Staff
Administration
Dean
Testing Coordinator
Office & Support Staff
Sarah Nipper
Principal's Secretary
sarah.nipper@polk-fl.netBio
Sarah is one of the Friendly Faces that will great you if you visit our Front Office. She is Awesome!
Counselor
Special Services Area
Language Arts
Tracy Zielinski
8th Grade ELA and Drama/Theatre
tracy.zielinski@polk-fl.netBio
Reading
Cornelius Blackman
7th Grade Intensive Reading Teacher
cornelius.blackman@polk-fl.netBio
Cherell Alexander
8th Grade Intensive Reading Teacher
cherell.alexander@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Melissa Santana Pacheco
ESOL Reading Teacher/ Beg Spanish
melissa.santana@polk-fl.net eLearningBio
Yolanda Webster
Reading Interventionist
yolanda.webster@polk-fl.net eLearningBio
Hi, I’m Mrs. Webster
I graduated from Saint Leo University with a master’s degree in Business Administration. I have a certification in Business Education grades 6- 12 and I am Reading Endorsed by the State of Florida Department of Education. I started my journey as a Reading Teacher at Kathleen Middle School in 2016. I am excited to educate students currently in the 7th and 8th grade.
I believe that the true gifts of teaching are those experienced in the classroom (traditional and virtual). My own child has taught me to look at the individual, not to assume anything, and to be flexible toward change. We're in this journey together; please feel free to communicate with me about your child’s reading development.
You can reach my email at yolanda.webster@polk-fl.net
Special Ed. Teachers
Ariel Beermann-Young
Special Education Teacher
ariel.beermann-young@polk-fl.netBio
Deaundrea Moore
Special Education Teacher
Bio
Terry Millican
Self Contained ESE Teacher
terry.millican@polk-fl.net CampusBio
Resource Teachers & Electives
Julianne Reams
Ag Teacher
Bio
Teresa Yearicks
TV Production and Gifted Teacher
teresa.yearicks@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Mrs. Yearicks is originally from New Jersey and has lived in Lakeland for 20 years. This is her 6th year teaching at Kathleen Middle School where she teaches TV Production and Gifted Education.
Eric Nettles
Power Academy Teacher
eric.nettles@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Academic Coaches
William Hill
Math Coach
william.hill@polk-fl.netBio
Hello, I’m Bill Hill this is my first year as the Math Coach at KMS. I enjoy working with the Math Team and together we are able provide students with the meaningful lessons.
Attributes:
- 24 Year Veteran Teacher in Polk County
- 3rd Year at Kathleen Middle
- 20+ years teaching Mathematics
- Varsity Football & Baseball Coach
- USF Bull
Science Teachers
Jheremiah Simon
8th Grade & Physical Science
jheremiah.simon@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Mary Knox
8th Grade & Accelerated Science and Forensics
mary.knox@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
I am in my fifteenth year of teaching Science in Polk County. This is my sixth year at Kathleen Middle School. I am originally from Alabama, where I earned my Bachelor's & Master's Degrees in Science at the University of Alabama.
Math Teachers
Kelly Jenks
8th Grade Math Teacher
kelly.jenks@polk-fl.netBio
Kelly Jenks was born and raised in Orlando, FL. Recently moved to Polk County in 2020. She graduated from Stetson University in the winter of 2019. Her major is American Studies with a double minor in Education and African Studies. She enjoys working with the Math Team and together they are able provide students with the meaningful lessons.
Kristen Felgar
7th Grade & 7th Grade Accelerated Math
kristen.felgar@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
Hello, I'm Ms. Felgar.
I have a bachelors degree in mathematics from Florida Southern college. I have a certification in math education grades 5-9. I have been a teacher at Kathleen Middle school since 2016. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach your students currently in 7th grade and advanced 7th grade math. I can be reached through my email at kristen.felgar@polk-fl.net to answer any questions or provide any necessary support.
Chenel Simonville
6th & 8th Grade Math & Alg 1
chenel.simonville@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Hello, I’m Mr. Simonville. I teach 6th & 8th Grade Math and Algebra 1.
Attributes:
- 9 Year Veteran Math Teacher
- Began teaching in Miami, FL
- Loves Sports Stats
- FIU Panther
- NOVA Shark
- Enjoys Family Time, Playing Pool, Basketball, Travelling
Social Studies Teachers
Bertha Muratalla
7th Gr Civics and Law Studies
burtha.muratalla@polk-fl.netBio
Cameron Taber
8th Gr Civics and World History Hon.
cameron.taber@polk-fl.netBio
Ryan Tarbett
8th Grade Civics Teacher
ryan.tarbett@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
My name is Mr. Tarbett and I am thrilled to be your child’s 7th grade United States History teacher this year! I am a Tampa native and earned my Master of Arts in Teaching in Spring of 2018 from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!). This is my third year teaching US History at Kathleen Middle School [with my prior teaching experience being 6th grade Ancient World History at Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts in Tampa, FL]. I am a strong proponent of cooperative learning as well as embracing and analyzing different perspectives. Over the course of this school year, I am confident that both your child and I will learn, grow, and succeed together!
Paraprofessionals & Teachers Aids
Vickey Lawrence
Paraprofessional Self Contained
vickey.lawrence@polk-fl.net CampusBio
Delynn Yerkey
Paraprofessional Self Contained
delynn.yerkey@polk-fl.net CampusBio
Dining Room/Food Service
Antwannette Lawson
Cafeteria Manager
antwannette.lawson@polk-fl.netBio
Hello. I have been employed with the PCPS School Nutrition Department since 2016. I joined the KMS staff when I was appointed as Cafeteria Manager in January 2021. I have two high schoolers and one elementary aged child. My passion is taking care of people in many different forms. Therefore, I look forward to ensuring that all students, staff, and visitors receive a healthy and quality meal everyday, while being greeted with great customer service.
Physical Education
Sean Hendry
7th Grade PE Teacher
sean.hendry@polk-fl.net Office Hours: 10:30-1:30 M-FBio
Lori Raymond
7/8th Grade PE Teacher
lori.raymond@polk-fl.net Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 & 1:00-3:00 M-FBio
Mitchell Vandyke
6th/7th Grade PE Teacher
mitchell.vandyke@polk-fl.net Office Hours: 1:00-4:00 M-FBio
I am Coach Vandyke. I am the 6th grade P.E. coach. I graduated from the University of South Florida. I am married and have two young children. I also coach youth football and enjoy just about any outside activity. Being a P.E. teacher is my dream career! I was a P.E. paraeducator for four years before I became a P.E. teacher. In those four years I learned all the in and outs about the job. I took ideas I liked and added in some different things to create my own P.E. program. You can contact me by phone, email, or even directly through Focus. My google phone number is 863-888-2533. My email is Mitchell.vandyke@polk-fl.net. My office hours are 3:15 to 4:15. I have classes during the day but will return any voicemail or messages during my office hours. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.