Mrs. Amy Balfe

Elementary Education & Middle School Math and Language Arts

Mrs. Amy Balfe is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience in tutoring and teaching students from Kindergarten through 10th grade. She holds a degree in Elementary Education (K-6) from the University of Pittsburgh and certifications in Middle Level Math (6-9) and Middle Level Language Arts (6-9). Mrs. Balfe also earned her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University.

Her extensive background includes tutoring in reading, math, social sciences, study skills, and test prep. She has also served as a classroom teacher, with 14 years of experience teaching Kindergarten and 3 years of assisting in 5th and 6th grades. Recently relocated to Florida, Mrs. Balfe is eager to return to the classroom for the 2025-2026 school year.

Mrs. Lauren Schmidt

K-12 Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Lauren Schmidt is a highly skilled K-12 Intervention Specialist with training in the Barton Reading and Spelling method and a strong background in developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). With a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and prior certification in Special Education, she brings a wealth of experience in working with students of all ages, including those with special needs. Lauren’s expertise lies in creating individualized, research-based instructional strategies that cater to each student’s unique learning requirements. She is passionate about supporting students who need specialized instruction and emotional, social, and educational guidance. Lauren has worked in various educational settings, including public schools, autism intervention centers, and as a private homeschool teacher, where she combines her knowledge of special education and speech pathology to implement comprehensive learning strategies. Additionally, she is well-versed in the use of data-driven decision-making to ensure measurable progress and success. Outside of her professional work, Lauren is dedicated to homeschooling her own children and helping families navigate the challenges of homeschooling.

Ms. Soto

K-5 Reading and Math

ESE Certified

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Ms. Soto has a deep passion for education and a wealth of knowledge in working with students across various grade levels, from kindergarten through 8th grade. Currently teaching kindergarten, she has also taught 4th and 5th grades, providing her with a broad understanding of students’ developmental needs and learning styles. Certified in K-12 ESE and Physical Education, Ms. Soto thrives in creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that make education fun and interactive. She particularly loves teaching P.E. and interacting with her students in an active, positive environment. Known for her ability to foster creativity and curiosity in the classroom, Ms. Soto’s approach focuses on making learning enjoyable while ensuring that each student reaches their full potential.

Señorita Ivana

K-12 Autism Support

ESE Services

Señorita Ivana is a dedicated educator with a strong background in psychology and over 20 years of experience in various roles related to child welfare and education. She is certified to teach K-12 ESE and K-12 Spanish. Her education includes a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Aconcagua in Mendoza, Argentina, where she also completed extensive research and thesis work on child abuse and psychoanalytic perspectives.

Señorita Ivana has worked in a variety of educational and child welfare settings, including as a Behavior Specialist, Juvenile Probation Officer, and Child Protection Investigator, where she developed expertise in supporting children with special needs and at-risk youth. In her teaching career, she has worked in both Spanish and ESE classrooms, bringing a unique combination of educational and psychological knowledge to her approach. She is committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for all students. Currently, she teaches at Lakewood Ranch High School, where she continues to make a meaningful impact on her students' academic and personal growth.

Mrs. Nikki Hinton Ruoff

Math Teacher

Mrs. Nikki is a dedicated math teacher with 17 years of experience teaching 3rd grade in Pinellas County. She is certified in Elementary Education (K-6) in Florida. While she has taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades, she has spent the majority of her career teaching 3rd grade.

Mrs. Nikki currently supports learners in grades K-8 in math, providing tailored instruction to help them develop confidence and skills in the subject. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child can learn, but that learning happens in different ways for each student. She excels at differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of her students, ensuring all students, regardless of their learning style, can succeed. She strives to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, motivated, and capable of reaching their full potential.

Mr. Brian Xiao

6-12 Math Teacher

Computer Sciences

Brian Xiao is a senior at the University of Florida, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences with an expected graduation in August 2025. Previously, he studied Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he developed projects such as a self-driving miniature car and a weather-based clothing recommendation interface. This blend of technical expertise and educational focus allows Mr. Xiao to approach teaching with a unique perspective, integrating technology and instructional design to enhance student learning experiences.

In his role as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in Manatee County, Mr. Xiao has gained hands-on experience across elementary, middle, and high school levels, ensuring curriculum continuity and supporting students with diverse needs. Additionally, he has mentored high school students in STEM subjects, organized events, and coordinated activities, further demonstrating a commitment to fostering student engagement and growth. Mr. Xiao is passionate about leveraging digital learning platforms, programming, and AI-enabled tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. With a strong foundation in both education and technology, he is well-equipped to contribute to the evolving landscape of education and make a positive impact on students' academic journeys.

Mr. Brian Upholz

Art Teacher

Mr. Brian Upholz is a dedicated educator with a passion for integrating science, music, and mindfulness into his teaching approach. Since 2007, he has taught in Florida public schools, bringing a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to his students. He joined the Triad Alternative School in Sarasota in 2020, where he has made a significant impact on students' lives.

At Triad, Mr. Upholz has initiated several programs to engage students and foster a positive learning environment. He started a school band, launched a hands-on music class, and established a community garden, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. His efforts were recognized when he received the "Ripple Effect" award from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation in 2021 for his outstanding impact on students both inside and outside the classroom

Mr. Upholz holds teaching certifications in Music K-12, Art K-12, Science 5-9, Earth-Space Science 6-12, and Exceptional Student Education K-12. He is also trained in mindfulness practices and yoga, which he incorporates into his teaching to promote students' well-being and personal growth.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Upholz enjoys creating art and spending time with his family. He values the importance of imagination and creativity, often engaging in activities with his son that inspire joy and connection. He is currently partnering with us to offer summer art groups and we hope that he can continue to support our families with his amazing ideas and calming presence.

Mrs. Lennon

ELA K-12 and Spanish

Mrs. Lennon is a dedicated educator with a Master’s degree in Reading and a Bachelor’s in Education. She brings decades of experience working with students of all ages, from preschoolers to adults, and has a particular passion for literacy and language instruction. At Lakewood Ranch Library, she will be teaching K–12 English Language Arts and Spanish, drawing on her background in bilingual education and her expertise in the Orton-Gillingham approach for students with dyslexia. Mrs. Lennon has taught bilingual students in grades 4–5, Spanish to learners ages 3 through adult, and English as a Second Language (ESL) to both teens and adults. Her literature-based teaching style emphasizes meaningful engagement through storytelling, reading, and games that make learning enjoyable and effective. Thoughtful in her lesson planning, she ensures each student receives personalized attention and a rich, motivating learning experience. Now retired from full-time teaching, she continues to bring her love of education to the community, helping learners thrive with compassion and creativity.

Kelly Wilk- Downs

Occupational therapist

Kelly received a degree in Exercise Science from Florida State University and her Occupational Therapy Degree from Barry University, in Miami Beach, Florida. Attending a private Catholic College and learning from nuns was a calming experience. She is Certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test and has specialized in working with Autism. Kelly is the developer of Shoe Tying Made Simple and Writing Made Simple products. She has spent most of her career working in the schools where she was responsible for staffing the schools with clinicians and she also owned her own clinic.

While working with Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools in North Carolina, Kelly came across a new way of teaching children called the TEACCH method. It uses structured visual-instruction, set up in a clear, concise format, so that children could look at pictures of each step that are broken down for the students. She was amazed how well this methodology called the TEACCH methodology, worked for the students.

During her work as an Occupational Therapist, Kelly encountered a challenging caseload. But, as any great Occupational Therapist would do, Kelly rose to the challenge. Kelly’s favorite instrument became a digital camera used to take photos of the task analyzed steps for her students in the realm of activities of daily living and handwriting. Kelly became adept at breaking tasks down into manageable steps and incorporate multisensory analysis into her instruction.

Kelly was often asked by parents to teach their children to tie their shoes, so Kelly went on a mission to make this Activity of Daily Living skill a success! This is where Kelly came up with her method of teaching shoe tying called “Shoe Tying Made Simple”. It was so successful that Kelly was asked to write a book about the method. The book then led to the unique design of the bicolored shoelaces. Later on, this evolved into the “Shoe Tying Made Simple” teaching sneakers, lacing sequences, hands on manipulatives, parent and therapist handouts, worksheets, and now the “Shoe Tying Made Simple” 1-hour parent course.

Kelly has endeavored to provide value, exceptional products and great courses that are developmentally appropriate with a “hands-on” experience that is fun both for the student and the teacher.

Annette Garcia

Speech & Language Pathologist

Ms. Shyla O’Dell

Private Teacher and Owner

I am a certified teacher in the state of Florida, holding a reading endorsement, ESOL endorsement, K-6 all subjects certification, ESE certification, and 5-9 Social Studies certification. My college major was middle school math and social studies, but I also completed early childhood courses. Over the past 10 years, I have served in classrooms across various grade levels and subjects, from K-8. For the past three years, I have been working as a private teacher and tutor.

After my daughter was born, I decided to transition from the full-time classroom setting to focus on building a business that would allow me to homeschool her. Since then, I have found great joy in supporting students who need more than what the traditional classroom can offer, as well as supporting homeschooling families.

My specialty is supporting struggling learners who have difficulty understanding general classroom explanations. I also find great fulfillment in working with children often labeled as having "behavioral complications," helping them develop a love for learning. I have experience working with IEPs and am happy to guide families through the process.

In addition to private teaching, my most exciting project is creating a homeschool co-op for the class of 2039. I look forward to learning more about your scholar and meeting you soon!