NANCY HARVEY
head of school
As founder of The Harvey Academy, Nancy Harvey embraces the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for learning with her students every day. She brings to the classroom over 25 years of experience, a Masters in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Villanova University, Florida Certification, and a determination to instill a love of learning in each child.
Meet our Team
Mrs. CHRISTINA Agress
4th Grade teacher, lower school ela teacher & Wilson Tutor
graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S in Elementary Education and is certified to teach English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Gifted, and is Reading Endorsed for grades K-6. She is a 10-year classroom veteran and believes teaching is an incredibly rewarding experience. Christina enjoys sharing her love for learning with her students and believes all children can be lifelong learners.
Mrs. Susie Cooper
Reading Specialist
is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner with fourteen years of experience as a Wilson Tutor, eighteen years as a classroom teacher, a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida, and is certified as both a Reading Specialist and Elementary Educator, Using various multi-sensory programs, Susie engages her students to help them make connections, learn new concepts, and gain significant confidence.
ms. SARAH GAVAGNI
3rd grade teacher & Upper school math teacher
has 11 years of experience in education. She graduated with her Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education from The Florida State University (Go Noles!) possesses Professional Teaching Certificates in both PreK – 3rd Grade and 6th-12th Grade Math, and endorsements in ESOL, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and Primary Reading. She has spent her time in education teaching 3rd grade, in addition to using her passion for math to tutor high school and college students. She enjoys scuba diving, cooking & baking, and spending time with friends and family.
MR. JIM HARVEY
business manager
brings 46 years of sales, marketing, and business development experience to The Harvey Academy. Having spent his career educating customers and colleagues alike about the features, benefits, and value of their products and services, he is excited to leverage those skills as he takes on the role of Harvey Academy’s Business Manager
mrs. Alissa haymin
MUSIC teacher & TEACHING ASSISTANT
has been the proud owner of Melody Vocals LLC for 8 years. She has performed leading roles in musicals at the King's Academy, such as “Brigadoon”, “Seven Brides for Seven Brother's”, “Phantom of the Opera” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”. She began her career as a classroom music teacher at Suncoast Christian Academy in Lake Worth. In 2020, she joined The Harvey Academy as both a passionate music teacher and dedicated middle/high school assistant.
Mrs. jo hill
Assistant Administrator & lower school math teacher
received her degree in Mathematics and Elementary Education in 1997 from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Shortly after graduation, she married and moved to California where she was a Director of Education for a Sylvan Learning Center until her second child was born in 2001. When they moved to Florida in 2007, she taught math for a homeschool family and then homeschooled her own kids from kindergarten through 5th grade. Her family moved to the suburbs of Chicago in 2014 where she took a job as an instructional assistant and math specialist for 3rd – 5th grade. In 2018, her and her family moved back to Florida where she began teaching middle school math at a private school in Palm Beach County. In 2020, Jo was voted “Teacher of the Year” by her peers.
DR. Jennifer Luzurriaga
5th grade Teacher & Wilson Tutor
spent 20 + years in the education field. She held various teaching, professional, and leadership positions that supported increasing student reading achievement. Jennifer Luzuriagga worked serving on the Leadership Committee and served as a Reading Coach in South Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s Degree in Exceptional Student Education, and a Doctorate in Reading from the Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University. Jennifer Luzuriagga’s research interest includes helping struggling readers make significant reading gains. Her focus areas are dyslexia, dysgraphia, and oral/written language and comprehension disorders. She is a passionate educator, devoted wife, loving mother, inspiring speaker, and writer.
MRS. PATTI MITCHELL
Upper School English teacher
has followed her passion for teaching for over thirty years, working with and learning from students ranging in age from pre-primary to high school. Patti believes that students should be participants in their own learning by utilizing and celebrating their unique gifts and abilities. She has always approached teaching by building relationships and addressing the needs of each child—academic, social, emotional—through support and engaging learning experiences. As a teacher and former school owner, Patti has a broad view of the learning environment. Her practical experience, education (Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Psychology and Master of Science in Reading), and ongoing professional development work to foster a unique, fulfilling learning experience for each student.
MRS. MEGAN NELSon
Assistant lower school eLa teacher and yoga teacher
received her B.S. in Elementary Education and E.S.O.L endorsement from Flagler College and holds a Master’s Degree in Reading from Barry University. She received her 200 HR yoga certification from Yoga Kula Shala. She is a veteran classroom teacher who has always been passionate about connecting with children and fostering their social emotional learning skills. She is excited to bring both her passions together at The Harvey Academy.
Mrs. HEATHER ROTONDI
Art teacher
started a Residential and Commercial Design Business serving the New Jersey shore area. Most notably, she was hired by the Founder and Owner of Lawn Doctor to re-envision, redesign, and outfit their 10,000 square foot North America Headquarters to achieve a relaxed yet productive work environment encouraging cross department collaboration and increase employee morale/retention. Adding to her art career in design, she has enjoyed/explored the arts since grade school and has experience using multiple art methods on several mediums. She has been commissioned by numerous clients to create her one-of-a-kind art pieces that now hang in several homes on the east
mr. Donald Russell
DRP Fitness & health teacher
has 11 years' experience in the fitness/sports industry, played at the professional level in the NFL, and owns DRP Fitness and Health in Palm Beach Gardens. A (NASM) nationally certified Personal Trainer, Performance Enchantment Specialist, and (NASE) Speed and Explosion Specialist coach. His goal at Harvey Academy is for the students to develop a foundation of movement and balance and appreciate the benefits and enjoyment of physical fitness.
Mrs. margie sawyer
6th Grade teacher, Health Teacher, & fcis coordinator
has taught for 27 years in Florida. Prior to moving to Florida, she taught in Ohio and Virginia. She has a Bachelors Degree in English and a Masters Degree in Reading. In addition, she holds certifications in Curriculum and Development, Gifted Education, Elementary Education, and High School English. Her classroom experiences have taught her that children are most successful when their learning environment is designed to meet their academic needs, celebrate their talents, and encourage their sense of wonder.
DR. JOE SHARE
Upper School History & pre-algebra teacher
has worked in education for 20 years in Florida. He has a Bachelors Degree in Exceptional Student Education, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. In addition, he holds certifications in Exceptional Student Education, Elementary Education, ESOL, Reading, and Education Leadership. He taught students with special needs in Saint Lucie County for four years before working as an Assistant Principal for two years. His experiences in education have taught him that all children learn in different ways.
Dr. hoNora wall
Curriculum, Dyscalculia Consultant,
Math Teacher, & Science teacher
is an Ed.D. candidate for Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University Chicago. Her research area is dyscalculia; she hopes that her work will change the way educators and administrators view math-related learning disabilities. Ms. Wall has served 12+ years in education as a classroom teacher, private tutor, curriculum designer, and PD trainer/coach. She is the author of My College Planner, Ah-Ha! Games for the Brain, and The Story of MeAdvisory Workbook. Ms. Wall founded EduCalc Learning as a vehicle to train educators and develop classroom materials. Her focus areas are dyscalculia, executive functioning issues, processing speed disorders, and severe anxiety and depressive disorders. Her research focuses on accommodations, interventions, and instructional strategies that positively impact student performance without increasing teacher workload.
