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
Principal
Jessica brings 25 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 at a charter school 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.
Dr. Joseph "Joe" Share
Assistant Principal/Upper school Science Teacher
Dr. Share was born and raised in South Florida. Dr. Share is a veteran educator, having worked with area students for more than 20 years. He served two and a half years as Assistant Principal in St. Lucie and Martin County, and prior to that taught students with varying exceptionalities. He is a graduate of Indian River State College, having earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Exceptional Student Education. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership. He brings many years of experience working with students and a unique ability to form connections with students, parents, and coworkers.
JIM HARVEY
Facilities manager
Jim 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.
johannah hill
Director of School Operations & lower school math teacher
Jo 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.
Mindy Masuda
Fifth GraDe teacher
Bio coming soon.
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.
Jackie Dugan
Upper School Spanish Teacher
Jackie comes to Harvey 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.
brigit Capaldi
Upper school history teacher
Brigit 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.
Christy Escoto
Third Grade teacher
Christy 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
Sarah 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.
Frances Weissler
Music/Musical Theatre
Frances Weissler received her associate's degree in theatre from Florida State University and is a graduate of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's Professional Training Program, receiving her certificate of completion in Musical Theatre. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Conflict Resolution from the University of Central Florida. Frances has been a resident of South Florida for over twenty years, and has been involved in the arts on and off the stage since the age of 6. Frances brings with her a wide breathe of performance experience throughout the state as a dancer, actor, singer, ukulele player, director, and writer. As a teacher, her greatest passion, Frances believes in preserving creativity, individuality, and passing on her love of the arts to educate the next generation of performers on and off the stage.
Photo coming soon.
Margie Sawyer
Sixth Grade Teacher
Margie has 55 years of classroom experience. Throughout her career she has taught children in grades one through twelve. She holds a BA degree in English, an MA in Reading, and an MA in Curriculum and Development.Her experience has taught her that every child is unique and therefore deserves to learn in an environment that meets his or her academic, social, and emotional needs. She also believes that being patient and having a sense of humor have been key to her longevity.
Dr. Jacqueline "Jackie" Kern
STEAM/Art/Resource Teacher
Dr. Kern is excited to teach at The Harvey Academy connecting subject matter with experiential learning. Her teaching inspires curiosity, creative thinking, problem-solving, practice and production, collaboration, assessment of experience, and real-world applications for student success. Dr. Kern earned her B.F.A. in Visual Arts from Purchase College State University of New York and both her M.S. in Education: General Studies and Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with minors in Visual Arts from the University of North Dakota. Dr. Kern has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, teaching students from Pre-K through graduate school and serving in higher education administration. In addition to teaching, Dr. Kern is a professional artist who creates paintings, drawings, and multimedia artworks and explores how art connects to culture, history, and our human experience.
Sara Medina
K-2 Teacher
Sara 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.
Joanna Thatcher
K-2 Assistant Teacher
Joanna joins the Harvey Academy with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a minor in Broadcast Journalism from Keene State College in New Hampshire. She brings over a decade of experience in education, having spent eleven years in a Montessori primary classroom and the past three years teaching in lower elementary. While working in Montessori education, she was trained in Conscious Discipline, which continues to shape her nurturing, child-centered teaching style.
Joanna is passionate about fostering curiosity, independence, and emotional intelligence in her students. She thrives on building strong, respectful relationships with children and believes that learning is most meaningful when students feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Joanna has lived in the Jupiter area for the past 20 years with her husband, her two boys, ages 13 and 7, and their golden retriever, George, age 2. When not teaching in Florida, she spends her summers in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts with her family, where she serves as the athletic director for a coed sleepaway camp of over 600 children
Photo coming soon.
Katie Magness
Upper school English Teacher
Katie Magness was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, where she taught high school English for four years. Now entering her fifth year in education, she brings experience teaching 9th through 11th grade, including AP Language and Composition. Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from John Brown University and is passionate about helping students grow into confident readers, writers, and individuals.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, baking, and being with her dog.
Olivia Lopez
Nurse/Admin Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Dawn Blake
reading specialist
Dawn 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.
Susie Cooper
Reading Specialist
Susie 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.
CODE OF ETHICS
