 | Principal
Vickie Marble
email
Back to Top | Prior to becoming involved in the Florida charter school movement, I spent 20 years as an elementary school teacher having taught in public and private schools. I am a founding board member of the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools, an Advisory Board member of the Florida Charter School Resource Center, and a Governor’s appointee to the Florida Charter School Review Panel since 1999. In 1996, I was instrumental in the creation and operation of the Police Athletic League (PAL) Academy Charter School, The Opportunity Charter School and the Manatee County Juvenile Justice Charter School all charter schools for high risk youth. I graduated from the University of South Florida in 1978 and have attended both Fordham University and Columbia University. I was the Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships for the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools until taking a position the Regional Resource Specialist for the National Cooperative Bank Development Corporation providing technical assistance in the area of finance and facilities for Florida and Georgia’s charter schools; and working in concert with the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools.
I live in Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton and have been a resident of Manatee County since 1959. I have 2 sons; one lives in Washington DC and the other son attends Manatee Community College. I enjoy traveling, walking, reading and shopping. I just recently have started working on refinishing and decorating furniture. |
| Sixth Grade Teachers |
 | 6th Grade Social Studies (Rm206)
Bridgett Hart
SLA email
Back to Top | Bridgett Hart has been in the Venice area since 1976 and went to Venice Jr. High and Venice High School. She then attended college at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama where she earned her teaching degree. She returned home to Sarasota County and was a substitute teacher for a year while searching for a permanent teaching position. Very little hiring was being done at that time so she moved to Marietta, Georgia where she taught first grade for five years in the Cobb County school system. She became a stay-at-home mom the year after her first son was born and remained home for 11 years to raise her two sons.
Bridgett has been teaching sixth grade at SLA since the year the doors opened in the Fall of 2004. She has been married to her husband David since November of 2004 and now has two step-sons along with her own two sons, three of which attend SLA. Bridgett has taught Language Arts, Social Studies and Science at SLA and is now teaching sixth grade Social Studies/Geography for the 06-07 school year. Her philosophy is "work hard to play hard" and enjoys giving her students new experiences in the area of Geography through books, DVD"s, cultural materials, research papers/projects and ethnic food feasts to coincide with each region she teaches. |
 | 6th Grade Science (Rm205)
Robyn Oliver
SLA email
Back to Top | Florida State Certified in Math 5-9
and Science 5-9
- Teaching Certificate, Edison College, Educator Preparation Institute
- M.Sc. Degree, South Dakota State University, Wildlife Ecology and Management, Magna cum Laude
- B.Sc. Degree, Michigan State University, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Magna cum Laude
- Associates, Lansing Community College, Biology, Summa cum Laude
|
Ms. Oliver is originally a Michigan native and moved to Florida to be closer to her immediate family and pursue a teaching career. She formerly enjoyed a career as a Wildlife Biologist and has worked for local, state, and federal governments as well as Michigan State University Extension. Ms. Oliver’s goal is to "Bring Science to Life" for her 6th graders and is dedicated to helping all students learn about and enjoy Science. Ms. Oliver looks forward to working with the 6th graders and their families to make this school year memorable and full of learning.
|
 | 6th Grade Math (Rm202)
Lori Turkovics
SLA email
Back to Top | Mrs. Lori Turkovics was born in New York, where she earned her bachelor degree. She is the mathematics instructor for the 6th Grade team. This is her second year with the Student Leadership Academy. Mrs. Turkovics has both Gifted and ESOL training . She lives in Venice with her husband, a Venice High School Graduate and long time resident, and her two children. Her son is a member of the new and talented 6th grade student body at SLA. |
 | 6th Grade Language Arts (Rm203)
Sarah Willis (Dalton)
SLA email
Back to Top | Sarah Willis (Dalton) recently graduated from the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and is ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsed through the state of Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Associates degree and decided to return to the community in which she went to school. She is a Venice native and graduated from Venice High School in 2002. She wants to give back to the community that taught her so much by teaching the future leaders of the world. She will be teaching 6th grade Language Arts and is really looking forward to working with the students, parents, and staff at the Student Leadership Academy. |
| Seventh Grade Teachers |
 | 7th Grade Language Arts (Rm305)
Leslie Clark
SLA email
Back to Top | Leslie Clark holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Last year, she was a substitute teacher for Sarasota County and a permanent sub for VHS Spring semester. She is excited about teaching 7th grade LA.
She is married to Greg, and has one son Austin who is in 1st grade at Garden Elementary.
Her hobbies are photography, scrap booking, tennis, boating and scuba diving. She loves to travel and spent her high school years in Rabat, Morocco.
Parents can email her with any questions or concerns, or call her at 941.650.6264 (cell). |
 | 7th Grade Math (Rm304)
Irene Gilson
SLA email
Back to Top | Irene Gilson was born and raised in New York State. She grew up in Rochester, earned a BS in Computer Science from the State University of NY in Potsdam, worked as a software engineer in Syracuse, and raised her family in Corning. She and her husband moved their family to Venice three years ago for sunshine and warmth. Previously Irene had enjoyed home schooling her children, but since moving to Florida all four of their children have enrolled in schools enabling them to make friends in the community.
While one son attended the Student Leadership Academy, Irene volunteered in many capacities. She served as Vice-President on Parent Council, helped computerize the library, tutored Algebra students, and last year she had the opportunity of serving on the SLA governing board.
Irene is looking forward to teaching this year and welcomes all of her 7th grade math students. |
 | 7th Grade Science (Rm300)
Justin Iannello
SLA email
Back to Top | Justin Iannello grew up on Long Island. He graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Florida with Magna Cum Laude honors and also graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Sacred Heart University with Summa Cum Laude honors.
His interests in education are fueled by his personal studies in the sciences. His favorite science topic is Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. His teaching style is built around applying analogies to scientific concepts and employing a simplified step-by-step approach.
His interests outside of teaching are exercising, football, wrestling, pogo sticking, reading, investing and fantasy football. His most prized possessions are spending time with family and friends. |
 | 7th grade Social Studies (Rm303)
Kevin Shearer
SLA email
Back to Top | I have spent most of my life living and raising a family in Southwest Florida. I graduated from Pineview School and went on to earn my Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. For the next fifteen years I was part of the business world in retail management. However, a couple of years ago, I answered my true calling of being a mentor, an advocate, and especially a Teacher to students in Sarasota county. I currently hold Teaching certificates in Social Studies grades 6 through 12 and Math grades 5 through 9. I am very proud and happy to be a part of the SLA team. |
| Eighth Grade Teachers |
 | 8th Grade Language Arts (Rm405)
Trina Aker
SLA email
Back to Top | Trina Aker holds a B.A. in Psychology and English from Vanderbilt University. She began teaching 2 years ago after a 20 year career in the business sector. She is excited about teaching 8th grade Language Arts. She is passionate about reading and writing and about sharing that passion with her students.
She is also strongly committed to the vision of SLA. She has been involved with the school since its inception, serving as Parent Council President, as a teacher, as Faculty sponsor for Builders Club, as 8th grade team leader, and as a volunteer.
Her hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, photography, church work, and theater/drama. She is married and has two sons. Her husband Dave is a City of Venice Police Officer. Nathan recently graduated from FSU and Ashton is a freshman at Venice High School. |
 | 8th Grade Science (Rm404)
Ashley Curtis
SLA email
Back to Top | Ashley Curtis will be teaching 8th grade Science. She graduated in 2005 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a B.A. degree in Exercise Physiology. She is also a nationally certified EMT, Hyperbaric Technologist, and Basic Life Support/First Aid Instructor. After working 2 years in the medical field out of state, Ashley decided to move back to Sarasota County to be closer to her family and pursue a teaching career. She wants to enrich the minds of our next generation using a hands-on approach to learning while applying science principles to every day life. Ashley is looking forward to working with the talented 8th graders and their families! Aside from teaching she loves scuba diving, boating, traveling, and Tar Heel basketball. |
 | ESE Liason
Jamie McNeil
SLA email
Back to Top | Hello. I graduated from Florida Southern in the fall of 2000 with a degree in Special Education and have been teaching ever since. I am certified in Middle School Math, Learning Disabilities, and Varying Exceptionalities. I am endorsed in ESOL, English Speaking Students of Other Languages. I worked at Murdock Middle School for seven years. I taught math to students with disabilities ranging from learning disabilities to emotional/behavioral disabilities. I was ESE Team Leader for one year and ESE Program Planner for two years. I transferred to the Student Leadership Academy in October of 2006. At the academy, I am the ESE Liaison. I currently reside in Venice. |
 | 8th Grade Social Studies (Rm406)
Katie Hunt (Parrett)
SLA email
Back to Top | Katie Hunt will be teaching eighth grade U.S. History. This is her second year at SLA. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2005 and holds a B.S. degree in Marketing and a B.A. degree in History. She then finished graduate school in 2006 with her M.Ed. in Social Studies Education. Currently she is working on her gifted endorsement.
Katie was born and raised in the Venice community and graduated from Venice High School. After graduating college she decided to move back to Sarasota County because she received such a wonderful education here and wanted to continue the tradition. Katie is very excited to be teaching U.S. history because it was her favorite subject in school. She loves to read, scrapbook, travel, watch college sports, and she especially loves the Florida Gators! |
 | 8th Grade Science (Rm409)
Elizabeth Willmore
SLA email
Back to Top | Mrs. Willmore is originally from Upstate New York, where she also attended college. She teaches Physical Science to her fantastic 8th graders at SLA. Mrs. Willmore also works with Mrs. McNeil as SLA’s ESE liaisons. She also enjoys the pleasure of being the adviser to our chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.
Please feel free to call her anytime with questions at 941-485-5551. |
| Elective Subjects Teachers |
 | Reading/Yearbook/Journalism (Rm106)
Larry Deamud
SLA email or Personal email
Back to Top | Larry Deamud is married with 2 middle school aged children. He taught Reading for nine years in Washington D. C. and has a master's degree in Reading. His hobbies include racquetball, photography, reading, hiking, kayaking, camping, and a variety of card games. |
 | Drama (Rm500)
Kelly Duyn
SLA email
Back to Top | Kelly is a Native Floridian, born and raised in our lovely town of Venice. She graduated in May of 2006 from The University of Central Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre and a minor in Mass Communications. Kelly has her Temporary Teaching Certificate in the subject area of Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum and is currently attending Manatee Community College to earn her professional certification. She has taught for the past six years at the Venice Little Theatre and is very excited to be back at SLA this year. She looks forward to teaching her students the things she learned that made her fall in love with the world of theatre. Aside from teaching Miss Duyn enjoys singing, dancing, photography and acting. She was most recently seen as, Babe, in the Lemon Bay Playhouse’s production of Crimes of the Heart. |
 | Art (Rm502)
Andrea Rowe
SLA email
Back to Top | Andrea Rowe is a graduate of Stetson University, holding a Bachelor of Music with a minor in Studio Art. She has taught art for three years, two being at Student Leadership Academy. She is committed to instilling a love for creating and studying art in her students. In addition to teaching art, Andrea enjoys drawing and painting, playing classical piano, and reading about philosophy and art history. Some of her favorite artists are William Bougereau, John Singer Sargent, and John William Waterhouse. |
 | Spanish (Rm102)
Mary Schmitt
SLA email
Back to Top | Mary holds a B.S. in Finance from USF and is certified in Math 5-9. She is also returning as our Spanish teacher and is thrilled to have the opportunity to expose your children to such a popular foreign language and impart her knowledge of Spanish to them. She has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and has spent considerable time studying the Spanish culture. Mary believes that this class will be both fun and beneficial and that having the ability to communicate in another language is extremely valuable. |
 | P.E./Health (Rm105)
Randy Walchle
SLA email
Back to Top | Hi, I'm Randy Walchle. Coach Walchle to the students. I graduated from Venice High School; I got my B. S. degree from Taylor University; and I received my M. A. in Counseling from Liberty University. I have taught several years at various levels, including Elementary and High School, and now at the Middle School.
Other work experience has involved owning a successful business for 10 years, and counseling for another 10 years on youth, families, and marriage issues. Additionally, I have coached several sports at various levels.
I am married to my wonderful wife, Pati. I have four daughters. The oldest is a 1st Grade teacher; my second and third daughter's are in college; and the youngest attends Venice High School. |
| Admin Staff |
 | Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Smugorzewski
SLA email
Back to Top | Carolyn has a background in business and data management. She started her career with the School District teaching music at the Taylor Ranch Elementary School. Her experience includes 9 combined years in student data management at Venice Middle School and Big Bend College in Germany. She also has 8 years experience in business management and finance. Her interests are music, travel, art, home renovation and church activities. She is married with one son. |
 | Office Manager
Barbara Foster
SLA email
Back to Top | Barbara was born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in suburban Detroit, Michigan.
She worked for a Michigan steel corporation for 30 years and held various clerical positions at that company over my years of employment.
Barbara started working for the Florida school system as a secretary for the assistant principal at Venice Middle School four years ago, and came to SLA in 2006.
Her hobbies include traveling, walking the beach, dancing and going to the movies with friends. |
 | Clinic Administrator
Nancy Vogelsong
SLA email
Back to Top | Nancy grew up in Sarasota and had been a secretary at various businesses until 1992 when she became a stay at home mom for the next 14 years. She came to Student Leadership Academy as a volunteer the year the school started, and began working in the office in 2006. In her spare time, Nancy is a Girl Scout leader, is active in her church and is the source of transportation for all of her daughter's many activities! |
 | Media Tech
webmaster, computer tech
(Rm200)
Gary Allain
SLA email
Back to Top | Gary Allain graduated with Honors and holds a double degree in Multi-Media Production and Photography. He was a nightclub and lounge entertainer in the 70's and 80's. He operated a photography studio for 18 years until retiring in 2000. His primary avocation was homeschooling his daughter. In 1996 he became interested in computers and taught himself how to build and setup computer systems, and learned the HTML coding to create webpages. He has operated as a website designer and computer tech for the past 7 years. |
 | Custodian/Building Maintenance
Bob Drews
SLA email
Back to Top | Bob retired from MPC (Miniature Precision Components) where he was a Senior Tooling Engineer. He is married and has 4 children, and seven grand-children. He enjoys wood carving and fishing, and he came to SLA because he likes to keep busy, and as our part-time custodian he is finding the hours here ARE busy. |
