Our Teachers and Support Staff:
Principal
maksentis@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Aksentis holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from University of Georgia, her Master's in Education from Valdosta State College, her Master's in Leadership and Administration from University of West Georgia, and Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership and Administration from University of West Georgia. Mrs. Aksentis is retired from Georgia with 34-years of experience in the field of special education. She holds certification in ESE, Elementary Education, ESOL, and Reading K-12. Mrs. Aksentis has presented workshops at national conferences for ESE teachers and administration, including the National Council for Exceptional Children and the National School Board Association. She has also provided training at state conferences in Georgia and Texas.
Resource Teacher
scaliendo@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Caliendo received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education (ESE) from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her Master's in Reading from Florida Atlantic University. She is a Florida certified teacher and is also certified ESE K-12. She has been married to her husband Al for over 25-years. They have one son, Michael, who is 21-years-old.
Middle School Teacher
ccornelius@dreamsarefree.org
Ms. Cornelius received her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Clemson University in South Carolina. She is a Florida certified teacher and is also certified in Math 5-9 and ESE K-12. She has twelve years of teaching experience with ESE students. Caroline has a Brussels Griffon named Khaki; two brothers, one sister and my parents who live in Venice, Florida.
Elementary School Teacher / Art Teacher
glawlor@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Lawlor received her Bachelor of Fine Artsfrom the school of Visual Arts in New York City and her Master's degree from Mercy College, also in New York. She is a Florida certified teacher in ESE K-12 and Art K-12. She is a native of New York, has been married for over 22-years and is a mother of twins that are 20-years-old.
Middle School Teacher
mmcgrath@dreamsarefree.org
Ms. McGrath received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. She is a Florida certified teacher and is certified in ESE K-12. She has teaching experience in the Chicago and Manatee County public school systems. This is Melissa's fifth year at The Dreams Are Free Catholic School.
Elementary School Teacher
ksmith@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Smith received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She is a Florida certified teacher and is certified in ESE K-12. She holds Montessori Elementary One credentials from the SeaCoast Center.
Middle School Teacher
klynn@dreamsarefree.org
Ms. Lynn graduated Cum Laude and received her Bachelor of Arts from St. John's University in Queens, New York. She is a Florida certified teacher and is also certified ESE K-12, as well as Religion and Social Studies for grades 6-12. She has over 25-years of teaching experience and has been a Florida resident since 1992. Kathy has two sons and one daughter.
Speech Pathologist - SLP
lkahn@dreamsarefree.org
Ms. Kahn received her Master's Degree from New York University in New York and Columbia University in New York. She has over 33-years of experience in New York City school system and has over 10-years of clinical experience in Sarasota. She has received several awards from the American Speech and Hearing Association for continuing professional education.
Music Teacher
cluzio@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Luzio received a Masters in Music Education from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She is a Florida certified teacher and holds K-12 certification in music education. Mrs. Luzio has over 30 years of experience teaching music in Ohio and Florida. She lives locally with her husband Dave. They have three children, Carmen, Tony, and Nicole and two grandchildren.
Occupational Therapist, OTR/L
sparsons@dreamsarefree.org
Mrs. Parsons received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has 13-years of pediatric experience and had previously worked in the Illinois public schools, as well as a pediatric clinic. She has training in Sensory Integration, Handwriting Without Tears and Therapeutic Listening. Mrs. Parsons lives locally with her husband.
Physical Therapist
mnastan@dreamsarefree.org
Mary Nastan, Co-Founder of InStride Equine Assisted Therapy, is a true Floridian, native-born in Fort Lauderdale and a graduate of University of Florida in Physical Therapy. Mary has served on numerous boards, including National-American Hippotherapy Association/Muscular Dystrophy Association, State-Early Development Council and the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Mary has over 34-years of clinical experience in physical therapy with specializations in Hippotherapy, Aquatic Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Therapy, and Cranio Sacral Therapy. Special interests include equine studies, gardening, and boating. Married to Richard Nastan, guidance counselor at McIntosh Middle School, their married daughter Stacey is a graduate of USF and lives in Tampa.