Faculty & STaff
A Team That Understands Dyslexia
At DePaul School, students are surrounded by people who understand dyslexia, recognize their strengths, and know how to help them make progress. Our faculty and staff bring specialized knowledge, experience, patience, and a genuine commitment to helping students become confident, capable learners.
Every member of our team plays an important role in the DePaul experience, from providing specialized instruction in the classroom to supporting students and families throughout their time at school.
- Jacksonville, FL
- Grades 2-8
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Get to know the teachers, specialists, administrators, and other members of the DePaul team who make our school what it is.
Reeyan McCullough
Principal
Principal Reeyan McCullough is a talented educator who has used her signature combination of intuition, humor, exuberance, assertiveness, and nurturing spirit for more than a decade.
McCullough always knew she would be a teacher. Her parents instilled in her an enduring passion for learning from an early age. Her unique teaching persona was shaped by her mother, who is an educator for students with disabilities.
McCullough’s career began in 2009 as a 2nd grade elementary teacher in her beautiful native country of Belize. After completing her studies at UNF, she continued her teaching career at DePaul School of Northeast Florida.
She graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Florida (UNF) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, and later obtained a master’s degree in Elementary Education.
During her undergraduate studies at UNF, Reeyan had the opportunity to work with students from many schools in Jacksonville, including Waterleaf Elementary, Woodland Acres, Lakeshore Middle, Joseph Stillwell Middle, Twin Lakes Middle Academy, and Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.
A versatile educator, McCullough has truly enjoyed teaching a neurodivergent group of students to include those with dyslexia, auditory and visual processing disorders, ADD and ADHD.
During her tenure at DePaul, she has effectively instructed students with specific learning disabilities in all subject areas. She also participates in professional learning opportunities aimed at expanding her knowledge and practice needed to meet the unique needs of her students. These include attending extensive Orton Gillingham training, as well as professional development workshops with Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS), Summit Professional Education, and Lindamood-Bell.In 2023, Reeyan McCullough was named DePaul School of Northeast Florida’s first Principal. Her ultimate goal to nurture, love, and instill the love of learning in all of her students. She is committed to providing her students with a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere in which they will thrive, growing socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, serving in her church choir and dance ministry, engaging in community outreach opportunities, and most importantly, spending time with her loved ones.
Heather Callejas
Teacher
University of North Florida 2008Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education
Certified to teach Kindergarten through 6th grade
Endorsements for Exceptional Student Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages
Prior to joining DePaul, Heather taught at New Berlin Elementary for nearly eight years. She then spent a couple years helping struggling students who needed a little extra support outside of the classroom.
"Teaching has always given me such a sense of purpose because it's one area in life where you have the opportunity to truly make a difference. I absolutely love the look on a child's face when they grasp something for the first time. There is so much pride and satisfaction in that moment! I wish that was a feeling I could bottle up and sell to the world.
"One of my favorite things at DePaul is the way the kids embrace and encourage each other. They each know how important it is to celebrate strengths. They learn that it isn't what you can't do, it's simply what you haven't learned how to do yet. They come to school with eager minds and, even on their bad days, they love their school and that makes a huge difference for everyone.
"I do my best to foster a desire for reading because it's also one of my favorite things: getting lost in the characters and storyline of a new novel, winding my way through a twisting plot or a mysterious turn of events, discovering a new land as it's painted in words.
When she's not at DePaul, Heather can be found walking a whole pack of dogs, having a coffee, or hanging out at the beach.
Donna Pulito
Teacher
Donna Pulito was sitting in a classroom at a local school as an observer, in the course of studying Anthropology of Education at UNF, when she noticed it. Apathy.
“It was coming from the teachers,” she says, still embarrassed at the memory. “It made me feel like there were things I could change, and maybe do better.”
It wasn’t long until Ms. Pulito changed her minor to Education. “It changes things, viewing education through an anthropological lens. I love kids. Why not be the difference for them?”
Ms. Pulito grew up in Jensen Beach, Florida, a small town on the east coast just north of Palm Beach. She started out studying Journalism at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC before moving to Jacksonville, where she graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.
For many years, Ms. Pulito has studied the intricate similarities and differences in how children from different cultures consume knowledge. Throughout college, she worked with children of different ages and learning differences in a variety of settings. Previously, she spent summers working as a Camp Counselor with the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department and as an After-School Program Leader at the J.A.S.E. Program. She interned at St. Clair Evans Elementary School and Twin Lakes Middle School, and after graduating was a Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the Waverly Academy.
A few years ago, Catapult Tutoring brought on Ms. Pulito to work with kids in Reading, Language, and Math at DePaul School of Northeast Florida, and that’s where she found her home.
“These kids want to learn so badly. They work so hard for those gains, just struggling to be everything they can. They pay attention in class, but it still takes time for them to get it. I want them all to be successful. They deserve that. At DePaul, we find those strengths and show them just how awesome their potential is.”
Each DePaul teacher brings a different strength to the classroom, and Ms. Pulito’s learning space is full of humor.
“I show the kids we can be silly and have fun in the course of learning a lesson. Our kids are used to school being boring and robotic, so when they see me laughing and dancing around the room, they know they can be themselves, make mistakes in trial and error, and let loose of their worries.
I teach the kids to love themselves and be proud of their accomplishments, even celebrating the little things. Seeing their faces light up, watching their confidence just build and build—there’s just nothing like it.”
- Email: pulitod@depaulschool.com
Becky Waldron
Teacher
Becky Waldron graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education K-6 from Florida Christian College (later Johnson University Florida) in 2000/2001.
She is Orton Gillingham trained, and specializes in Reading, Exceptional Student Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
Becky began teaching in Orange County, Florida out of her internship. She moved home to Jacksonville where she worked for Duval County Public Schools, teaching at Kings Trail Elementary and Hendricks Avenue Elementary.
After discovering her son had dyslexia and searching for the perfect school to fit his needs, she found DePaul. A year later, she discovered she was needed at DePaul as a teacher, and the rest is history.
Becky has a daughter and son with her husband and several furry (and scaly) friends. She loves to solve puzzles, play board games, search for shark’s teeth, and bake.
Becky believes that everyone learns best when they feel loved and comfortable. She wants each child to feel like they are “Mrs. Waldron’s favorite!”
Angelina Moss
Teacher
Angelina Moss’s classroom is a place of wonder.
Day after day, she’s up on her feet delivering lessons with as much creativity as she can muster.
Making Venn diagrams out of hula hoops.
Singing songs about the days of the week.
Helping kids who fear reading find the perfect book.
“Last year, we were able to read Wait Till Helen Comes. One of my favorite tools is Reader’s Theatre. The kids get excited about the activity, and that makes them so excited to read the book.”
It’s an incredibly wholehearted way to live and work, though it wasn’t that way for Angelina at first.
“I always wanted to be involved with children. I enrolled in FSU to be a child psychologist, but that quickly changed to social science education. I know my heart, and I was afraid to get to attached to the kids. I changed to teaching because I figured I’d have so many loves that I wouldn’t get be so affected by this particular one, or that particular one,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
“That didn’t quite work out the way I planned.”
Angelina got her degree in May 2010, and was working at Catapult Academy by August.
It wasn’t long until she landed a job at a dropout intervention program, where those human connections happened almost instantly. She spent more than two years coaching students between the ages of 16-21, helping them earn a diploma or GED.
A school closure led her to DePaul, where she began teaching and earned her Masters Degree in Educational Instruction right after the birth of her first son in 2015.
“I love learning. I wanted to be a better teacher. Here, I wanted to bring definite structure to my curriculum, going beyond just standards to make sure it was effective for our students. I do the best I can to teach the students and keep them on track. Today, I can plan more to what the students need, and apply strategies to the way they learn, using methods that help them to get it.
The hardest part of my job is there aren’t enough hours in the day. I wish I had more time to reach every child’s need.
The easiest part? I love the kids. They are so easy to love.”
- Email:mossa@depaulschool.com
Miranda Slocumb
Teacher
Miranda has taught for 17 years at Duval County Public Schools in both elementary and middle grades, with a focus on Math.
She is excited for this new challenge of her educational career and to be a part of The DePaul School. For her, the best reward of being in a classroom is watching a student have an "aha moment," becoming self aware that they ARE capable of mathematical thinking and problem solving.
Away from work, Miranda is kept busy with supporting her daughter's musical and theatrical talents, reading a good novel, and cheering on her favorite college sports teams.
Dana Erman
Teacher
“By molding instruction for each student’s specific needs, I will be the facilitator in getting them one step closer to the door of opportunity--A warm, caring, and enthusiastic classroom changes mundane to marvelous and that is contagious!”
Dana developed a love for teaching from one of the greatest role models, her mother, while growing up in Miami. She attended Florida State University for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education. She taught at Pinecrest Elementary School for 11 years, where she served on the leadership committee for introducing new strategies to differentiate instruction. “We need to build the bridge, meeting the needs of every child.”
When Dana’s husband proposed, they decided to move to Jacksonville to pursue his career and start their lives as newlyweds. She fell in love with the area, and soon after, they married in St. Augustine.
“It is important to love where you work, as much as loving what you do," says Dana. "Seeing all the teachers, students, and staff so happy at DePaul finally made me feel like Jacksonville was my home. The positivity here is truly magical." and a place I am honored to work for.”
- Email:ermand@depaulschool.com
Kelly Wedel
Teacher
Kelly Wedel has been in the education field for over 30 years. She holds two bachelor’s degrees: one in child psychology and one in elementary education. She also has a master’s degree in the field of teaching and learning.
Ms. Wedel has been a first-grade teacher, a literacy coach, and a classroom assessor for three decades, and has joyously dedicated her life to teaching children. She is also a mom of two amazing children, who have given her a better understanding and appreciation for different learning styles, unique personalities, and the creative ideas and thoughts that inspire them to learn and grow.
Ms. Wedel says, “I look forward to working with your children and helping them learn to their fullest potential and feel pride as successful young learners. I am hrilled to be part of the DePaul family!
Kelly Harrell
Teacher
Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist
Kelly Harrell
Teacher
Kelly Harrell is a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist with over nine years of experience working with students with diverse learning needs. She began her teaching career in Aurora, CO where she spent four years as a 4th grade teacher. After completing her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2017, Kelly moved back to her hometown of Jacksonville, FL and continued to teach 4th grade language arts.
She eventually transitioned out of the classroom and took on the role of Reading Interventionist at a public charter school in Duval County. As Reading Interventionist, Kelly worked with students, teachers, and families to identify learning gaps, planned targeted interventions, and provided intensive intervention to struggling readers in grades 3-5. Throughout this experience, Kelly had the privilege to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, parents, and school leaders, and served as a mentor to new teachers. She designed and led professional development workshops, sharing strategies for building foundational literacy skills and early interventions, as well as literacy assessment methods.
Her experience working with students with reading difficulties inspired her to seek additional learning opportunities focused on dyslexia. “As a classroom teacher and interventionist, I always had students that showed some of the characteristics associated with dyslexia, but I didn’t feel like I had the background knowledge or specific training to address their unique learning needs.” This led her to enroll in the Dyslexia Graduate Certification program at the University of Florida, which she completed in 2023.
Kelly is passionate about providing explicit systematic instruction that is grounded in research. She believes that every student is capable of learning how to read and she enjoys sharing her excitement and expertise with educators and parents who are curious about implementing structured literacy instruction. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, the UFLI Dyslexia Intensive Tutoring Method, and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes.
Ashley Watkins
Teacher
Ashley Watkins
Teacher
Ashley is excited to join the DePaul School community as an educator after being a proud DePaul parent for the past two years. She brings more than 13 years of experience working with elementary students.
Ashley believes children do their best when teachers, families, and students work together. She enjoys helping students build confidence, become more resilient, and discover their strengths as learners.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State College at Jacksonville and holds a North American Montessori certification. She has also received training in Orton-Gillingham instruction, dyslexia support, differentiated instruction, youth mental health first aid, and mentoring interns and beginning teachers.
Outside the classroom, Ashley enjoys reading, spending time in the mountains, and playing games with her family.
As both a parent and educator, Ashley cares deeply about the DePaul community. She looks forward to getting to know her students and their families while supporting each child academically, socially, and emotionally.
Ashley believes children do their best when teachers, families, and students work together. She enjoys helping students build confidence, become more resilient, and discover their strengths as learners.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State College at Jacksonville and holds a North American Montessori certification. She has also received training in Orton-Gillingham instruction, dyslexia support, differentiated instruction, youth mental health first aid, and mentoring interns and beginning teachers.
Outside the classroom, Ashley enjoys reading, spending time in the mountains, and playing games with her family.
As both a parent and educator, Ashley cares deeply about the DePaul community. She looks forward to getting to know her students and their families while supporting each child academically, socially, and emotionally.
Tamara Gill
Teacher
Tamara Gill is a driven and energetic educator who loves to laugh and dance! She is also fitness junkie who runs about 25 miles a week and gets too excited about Lululemon and pickleball. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and swimming.
Ms. Gill is also an instructional leader whose career is grounded in a deep commitment to serving children who are neurologically wired in ways that make reading laborious. With a profound understanding of learning differences, particularly dyslexia, she has dedicated her professional life to ensuring that students receive the instruction, encouragement, advocacy, and opportunities they need to thrive.
As a track and field scholarship recipient, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations and Marketing, from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Later, she earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida, where she received an Outstanding Achievement Award. As a result, she was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (UNF Chapter). She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. This combination of educational leadership and communication expertise strengthens her ability to advocate, inspire, collaborate, and lead meaningful change.
Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is capable and full of potential. She recognizes that students with dyslexia and other learning differences often possess remarkable strengths that can be overlooked when traditional approaches to learning do not meet their needs. Through compassionate leadership, evidence-informed instruction, and unwavering advocacy, she works to create learning environments where students feel understood, empowered, and confident in their abilities.
Above all, Ms. Gill believes education is both a responsibility and a calling. Her mission is to serve children with dyslexia and other learning differences discover their confidence, develop their gifts, and understand that the way they learn never determines the limits of what they can achieve. Her enduring goal is to build educational spaces where every learner is seen, supported, challenged, and celebrated, while helping families and educators better understand dyslexia and embrace the extraordinary potential within every child.
Ms. Gill is also an instructional leader whose career is grounded in a deep commitment to serving children who are neurologically wired in ways that make reading laborious. With a profound understanding of learning differences, particularly dyslexia, she has dedicated her professional life to ensuring that students receive the instruction, encouragement, advocacy, and opportunities they need to thrive.
As a track and field scholarship recipient, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations and Marketing, from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Later, she earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida, where she received an Outstanding Achievement Award. As a result, she was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (UNF Chapter). She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. This combination of educational leadership and communication expertise strengthens her ability to advocate, inspire, collaborate, and lead meaningful change.
Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is capable and full of potential. She recognizes that students with dyslexia and other learning differences often possess remarkable strengths that can be overlooked when traditional approaches to learning do not meet their needs. Through compassionate leadership, evidence-informed instruction, and unwavering advocacy, she works to create learning environments where students feel understood, empowered, and confident in their abilities.
Above all, Ms. Gill believes education is both a responsibility and a calling. Her mission is to serve children with dyslexia and other learning differences discover their confidence, develop their gifts, and understand that the way they learn never determines the limits of what they can achieve. Her enduring goal is to build educational spaces where every learner is seen, supported, challenged, and celebrated, while helping families and educators better understand dyslexia and embrace the extraordinary potential within every child.
Hannah Sharp
Director of Development
Charlotte Parker
Office Manager
Charlotte Parker
Office Manager
Charlotte is a devoted wife, mother, volunteer, and employee of DePaul School. She has been married to her husband for sixteen years and has a son who attends the school and is now in the seventh grade. They both came to DePaul in 2008.
Charlotte has consistently volunteered in a leadership capacity at the school. Last year, she was the President of the DePaul Parent Association. She has worked effortlessly to enrich the lives of our students through creative activities, events, and fundraisers to help make DePaul an exciting place to learn and grow.
Charlotte brings many years of experience to her new position as the Office Manager at DePaul School. Prior to DePaul, Charlotte was self-employed as a successful small business owner and real estate agent. She also worked as a licensed home child care provider, substitute teacher, and athletic coach at Providence School coaching volleyball, softball, and cheerleading.
Charlotte also attended Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida as an English Major with a minor in Speech. She received her education for pre-school and real estate licensure at FCCJ in Jacksonville, Florida. Currently, she still holds an active real estate license as a Certified Distressed Property Expert. Charlotte takes great pride in helping others and especially has a heart for working with children of all ages; inspiring them to be the very best they can be. This summer she was a host mother for two exchange students from Spain for the entire month of July.
Last but not least, Charlotte enjoys spending quality time with her family, going to church, singing, and volunteering for many types of organizations.
- Email:parkerc@depaulschool.com
Wendie Crook
Office Assistant
Wendie Crook
Office Assistant
Our Office Assistant Wendie Crook volunteered for DePaul for several years before joining us permanently in 2017. Ms. Wendie helps make DePaul what it is! She works with enrollment, finances, operations, and assisting teachers. We couldn't do this without her!
Ms. Wendie has two sons, including Jacob, who is a graduate of DePaul School.
- Email:wcrook@depaulschool.com
Teri K. Modisette
Enrollment and Community Relations
Teri K. Modisette
Enrollment and Community Relations
Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism, Evangel University
Teri Modisette is a communications strategist, writer, editor, author, creative director, and relentless advocate for people with dyslexia. Her career spans publishing, television, music, nonprofit leadership, digital storytelling, and community engagement. She finds the heart of a story, identifies what connects people to it and each other, and brings it vividly to life.
Since 2015, Teri has led enrollment and community relations at DePaul School. She meets new families and learns each prospective student’s story through careful inquiry—looking beyond scores and challenges to understand what each child needs to thrive.
Teri also shapes how DePaul presents itself to the world. She serves as the school’s principal storyteller, copywriter, photographer, digital content creator, graphic designer, and creative media strategist. Her work encompasses social media, advertising, website content, press relations, grant writing, community outreach, and collaboration with development and fundraising. She creates original dyslexia-advocacy content across multiple social media platforms that has reached millions of people worldwide. Her work now extends to the Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center, where she has helped develop the organization’s public voice and launch communications for its expansion of Orton-Gillingham teacher training and dyslexia-specific tutoring throughout Northeast Florida.
Before joining DePaul, Teri built a wide-ranging career as a writer, editor, author, and content developer. Her work included nearly a decade of project management as an editor with HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson Publishers; script development and co-writing for three episodes of Shane Untamed on NatGeo Wild; and screenwriting, ghostwriting, audiobook production, and curriculum development. Her projects included the Same Kind of Different as Me Study Guide, the Audie Award-winning Word of Promise dramatic audio theater Bible, Word of Promise Teen Edition, and ghostwriting for prominent authors.
Teri holds a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Evangel University and is trained as a dyslexia screener through Susan Barton.
Since 2015, Teri has led enrollment and community relations at DePaul School. She meets new families and learns each prospective student’s story through careful inquiry—looking beyond scores and challenges to understand what each child needs to thrive.
Teri also shapes how DePaul presents itself to the world. She serves as the school’s principal storyteller, copywriter, photographer, digital content creator, graphic designer, and creative media strategist. Her work encompasses social media, advertising, website content, press relations, grant writing, community outreach, and collaboration with development and fundraising. She creates original dyslexia-advocacy content across multiple social media platforms that has reached millions of people worldwide. Her work now extends to the Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center, where she has helped develop the organization’s public voice and launch communications for its expansion of Orton-Gillingham teacher training and dyslexia-specific tutoring throughout Northeast Florida.
Before joining DePaul, Teri built a wide-ranging career as a writer, editor, author, and content developer. Her work included nearly a decade of project management as an editor with HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson Publishers; script development and co-writing for three episodes of Shane Untamed on NatGeo Wild; and screenwriting, ghostwriting, audiobook production, and curriculum development. Her projects included the Same Kind of Different as Me Study Guide, the Audie Award-winning Word of Promise dramatic audio theater Bible, Word of Promise Teen Edition, and ghostwriting for prominent authors.
Teri holds a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Evangel University and is trained as a dyslexia screener through Susan Barton.
- Email:info@depaulschool.com
Danielle Gill
Teaching Assistant
Danielle Gill
Teaching Assistant
Jennifer Martinez
Behavioral Analyst
Jennifer Martinez
Behavioral Analyst
I am honored to join the DePaul family to serve as the new School Counselor! With more than 14 years of experience as a school counselor, I am passionate about helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I believe every child deserves a safe, supportive environment where they feel valued, connected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Throughout my career at the elementary, middle and high school levels, I have led comprehensive school counseling programs, mental health initiatives, crisis response efforts, and collaborative support services that promote student success and well-being.
As a dedicated mental health advocate and certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, I am committed to increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and equipping educators and families with the tools to recognize and respond to students' mental health needs. My work centers on fostering resilience, teaching healthy coping skills, and helping students develop the confidence to overcome life's challenges.
Beyond my professional role, I am a proud mother, an experience that has strengthened my empathy and reinforced my belief in the importance of strong partnerships between schools and families. Whether working with students, parents, or educators, I strive to create meaningful connections that inspire resilience, promote growth, and empower every child to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Dylan Gill
Teaching Assistant
Dylan Gill
Teaching Assistant
Denise Williams
Teaching Assistant
Denise Williams
Teaching Assistant
Join the DePaul Team
DePaul periodically offers employment opportunities for educators and professionals who are committed to supporting students with dyslexia.
