Mrs. Johanna Myers
Kindergarten-A
This is Mrs. Myers’ 4th year at Royal Palm Academy as one of our Kindergarten teachers. Johanna graduated in 2001 from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics. After graduating, she moved to Connecticut where she taught middle school math for four years. She then moved to Chicago in 2005 where she taught students with emotional disabilities.
Mrs. Christine Theriault
Kindergarten-B
Mrs. Theriault is returning for her 13th year at Royal Palm Academy as one of our Kindergarten teachers. In addition, this is her second year as one of our Cross Country coaches. Chrissy graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama where she earned a triple major in Early Childhood Development, Elementary Education K through 6th, and Special Education for mild learning and behavior disabilities.
Mrs. Erin Brady
First Grade-A
Mrs. Brady is returning for her 8th year at RPA. She was one of our Kindergarten teachers for her first three years and this is her fifth year in First Grade. Erin also continues as our Reading Coordinator for grades K - 2. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Fredonia State University in New York and her Master’s Degree in Literacy from Canisius College in New York.
Mrs. Jennifer Clarke
First Grade-B
This is Mrs. Clarke’s 5th year as one of our 1st grade teachers. In addition, she coordinates our Charity for Change program. Jennifer is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Prior to joining us, she was a Camp Director at the YMCA for three years and assisted with fundraising events.
Miss Leslie Greene
Second Grade-A
Ms. Greene was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Growing up she attended Catholic schools and is a graduate of the University of Dayton where she received a Bachelors Degree in fine art education. She is certified to teach art, grades K-12, as well as elementary education, K-5. Ms. Greene joined us here at RPA last year as a long term substitute and returns this year as one or our second grade teachers.
Mrs. Joy Savenas
Second Grade-B
This is Mrs. Savenas’ 4th year at Royal Palm Academy as one of our 2nd grade teachers. She taught second grade for two years in Collier County and twelve years in Michigan. Joy is a graduate of Western Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Elementary Education, and her Master’s Degree in Administration. She has worked as a Title I reading specialist and was involved in Science Olympiad, Student Council, Coaching Cheerleading, and creating a radio broadcast for her previous school.
Ms. Renee DiSerafino
Third Grade - A
Ms. DiSerafino was the first teacher hired at RPA when it was established in 1997, making this her 15th year with us, continuing as our 3rd grade teacher. Renee graduated from Gwynedd-Mercy College in PA with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Renee holds certification from New Jersey and Florida. She attended Catholic schools from elementary through college, and this year begins her 33rd year of teaching in Catholic education. Renee taught 4th grade for 18 years in Newark, NJ. and during that time was named "Catholic Teacher of the Year."
Ms. Regan Hutchinson
Third Grade - B
This is Ms. Hutchinson’s 4th year at RPA, this year as one of our third grade teachers. Previously Ms. Hutchinson worked as our Pre-K3 Aide, a private tutor, and in our after school programs. Regan has lived in Naples for five years, originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Florida Gulf Coast University, with a degree in Art and Interdisciplinary Studies, and holds a Florida Teaching Certificate. She is a member of the nationally recognized Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She has also been a substitute teacher, both here and Our Lady of the Presentation, in Missouri.
Ms. Marybeth Dee
Fourth Grade
Ms. Dee is from Sag Harbor, NY and this is her 4th year at RPA as one of our 4th grade teachers. This will also be her third year as one of our Cross Country coaches. Marybeth earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from St. Bonaventure University in 1994, and a Master’s Degree from Fordham University in NYC in Early Childhood Education. She taught for six years at the Epiphany School in Manhattan, 5th grade in Brooklyn for one year, and eight years on Long Island in Sag Harbor.
Mrs. Jesse Carkhuff
Fourth Grade-B
Mrs. Carkhuff is from Madison, Mississippi, and this year is her 2nd at Royal Palm Academy as one of our fourth grade teachers. In addition, this will be her 2nd year coaching Varsity Girls Basketball. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Dallas, a Catholic liberal arts school, in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. While at the University of Dallas, Jesse studied abroad at U.D.’s Rome Program, participated in the educational honor society Kappa Delta Pi as member and social chair, and played in three collegiate sports. Mrs. Carkhuff completed her student teaching at Christ the King Catholic School in Dallas, Texas teaching third grade.
Mrs. Erin Howe
Fifth Grade
This will be Mrs. Howe’s 2nd year at RPA as our 5th grade teacher. Erin was born and raised in Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Erin taught upper elementary grades for a total of 5 ½ years - one year in Indiana, one in Illinois, and most recently, over three years in Jacksonville, Florida. Erin also received her Reading Endorsement in 2001. While teaching in Jacksonville, she was the Literacy Lead Representative for grades 3-5.
Mrs. Alexia Johnson
Fifth Grade
This is Mrs. Johnson's first year teaching at Royal Palm Academy as one of our fifth grade teachers. Prior to joining RPA, Alexia taught 4th and 5th grade in the Lee County Schools System for seven years, where she also served as the advisor for the National Elementary Honors Society. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College, majoring in German and received her Master's Degree from FGCU in Elementary Education. Mrs. Johnson grew up in Weston, Connecticut. Before entering the teaching profession, she was an international account executive for a major advertising agency in New York..