The Harvey Academy Team
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 master's degree in elementary education from Chestnut Hill College, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Villanova University, Florida educator certification, and a determination to instill a love of learning in each child.
Jessica Gamache
Assistant Head of School
brings 22 years of educational experience to The Harvey Academy. Her background in teaching lower school and upper school, as well as her most recent role as an Assistant Principal for four years in Palm Beach County, illustrate her dedication to education. Jessica’s diverse certifications and her master’s degree in educational-based brain research demonstrate her passion for education and her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Jessica embraces the mindset that learning is a lifelong process and thrives in an environment that prioritizes and supports students’ unique educational journeys.
jo hill
Director of School Operations & 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.
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.
brigit Capaldi
Fifth Grade teacher
…received her Master’s degree in Economics in 2003 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. She worked as an economic consultant in Philadelphia, PA before deciding to go back to school to pursue teaching, her true passion. She obtained her teaching certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, she taught 4th and 5th grade at a private, independent school in center city, Philadelphia. Brigit and her husband then moved to Grenada, the spice island of the West Indies, where she ran an upper school program for 5th-8th graders. When she returned to the states, she and her family moved from Long Island, NY to Jupiter, FL. She worked in a 2nd grade classroom then taught history and mathematics to 6th-9th graders. Brigit is happy to be returning to her roots in the 5th grade classroom here at Harvey Academy.
Jackie Dugan
Upper School Spanish Teacher
comes to us with 20 years of teaching experience and a professional certification to teach Spanish in grades K-12. After studying Business in Spain and graduating from Tulane University, Jackie sailed to Cuba in a small sailboat to experience the culture and learn the language. She taught Spanish at an elementary school in Costa Rica, and travelled and surfed solo in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, she graduated from Simmons College in Boston with a master in teaching. In her Spanish classes, Jackie uses a variety of tools, such as games, technology, authentic materials, and projects, to make learning Spanish accessible. She.aims to show the joy and relevance in learning Spanish and hopes to open students’ eyes to a beautiful and diverse culture.
Sara Medina
Third/Fourth Grade Teacher
brings 17 years of educational experience specializing in both reading and Montessori education working with students from pre-k through elementary. She has a bachelor’s degree with a minor in psychology from the University of Cincinnati. She began her teaching career in Chicago, earning her certification from the American Montessori Society. Sara quickly found her interest in the reading process and became a certified Orton Gillingham instructor with the Institute for Multisensory Education. She is passionate about helping struggling readers by providing engaging and effective instruction. Sara comes with extensive knowledge and training in Conscious Discipline and classroom and behavior management. She believes in creating a learning environment that is accommodating for all learners while putting respect and empathy at the core. She has lived in Jupiter for the past 15 years with her husband and two children ages 13 and 11.
Jen NehEr
Upper School Assistant Teacher
has lived in Palm Beach and Martin County for 27 years. She grew up in Southern California, spending her time away from school on the softball fields and at the beach. Her prowess on the pitching mound earned her a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Jen's extensive background in the hospitality and service industry, combined with her love for children and unique ability to connect with and encourage children of all ages, has led her to The Harvey Academy. Jen's commitment and ability to organize events and spearhead fundraising efforts are her greatest assets. Jen is happily married to her husband, Jamie, has a teenage daughter, Payson Rose, and has three golden retrievers whom she loves to spend time with while enjoying beautiful Jupiter, Florida.
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SARAH GAVAGNI
Third grade teacher & Upper school math teacher
has 11 years of experience in education. She graduated with her Bachelor 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.
Dawn Blake
Tutor/US History Teacher
Dawn Blake has over twenty years working in the field of education. She has her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in communications and a teaching certificate in elementary education from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Dawn started her career as an elementary school teacher in the public school system. After one of her children was diagnosed with dyslexia, Dawn became certified in Orton-Gillingham and began teaching at The Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD, a school for bright students with dyslexia and other language based learning differences. While working at Jemicy, Dawn saw the difference the Orton-Gillingham approach made for her students and her own son. Dawn’s passion for teaching students who need a multisensory, systematic and explicit approach to learning inspired her to begin her tutoring business in southeast Florida. Dawn enjoys helping The Harvey Academy students, as well as private clients, gain confidence in their learning differences and thrive in their educational journeys.
Dr. hoNora wall
Curriculum & Dyscalculia Consultant
has her Ed.D. for Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia University Chicago. Her research area was dyscalculia, and 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.
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 Bachelor of Science 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.
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
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.
margie sawyer
Sixth Grade teacher, Upper School History Teacher & fcis coordinator
has taught for 27 years in Florida. Prior to moving to Florida, she taught in Ohio and Virginia. She has a bachelor's Degree in English and a master's 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 Science teacher
has worked in education for 20 years in Florida. He has a bachelor's degree in exceptional student education, a master's 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 .
Alissa haymin
MUSIC teacher
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.
