Ave Maria Preparatory School Staff

	Christine Smit
	»	Received her degree in Special Education from St. Xavier University in Chicago
	»	Holds endorsements as a LBS1 and in Specific Learning Disabilities (K-12)
	»	Currently working on her Speech and Language certification
	»	Began her teaching career in the inner city of Chicago, and has been teaching special needs students for 9 years
	»	Also has worked with Special Olympics as a swim coach
	»	Resides in Manatee County with her husband and daughter

	Morgan Willett
	»	B.A in Elementary and Middle School for University of South Florida
	»	Areas of expertise: Reading, Science and Technology
	»	Practice teaching at Ave Maria Preparatory School
	»	Specialty in hands-on Science
	»	Former student of Sister Gilchrist

	Sandra Halsey
	»	School Librarian
	»	Worked as library assistant for three schools in the Diocese of Venice in Florida
	»	Teacher aide experience in four private schools

	Rick Catlin
	»	B.A. in Social Studies, minor in Mathematics and Speech
	»	Graduated University of South Florida
	»	Teaching Experience: Worked as a teacher in Social Studies and Mathematics for over 5 years
	»	Non Teaching Experience: Worked in the newspaper industry as a Reporter/Journalist/Editor in the Tampa Bay area, Jacksonville and local newspaper of the Cayman Islands
	»	Experienced in photo journalism, short story and sports writing
	»	Served in U.S. Army for three years

	Paul Lipinski
	»	Native of Poland
	»	Moved to the US in his early twenties
	»	Bachelor in Philosophy from University of Wloclawek, Poland (1992)
	»	Masters in Divinity from SS. Cyril & Methodious , Orchard Lake, MI (1997)
	»	Masters in Exceptional Education from Ave Maria University, Naples, FL (2006)
	»	Before moving to Florida he worked with various age groups, teaching and providing crises intervention, counseling, and support for youth groups in the states of Michigan and Connecticut. In 1999, he moved to Chicago, where he co-owned and managed a food service operation.
	»	Since 2003, Mr. Lipinski has been working as a special educator of students with various learning disabilities.
	»	His teaching philosophy is believing that if others observe that special students are capable and desirous of learning, they will have less fear of including and incorporating them into society on an everyday basis.  In return, productive and happier people will reward our society.

	Joan Willett
	»	2004-present  Ave Maria Prep School
	»	School Nurse Dreams Are Free School
	»	Licensed Practical Nurse 2000-2004 Orthopedic Nurse to Dr. Ashvin Patel M.D., Kennedy-White Office, Sarasota, FL
	»	Licensed Practical Nurse 2000-1997 Orthopedic Nurse-Doctors Hospital, Sarasota, FL
	»	Licensed Practical Nurse 2000-1989 ICU-CCU -Underwood Memorial Hospital, Woodbury, NJ
	»	Licensed Practical Nurse, 1978-1985
	»	Salem Community College Advanced Nursing Course in ICU-CCU Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification Current Nursing Licensed in the State of Florida

“My role of teacher is to guide and facilitate learning. Every classroom has a different make up of learners that vary in abilities and learning styles.“	Marie Santos
	»	B.A. in Fine Arts, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
	»	M.A. in Expressive Therapy, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
	»	Alternative Certification Program, State College of Florida, Bradenton, FL
	»	Additional Coursework in Reading Strategies, Classroom Management, Technology in the Classroom and Exceptional Student Education - UCF, USF and State College of Florida
	»	Certifications - Art (K-12), ESE (K-12), English (5-12), Middle School (5-9), Integrated Curriculum (Science, Social Studies, Math, English), ESOL Endorsement
	»	Mrs. Santos has always been involved in the education field.  Before moving to Florida, she was the Director of Admissions at a private college outside of Boston.
	»	Before she started teaching full time in 1995, she worked as an art/movement/drama therapist with children and adolescents in individual and group settings.
	»	After moving to Florida, she worked as art teacher and behavior counselor at an alternative middle school for girls in Palmetto.
	»	In 2001, she joined the staff of the Dreams Are Free Institute, founded by Sister Gilchrist-Cotrill, where she taught creative drama, art and high school literature.  In 2004, she came to Ave Maria Prep to continue teaching under the guidance of Sister Gilchrist.

More about our Director

Ave Maria Preparatory School was established by Sister Gilchrist to promote educational progress of each student through teaching that respects individual needs. The mission includes supporting the God-given dignity and abilities of the students and staff and to create a school family where each person comes to know a faith in a providing God.

The school is registered as a special education school with the Department of Education in Florida and is accredited through the National Private School Accreditation Alliance. The school is in the process of seeking accreditation through the Florida Council for Independent Schools. It is compliant with regulations for the No Child Left Behind Act and the Florida McKay Scholarship Program. Sister Gilchrist assisted former Florida State Senate President John McKay in developing the McKay Scholarship legislation which provides funding for Florida students with disabilities to attend private schools.

Prior to establishing Ave Maria, Sister Gilchrist founded the Dreams Are Free educational program in 1988 in Clearwater at Central Catholic High School. The program grew into an education model used in 16 states and 900 schools nationwide. Its social skill component is in every school in Japan.

Sister also served as Director of Special Education for the Florida Diocese of Venice where she designed and directed public/private partnerships with the State of Florida with 20 public schools and 12 Catholic schools for inclusion practices in respect to special learning.

For more information about Ave Maria, call 941-322-1601 or send us an email.