Staff
Administration
Dean
Testing Coordinator
Shelly Calzada
Testing Coordinator
shelly.calzada@polk-fl.netBio
Mrs. Calzada has been teaching in Polk county since 2004. She is an alumni of KMS, KHS, and Florida Southern College. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s degree in Education and is very excited to be back at KMS!
She also mentioned that Principal Sheila Gregory was her teacher waaaaaaay back in the day...
Office & Support Staff
Sarah Nipper
Terminal Operator
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
Joseph Weyers
Network Manager
joseph.weyers@polk-fl.netBio
Mr. Weyers works on the computers for Kathleen Middle School and assists with Technical needs in and around the classrooms.
Language Arts
Erin Rainey
8th Grade ELA Teacher
erin.rainey@polk-fl.netBio
Erin Rainey recently relocated to Polk County from central Texas where she has spent the past ten years teaching ELA. She graduated from Lamar University in 2008. She currently lives in Winter Haven with her husband, two daughters, and three dogs, and she is passionate about reading, traveling, and making the world a better place.
Teone Simmons
6th Grade Language Arts Teacher
teone.simmons@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Shikha Sahay
6th & 7th Grade Language Arts
shikha.sahay@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
Tracy Zielinski
8th Grade ELA and Drama/Theatre
tracy.zielinski@polk-fl.netBio
Reading
Cherell Alexander
6th 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
Vanessa Edison
7th & 8th Grade Intensive Reading
vanessa.edison@polk-fl.net CampusBio
I am currently teaching 7th and 8th grade Intensive Reading. I have been at Kathleen Middle School since 2016. I am a Georgia native and am pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. My prior teaching experience includes 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Intensive Reading and Language Arts in Haines City, Lake Alfred, FL, and Albany Georgia). In addition, I have taught Adult Basic Education and General Education Development (Tampa, FL and Albany, Georgia).
Yolanda Webster
7th & 8th Grade Intensive Reading
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.net campusBio
Nikki Whitworth
ESE Self Contained Teacher
Bio
Terry Millican
Self Contained ESE Teacher
terry.millican@polk-fl.net CampusBio
Resource Teachers & Electives
James Cornelius
Chorus Teacher
james.cornelius@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
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
Selena Paul
Agriculture Teacher
selena.paul@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
Kayla Ritter
Math Interventionist
kayla.ritter@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
Hi Everyone!
I’m Mrs. Ritter. I am the Math Interventionist for Kathleen Middle School. I work with many different student in each grade to help them find success in Math. I am thrilled to be working at KMS! Go Tigers! This is my 9th year teaching and I am excited to meet you! I graduated from Florida Southern College and I love camping, coffee, and chocolate.
Email: Kayla.Ritter@polk-fl.net
Science Teachers
Michele Solis
6th Grade & 6th Grade Accelerated Science
michele.solis@polk-fl.net campusBio
Kenna Dwinell-Janopaul
6th Grade Science Teacher
kenna.dwinell@polk-fl.netBio
Elizabeth Soto
7th Accelerated & 8th Grade Science
elizabeth.soto@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Jheremiah Simon
8th Grade & Physical Science
jheremiah.simon@polk-fl.net Campus & eLearningBio
Mary Knox
7th 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
Jessie Saylor
Ancient World History and US History
jessie.saylor@polk-fl.net campus & eLearningBio
Ryan Tarbett
7th Grade Social Studies
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!
Jennifer Trusty
6th Grade Social Studies
jennifer.trusty@polk-fl.net CampusBio
Anne Stemmerman
Civics and World History Teacher
anne.stemmerman@polk-fl.net campusBio
Paraprofessionals & Teachers Aids
Emily Pollack
Paraprofessional Self Contained
emily.pollack@polk-fl.net CampusBio
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.