Alee Academy is marking a milestone this year as it begins its eleventh year of serving high school students in Lake County. The last ten years have been quite memorable as have each of the students who have successfully graduated from high school each year. Some of the high lights have been the recipient of the 2003 Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Prevention and in 2008 being recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools–Counsel on Accreditation and School Improvement as an "Accredited School." Accreditation means the Alee Academy meets the AdvancED standards, engages in continuous improvement, and demonstrates quality assurance through internal and external review. The standards are based in the research on the factors that impact student achievement. The accreditation process helps schools and districts bring together all the parts of the school or district to improve student and organizational performance. We are pleased to welcome you and your students back for another school year. We also look forward to a very successful and rewarding year working in concert with you--the parents--to assure your students continued learning and academic success. We ARE Alee.
The Alee Academy staff is comprised of a group of competent, caring, and committed individuals who are truly a team. Each and every staff member brings his or her own special gifts and talents to fulfill the vision of Alee Academy.
Mr. Chernault is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he was member of the Corps of Cadets and the Regiment Band. He has done graduate studies at both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. He has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He worked in Montgomery County Virginia for 31 years serving as a classroom teacher of mathematics, science, reading, history, language arts, physical education, psychology, sociology, human relations, computer applications, small motor mechanics and assorted building trades. He has also taught in Seminole County schools and Lake County schools. He is currently the organist for St. Edward Episcopal Church of Mt. Dora, keyboard/piano player for L.C. Swing Orchestra and principal oboists for Lake Concert Band. He has a professional educator's certificate in middle grades integrated curriculum grades 5-9. He is highly qualified and is currently teaching Mathematics. His goal this year is to make math a more relevant part of their education as well as their day-to-day lives.
Ms. Delmolino is the School Counselor for both campuses. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in School Guidance Counseling. She has her Professional Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education and School Counseling K-12. She is highly qualified. Her experience includes thirty years in Lake County School District teaching fourth grade and counseling at Mt. Dora High and Umatilla Middle School. Her goal this year is to increase student dual enrollment at Lake Sumter Community College and Lake Technical Center including a career plan for all students.
Ms. Emerick is returning to alee Academy for her fourth year. After graduating from Umatilla High School in 1996, she attended Indiana University and received her Bachelor's degree in General Studies. She has taught in both elementary and high school with mainstream and alternative students. She has also served as a corrections officer working with juvenile court and juvenile probation. She is highly qualified and is currently teaching English and intensive reading. She has received her ESOL endorsement and is pursuing her reading endorsement. She has a love for teaching and working with students of all ages. Her goal is to share her knowledge and experiences while creating an environment that is conducive to learning both academic and life skills, while building a better future for her students.
Ms. L'Heureux returns for her second year at Alee Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University. She received her professional teaching certification from Lake Sumter Community College in the Educator Preparation Institute Program with UCF. Ms. L’Heureux is certified in English 6-12, Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum, Exceptional Student Education, and ESOL. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in English and her reading endorsement. Ms. L’Heureux is highly qualified and is currently teaching English and intensive reading at the Eustis Campus.
Ms. Lender is a graduate of Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Masters in Educational Leadership. Since 2005 she has been a math instructor at Eustis High School and this year she chose to join Alee Academy. She is highly qualified and is currently teaching Algebra, Algebra II, Informal Geometry, and Geometry. Ms. Lender’s goal is to help all students achieve success to their fullest potential.
Ms. Mann holds many degrees. Her degrees include Associates in Science, Liberal Arts/Equine Science; Bachelor of Science, Animal Science; Bachelor of Arts, Microbiology; Master of Science, Food Science; and Master of Education, Grades 6-12, Science. She has 20 years experience as a scientist in research and development in the food industry for Fortune 500 companies. Her teaching experiences include University of New Hampshire, Electron Microscopy lab; Iowa State University, Food Engineering lab; middle and high school science teacher in Tennessee; and Alee Academy science teacher. She has professional educator's certificates in Biology, and Earth Space Science grades 6-12. She is highly qualified and is currently teaching biology, and environmental science. Her goal this year is to make science more available by differentiating instruction and increasing involvement through increased hands-on and cooperative learning.
Mr. Matthews is a graduate of North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor’s in Geography. He also graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master of Urban Geography. Mr. Matthew’s teaching experience includes six years of teaching college courses, teaching the GED preparation courses at Monroe County Detention Center, and teaching two years at Trinity Catholic High School, as well as Vanguard High School in Ocala. He is highly qualified and is currently teaching Social Science at the Eustis campus.
Mr. Merdian is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s in Health, PE, and Recreation. He also graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master of Health, PE, and Recreation. He has eighteen years experience as a PE coach and joined the Alee staff in 2010. He is highly qualified and is currently teaching Physical Education at the Umatilla campus.
Ms. Pechart is a graduate of Polk County Community College and the University of Central Florida. She has worked as a pre-cast and residential architectural drafter. She has taught mathematics at Carver Middle School in Orange County and Milwee Middle School in Seminole County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Pechart has a professional educator’s certificate in middle school mathematics curriculum grades 5-9. She is highly qualified. Her background and computer skills have assured her qualifications as a computer instructor. She is actively engaging the students in work related computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Florida Ready Work – Work Keys. Her goal this year is to develop the students’ academic, personal and work force skills, thus enhancing their academic success and employment opportunities.
Ms. Unruh is the new Work Internship Coordinator joining Alee after serving in the same capacity at Mt. Dora high school. She began the work internship program xx years ago and as such is highly qualified.
Ms. Wilt is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts, English and graduate of University of Central Florida, Master of Education, Reading Education. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She has 22 years teaching experience in public schools and 3 years as adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida. She also has work experience in public relations, speech writing for Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Association and American Red Cross. She has a professional educator's certificate in English, grades 6-12, and Reading K-12. She is highly qualified and is currently teaching English IV, Intensive Reading, and Journalism. Ms. Wilt’s goal this year is to create life-long learners and enthusiastic readers. She is hopeful that through her studies she will engage her students in the arts and writing as well.
Ms. Blanchard graduated from Umatilla High School and joins the staff of Alee Academy full time this year as a certified Paraprofessional she is highly qualified and will be the instructional support for the Umatilla campus. She brings lots of energy and a willingness to help others. Her goal for this year is to assist the teachers and students in successfully completing their daily activities.
Ms. Chernault is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Fredonia where she majored in Music Education and minored in Elementary Education. She received her Master of Science in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Mrs. Chernault taught music in New York, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Florida. She was a classroom teacher in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. Her certification includes Elementary K-6, ESOL and ESE K-12. She is highly qualified and coordinates the instruction of ESE students on both campuses. Being semi-retired she enjoys playing clarinet in the Lake Concert Band, plays organ at church and travels.
Mr. Valentino is new to the staff this year as a certified Food Manger and will be managing the Southside Eatery. He brings with him a wealth of restaurant and catering knowledge that will enhance and expand the already popular eatery. He has recently directed the renovation of the shop and looks forward to sharing his expertise with Alee Academy’s juniors and seniors who will receive hands-on training in the culinary arts. He is highly qualified as he holds certification as a ParaProfessional which provides additional instructional support for the Umatilla campus. Mr. Valentino previously worked in corrections for 8 years at several institutions including Marion County Juvenile Detention Center and Northeast Ohio Corrections Center.
Mr. Walker graduated from Tavares High School and attended Valencia Community College and Baptist College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. He then spent four years in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman aboard the USNS TAH-20 Comfort. He returned to Florida in 1990 starting a career working with today's youth. He has spent the last seventeen years serving juveniles, abused and neglected, emergency shelter and independent living clients. As a certified Paraprofessional, he is highly qualified and will be the instructional support for the Eustis Campus. His strengths are relationship building, patience and love. At Alee Academy he began as the Career Specialist working closely with the students on their job skills and as they seek employment. This year he will be supporting the staff and students at the Eustis Campus. His goal remains as it has always been, "If you send them, we will teach them and He will bless them."
Mr. Bob is an administrator at the Eustis Campus. He is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Public Administration and a minor in History. He spent ten years in the United States Army as a Captain. He was an ESE teacher at Carver Middle School and a Dean at Eustis Middle School. He has spent time as a Mental Health Counselor, Life Stream Behavior Center and Foster Care/Adoptions Counselor. He has served as City Commissioner, Eustis, Florida. He is also a pastor. He is highly qualified and has a professional educator's certificate in Social Science, grades 6-12 and is enrolled in his Masters of Educational Leadership at Regis University. This is his third year as an Assistant Principal and will be at the Umatilla campus. His goal this year is to increase parent involvement in school activities as well as raising public awareness of the mission and success of Alee Academy.
Mr. Neeld is the director of Alee Academy. He is a graduate of Miami Dade Community College with an Associate in Science, Business Administration and Fort Lauderdale College, Bachelor of Science, Management. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He recently is completed his Master of Educational Leadership at Regis University. He is highly qualified receiving his Educational Leadership Certificate from Florida Department of Education. Prior to becoming an educator, he spent four years in the United States Marine Corps before returning to Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph. He later retired from AT&T after nearly 30 years of successfully managing telephone installation and repair information systems, management information systems, and quality assurance control teams. Trusting in God, he was led to a call in the mission field. The mission field was right here in Lake County. He is one of three visionaries who turned an idea into reality of what is now known as Alee Academy. He believes in helping students set goals and then works with them to assure they are successful. His hope this year is that all students will develop "social cognition," or learning how to live productively and constructively in society.
Ms. Valentino is a graduate of Ohio Northern University and has a Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education. She is also a graduate of Walsh University, where she obtained a Master of Education Degree. She has been in education for 10 years and is licensed as a teacher in both Ohio and Florida. She is highly qualified and has a professional educator's certificate in Elementary Education, grades K-6 and Middle Grades Mathematics, grades 5-9. She is also enrolled in her Masters of Educational Leadership at Regis University. This is her second year as an Assistant Principal and will be working at the Eustis campus. Her goal again this year is to learn and grow as an administrator to support the staff and influence our students to become productive, contributing members of society.
Mr. Efant is the system administrator for Alee Academy. He attended Alee Academy before returning to Eustis High School where he graduated in May of 2000. He is a graduate of Daytona Beach Community College with an Associate in Science with Honors, Computer Programming and Analysis. The School of Technology and Occupational Education also recognized him as the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award. He has worked at Alee Academy since his graduation from high school establishing the school's data network as well as building classroom computers and network servers. He is truly a one of Alee Academy's success stories.
Mr. Eiserman is a maintenance man at Alee Academy. He has been with Alee Academy since 2006. He has served in the United States Air Force and worked at Winn Dixie as meat cutter before joining our team.
Ms. Olson is the Data Clerk for Alee Academy. She has been a part of the Alee Academy team since the school's beginning in 1999. At the time she was working fulltime at Umatilla Middle School as their Data Clerk as she worked as part-time for Alee Academy assisting in the startup. She has since retired after nineteen years from Lake County School Board and now works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Alee Academy. She has been instrumental in the tracking student data and information from enrollment, credits earned, reporting of grades, Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and graduation.
Ms. Ostic is the receptionist at the Eustis Campus, Transportation Coordinator and a bus driver for Alee Academy. She has been with Alee Academy since 2001. She has experience as a routing coordinator for Lake Limo, dispatcher for Lake Limo, chauffer, and a bus driver for Lake County School Board. She is at the front desk at the Eustis Campus meeting and greeting everyone as they enter the administrative offices.
Ms. Sceal is the receptionist at the Umatilla Campus and a bus driver for Alee Academy. She has been with Alee Academy since 2004. She worked as an Activity Director for Lake Ridge Village and bus driver for 5 years, at Sunrise Arc as Behavioral Tech, completed Road Master Truck Driving Schools with a Class A driving license, a Lake County Schools bus driver and monitor before joining our team She is at the front desk at the Umatilla Campus meeting and greeting each person as they enter the front door.
Ms. Tabor is a bus driver at Alee Academy. She has been with Alee Academy since 2001. She worked at Lake County Schools as a school bus driver for fifteen years and as a cafeteria worker at Umatilla Middle School.
Mr. Trewyn is a maintenance man at Alee. He has been with Alee Academy since the summer of 2004. He began as a student at Alee Academy in 2001 transferring from a Lake County School. He completed his high school studies and graduated from Alee Academy in May of 2004. The following summer, he then began his career with Alee Academy. He is experienced in small engine mechanics, floor maintenance and all sorts of power tools. It has been said and noted that if it has wheels or tracks, he can operate or drive it.