Teacher Bios

This is my second year at Reading Edge Academy. I am teaching 1st grade and I am VERY excited. I recently purchased a home with 5 acres. When I'm not teaching you will find me hauling my horses to a barrel race or rodeo. I received my undergraduate degree as well as my masters degree from Dowling College in New York.
I am looking forward to another great school year. Go Dolphins!!!
jlacertosa@readingedgeacademy.org

I am beginning my seventh year teaching first grade and my sixth year at Reading Edge Academy. I received my Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida in 2003. (Go Knights!) I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl and would play school with my friends. One of my greatest enjoyments in life is teaching children to read. The spark in their eye when they realize they are reading gives me the best feeling in the world! I love spending time with my husband and our three children, ages 10, 11, and 12. I am also a huge Miami Dolphins fan. Being part or the Reading Edge Academy staff is like being part of a family and you can sense that as soon as you walk through our doors.
sbew@readingedgeacademy.org

I am a native of Louisiana and majored in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development at Southern University. I always wanted to be a teacher and, for several years, have been teaching Kindergarten, 3rd Grade and 4th Grade students. I am married to a Pastor, and we have a daughter, Chelsea. I love teaching because it changes their lives and helps them to become fluent readers, critical thinkers, and productive citizens.
mthomas@readingedgeacademy.org

My name is Deborah Morgan and I have lived in the DeLand/Deltona area for nearly 30 years. I am a mother of three, all of which have either graduated from Reading Edge Academy or are presently attending. I have worked with children in the Volusia County Public school system as well as at the DeLand Public Library in the children's section. I am a dedicated Reading Edge parent as well as a dedicated 2nd grade teacher. I value the education REA offers students and am grateful for the opportunity to participate in it.
dmorgan@readingedgeacademy.org

I arrived in sunny Florida from the hills of Tennessee in 1975, met my future husband, married in 1979, and have three grown children, one of whom is a teacher. We have three beautiful granddaughters, Briana 13, Lexi 12, and Aayla 4. I earned my bachelors of science degree from UCF in elementary education, and returned to NSU to earn my masters of science in reading. I have ESOL and reading endorsement added to my teaching certificate. In addition, I have been teacher of the year two times. I love skating, reading, and being actively involved in my local church with the women's ministry.
dgravenmier@readingedgeacademy.org

Bio to follow...
eellis@readingedgeacademy.org

I am excited to be teaching at Reading Edge Academy! I earned my bachelor's degree at Stetson University in 2004 and taught 4th grade at Orange City Elementary for three years. As a teacher, please know that I have all of your children's best interests at heart at all times. I love teaching and being a part of their lives. My family has lived in the Orange City area for 26 years - I even attended DeLand High School. Together, my husband (also a teacher) and I have seven children and three grandchildren. We love to spend time with our family, go camping, and watch all the new movies when they hit the theaters!
pangel@readingedgeacademy.org

I have a Masters Degree in Teaching, and I am an attorney. I have been a substitute teacher in Volusia and Seminole Counties. Prior to that I was a Chicago Substitute Teacher and a student teacher. I have been a reading tutor in the public schools, a Greek School Teacher's Aide, and an after school tutor. Prior to teaching, I practiced law and went into banking. I speak Greek and conversational Spanish. I have traveled to Africa, Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. I continue being a life long learner and that is my goal for my students.
mtorres@readingedgeacademy.org

My goal as a teacher at the REA is to create a classroom atmosphere where each child will meet their academic potential and that I can model and inspire learning so each child will enjoy a positive learning experience.
lgetchell@readingedgeacademy.org

This will be my first year at Reading Edge Academy and I am very excited for this upcoming school year! I graduated from UF in 2004 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Education. (Go Gators!) For the last 2 years I've worked as a 3-year-old teacher and an elementary after-school director at New Horizons Country Day School in Palm Harbor, FL. I also recently attained my certification in Elementary Education. As a teacher, my goal is to help students reach their maximum potential by encouraging hard work and creativity while providing a fun and safe learning environment.
mcarson@readingedgeacademy.org

MY INSPIRATIONS: Bio to follow...
alowery@readingedgeacademy.org

I am a native New Englander who has been very happy to call sunny Florida my home since 1987. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1984 with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. Since then, I have worked with many, many students in various daycare, preschool and elementary school settings. I must say that teaching kindergarten is my absolute favorite!! It is my passion. It is who I am and what I love!! My philosophy: "The mechanics of teaching are essesntial, but nuturing the heart is a vital part of developing a child's nature, disposition and character." The smallest gesture of kindness means everything to a child. Showing a student you care enough to establish a relationship demonstrates that school and teaching are about much more than turning homework in on time.
Outside of teaching, I love the beach, daisies, the color yellow, and spending time with my teenage daughter, Arianna, my husband, Steve, and wonderful friends!
ltoland@readingedgeacademy.org

Hi, everyone! I am Heather Nicole Weiss, and this is my third year as a Kindergarten teacher at Reading Edge Academy. I have a Bachelors degree in Humanities with a minor in Education (Fall 2005) and an M.A. in Elementary Education (Spring 2009), both of which were attained from The University of Central Florida (GO KNIGHTS!) I love to teach! It's my passion and greatest calling in life. I have been married to my amazing husband, Billy, since May 11, 2008. When I am not teaching, you can find me at the beach, sewing/crafting/scrapbooking at my craft table, cheering on the Knights at UCF sporting events, and traveling to various places around the world!
hreilly@readingedgeacademy.org

My name is Jeanna Swann and I have been teaching formally and informally for over 30 years. I was raised in DeLand and have recently returned. I am married to a real estate broker in town and am the mother to six children and grandmother to three! One of my greatest joys is teaching a child to read! I am so grateful to be a part of the teaching team at Reading Edge Academy 2010-2011.
jswann@readingedgeacademy.org

MY INSPIRATIONS: My faith in God. My Husband, Kevin - my children: Kyrsten, Alexis, Mykaela, Colleen, and Mary - and sharing my love of music with children.
sburr@readingedgeacademy.org

I grew up in a small city in Massachusetts. After High School I moved to Florida to attend college in Tampa at the University of South Florida. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree and was hired by Reading Edge that same year to teach Physical Education. 13 years later I am still dedicated to our students health and overall well being. My family inspires me to be the best person that I can be. My wife and I have a boy and a girl ages 4 and 6. With any free time I enjoy golfing, swimming, and traveling!
kasmussen@readingedgeacademy.org

I would like to introduce myself to you - I am Deborah Smoak - a native Floridian who loves the "warm" weather. I have been blessed with a total of fourteen children - big and little. I have three grown children who married three wonderful people who have become mine and make up my BIG children. Together, they have given me eight fantastic grandchildren. My oldest grandchild(son) is a freshman at Cornell studying pre-med and my youngest is a new baby boy born on June 1st of 2010.

Education has always been important to me. I began teaching preschool in the early 70's and have had the opportunity to teach every level from preschool to 12th grade as well as the community college level. These experiences have convinced me that any child can learn if I, as the teacher, will teach to his/her needs.

My credentials include a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Stetson University, a Master's in Education from Belhaven College, and certifications in a multiple variety of learning styles and strategies. I was included in the Volusia League of Teachers in 1992 and have been an assessor for the National Board of Professional Teaching Certification since 2000.

I believe we all have a gift or calling from our creator and mine is to teach. I know that I am doing what I was put here to do and I thank God for allowing me to be a part of Reading Edge and Samsula Academy as their Academic Coach.
dsmoak@readingedgeacademy.org

Hello my name is KarinAnn Mutari-McKinney. I have been working at REA since February 2010 as a Resource Teacher. I have been married for 10 years and have two active boys. I have earned my AA at Daytona Beach Community Collage and continued to earn my BA from Eastern Kentucky University, in Elementary Education. I am currently certified to teach grades 1 - 6 and exceptional student eduction K - 12. I am very excited to begin a school new year to see what God has in store for me this year. May God Bless you and your family.
kmckinney@readingedgeacademy.org

MY INSPIRATIONS: Bio to follow...
skent@readingedgeacademy.org