Adjuncts
Dr. Crystal Amado Kucharski
Dr. Crystal Amado Kucharski is a product of the School District of Palm Beach County, a graduate of FAU’s Educational Leadership Master Program, and earned her terminal degree from Lynn University. She has had many leadership experiences in her career working with diverse stakeholders and is currently a principal.
Dr. Amado believes in building relationships and facilitating collaborative evidence-based practices are the foundation of a positive instructional experience. She knows that teaching is the ultimate calling for a person, and because of this, leaders have a responsibility to be prepared to support staff to meet the needs every student brings into the building. All decisions are to be made on behalf of students, and it is the responsibility of leaders to continue to explore innovative ways to meet the challenges students and teachers face daily.
Her advice to aspiring leaders is to never stop learning, focus on goals, and be the light.
Dr. Jesus Armas
Dr. Jesus Armas’ career trajectory in education has found him in many roles throughout the years. Starting as a chemistry teacher, with some time spent as a basketball coach and athletic director he found himself in the role of assistant principal eventually leading to his current position of principal.
His journey into education was serendipitous. Education was the path he started on, and he decided he would follow the natural progression of his career. His leadership is guided by the idea that you should treat people with respect so as to create a culture of trust and be the best mentor possible to help others fulfill their career goals.
His advice to aspiring school leaders is to find the best mentor possible. Be loyal, hardworking, and competent in that order and if you have chosen correctly that person will help you with your career goals.
Dr. Debbie Battles
Dr. Debbie Battles has served in many roles throughout her career in education. She currently serves in the role as principal of Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School. Always considering herself a lifelong learner, she reflects on her daily actions and adjusts her practice to continuously seek improvement.
She was inspired to become a school leader because, making an impact on children has always been a goal of hers. She knew early on that her positive impact would be compounded significantly over the years by reaching a greater number of students and families. It is her belief that everyday should start with intention, and she lives by a quote from late poet, Maya Angelou, “To make a difference is not a matter of accident, a matter of casual occurrence of the tides. People choose to make a difference.”
Her best advice for aspiring school leaders is, when making tough decisions, always consider what is in the best interest of kids and you will never go wrong!
Dr. James Campbell
Dr. Campbell has a variety of leadership experiences in his career including teacher, coach, assistant athletic director, specialist in the district office, assistant principal and principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. During his time as science teacher, Dr. Campbell taught Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, IB Biology, and middle school science. As a school administrator, Dr. Campbell strives to function as a servant leader who practices Shared Leadership in all areas. He believes the primary goal of a school administrator is to support teachers in using their instructional expertise to provide a successful educational experience. As a graduate of the FAU Educational Leadership program, Dr. Campbell is confident that our students who complete this program will be well-prepared to begin their careers in educational leadership.
Dr. Joshua Davidow
Dr. Joshua Davidow is honored to have had the opportunity to serve as School Principal of three of the highest performing schools in Florida; Don Estridge High Tech Middle, Addison Mizner School and Waters Edge Elementary. Davidow has proven track record of being able to not only maintain but increase already high academic performance levels. As Principal of Don Estridge, Davidow increased the school grade 63 points earning a National Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education for the first time in the school’s history. At Addison Mizner School, Dr. Davidow not only maintained the school’s A rating but increased the school grade to its highest A in the last seven years. Additionally, during his tenure at Addison, Davidow led the demolition and modernization of Addison Mizner School a K-8 122,815 sq ft school with 57 classrooms, 78 teacher stations, 1308 student stations, state-of-the-art media center, reading room, maker space, science labs, art and music room, skills labs, full-service kitchen and cafeteria and administrative office and conference rooms. While serving as Principal of Waters Edge Elementary, Davidow is credited with moving the school from the 38th to the 20th highest performing elementary school in the state of Florida, increasing the school grade 22 points. As a school leader, Dr. Davidow brings experience leading a seasoned veteran proven faculty to improve academically. With a strong focus of being an instructional leader in PLCs to slowly change instructional practice, Davidow strategically increased student learning gains in English Language Arta and Mathematics. As a school leader, Dr. Joshua Davidow works diligently to empower his staff without infringing on instructional freedoms and is driven to create a positive, welcoming climate and culture where people want to work and parents want to send their children to school.
Since earning his Doctorate in Education from Lynn University in May 2022, Dr. Joshua Davidow immediately began teaching during the 2022 Fall semester at Florida Atlantic University. Since joining FAU as an adjunct professor, Dr. Davidow has taught in the accelerated EXEQ (Leadership for Excellence and Equity) master’s program in Educational Leadership. Teaching EDS 6050 Instructional Leadership 2: The Role of the Instructional Leader in Continuous School Improvement and EDA 6103 Leadership 3: Administrative Processes, Dr. Davidow works to integrate his practical experiences in public education with the theoretical framework of each course. Prior to becoming a school administrator, Dr. Davidow spent 6 years in the classroom teaching mathematics at the middle and high school levels at public schools in Florida and New Jersey.
Dr. Annmarie Dilbert
Dr. Annemarie Dilbert began her career in education as a Kindergarten teacher at a Title I school in New York. She currently holds the position of principal at Crosspointe Elementary School.
Having been dissuaded from pursuing her own academic and career goals, Dr. Dilbert’s mother has been her inspiration. She says her mother has been her sole motivator in her educational career and is the reason she pursued her doctoral degree. Listening and valuing everyone’s opinion is her leadership maxim. Everyone has something to bring to the table and together that is how great outcomes happen.
Her advice for aspiring leaders is to never stop learning. Every day is an opportunity, so take advantage of it!
Dr. Jennifer Galindo
Dr. Jennifer Galindo has spent the last 18 years as an educator. Currently she serves in the role as principal of Grassy Waters Elementary School. She was inspired to become a school leader because she truly wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. She believes that as a leader you have the potential to impact great numbers of students by developing teachers and providing learning communities that will forever imprint on the future of children.
Her leadership is guided by the philosophy that students must always come first. If you lead with the question, “What is best for kids?” and everything else falls into place. It is essential that doing what is best for children be the core of your why. This ensures that when things get tough, you stay focused and committed.
Her advice for aspiring school leaders is to expect the unexpected and be flexible. She believes, no matter where you are on your leadership journey, you will always be learning and growing. Surround yourself with people who possess different strengths from you and be confident enough to be questioned. As a leader, you are setting the example for others, so your approach and attitude always matter.
Dr. Carl Gibbons
Dr. Carl Gibbons is a Palm Beach County native-son, whose professional career and academic endeavors reflect his dedication to quality educational leadership, scholarship, and community involvement.
Dr. Gibbons has become distinguished, both professionally and academically. To his credit, Dr. Gibbons is a highly respected educator and school administer with over 20 years of extensive work experience and expertise in secondary curriculum, educational leadership and school administration and supervision in Palm Beach County. Moreover, Dr. Gibbons received both a Doctorate and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He also holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Bethune–Cookman College.
Dr. Gibbons is very active in the community on the local level and serves on numerous advisory boards of professional and civic organizations. Dr. Gibbons boasts of proud membership and active involvement with the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Gibbons is the Principal at Lake Shore Middle School in Belle Glade Florida. Dr. Gibbons is the father of two children Mya Ariel; Carl John II, whom he considers his “greatest achievements”.
Dr. Carl Gibbons’ extraordinary personality, keen character; professional success; and his commitment to education and community are testaments to the fact that he is fulfilling a purpose-driven life.
Dr. Gastrid Harrigan
Dr. Gastrid Harrigan has been an educator for over 19 years as a mathematics teacher, Assistant Principal, and currently as Principal in Broward County, FL. In addition, Dr. Harrigan is a Professor of Education at Broward College and Colorado State University Global. He specializes in supporting teachers and school leaders to build trusting relationships with students and improving the culture and climate of schools to optimize staff and students experience. He has extensive experience leading and instructing educators at all levels and has been recognized for his expertise, innovative leadership, student engagement, and academic achievement strategies. He frequently speaks at national conferences on leadership, curriculum, school culture and climate, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices.
He is also the host of The School Leader’s Podcast. The podcast provides bite-size tips, ideas, and PD for emerging and current school leaders.
In 2021, he was named Principal of the Year by Learning for Success, Inc. and nominated for the Principal of the Year in 2023 in Broward County Public Schools, FL.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership K-12 from Florida Atlantic University and a Doctorate in Education in Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning from Walden University. He is married to Deborah, and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter.
Dr. Deborah Maupin
Dr. Maupin has served as an Assistant Principal for 7 years and have been the Principal of Melaleuca Elementary for the last 7 years. She served as a classroom teacher for approximately 12 years in ESE and general education classrooms in both middle and elementary schools. She believes that a leadership is an unique privilege and that leaders must lead not only by example, but through action as well as they inspire others to accomplish the goals and vision of the organization. It is imperative that schools have effective leadership, and it is important that one realizes that leadership is service. "Our goal," she says, "as leaders, is to create positive change in the lives of others."
Dr. Moneek McTier
Dr. McTier, a former Teacher, School Counselor, Principal, and now Instructional Superintendent for the Glades Region, certainly understands the importance of quality education accompanied with a support system that encourages continuous growth and personal development. Dr. McTier has shown a passion and commitment to consistent school transformation, acceleration and excellence. She strongly believes in the power of education as a conduit for change, equality, and an opportunity to enhance the quality of a person’s life. She also values the impact of an effective teacher and has consistently assembled dynamic teams of educators to meet the diverse and challenging needs of the learning communities that she serves.
Dr. McTier and her learning communities have experienced various forms of growth and success.
At Northboro Montessori, they maintained a positive climate and a culture of high performance and A ratings. At Pleasant City Elementary, they consistently progressed from a school grade of D to an A over a period of 3 years. At Roosevelt Middle, Dr. McTier and her dedicated team created a culture of high expectations and continued to increase student achievement. More recently, Dr. McTier is extremely proud of the growth of Glades’ Region Elementary Schools. Four of the seven schools improved their 2019 school grade, resulting in no Elementary Differentiated Accountability Schools. This data resulted in a historical moment and a first for the Glades Region since the inception of school grades beginning in 1999. As a 29 year educator, Dr. McTier vows that if strong leadership supports effective and impactful teachers, then positive student achievement will occur.
Dr. McTier has been recognized as a State of Florida Title I Distinguished Principal for Closing the Achievement Gap, Administrator of the Year from the School Counseling Association, University of Florida’s Distinguished Educator, a finalist for the National Life Group’s Life Changer Award, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s, Inc. 2016 Educator of the Year and most recently, one of Legacy’s 2019 South Florida’s Top Black Educators.
Dr. Adam Miller
Dr. Miller has served as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal and principal. He taught 5th graders at J.C. Mitchell Elementary how to love learning and reading. He believes that leadership is a responsibility to take care of those who follow you. He believes they will, in turn, take care of you and the work. Dr. Miller believes education is the key to the future, and he says he has “found that key at FAU.”
Dr. Jolande Morgan
Dr. Morgan has served the Palm Beach County School District as an educator and school-based leader. Prior to her current position as an Associate Attorney in the Office of General Counsel, Dr. Morgan was a math coach, Response to Intervention Facilitator, and a fourth/fifth grade math and science teacher. Inspired to pursue education law based on her experiences at the intersection of law, policy, practice, and leadership, she has a desire to positively impact the education field.
Her leadership maxims revolve around a belief in the tenets of transformational leadership through innovation, empowerment, and growth. She believes aspiring school leaders should continuously seek opportunities to learn and develop as they strive to nurture the capacity of educators who impact student success.
Dr. Morgan earned her B.A. in Elementary Education, M.Ed. in Special Education, Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, and J.D. from the University of Florida.
Dr. Stephanie F. Nance
Dr. Stephanie Nance is a Georgia born, Florida native since the age of four. Her professional career and academic endeavors echo a sound belief – she is an educator who is committed to academic excellence, growing the next generation of educational leaders, scholarship and community service.
To her professional and academic credit, Dr. Nance is a dedicated and well-respected educator and school administrator with over 25 years of practice, experience and skill in secondary education, school administration, and educational leadership in Palm Beach County. Dr. Nance is a proud product of the Palm Beach County School District and received both a Doctorate and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Dr. Nance is an active community member and serves on several professional boards and civic groups. In addition, she is an active member of the renowned and award-winning Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Nance is the Principal of Crestwood Community Middle School in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Nance is married and the proud mother of a daughter, Taylor.
Dr. Stephanie Nance’s dedication and commitment to education and public service reigns true to her educational philosophy - “Every student is equipped with the light of knowledge. It is up to us as educators to ignite their flame.”
Dr. Patricia Ordonez-Feliciano
Dr. Patricia Ordóñez-Feliciano holds a B.A. in Mathematics, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Ph.D. in Global Leadership. She has served as a secondary math teacher, Instructional Specialist, Assistant Principal. Principal, and Director. Dr. Ordóñez-Feliciano was Principal at West Gate Elementary for nearly 10 years. Under her leadership, the school increased its State rating and was recognized statewide as one of the top 10 percent of schools, which improved their English Language Arts and Mathematics achievement. Additionally, her work with Social and Emotional Learning was featured locally and by the White House in 2019.
She is currently the Director of Administration and Compliance for the District of Palm Beach, and an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Florida Atlantic University. She has also served as internship supervisor for students completing their Master of Education in Educational Leadership at various universities in the U.S. Dr. Ordóñez-Feliciano co-facilitates the Linking Latinas Network events at the national level for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and is an Executive Board Member for the Florida Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. She is a recipient of the Hispanic Education Coalition (HEC) Educational Leadership Award and was inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry in 2023. She mentors future education leaders, encouraging them to lead with their heart and always keep students’ needs in mind when making decisions.
Dr. Joan Pierre-Jerome
Dr. Joan Pierre-Jerome has served the School District of Palm Beach County for over thirty years. Currently, Dr. Pierre-Jerome is the proud principal of J.C. Mitchell Elementary School. Prior to her principalship, she served as an elementary school teacher of students in ESE, as an AREA ESE Resource Teacher, and as an Assistant Principal at the high school level. Dr. Pierre-Jerome is a native New Yorker who is proud of her Jamaican West Indian roots. She attended school in New York before relocating at the end of elementary school to Broward County, Florida. Dr. Pierre-Jerome received both her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Florida. She earned her Specialist in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University and her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Lynn University.
Dr. Pierre-Jerome is married Dr. Reginald Pierre-Jerome, a fellow educator, and she is the proud mother of three children, Milan, Sebastian and Adrian. She believes that as educators it is our responsibility to bring out the best in our students every day.
Dr. Laurie Riopelle
Dr. Laurie Riopelle is currently the Director of Leadership Development for the School District of Palm Beach County working to provide professional growth and build leadership capacity for both current and aspiring leaders across the District. She also serves as an adjunct professor in an Educational Leadership Master’s program at Florida Atlantic University. Prior to serving as a Director, she was the principal and instructional leader for over ten years at both the elementary and secondary levels in a variety of school settings including Title I, public and private schools. Her educational career spans almost twenty-six years working as a teacher, learning team facilitator, assistant principal, principal and director. She was a finalist for the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders’ Innovative Principal of the Year in 2015-2016. In 2003 she received the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education, winning this prestigious award from among all elementary educators in Palm Beach County. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida State University in 1986 and worked in advertising. Knowing that she was passionate about the field of education, she returned to Florida State and earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Dr. Riopelle received her certificate in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University and her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Lynn University.
Dr. Enrique Vela
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Vela has served as both a school administrator and district administrator in both Florida and New York public schools. Throughout his career, others have supported his leadership aspirations and invested in his development. In turn, he takes pride in helping others maximize their potential, and in opening up doors of opportunity. Serving as an FAUPPI mentor enabled Dr. Vela to revisit leadership lessons learned, and gain new perspectives from his mentee. It has made him a stronger leader and a continuous learner.