The North Florida School of Special Education was founded in 1992 by nine parents as a private school for children with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. For the first two years the School was located at the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church and began with three students and two full-time staff. The School outgrew its location and began leasing space from Hope Haven in 1995. It moved to Congregation Beth Shalom in September 2002 and began a capital campaign to construct our own building.
In January 2004 North Florida School moved to a new $1.2 million, 9,000 square foot facility. The Anderson Smith campus of North Florida School sits on 3 acres on Mill Creek Road in the Regency Square area. The building contains classrooms, offices, a computer lab, library, lunch room, and resource center.
During the 2008-2009 school year, North Florida School’s 63 students range in age from 7-22 years. We maintain a 5:1 student to teacher ratio in order to better offer quality instruction to individual and small groups. Our students traditionally have had a range of developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Lowe syndrome, mental handicaps, genetic disorders, autism, Williams syndrome, Golden Har syndrome, heart conditions, head trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, seizure disorders, stroke, visual handicaps and fragile X syndrome.
North Florida School has six academic class levels: Elementary, Middle, Junior High, Senior High, and two Vocational Transition Programs. Our two Transition Programs prepare older students to become contributing members of our community through vocational and academic studies. On-site licensed professionals provide Speech, Occupational therapy/Physical therapy, and Social Skills therapy to all of our students.
Our goal is for each student to graduate with the skills to be employable, live independently, experience personal success, and become active employees and citizens in the Jacksonville community.
North Florida School is incorporated and is a registered not-for-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) and is registered with the State Department of Education. North Florida School welcomes all students regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or religion.
Mr. Will Morgan |
Mrs. Sally Hazelip |
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Mr. Brooks Faison |
Mr. James (Jim) Dahl |
Mrs. Joyce Eyrick |
Mr. Omar Farooq |
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Dave Ward, Executive Director
Colleen Miller, Vice Principal
Karen Wallace, Academic Director
Leigh Forrester, Director of Development
Rochelle Richardson, Administrative Assistant
Martha Sawyer, Grant Writer
Roberta Mahon, Elementary Class Teacher
Jeffrey Bowling, Elementary Assistant Teacher
Jamie Hayes, Middle School Co-Teacher
Melissa Hall, Middle School Co-Teacher
Bonnie Esser, Junior High Teacher
Ann Atkins, Junior High School Assistant Teacher
Shirlene Scott, Senior High Teacher
Judi McKinney, Senior High Assistant Teacher
Janet Golden, Transition I Teacher
Donna Thompson, Transition II Program Co-Teacher
Debbie Hagan, Transition II Program Co-Teacher
Gail Wickenden, Transition II Program Assistant Teacher
Matt Wiley, Employment Specialist
Debra Rains, Speech Therapist
Mary Huszcza, Occupational Therapist
Mary Kay Hall, Physical Therapist
Theresa DeFoor, Classroom Literary Specialist
Geraud "Roddie" Moreland, Custodian
Dave Ward – Executive Director
Dave Ward, School Administrator, is a native of Bowling Green, Ohio. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice at Bluffton College, and a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from Bowling Green State University. Dave has spent more then 20 years working in the non-profit sector and has held the positions of Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Regional Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Regional Vice President of Best Buddies International. Dave spent 6 years with the Wood County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities and was previously a Licensed Psychotherapist providing home based counseling to at risk youth. In 2003, Dave was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal in their “Up and Comer” edition, which recognizes future leaders of Jacksonville. Dave resides in the south side of Jacksonville.
Colleen Miller - Vice-Principal
Colleen Miller is the Vice-Principal at North Florida School. She has been associated with NFS since 1992 when her son Bryan enrolled in the Middle School. She has a BA degree in Computer Science from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA. Colleen has two children and her husband works at CSX. The family is originally from Illinois. Over the past fifteen years, Colleen has seen NFS grow from a student population of four to the projected enrollment of 60 students in the fall of 2008. Colleen enjoys graphic design, crafts, and spending time with her family.
Karen Wallace - Academic Director
Karen Wallace is the Academic Director at NFS. She began working at North Florida School in 2002. She enjoys working with the staff and students in reading, math, and supporting all of the curriculum needs of the school. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are both graduates of the University of Florida and now add their daughter Katie to the UF legacy as of May 2006. Her son Kyle is continuing the Gator tradition and will graduate in 1 year. Mrs. Wallace has her BA in Special Education, K-12 and has taught varying exceptionalities from Pre-K to Vocational age students. Besides working at NFS, Mrs. Wallace enjoys reading, exercising, yard work, spending time with her family and friends, and watching the Gators.
Leigh Forrester – Director of Development
Leigh Forrester joined North Florida School in March of 2006 as Director of Development. Leigh is a native of McLean, Virginia and a graduate of Sweet Briar College (1978). Leigh, her husband and two children moved to Jacksonville in 1995 from West Chester, Pennsylvania where Leigh worked as Director of Development at West Chester Friends School. Since moving to Florida, she has worked in Development at the University of North Florida and Episcopal High School. Mrs. Forrester is the 2008 President of the Arlington Council of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Women’s Giving Alliance, and has worked in the development field for 18 years. Leigh and her husband have a son and daughter in college and, at home, a mixed breed Saint Bernard she rescued from the Humane Society. She loves to camp, travel and enjoys living close to the beach.
Martha Sawyer – Grant Writer
Martha is a part time grant writer for the North Florida School. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She became a Florida Certified Public Accountant in 1982 and worked in public accounting for fifteen years. Upon retirement from public accounting, she returned to college and completed approximately thirty hours of graduate studies in the field of Exceptional Education at the University of Central Florida. She relocated to Jacksonville in 1999 with her husband and two sons. Her oldest son Tommy has autism and began attending the North Florida School in 2000. She has been involved with the school ever since and has remained an advocate for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Rochelle Richardson – Administrative Assistant
Rochelle Richardson enjoys her position as Administrative Assistant very much. She joined the North Florida School family in August of 2004. Mrs. Richardson moved to Jacksonville in July of 1999 and graduated from the University of North Florida in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. She has many years of experience working in a school setting. She has one son, Jason who lives in Chicago. Her husband, Tom, retired from the United States Navy in January 2006 with over 20 years of service. Rochelle loves spending time with her family, traveling and making crafts.
Roberta Mahon - Elementary Class Teacher
Roberta Mahon, a graduate of Florida State University, has worked with preschool and kindergarten program in Florida, California and Oregon. Roberta has taught in England, Mexico, Singapore and Japan before returning to her hometown of Jacksonville, where she recently taught Montessori elementary school. Roberta was selected one of Duval County’s Teacher of the Year candidates in 2006-07. She joined NFS in 2007 as Job Placement Specialist with the Transition Program..
Jeffrey Bowling - Elementary Class Assistant
Jeff Bowling is the Elementary Assistant Teacher. Before joining North Florida School faculty he was a Social Studies Teacher at The Broach School in Jacksonville Beach and a Substitute Teacher for Duval County School System. Mr. Bowling served in the United States Navy, his duties included computer operations and satellite communication instructor. He retired in 2005 after twenty years of service. He is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College with a B.A. in History. Jeff has made Neptune Beach his permanent residence, he is married and the father of one daughter. In his spare time he enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with family.
Jo Mansell - Middle School Teacher
Jo Mansell is the Middle School Teacher. She graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY and has also earned certification from Cornell University in Performance Improvement/Development as well as Management Studies. Mrs. Mansell has several years experience in education and working with individuals with disabilities. Jo is an avid football fan while also enjoying boating, going to the beach, and swimming. Jo is also a certified professional dog trainer and her Black Labrador Retriever is named Sabu.
Jamie Hayes - Middle School Assistant
Jamie Hayes is the Middle School Teacher’s Assistant and this is her third year with North Florida School. She is a lifetime resident of Jacksonville and attends FCCJ, majoring in exceptional education. After work, Jamie spends her time tutoring and is a part-time nanny. Jamie enjoys playing with her Labrador Retriever, Riley, sharing time with friends and family, and cheering on the Seminoles!
Bonnie Esser - Junior High Teacher
Bonnie Esser has enjoyed working with special needs students for 23 years. She has taught in Tampa, Florida and Littleton, Colorado. Before joining the North Florida School faculty, she authored and co-produced six nationally distributed educational programs for elementary and secondary school populations in the areas of character education, career education, health education, and science, history and nature. Mrs. Esser graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida where she earned a BA degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities with a minor in Speech and Language Development. Bonnie has made Ponte Vedra Beach her permanent residence and is married and the mother of one son. She enjoys her family and extra-curricular activities that include: reading, cooking, and raising cactus and orchids.
Ann Atkins – Junior High Assistant
Ann joined North Florida School in 2007. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.A. in Psychology. Before moving to Florida, Ann worked with children with disabilities and their families in Charlotte, NC. Ann is happy to be in Jacksonville, where she is enjoying the beautiful weather and beaches. In her spare time Ann enjoys spending time with friends and family and traveling.
Shirlene Scott - Senior High Teacher
Shirlene Scott is the Senior High Special Education Teacher at North Florida School. Ms. Scott graduated from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana in 1992, where she earned a BA degree in Psychology, and completed internship hours at the Grambling Training and Evaluation Center for clients with disabilities. Shirlene earned a certificate in Biblical Studies from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ms. Scott has made Jacksonville her permanent residence where she enjoys her family and teaching. Extra-curricular activities include: Reading, writing poetry, tutoring, dance instructor, and chasing after her four children.
Judi McKinney – Senior High Assistant
Judi McKinney is the Assistant Teacher for the Senior High Class. She graduated from Jones College with an A.S. degree in Business. She has six years of experience working in the classroom, six years working in the public school system and six years of experience working with high school students at her church. Judi is married and the mother of two sons, Matthew and Joe, ages 24 and 22, and the grandmother of Kaylie Grace, age 5.
Donna Thompson – Transition II Co-Teacher
Donna Thompson is a team teacher in the Transition II Class. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Master's Degree in Secondary Education. She has ten years experience as a vocational evaluator. Mrs. Thompson has worked at NFS for the past ten years with students and their families transitioning from school to employment and independent living. In 2001, Mrs. Thompson was awarded Outstanding Educator for the State of Florida by the Florida Division on Career Development and Transition. She has twin girls, Victoria and Brianna.
Deborah Hagan – Transition II Co-Teacher
Debbie is a team teacher in the Transition II Class. She graduated with a B.B.A. degree from the University of North Florida. Debbie has enjoyed working at NFS with the Transition students since August 2003. She is a native of Jacksonville. Debbie and her husband, Gene, have two adult sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking, traveling, playing hand bells and spending time with her family and friends.
Janet Golden - Transition I Teacher
This is Jan’s third year at North Florida School with the Transition I Class. She came to NFS after 18 years at Family Counseling Services. Jan is a graduate of the University of Florida and she and her husband own Golden Builders of Jacksonville. Jan has a son, Jake and a daughter, Rachel.
Gail Wickenden – Transition II Assistant Teacher
Gail has been at North Florida School since February 2005 where she supports Deborah and Donna in the Transition Program as an Assistant Teacher. Gail graduated from Regis University in Denver with a B.S. in Business Administration. She has worked in banking, corporate finance and accounting, later transitioning into education, working as an assistant and in admissions evaluation. Gail is married and the mother of two daughters, Elizabeth and Megan, and one son, Will.