Teachers
Trust the Expertise of Florida's Best Teachers
Our teachers are among the best in the state for distance learning. They consider themselves your partners in your children's education and are available every school day to help you and your children through any challenges you may face.
Michelle Abella
is a Middle School Math Specialist and Special Education Teacher. She joined our team after 10 years of service as a middle school teacher in Brevard County. After receiving a B.S. in exceptional education from the University of Central Florida, she became certified in Specific Learning Disabilities (K-12), Middle Schools Integrated Curriculum (5-9), Elementary Ed (K-6), as well as ESOL (K-12). Mrs. Abella has taught a variety of middle school courses including Language Arts, Reading, Science, Math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra. Additionally, she has been a Lead Teacher (Teacher Advancement Program-TAP), an Exceptional Education Coordinator, a team leader, and a Brevard County Schools Teacher of the Year. This year, Mrs. Abella looks forward to assisting students with their exceptional education needs as well as helping students with math.
Mimi Floyd graduated from Florida State University with a degree in finance and marketing, and received her education certificate from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Floyd is certified in Reading K-12, Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grades Math, Language Arts, and Social Sciences. Ms. Floyd trained teachers in the North East Florida Consortium as a Florida Reading Initiative facilitator. As part of the FLVA team, she serves as one of the Language Arts specialists and assists in the writing program. The mastery based curriculum and individualized instruction is one of the main reasons Ms. Floyd enjoys teaching in the Florida Virtual Program.
Allison Groulx graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Throughout her 13 years as an educator in Florida, she has taught a variety of history and geography courses at both the middle school and high school levels, as well math, science, and language arts through the K¹² curriculum. Mrs. Groulx is certified in Social Science for Middle Grades (5-8), Social Science (6-12) and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (5-9). In addition, she has her endorsement in Gifted Education. She has instructed both gifted and regular education students, and co-taught learning disabled students. While teaching in Brevard and Charlotte counties, Mrs. Groulx served as a class sponsor, basketball coach, FPS sponsor, and Student Senate sponsor. She is a Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences trainer for teachers and has served on curriculum mapping teams, is trained as a clinical educator, and was a middle-school team lead teacher. In addition to being a middle school teacher, Mrs. Groulx is also the Advanced Learner Program specialist in our program.
Tracy Hall received a degree in early childhood education from Florida State University, and then taught kindergarten in the Taylor County School District for three years. Ms. Hall completed coursework to extend her certification to elementary education, and spent another three years teaching grades 3-5. She has since become certified in the middle grades as well. During her years teaching, she participated in numerous curriculum planning and mapping committees, and served as third-grade chairperson and language arts chairperson in her home school district. Ms. Hall served for the previous four years as one of the Florida Virtual Academy's fourth-grade writing coaches. In addition to serving families, Ms. Hall will also be conducting parent sessions this school year for newly enrolled students in the Southeast.
Tina Hartman spent seven years teaching students in grades K-6 in the Brevard County public schools. Ms. Hartman received a bachelor’s degree in Education (1-6) from Rollins College and added a K-3 endorsement from the University of Central Florida. She also recently obtained a master’s degree in Education with a Specialization of Technology in the Classroom (3-12).She has taught a variety of grades from K-6, with her main focus in writing and language arts. Previously, she served on school Reading and Writing committees, and aided in devising a school-wide writing plan.
Lori Hill graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a master's degree in elementary education. In her twelve years of teaching, she has taught in private, public and the virtual school settings. Mrs. Hill taught primary grades K-2, and during her last five years in the classroom, she taught language arts and writing in a Project Child classroom, which is a multi-grade setting. She has been very active in all areas of her schools, such as curriculum writing and development. Mrs. Hill has also served as the team leader in her Project Child cluster, and on several school committees such as the Child Intervention Team and School Discipline Team.
Katie Johns graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in elementary education and child development. She was published in the 2007 Cambridge Who’s Who magazine and the Biltmore Who’s Who Among Executives and Professional Women in 2008. She taught third grade for five years in the Hillsborough Public Schools system in Florida and served as third-grade team leader and school social chair, as well as on the curriculum committee. Mrs. Johns is currently certified in Elementary Education Grades 1-6, Mathematics Grades 6-12, and endorsed in ESOL Grades K-12. Mrs. Johns will continue to serve as one of our math specialists for upper elementary and middle school.
Christy Katz graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Exceptional Education. She then completed coursework to add Elementary Education to her certification. Christy taught in the Florida Public School system for 6 years, three of which were with Exceptional Education students, using the Inclusion Model with Cooperative Consultation. She later served as a preschool director and most recently, before joining FLVA, served as an educational consultant to new teachers and families with children learning in alternative education environments. As a FLVA teacher, Mrs. Katz is looking forward to partnering with families by providing meaningful and stimulating learning experiences through technology and K12’s rich and engaging curriculum.
Brenda MacDonald received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University, and holds a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in grades K-6. Mrs. MacDonald taught primary education in both private and public schools for five years, where she served as first grade team leader, teacher mentor, and as a member of the technology team. In 2000, she was honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year at Cresthaven Elementary School. Mrs. MacDonald is excited about continuing to partner with families using the innovative K¹² curriculum.
Shanna O’Grady has taught in both public and private schools for the past seven years. After receiving her BS from Wright State University in Ohio, Ms. O’Grady taught second grade in a public school for two years. After moving to Florida, she began teaching fourth grade at a private school in Saint Petersburg. Ms. O’Grady recently earned her MA in elementary education with an emphasis in math and science, and she is certified to teach grades K-6. Ms. O’Grady has been published in Teaching Children Mathematics, and enjoys working with children in all arenas of education.
Kristen Randolph graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in elementary education (K-6) with ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Randolph taught in a local public school and was head of technology. The job included designing/maintaining the school’s website, installing hardware/software, troubleshooting computer problems, and integrating technology into the classroom.
Lindsey Thomas has taught second grade, remedial reading for middle grades, and high school, and has also assisted in after-school programs and served as the recreational leader for grades K-5. Mrs. Thomas graduated from Flagler College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She is certified in Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grades English 5-9, and Exceptional Student Education K-12 with endorsements in both ESOL and Reading K-12.
Mimi Floyd graduated from Florida State University with a degree in finance and marketing, and received her education certificate from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Floyd is certified in Reading K-12, Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grades Math, Language Arts, and Social Sciences. Ms. Floyd trained teachers in the North East Florida Consortium as a Florida Reading Initiative facilitator. As part of the FLVA team, she serves as one of the Language Arts specialists and assists in the writing program. The mastery based curriculum and individualized instruction is one of the main reasons Ms. Floyd enjoys teaching in the Florida Virtual Program.
Allison Groulx graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Throughout her 13 years as an educator in Florida, she has taught a variety of history and geography courses at both the middle school and high school levels, as well math, science, and language arts through the K¹² curriculum. Mrs. Groulx is certified in Social Science for Middle Grades (5-8), Social Science (6-12) and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (5-9). In addition, she has her endorsement in Gifted Education. She has instructed both gifted and regular education students, and co-taught learning disabled students. While teaching in Brevard and Charlotte counties, Mrs. Groulx served as a class sponsor, basketball coach, FPS sponsor, and Student Senate sponsor. She is a Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences trainer for teachers and has served on curriculum mapping teams, is trained as a clinical educator, and was a middle-school team lead teacher. In addition to being a middle school teacher, Mrs. Groulx is also the Advanced Learner Program specialist in our program.
Tracy Hall received a degree in early childhood education from Florida State University, and then taught kindergarten in the Taylor County School District for three years. Ms. Hall completed coursework to extend her certification to elementary education, and spent another three years teaching grades 3-5. She has since become certified in the middle grades as well. During her years teaching, she participated in numerous curriculum planning and mapping committees, and served as third-grade chairperson and language arts chairperson in her home school district. Ms. Hall served for the previous four years as one of the Florida Virtual Academy's fourth-grade writing coaches. In addition to serving families, Ms. Hall will also be conducting parent sessions this school year for newly enrolled students in the Southeast.
Tina Hartman spent seven years teaching students in grades K-6 in the Brevard County public schools. Ms. Hartman received a bachelor’s degree in Education (1-6) from Rollins College and added a K-3 endorsement from the University of Central Florida. She also recently obtained a master’s degree in Education with a Specialization of Technology in the Classroom (3-12).She has taught a variety of grades from K-6, with her main focus in writing and language arts. Previously, she served on school Reading and Writing committees, and aided in devising a school-wide writing plan.
Lori Hill graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a master's degree in elementary education. In her twelve years of teaching, she has taught in private, public and the virtual school settings. Mrs. Hill taught primary grades K-2, and during her last five years in the classroom, she taught language arts and writing in a Project Child classroom, which is a multi-grade setting. She has been very active in all areas of her schools, such as curriculum writing and development. Mrs. Hill has also served as the team leader in her Project Child cluster, and on several school committees such as the Child Intervention Team and School Discipline Team.
Katie Johns graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in elementary education and child development. She was published in the 2007 Cambridge Who’s Who magazine and the Biltmore Who’s Who Among Executives and Professional Women in 2008. She taught third grade for five years in the Hillsborough Public Schools system in Florida and served as third-grade team leader and school social chair, as well as on the curriculum committee. Mrs. Johns is currently certified in Elementary Education Grades 1-6, Mathematics Grades 6-12, and endorsed in ESOL Grades K-12. Mrs. Johns will continue to serve as one of our math specialists for upper elementary and middle school.
Christy Katz graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Exceptional Education. She then completed coursework to add Elementary Education to her certification. Christy taught in the Florida Public School system for 6 years, three of which were with Exceptional Education students, using the Inclusion Model with Cooperative Consultation. She later served as a preschool director and most recently, before joining FLVA, served as an educational consultant to new teachers and families with children learning in alternative education environments. As a FLVA teacher, Mrs. Katz is looking forward to partnering with families by providing meaningful and stimulating learning experiences through technology and K12’s rich and engaging curriculum.
Brenda MacDonald received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University, and holds a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in grades K-6. Mrs. MacDonald taught primary education in both private and public schools for five years, where she served as first grade team leader, teacher mentor, and as a member of the technology team. In 2000, she was honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year at Cresthaven Elementary School. Mrs. MacDonald is excited about continuing to partner with families using the innovative K¹² curriculum.
Shanna O’Grady has taught in both public and private schools for the past seven years. After receiving her BS from Wright State University in Ohio, Ms. O’Grady taught second grade in a public school for two years. After moving to Florida, she began teaching fourth grade at a private school in Saint Petersburg. Ms. O’Grady recently earned her MA in elementary education with an emphasis in math and science, and she is certified to teach grades K-6. Ms. O’Grady has been published in Teaching Children Mathematics, and enjoys working with children in all arenas of education.
Kristen Randolph graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in elementary education (K-6) with ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Randolph taught in a local public school and was head of technology. The job included designing/maintaining the school’s website, installing hardware/software, troubleshooting computer problems, and integrating technology into the classroom.
Lindsey Thomas has taught second grade, remedial reading for middle grades, and high school, and has also assisted in after-school programs and served as the recreational leader for grades K-5. Mrs. Thomas graduated from Flagler College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She is certified in Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grades English 5-9, and Exceptional Student Education K-12 with endorsements in both ESOL and Reading K-12.