The Harvey Academy Team
NANCY HARVEY
head of school
After 11 years of teaching in the traditional classroom, Nancy Harvey decided to embark upon a new, unchartered path in education. She could no longer tolerate the fact that approximately 15% of her students would move on to the next grade without a love of learning. No matter how hard Nancy tried to reach these children, she believed she failed her students by using standard teaching methods. These underwhelming, and avoidable, scholastic outcomes were unacceptable to Nancy. She knew there had to be a better way, which motivated her to establish the Harvey Homeschool to help students unable to thrive in a traditional classroom of 20-plus students. A number of years of documented successes educating neurodiverse students propelled Nancy to establish The Harvey Academy, helping to serve the growing demand for customized curriculum and specially trained teachers for Atypical learners. As Founder of The Harvey Academy, Nancy embraces the opportunity to share her, and her staff’s, enthusiasm for learning and their daily dedication to the neurodivergent students. She possesses over 30 years of experience, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College, a bachelor of arts degree in Communications from Villanova University, a Florida educator certification, and an undying determination to instill a love of learning in every child.
Jessica Gamache
Assistant Head of School/Upper School English Teacher
Jessica brings 23 years of educational experience to The Harvey Academy. With a background in teaching both lower and upper school, and her role as Assistant Principal for four years in Palm Beach County, her dedication to education is evident. Jessica holds diverse certifications and a master’s degree in educational-based brain research, showcasing her passion for education and commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. She embraces the mindset that learning is a lifelong process and thrives in environments that prioritize and support 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.
Christina Johnson
Fifth GraDe teacher
boasts over 17 years of teaching experience. She was initially drawn to education in a quest to find a supportive and loving educational environment for her own two daughters. Christina has worked in a variety of educational environments. She has spent the bulk of her career managing a dynamic Montessori classroom where she fostered the love of learning through independence, respect, and self-sufficiency. She takes pride in watching her students develop confidence in their own abilities and finding a life-long curiosity. She is driven by the quest to help her students make connections between the wider world around them, seeing themselves as essential contributors to this world. Christina is also passionate about math education and giving young students the opportunity to feel confident and successful in their early experience with math, helping them to overcome any “math phobia” they may have already encountered. In addition to her Montessori experience, Christina also worked in the Palm Beach School District as a fourth grade gifted teacher, and a fifth grade math specialist. For six years, she also served as the lower elementary math instructor at Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Davie, Florida, where she spent her summers training new teachers in all aspects of the elementary math curriculum. Christina received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Portland in Sociology, with a minor in Business Administration. She also holds a teaching certificate in Montessori. When not in the classroom, she enjoys seeking adventure in the great outdoors whether by foot, kayak, or other means. She particularly enjoys learning about local ecosystems and experiencing them first-hand to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness that we all share with our planet.
Lynne Avvenire
Fourth Grade teacher
Lynne has lived in Florida with her husband and two daughters for 21 years. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a major in American Studies and a minor in music (cello performance), she joins Harvey Academy with 20 years of teaching experience in a Montessori environment, first as a primary teacher, and then in lower elementary as a lead teacher. While teaching in a Montessori school, Lynne was trained in Conscious Discipline and became a Wilson Certified tutor. She believes all children can succeed in a positive and supportive learning environment. Lynne is also a Suzuki trained cello teacher who loves exposing children to music and group playing. Her passions traveling with family and friends, taking her chocolate lab and golden retriever to Jupiter’s beautiful dog beach, and co-hosting a Harry Potter camp each summer.
brigit Capaldi
Upper school history 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.
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.
Christy Escoto
Third Grade teacher
has over twenty years of experience devoted to teaching. Her journey spans diverse educational settings including upper and lower Montessori environments, as well as homeschooling her own children for five years. Christy comes to us with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Rollins College, and she holds dual Montessori certifications in upper elementary from NAMC and lower elementary from AMS. Beyond Montessori, she is also a certified Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy teacher, underscoring her dedication to holistic and specialized learning approaches. At the core of Christy’s teaching philosophy lies a deep-seated kindness and a passion for instilling a love of learning in every child she encounters. She is steadfast in her belief that every student’s unique strengths should be not only recognized but celebrated. Her approach emphasizes tailored instruction that meets the individual educational needs of each student, ensuring that no child is left behind. Christy is known for fostering a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment, one where every child feels valued and supported. Her extensive training in Conscious Discipline underscores her commitment to promoting emotional intelligence and creating a harmonious learning atmosphere. Driven by her love for guiding young minds, Christy is dedicated to promoting independence and instilling in her students a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Her journey as an educator is a testament to her unwavering dedication to educational excellence and compassionate teaching practices.
SARAH GAVAGNI
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
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.
margie sawyer
Sixth Grade teacher
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 .
Christina Styer
MUSIC teacher
Christina Styer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Hunter College City University of New York where she received a scholarship to study voice with renowned vocal teacher Shirlee Emmes. She studied acting in New York City at the Herbert Berghof Studio and performed in tours, regional theater, and summer stock productions. Christina performed as Laurie in Oklahoma, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Guinevere in Camelot, Kate in Kiss Me Kate, as well as many other lead and supporting roles. Christina founded the Evergreen Carolers, performing at events throughout Manhattan during the holiday season.
After relocating to Florida with her husband and their two young boys, she began teaching and created music programs in addition to directing choirs, ensembles, and musical theater productions at private schools in the Palm Beach area.
Christina is currently the Music Department Head and vocal teacher at the Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. She is excited to bring her musical and performance expertise to students at The Harvey Academy.
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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 of 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 Enchancement 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.
Sara Medina
K-2 Harvey homeschool Lead 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
Special Events Coordinator
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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Jodi COleman
Admin Assistant
Jodi is a wife and mother of twin boys, who attend Harvey Academy. Jodi is from New Jersey and has a background in musical theater. She lived in New York City participating in off-Broadway, television, and film, and she is still part of the SAG union. Jodi has been a preschool teacher, dance counselor, and personal assistant to families here in Florida. Recently, she published a children’s book. Jodi brings daily smiles and positive energy to all students, parents, and faculty.
