New Faculty & Staff | Same Faces, New Places

Congratulations to our returning employees who have moved positions!

Same Faces, New Places

• Andrew Miranti, MS/US Dean of Students
• April Butler, MS/US Curriculum Coordinator
• Erin Murphy, ESE/LS Curriculum Coordinator
• Crystal Santiago, MS/US Director of Student Life
• Erin Kolakowski, Head of Upper School
• Christina Rea, Operations Manager

Welcome to our new faculty and staff. We are thrilled to have you on our team.

Senior Admin 

Matt Bucknell, Athletic Director - Matt brings a wealth of knowledge from his roles at multiple private schools in Naples. In his recent role as the Athletics Director at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic School, he oversaw a comprehensive athletics program for student-athletes in Grades 3-8. During his tenure, he worked diligently to enhance the athletic experience for students, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.  Before his time at Saint Elizabeth Seton, Matt previously led the athletics program at Royal Palm Academy, where he also served as the President of the Sunshine Athletic Conference. Before this appointment, Matt worked as the athletic coordinator at Mason Classical Academy, where he grew the athletic program from scratch, starting 24 athletic teams in both the middle and upper school athletics programs. 

In addition to his directorial roles, Matt is the founder of both the Southwest Florida Athletics Conference for Middle School students and the Paradise Coast Athletic Conference for Upper School students. His visionary leadership in establishing these conferences has given student-athletes more opportunities to compete, develop, and thrive in a supportive and competitive environment.
 

Meg Easterly, Director of Marketing and Communications - Meg brings with her 13+ years of independent school marketing leadership experience. Her greatest strength lies in her ability to bring people and ideas together. She thrives on crafting compelling storytelling experiences that connect stakeholders to the mission of the school. In her recent role as Director of Marketing, Communications, and Databases at Seacrest Country Day School, Meg collaborated with Admissions, Development, Athletics, Parent Organizations, and Academic Leadership to align marketing strategies. She oversaw digital, print, and internal communications while maintaining key marketing initiatives. 

During her tenure, Meg worked diligently to enhance the student experience by introducing elective marketing courses that empowered students to take an active role in shaping the school’s social media presence.

 

Erin Kolakowski, M.A. NCC, Head of Upper School - Erin is an experienced educational leader with a proven track record in Upper School administration and a deep commitment to student success. Erin's previous role as Assistant Head of Upper School and Upper School Counselor at TVS provided her with valuable experience in shaping academic vision, supporting faculty, overseeing curriculum development, and guiding students. Prior to joining TVS in 2020, Erin was an Academic Success Coach and Adjunct Professor at FGCU.

She holds a Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois at Springfield and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a licensed pre-K-12 School Counselor in Florida. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and she holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University.

 

 

Faculty

Bridget Killian, LS 4th/5th Science Teacher - Bridget is a highly experienced and dedicated educational leader with a Master's in Special Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont. With over two decades in the field, including her recent role as Middle School Dean of Academics and Lead Learning Specialist at Seacrest Country Day School, Bridget excels in curriculum development, staff training, and fostering supportive learning environments. Her diverse background spans curriculum creation for WhyMaker! STEM, elementary classroom teaching, and significant leadership positions in academic oversight and professional development at independent schools like The Pingry School and Derby Academy, demonstrating a profound commitment to student growth and instructional excellence across various educational settings.

 

 

Elisia Montalvo, Teaching Assistant - Elisia is an aspiring psychology graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and an Associate's in Liberal Arts, eager to apply her academic knowledge and passion for child and adolescent development in a lower school setting. Drawing on valuable experience as a Camp Counselor, where she supported social-emotional development, communicated with parents, and led group activities, Elisia brings strong skills in active listening, rapport building, and behavioral observation. Her background as a three-year wrestling team captain highlights her leadership abilities and collaborative spirit, making her a compassionate and engaging candidate dedicated to fostering positive learning environments for young students.

 

 

 

Emily O’Connor, LS Teaching Assistant - Emily is a highly experienced and passionate educator with over 13 years as a Lead Assistant Teacher at the Community School of Naples, where she created structured, positive, and inclusive learning environments for lower school students. With an Associate's degree in Early Education, she excels in classroom management, lesson planning, and differentiating instruction to meet diverse needs, consistently monitoring student progress and supporting their social-emotional development. Her extensive experience also includes coordinating after-care programs and over a decade as a nanny, highlighting her comprehensive understanding of child well-being, strong communication skills with parents and staff, and a deep commitment to fostering student growth and success.

 

 

 

Robert Schalmo, LS Innovation Teacher - Robert is a distinguished and highly awarded educator with over two decades of experience dedicated to early childhood and lower school students. Most recently, he has served as the Innovation Teacher and Lower School Science Coordinator at the Community School of Naples since 2018. He brings a passion for hands-on, forward-thinking education to his students. A proud graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Robert began his career with Teach for America in 2003 and has since been recognized for his teaching excellence as a 2013 Golden Apple Teacher and the 2018 Community School of Naples Lower School Teacher of Distinction. His commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his co-creation of the Golden Futures Scholarship.

 

 

Culmer St. Jean, Village Success Center - Culmer graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he played middle linebacker for the Badgers. He recently worked at Youth Haven with high-risk youth and previously worked in the Special Education department with CCPS. Culmer will join our Village Success Center team to work in our upper school Bridge program and TLC. Culmer will also serve as the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. Coach St. Jean has led several Collier County Schools sports teams that include basketball, track and field, and football.  Through Coach St. Jean’s leadership, he has led the teams as District Champions, Regional and state finalists. His deep understanding of the game, honed through years of competitive play, gives him a unique perspective and insight.

 

 

 

Staff

Maria Hayes, CPA, CMA, CFM, Accounting Manager - Maria is a highly accomplished CPA, CMA, and CFM with a distinguished career spanning over two decades in finance and accounting, specializing in nonprofit and church financial management. With a comprehensive skill set that includes expertise in a variety of accounting software, she recently served as the Chief Financial Officer at Better Together, where she oversaw annual budgeting, financial reporting to the board, and audit preparation. As the President of her own CPA firm for over 20 years, she provided expert financial guidance to a wide range of clients, including the United Way of Collier County, the Naples Chamber of Commerce, and numerous church clients, demonstrating a profound commitment to fiscal responsibility, strategic planning, and internal control documentation. Her extensive volunteer work as a church treasurer, along with her other community roles, further underscores her dedication to mission-driven organizations.

Kevin Solar, Senior Accountant - Kevin brings more than 25 years of exceptional experience in nonprofit accounting, finance, and business operations. He joins us most recently from Quality Care for Children in Atlanta, where he played a key role in producing accurate financial statements, managing payroll for over 120 associates, and ensuring compliance with federal and state financial regulations. Kevin is a dedicated leader with a reputation for trustworthiness, precision, and a collaborative spirit. He is passionate about supporting mission-driven work and helping organizations operate with financial clarity and accountability.

Kerrie Talbot, RN, BSN, Registrar - Kerrie is a highly accomplished and deeply experienced healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University and 27 years of clinical and leadership expertise. Previously, as the Data Entry Administrator at The Village School of Naples, she seamlessly managed student health records and ensured data compliance, including specialized support for complex medical needs. Her extensive background as a Head Nurse for a public school district, an Infusion Care Nurse, and a Seasonal Camp Nurse, combined with her leadership roles in patient safety, policy development, and professional development within hospital systems like Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, demonstrates her exceptional organizational skills, clinical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to well-being and operational excellence.