Rebecca Allen

Mathematics

Rebecca Allen was born and raised in Florida and currently resides in Riverview. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two cats and a dog. Mrs. Allen graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education. This is her first year teaching at LLT. She is very excited about being the 7th grade mathematics teacher. Mrs. Allen’s math experiences include teaching 9th grade Geometry and private tutoring. Her two passions are math and music. She has taught music for four years and is looking forward to teaching chorus at LLT. Mrs. Allen loves to sing and enjoys being on the praise team at her church. She hopes to be a great inspiration to the students this year.

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” – William Arthur Ward

Colleen Antoinette

Mathematics

Colleen Antoinette was born in New Jersey, grew up in Georgia and currently resides in Plant City with her husband Brian of 9 years. This is Mrs. Antoinette’s third year teaching at LLT Academy. Begining her teaching career at LLT, Mrs. Antoinette has taught 6th grade Life Science for two years and will be teaching 8th grade Mathematics in the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. Mrs. Antoinette received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from the University of South Florida in 2008. A long college journey led her to find her passion for teaching and life long learning. Teaching allows Mrs. Antoinette to share her knowledge, make an impact, be a leader, and help children to discover their learning potential. She looks forward to another great year at LLT, growing with her students as they learn together. She claims herself as being a "DWIT" (Doing What It Takes) to make a difference in the lives of others.

In her spare time, you might find Mrs. Antoinette relaxing at the beach, in a movie, enjoying a Starbucks Latte, shopping for shoes, kayaking the Little Manatee River, or exploring the mountains of Murphy, NC.

"Give me a place to stand and I will move the Earth." ~Archimedes

Kellie Clemmer

Athletic Director | Physical Education

Kellie Clemmer is the P.E. coach at LLT Academy for the third year now and has loved every minute of it. Her LLT experience started as a parent when her son Steven entered the 6th grade their opening year in 2005. Her daughter Kali is going into the 7th grade this year at LLT.

Coach Clemmer is the Athletic Director for the second year at LLT. She got her feet wet last year and learned how to adapt to challenges and come out on top. She is planning on a spectacular 2010-2011 athletic season at LLT with the support of LLT staff, parents and student athletes.

Coach has been an athlete since she was very young playing soccer, softball & volleyball from age 5 through high school. She was raised in the mountains in California and loved extreme sports like snowboarding and hicking. She is currently going for her second degree black belt in Shaolin-do Kung Fu and her second degree brown belt in Tai Chi. She teaches Kung Fu and Tai Chi along side her husband, Mike of 14 years to kids, adults and senior citizens in Brandon and Sun City. Teaching and being involved in any type of sport is truly a passion for Coach Clemmer.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. -Aristotle

Joanie Cooper

Ancient History

Joanie Cooper is a native Floridian currently living in the South Shore area. Mrs. Cooper and her husband of 18 years have two children, two dogs, a cat, and many fish. They enjoy going to the beach as much as possible, and love canoeing, camping, hiking, and skiing when they get up to Colorado. "I love nature and gardening, and would like to help students understand the importance of preserving our planet through recycling."
This is Mrs. Cooper’s fourth year teaching at LLT academy. She started out as the girls Varsity Basketball coach at LLT, and was hired in 2007 to teach P.E. as well as 7th and 8th grade mathematics. For the school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Mrs. Cooper primarily taught 7th grade mathematics. This year she will be able to share her life long passion for history with incoming 6th grade students. "I have a goal to visit as many of the historical forts and places of interest still operational in North America. I have already had the opportunity to visit 6 forts, several battlefields, antebellum plantations, and Mayan ruins in Mexico."

Mrs. Cooper has had the pleasure to be involved in a few extra projects for the school such as working on the 2009 4th of July parade in Brandon, helping with the talent show and end of year dance, fundraising, and coordinating field trips and clubs. As well, Mrs. Cooper chairs the middle school student council, and is the program leader for the Washington, D.C. trip." To be able to bring history alive to 8th, 9th, and 10th grades students through the D.C./Williamsburg trip was one of the most wonderful experiences that I have ever had. Every student should be able to see first hand how our nation was founded, and how it functions today. The visit to our nations capital was very humbling."

Mrs. Cooper has worked as an academic advising assistant for over 700 home school students, and lead 2nd and 3rd grade reading circles. Prior to teaching Mrs. Cooper had a career as a buyer for Home Shopping Network purchasing and selling over 83 million dollars in merchandise a year, and was the Director of Client Services for a boutique real estate company in Hyde Park.

Mrs. Cooper believes in and shares the vision of LLT. Her son, Tyler, attended LLT 6th-9th grade.

Anne Cyr

Foreign Language

Anne Cyr teaches Spanish and Italian. This is her third year teaching in this environment, however, Mrs. Cyr also has over 15 years experience teaching at the University and corporate level.

She loves to travel, swim, bike, jog, and have fun with her family. Mrs. Cyr is the proud mom of three children, two in elementary school and one who is a student here at LLT. Her decision to become an educator stemmed from her passion for foreign languages -- she believes that learning a second language expands the student’s mind and the possibilities are in every way imaginable.

Mrs. Cyr has lived across the US, as well as Madrid, Rome, and the Italian Alps. She now happily resides in Apollo Beach with her husband of 14 years and their sons and daughter.

Dante Delgrosso

Earth Science

Dante DelGrosso is very excited to be with the LLT team for a second year to teach 7th grade Earth & Space Science. He graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Art and Photography. After working and instructing in photography, he embarked upon a career at sea as mariner, fisherman, and licensed ship’s officer. Shortly before coming to LLT, Mr. DelGrosso worked as Marketing Manager in the motorcycle roadracing industry.

A proud generalist, Mr. DelGrosso enjoys experiencing and learning as much as possible with a life-long ambition to teach. His goal is to pass along this passion for learning to his students.

Mr. DelGrosso lives with his wife Jessica and son Luca in St. Petersburg.

Bob ElliotT

Shop | CAD

Bob Elliott comes to LLT Academy from Brandon High School. His teaching career began in a one-room schoolhouse in Kentucky teaching 1st through 8th graders. After four years, he moved to high school and coached football, basketball, baseball and track.

He moved to Florida in 1973 and began teaching and coaching at Brandon High School. He taught Driver's Education, Science, History, PE, and Industrial Arts (now called Technology Education). Mr. Elliott also taught Drafting Instruction (CAD) and introduced lasers in Hillsborouogh County.

After teaching for 40 years, Mr. Elliott still has the passion for people to learn. "Coach", as he is known, loves the attitude and the desire to teach and learn of the teachers and students at LLT.

He has been married to his Kentucky sweetheart, Wahseka, for 32 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Taneha and Shea, and two dogs Zorro and Macy.

Tina Green

Medieval History

Tina Green was born and grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2007 from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology. Mrs. Green currently resides in Riverview, FL with her husband Taylor and their two boxers, Aubie and Sugar.

This is Mrs. Green’s 3rd year of teaching 7th grade Medieval History at LLT Academy. She has always had a passion for investing in the lives of children all of her life and she hopes to make an impact in the lives of her students. In her spare time Mrs. Green loves to spend time with her family and friends, be involved in her church and spend time doing things outdoors.

Shana Horton

English

Shana Horton is excited to be starting her 2nd year at LLT this fall. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1999 from the University of South Florida and has a strong background in both English and performance. She has taught in a variety of school settings, including public school, private school, and even a traveling carnival school. Shana loves the opportunity to remind students everyday how valuable they are and to encourage them to fight for their dreams. She not only teaches students, but finds time to organize their school events such as dances, ceremonies, and talent shows. She also works periodically for Busch Gardens as a stage manager, keeping her performance skills sharpened.

Shana does not have a lot of spare time, because as soon as she leaves work, she goes home to 3 precious children: Jamesyn (8), Keatyn (5), and Landyn Audrey (4). However, if she has a free moment, she likes to spend that moment completing word and number puzzles or playing computer and board games.

Jewell Knotts

Language Arts | Holocaust

Jewell Knotts is affectionately known as Mrs. K. One truly interesting event in her life was being interviewed for an article about her favorite author, Harper Lee. Mrs. K was one of three teachers who were interviewed. She was honored to be able to talk about why she has taught the wonderful novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, for most of her teaching career! She believes learning the value of tolerance is key to survival in our ever-changing world.

Mrs. K comes to LLT having taught in four schools over a thirty-six year period. She is married to her husband of thirty years and she still likes him! She has two cats: Aggie and Snickers. All three of her household companions are very important to her, but she declines to say which one is more important on any given day!

All in all, Mrs. K is delighted to be a member of the LLT family! She just has to keep working on learning everyone's name in this great family! (She's trying!)

Tricia Latham

Language Arts

Tricia Latham continues at LLT for her third year with 16 prior years of teaching experience.  As a native Texan, she received her BA with teacher certification from the University of Texas at El Paso.  Watching young people grow in their character and academic excellence is a source of joy for her as a teacher.  She finds teaching middle school students challenging, but she has a passion for teaching and a love for her students.

Mrs. Latham loves her faith, her family,  Gator football, her students, poetry, and drama.  She resides in Valrico with her husband of 41 years, retired Col. Bill Latham. She had an exciting life as an Air Force wife.  For example, in 1991, she found herself evacuating on a naval ship from an air base in the Philippines after the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Outside of her school activities, she travels with her husband, spoils her adorable grandchildren, and participates in local plays.

Barbara Lavin

Physical Sciences

Barbara Lavin grew up in Philadelphia, PA and now lives in Valrico, FL with her husband.  She teaches 8th grade physical science at LLT Academy.  This is her third year of teaching at LLT Academy.  After several years in private industry, working as an environmental scientist, Mrs. Lavin decided to become a teacher.  She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the sciences with her students.  In her spare time, Mrs. Lavin enjoys gardening, scuba diving, and playing with her two schnauzer mix puppies, Dalton and Einstein.

Susan Maxwell

Language Arts | Journalism

Susan Maxwell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Spanish and her Masters Degree in Business Administration. She spent 10 years in marketing and new business development for the defense industry. She resigned when her daughter was born and devoted the next five years to raising her family. During those years she volunteered at the local Elementary School, tutored reading and became a Girl Scout Leader.

It was when her daughter started school that she decided to get her teaching certification. She began her teaching career at Eisenhower Middle School teaching English as a Second Language (ESOL), Reading and Journalism. She began teaching Spanish, Language Arts and Journalism at LLT Academy in 2007. In her spare time she enjoys snorkeling, bike riding, boating, scrap booking and reading.

Her favorite quotes are: “It is more important to be respected than it is to be liked” and “Attitude not Aptitude determines Altitude.”

Joanie Rutherford

ESE Specialist

Joanie has been working with ESE students for the past 15 years in a charter school setting and joins LLT Academy this fall.  Her passion for the advocacy of the education and care of children is evident in everything she does in and out of school.  She believes all children have the ability to be successful and have a voice, as educators we need to guide them and provide them with necessary stepping stones along their way.

Joanie is originally from Wisconsin and moved to Florida in 1994.  She has been around the education world all of her life.  Her grandmother taught for 42 years, with the last 20 years as a Special Education teacher.  Her mother taught for 33 years in Wisconsin as an elementary teacher.  She retired to Florida and continues to teach elementary students.  Joanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 1993 with a BA in Psychology.  When she moved to Florida she knew she wanted to work with children and education seemed to be an easy fit.  She then earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Nova Southeastern in 2003.

When not at school, Joanie enjoys time with her family and friends.  Much of their family time revolves around Scott, her husband, coaching their son, Brett, in baseball and soccer.  She was never a huge baseball fan, but found that if you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em.  The family also enjoys the Tampa Bay Rays.

Timothy Smith

American History

Tim Smith was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Smith is entering his second year of teaching 8th Grade American History at LLT Academy. He earned his Associates degree from Hillsborough Community College and his Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of South Florida. He currently resides in Riverview with his wife Kelli and their dog Gracie. 

Before changing his major to History, Mr. Smith wanted to be a news reporter. He participated in TV Production during high school and interned for two semesters at ABC Actions News in Tampa. His background in news reporting led him to ask "why" questions about history. Mr. Smith tries to bring history alive in class through skits, drawings and other activities that take students outside the box. History is not just dates and page after page of notes, history can be fun. Students do not merely read about history his in his class, they experience it first hand. Mr. Smith is excited about the new school year, with a new year comes new ideas and new opportunities for students to succeed. 

Carolyn Tipton

Math | Art

Ms. Tipton is currently working on her fourth year at LLT Academy.  Born in Alabama, she was a member of an Air Force family that finally settled in Tampa in 1959. She earned a B. A. degree and teacher’s certificate at the University of South Florida. Ms. T taught for twenty-seven years at Mary Help of Christians School before coming to LLT Academy. This year she spends her time with sixth graders (Math & Art) and seventh graders (Art).

When not immersed in things related to teaching, you might find her in the garden, sewing on a quilt, or perhaps trying a new technique for making jewelry.

Chase Webber

Life Science

Chase Webber was born and raised in the Texas Hill country and now calls Lakeland, Fl his home. This is his second year teaching at LLT Academy, and will be teaching 6th grade Life Science. He will also be coaching at LLT, helping kids to understand the value of teamwork, encouragement, and leadership.

Mr. Webber received his Bachelor of Music from Institute for the Arts in Austin, TX. He has been actively involved in youth and children’s ministry for 7 years. Teaching allows him to interact with children and be an example in their lives. He believes that by helping a child understand how to be successful now, it will greatly impact their decisions in the future.