Hello Fordham Families,

I am so excited to be here at Fordham as a partner in helping to ignite the learning in our most precious gifts, Fordham’s Early Learning Academy students. I am a native Ocalan, who attended and graduated from Marion County Public Schools.  I continued my post-secondary education at Central Florida Community College (College of Central Florida), where I obtained an Associate’s Degree.  Upon graduation, I attended and graduated from the University of Central Florida, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree.  After several years of employment, I returned to college and earned a Graduate Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Counseling.    

I started my professional career with the Department of Children & Families (formerly known as the Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services), where I have assisted children & families in various capacities, including empowering families to become self-sufficient and oversaw the Child Care Regulation program, to ensure our most vulnerable citizens were safe in the early childhood learning environment.  During the time spent in social services, I was able to fulfill a long-time goal of becoming a Guidance Counselor and was employed at Maplewood Elementary School.   Then, Marion County Public Schools opened its first technical high school, and I was afforded an opportunity to become the Dean of Students.  Being a part of the inaugural staff of something new is exciting, and I’m so happy to work at Fordham Early Learning Academy, where Marion County Public Schools have committed to providing early learning opportunities with the opening of its first primary school serving VPK students & Kindergarten students.

My primary focus this year will be character development and social skills are necessary for students to learn who they are and help them to problem-solve issues in their daily lives and future.  The secondary goal is attendance, to ensure that all students are present and on time to maximize their learning opportunities. This will be my focus during this year, and I invite you to participate in character development, by reinforcing our character words and meaning each month and making sure that your child is present and on time.

This year's favorite quote is "Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be."

~Rita Pierson

So, I encourage you to stop by the Guidance Office and visit our school’s website at https://www.marionschools.net/fel and select the Student’s Corner tab for the Guidance Department and for services that are available to you and your child.