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 second year teaching at LLT.

Mrs. Allen's two passions are math and music and she has the privilege of getting to teach both at LLT! She teaches 7th grade math and 6th-8th grade chorus. Mrs. Allen's math experiences include teaching Geometry, Algebra 1, Pre-Algebra, intensive math and private tutoring. Last year, Mrs. Allen and Ms. Horton had the opportunity to work together with students to put on an amazing production of Seussical the Musical, Broadway Jr.! 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

This is Mrs. Antoinette’s fourth year teaching at LLT Academy. Beginning her teaching career at LLT, Mrs. Antoinette taught 6th grade Life Science for two years and currently teaches 8th grade Pre-Algebra, Algebra I Honors 6th grade Character and Culinary Arts. Mrs. Antoinette is the Head of the Mathematics Department, member of the School Improvement Committee and involved with the Leadership Team.

Mrs. Antoinette received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Secondary Mathematics Education (grades 6-12) from the University of South Florida in 2008. She majored in Mathematics Education with a minor in Mathematics. She is an alumnus of the Sun Coast Area Teachers Training Program and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society.

A long college journey led her to find her passion for teaching and lifelong 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, running, in a movie, enjoying a Starbucks Latte, shopping for shoes, kayaking the Little Manatee River, or exploring the mountains of Murphy, NC with her husband Brian of 10 years.

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

Daniel Brennick

Earth Science

Daniel graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 2001. Afterwards, he attended the University of South Florida where he studied Psychology. Along with his studies, Daniel volunteered as a teacher’s assistant for Social Science Statistics while at USF. During his time as a teacher’s assistant, Daniel realized he had a passion for teaching and decided to pursue it as a career.

Post graduation, Daniel worked at Tampa Bay Academy as a Group Advisor, and later an elementary teacher. While at TBA, Daniel worked with students who exhibited a wide variety of social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. These experiences helped Daniel develop a style of teaching, classroom management and behavioral management that created a friendly and safe environment in which his students could grow and learn.

Daniel comes to LLT seeking new opportunities to expand his teaching abilities and influence young learners.

Shana Burnham

English

Shana Burnham is excited to working at LLT for her third year. She teaches 6th-8th grade Language Arts, Reading, Drama, and Backstage. She also serves as the Language Arts Department Head and FAIR testing coordinator.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1999 from the University of South Florida in Elementary Education. However, her first year teaching was in a middle school and she fell in love with it. So, in 2003, she earned her certification for middle grades Language Arts, qualifying her to teach Kindergarten-9th grade English. She is a 4th generation native Floridian who has taught in a variety of Florida 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 plays, musicals, dances, ceremonies, and talent shows. Mrs. Burnham also works seasonally for Busch Gardens as a stage manager, keeping her own performance skills sharpened.

Shana enjoys performing and leads worship at her church for both kids and adults. She lives in Brandon with her 3 children, her dog, and 2 gerbils.

"Education would be much more effective if its purpose was to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they do not know and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it." -- William Haley

Kellie Clemmer

Athletic Director | Physical Education

Kellie Clemmer “Coach” has been with LLT Academy for four years as their Physical Education Teacher. She is in her third year as the Athletic Director guiding students who excel in athletics. Kellie is the Detention Teacher for a second year so she can keep a close eye on student athletes. Kellie was awarded her certificate as Professional in Field from Hillsborough County Public Schools, as well as the LLT Academy Board in September of 2010.

Coach Clemmer has always had a passion for all sports and is a second degree black belt in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu. In addition, she recently received her second degree brown sash in Tai Chi. Kellie holds several awards, trophies, and ribbons for competing in Kung Fu competitions in both Florida and Texas.

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

Anne Cyr

Foreign Language

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

Mrs. Cyr graduated cum laude from Bates College with a Bachelor degree in Spanish and later received her Master’s from the University of Colorado in Communication. She is the proud mom of three children, one in elementary school and two who are students 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 15 years and their sons and daughter.

“Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.” George Santayana

Debbie Devereux

Ancient History

Mrs. Devereux comes to LLT Academy with 14 years teaching experience. She returned to Florida Southern College in 1996 to complete the two years needed to receive her Bachelor of Science degree, where she graduated with honors in Elementary Education (Grades 1 - 6). With a passion to teach as long as she can remember, she feels that every year is an adventure in meeting and getting to know her students. The joy in watching them learn with enthusiasm and grow as individuals makes this profession one that she feels blessed to be a part of. "Mrs. D" (as her students find easier to call her!) was the initial Childrens' Ministry Director at her church before returning to pursue her degree. She has taught in two local area elementary schools, teaching all subject areas and served as team leader during the majority of those years. She was also voted "Teacher of the Year" at her school in 2003-2004, which was truly an overwhelming honor given to her by her fellow peers. She loves the mission and focus of LLT in their dedication to building character and leadership with their students - as well as the "A" rating in academic achievement with a faculty who lives the passion along with the administration.

Mrs. Devereux lives in Valrico with her wonderful husband of 35 years and her son, Danny, who is 23. They experienced the joy of hosting a beautiful wedding for their daughter, Katie and her husband Matt, who currently live right around the corner in Riverview. She is also blessed to have her parents closeby in Brandon, where she enjoys having family dinners with them at her home on Sundays. Anytime spent with family and friends doing "whatever" is a day well spent. Appreciating every day is her personal goal and to make something special out of each one you get!

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child." .. Carl Gustav Jung

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.

Tania Halaufia

Medieval History

This is Tania’s first year at LLT Academy and she is so excited to join the team! She has been teaching for over 4 years and has a Professional Teaching Certificate in Social Science and Exceptional Student Education. Tania states that the most important quality to have as a teacher is flexibility and adaptability. “Everyday is different so you have to know how to roll with the punches.” She believes in inspiring students to creatively think for themselves. As the current Medieval History Teacher, Tania wants students to study the events of the past to give a better understanding how we came to be. In Medieval History we will be looking at world cultures and learning the causes and effects of the events in history. In turn, students can take historical information to help determine their future decisions. Everything has a past and history teaches us to think. Tania feels Aristotle sums up the reason why we should study history perfectly- “If you were to understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.”

Aside from teaching, Tania was recently married this year. She has spent years traveling the world in which her experience has brought history alive to her past students. Since she was a teenager, Tania performed in luaus internationally (yes a hula dancer) which has introduced her to many cultures. When Tania is not putting all of her effort into teaching, you may find her traveling, boxing, or dancing.

“He who would confine his thoughts to present time will not understand present reality.” - Jules Michelet

Jeremy Hedgecoth

Physical Education

Jeremy Hedgecoth was born in Jacksonville, Florida and has grown up in the Tampa Bay area since the age of four. He is currently working towards his degree in Education to pursue his passion for teaching and working with our youth. He has been a substitute for the last year and has come to embrace the atmosphere and mission of LLT Academy. His goal is to instill in all students the importance of physical activity, pushing ones limits, good sportsmanship and character.

Jeremy has also been involved in LLT’s extracurricular sports during his time here, having been a head coach for soccer, flag football, and basketball. Having a strong passion for sports and physical exercise, Jeremy has been actively training in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu for three years and is currently a 1st Degree Brown Belt working towards 1st Degree Black.

Carrie Johnson

ESE Resource Teacher

Carrie Johnson is beginning her first year at LLT Academy as the ESE teacher. She has been teaching and working with ESE students and their families for the last 9 years at another charter school. Carrie studied Graphic and Interactive Communication at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota and worked for 3 years in advertising agencies in Tampa. She then participated in the Great American Teach-In to talk about Graphic Design and fell in love with teaching. She holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Communication and her Professional Certification in Art and ESE.

Carrie has worked with some of the most challenging students who demonstrated both behavioral and emotional needs.

Carrie enjoys creating art, reading, and spending time with her husband of 10 years, daughter, and son.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Ghandi

Jewell Knotts

Language Arts | Holocaust

Jewell Knotts is beginning her thirty-ninth year of teaching but her sixth year here at LLT Academy. She has enjoyed teaching seventh and eighth grade language arts classes as well as electives which have included Book Club, DROP EVERYTHING AND READ, Creative Writing and the Holocaust. Having graduated from Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, (probably before some of her students’ parents were even born!), she has her Bachelor of Arts in English and has met the Florida requirements for teaching the Holocaust. Published twice, both articles were about her favorite novel, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

On the home front you will find three crazy cats and one wonderful husband. Her main hobbies include walking and reading. (Sleeping-in on Saturday is a favorite, too!) Sports-wise, she is a Nebraska Cornhusker through and through and loves the fall season of college football – it’s almost here!

She spent her second time out of the States this summer, visiting Austria, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slavakia and Poland. Not only sight-seeing but more studies of the Holocaust were a part of her journey. Traveling brings a whole new perspective to one’s life!

To quote one of her favorite football coaches, Vince Lombardi, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” , she’d just like to add that it’s been great “getting up” for thirty-nine years of teaching! Now, let’s have a year to remember what the great Walter Payton remarked, “All that I accomplish is not because of me; it’s because of God and the offensive line!” Let LLT become your offensive line!

Barbara Lavin

Physical Sciences | Environmental Science
Science Department Head

Barbara Lavin comes to LLT after several years in private industry working as an environmental scientist. Mrs. Lavin decided to become a teacher because she enjoys sharing the wonder of science with her students. She holds a Master’s of Science in Environmental Science from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. This is her fourth year of teaching at LLT Academy. This year she is teaching Physical Science and Introductory Physical Science - Honors (IPS) to eighth graders. Mrs. Lavin teaches Environmental Science on Fridays. Her first two years at LLT were spent at the high school teaching Biology, Chemistry and Physical Science. Mrs. Lavin is a member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

Mrs. Lavin introduced Science Night to the school and for the last two years Science Night has been held in January. This year over 90 students participated in the school Science Night and two projects were entered into the Hillsborough County Regional Science Fair. Mrs. Lavin lives in Valrico with her husband, Greg, and two dogs, Dalton and Einstein.

“It is not the answers you give, but the questions you ask.” Voltaire

Susan Maxwell

Language Arts | Journalism | ESOL Resource Teacher

Susan Maxwell has been teaching at LLT for four years, with five prior years of teaching experience.  She began teaching Journalism, Language Arts, and English as a Second Language (ESOL) at Eisenhower Middle School in 2001.  She currently teaches Language Arts and Journalism and is the yearbook advisor; she is also LLT’s ESOL Resource Teacher.

Mrs. Maxwell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Spanish from the University of South Florida, and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Tampa College.  She spent ten years in marketing and new business development for the defense industry; she resigned when her daughter was born.  During those years, she enjoyed volunteering at Apollo Beach Elementary School, tutored students in reading, and became a Girl Scout Leader.

She lives in Apollo Beach with her husband Bill, her daughter, Samantha and her Golden Retriever, Marlie.  In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding, walking, boating, snorkeling, scrap booking, and reading. 

"Trust yourself.  Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life.  Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement." - Golda Meir

Joanie Rutherford

ESE Specialist

Joanie has been working with ESE students for the past 16 years.  This year she has assisted the administration in developing an ESE Department and a Gifted class.  She will be the Department Head for the ESE program.  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 baseball.  Her son, Brett, plays Little League and for a travel baseball organization.  Her Husband, Scott, manages and coaches.  She was never a huge baseball fan, but found that if you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em.  Now she is a board member for the travel baseball organization and knows how to keep stats.

Timothy Smith

American History

Tim Smith was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Smith is entering his third year of teaching 8th Grade American History at LLT Academy. He earned an Associates degree from Hillsborough Community College and a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of South Florida. Mr. Smith holds a Temporary Teaching Certification in grades 6-12 Social Sciences and is currently taking classes to earn a Professional Teaching Certificate. He currently resides in Riverview with his wife Kelli, daughter Cate and their dog Gracie. He and his wife had their first child on June 20th. Cate Smith was born at 8.2lbs and 22 ¾ inches long, she loves to smile, eat, kick her legs and arms and she is beginning to “talk.”

Mr. Smith brings 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 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.

“For me there is no greater subject than history. How a man can study it and not be forced to become a philosopher, I cannot tell.” ~George E. Wilson

Carolyn Tipton

Math | Art | Building Dean

Ms. Tipton has lived in the Brandon area since 1959.  She graduated from Brandon High School, then earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and teacher’s certificate at the University of South Florida.

During her twenty-seven years at Mary Help of Christians School, she taught Computer, Math, Art, and Language Arts.  Ms. T came to LLT Academy in 2006 where she teaches Math and Art.  She enjoys showing her students how to make numbers work for them.

“Only the curious will learn and only the resolute overcome the obstacles to learning.  The quest quotient has always excited me more than the intelligence quotient.”    ~Eugene S. Wilson

Chase Webber

Life Science

Chase Webber is the Life Science teacher at LLT Academy. He is in his third year teaching and second at LLT. As a teacher, he embraces the opportunity to encourage kids to be excited about their education and to understand its value. He strives to find innovative new ways to bring science to life in ways that relate to the culture of today’s youth.

Chase began his teaching career in the music field, but has always had a passion for the sciences. He is receiving his Professional Certification in Science, so he can continue sharing that passion with students of LLT. He holds a Bachelors degree in Music from Institute for the Arts in Austin, TX, and is continuing his education at Southeastern University. His senior year, he received the Student of the Year award for his high academic scores and his volunteer work in local schools.

At LLT, Chase is also involved in the Athletics Department. He has held the title of Head Coach for Volleyball, Soccer, and Football. On elective days, he instructs fitness classes and is one of the Leadership Development teachers.

“Victory is first an attitude, that becomes a reality, which produces a lifestyle.” –Scott Thomas