitacre,” according to the WSHS Website.

For 20 years, our choral director, WSHS alumni, Kara Ferland has led our chorus to greatness. Under her direction, they have earned Superior Ratings at District and State Music Performance Assessments and Honor Choir status with Disney's Candlelight Processional several times.

Ms. Ferland’s classes include Bearitones, Voices of Gold, Bear Voices, Fresh Treble, and Voices of Purple. Both IB and non-IB students alike appreciate Ms. Ferland for her expertise, her talent, and her patience. Likewise, Ms. Ferland enjoys helping her students develop their singing skills and become a cohesive chorus. She commented that she truly enjoys “getting to know our students so well.”

Ms. Ferland graduated from FSU with her Bachelor and Masters of Choral Music Education. In her spare time, Ms. Ferland enjoys cycling, strength training, and hanging out with her five year old daughter, McKenzie. Ms. Ferland’s advice for life is to “always leave room for the arts in your life. They fill your soul and help you become more human every day.”

Mr. Kyle Ferland serves as the Band Director at Winter Springs High School, where he oversees a comprehensive instrumental and academic music curriculum. Throughout the school day, he works across a broad range of musical disciplines, directing performance ensembles including the Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion, and Color Guard. In addition to ensemble leadership, Mr. Ferland guides students through high-level academic coursework in both AP Music Theory and IB Music, balancing rigorous musical analysis with performance excellence.

Music at Winter Springs High School is truly a shared passion, as Mr. Ferland’s wife also serves as the school’s chorus teacher. Together, they lead the fine arts department to cultivate a collaborative, supportive environment for young musicians across both instrumental and vocal disciplines.

Dr. Sean Loomis wears many hats in the IB Program. In addition to teaching Theory of Knowledge, he advises students in completing their Creativity, Activity, Service projects and

oversees the Extended Essays. Dr. Loomis inspires his students to challenge themselves and their assumptions by delving into the nature of knowledge and how people learn. In short, he teaches them to think critically and to collaborate effectively with others.

Highly educated, Dr. Loomis earned his degrees in Curriculum and Instruction EdD, Social Studies Education MAT, Philosophy BA all from UCF. He has 13 years of teaching experience. As a strong proponent of the IB Program, Dr. Loomis truly values the opportunity to discuss interesting topics with passionate students and helping them to grow through the IB program. In his spare time, Dr. Loomis enjoys playing the guitar, reading philosophy, taking care of his three kids, and hiking

Advanced Placement US History teacher, Allyson DuBois, has been educating students at WSHS for five years. Many of our tenth grade Pre-IB students take her class as they prepare for their junior year when they officially enter the IB Program. Ms. DuBois prepares her students by focusing on strengthening writing skills for the DBQs. She also engages her students in class discussions and healthy debates so that they can see an array of vantage points.

Ms. DuBois earned her BS in psychology, with a minor in Secondary Education from UCF. Prior to that, she was a student at WSHS and was on the Hunnybears dance team.

Ms. DuBois enjoys teaching students in the Pre-IB Program for many reasons, but especially because of the sense of community and the dedication of the students.

When she is not working with students at school, Ms. DuBois enjoys reading and binge watching TV shows with her husband.

Renewable Energy teacher, Dave Johnson, has been teaching for 26 years. Mr. Johnson prioritizes teaching renewable energy because, he shared, “I’m all about trying to make the world a better place, being more efficient, and saving money for fun stuff.”

In addition to teaching RE, Mr. Johnson is also the founder and sponsor of the REHS. He welcomes new members, stating, “REHS is about promoting awareness of clean energy methods and technologies in our homes and in the community. If you would like to be a part of that, signups are during Bear Bash at the beginning of each school year.”

Mr. Johnson enjoys everything about teaching IB students. “They are exemplary students with a strong work ethic, and I enjoy our discussions and time together,” he confirmed. Overall, teaching is a true calling for Mr. Johnson. “I love teaching and have wanted to be a teacher since elementary school.” A fun fact Mr. Johnson shared, “My entire teaching career, including my student teaching internship, has been at Winter Springs High School, hired by the person our football stadium is named after.”

Mr. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education from UCF, with Physics and NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certifications as well.

Outside of school, Mr. Johnson enjoys playing basketball, running, cycling/mountain biking, fishing, boating and kayaking.

WSHS offers an array of electives with an emphasis on academics. Members of the Ursidae yearbook staff, led by Ms. Alison Petro, learn valuable writing, editing, and photography skills when they take on the responsibility of creating and publishing the award-winning yearbook.

This is Ms. Petro’s fifth year of teaching but only her second year at the high school level. Before that she taught first grade at a Title 1 school for three years before returning to her Alma Mater. She attended UCF and received a B.S. in Elementary Education, K-6.

Ms. Petro shared, “The thing I enjoy most about teaching yearbook would be seeing how student-led the publication becomes. At the beginning of the year, we have a group of new students who do not know much about yearbook and what it entails, but as we progress through the year, those students gain confidence in their abilities to interview, write captions, and/or design, and they become ecstatic when they see everything put together in a spread. I try to make it fun by bringing in guest speakers like our yearbook rep or photography rep to talk to the students about careers they can pursue in this field. I also enjoy taking students on field trips. Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) holds workshops throughout the year as well as a big convention in the spring, so a good portion of the money we receive from senior ads and yearbook sales goes back to the program by having the students attend the workshops, free of charge to them.”

In her spare time, Ms. Petro enjoys going to Disney as well as taking pictures of miscellaneous things such as food and animals. For her, it’s enjoyable combining her two loves into one by taking pictures at Disney.

Many talented instructors make an impact on the educational development of our IB students. One of them is SGM(R) Frederick Ramie, one of our JROTC teachers.

SGM(R) Ramie served in the US Army for 25 years and has been teaching in the JROTC Program for nine years. One of the positives of the JROTC Program is the focus on growth. Ramie shared, “I enjoy watching our students develop over the years.”

In addition to serving in the military, SGM(R) Ramie has earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, M.Ed. in Leadership, and has recently completed his Doctorate. In his spare time, SGM(R) Ramie participates in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tennis, and Bass fishing.

In regard to the benefits of participating in JROTC, SGM(R) Ramie stated, “JROTC is a program where everyone is welcomed and can find their own space within our family. Our goal is for everyone to leave the organization a more disciplined, confident and respectful cadet than when they arrived. Some achieve more, some achieve less, but all make progress and are appreciated.”

Growing up as a military kid, Andrew Taylor, a member of our Social Studies department, not only educates his students about other countries, governments, and societies, he has experienced them firsthand. Mr. Taylor has traveled to over 30 countries and lived overseas for about five years. His global perspective makes him an ideal teacher for the IB Program. This year he teaches AP United States History, and Mr. Taylor’s students enjoy his approach to understanding and critiquing the history that has made the USA unlike any other in the world.

Mr. Taylor shared, “I really enjoy the content of the course; getting to do deep dives into different parts of American history, helping students understand the how and why of historical events, and how those events all led us to the world we have today.”

Mr. Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science from UCF in Secondary Social Science Education. In his spare time, he values spending time with his dog, traveling, and playing music.