Composition & Ancient Literature, World History

A native of upstate New York, Veronica has spent most of her adult life here in Florida, and the last 30 years in Fernandina Beach.  Professionally, she spent 15 years in a variety of positions in banking before returning to the University of Florida to earn a BA in English and a MEd in English Education.  Veronica then spent the next 25 years teaching secondary English, with most of her experience being with 10 -12 grade Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment students. 

On a more personal level, Veronica is married with three grown children and four grandchildren.  She has enjoyed her retirement from public school teaching for the past couple of years, spending her days taking long walks with her husband, visiting family and friends, attending a Community Bible Study, participating in a monthly Book Club, taking literature classes through Amelia Lifelong Learning, cooking vegan meals, tending to her plants, and reading. She often be found reading two-three books simultaneously—a faith-based resource book to enhance my spiritual growth, a contemporary historical fiction novel, and a literary classic. 

Introduction to Literary Analysis, Composition & American Literature, Yearbook

Leisha Cowart has been a teacher for 24 years, most recently at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, FL. In her career, she has taught English, drama, journalism, yearbook, and Bible for grades 3-12. She holds a degree in journalism from Auburn University, and began her career as a sportswriter. She then worked in minor league baseball public relations for the Durham Bulls and spent a number of years in advertising, marketing and graphic design before finding her true calling in teaching and yearbook production. She and her fiancé are members of The Church of Eleven22, and her favorite Bible verse is “Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe.” (Psalm 118:2)

Earth Science, Drama

Lisa Giza has a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College where she also studied tap, jazz and modern dance.  After graduating from IC she enrolled in George Mason University where she pursued an undergraduate degree in Biology before transferring to the Graduate School of Education to earn her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  A native of Virginia, Lisa grew up in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains where she became an avid nature buff and outspoken proponent of environment preservation.  After years of visiting Amelia Island she and her husband Dave became permanent residents of Fernandina Beach in 2018 where they are active members of Mercy Hill Church in Yulee.  During her 20+ years in education Lisa has taught Life Science 7, Earth Science, Earth Science 2, Astronomy, Biology, Technology Tools, Algebra 1, Power Math 8 and Environmental Science.  She has held teaching certifications in Virginia, Georgia and Florida for grades K-12 Drama, grades 6-12 Biology, and grades 6-12 Earth and Space Science.  Since 2019 she has taught science at Fernandina Beach High School, but with each year that has passed, her career prayer has always been a simple one, “God, do you want me in the public school mission field – or equipping your army of young believers?”  The answer has always been missions – until now.  So, it is with great excitement and spiritual fervor that Lisa steps away from public education to join the PEP Fernandina Beach campus!  She is excited to pour into the scientific minds of the next generation of Christians and to share her passion for the glory of His creation which He has so “intricately woven”!

Saxon 8/7, Geometry, Logic

Laurie has a BA in Mathematics Education from the University of South Florida. She has been teaching high school as well as tutoring and evaluating home school students for most of her adult life. She has been with PEP almost from its inception and enjoys being in partnership with parents to help her students chase their dreams. She has the experience and passion to make difficult subjects easier to digest, and she loves seeing her students progress and push themselves harder than they believed they were able. While not everyone will love math, the study of it points us to an ordered universe and a divine creator. Too many students choose their path based on avoiding the subject, but she wants her students fully equipped to pursue any course of study they desire. She has also enjoyed playing the piano for worship services at her church for many years.

Art

Paula Schutte has a BS in Art Education from Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA.  Her first teaching assignment was teaching elementary art in the Kansas City, Kansas inner city school district #500.  She substituted in various PA schools, teaching all age levels and subjects.  Paula worked in Greensburg, PA at the Westmoreland School District, first as a psychiatric technician and later as a classroom assistant for grades 7-9,  with students who had mental health diagnosis.  During this time she developed an art program for grades 1-12 and also summer camp art classes for physically and mentally handicapped students.  After retiring she became Studio Programs Coordinator in the education department for the Westmoreland Musem of American Art.  Here she created art programs for art summer camps, school tours, Saturday children's classes, Sunday studio classes for children and their parents, special events and adult pop up studio classes.

Currently, Paula calls Northeast Florida her home and has become involved with various educational 4-H programs through UF/IFAS Master Gardener program; including an educational curriculum for summer camp with art components as part of the learning process.  Paula is also very much involved with her church crafting group, where they hand craft items to be placed in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

Geography, American History

Dana Strickland is a Second generation native of Fernandina Beach. She and her husband, Joseph have been married for 22 years. Together, they have three beautiful children from the ages of 14 to 17 and have homeschooled for the last 13 years. Dana graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelors degree in education in 2006. She worked in the public school system for 3 1/2 years before stepping away to stay home with her babies and then eventually homeschool. Dana has a passion for the education of children, especially when rooted and grounded in Christ.