Growing Minds, Hearts & Futures
We are a tuition-free public charter school for grades 6 - 12
Meet the Teachers and Staff!
Lesleigh Phillips
MS Math + Science
I was born and raised in the Philippines in a mountainous region.
I graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Polytechnic University of the Philippines and earned a Certificate in Professional Education in 2007 at the University of the Philippines.
I have been teaching Chemistry, Physics, and Math in the Philippines before immigrating to the US.
My post-graduate work included helping to start a school in an underserved and remote island region and setting up a science laboratory for the school with the partnership of my university and the Department of Education (Philippines).
I also worked in Singapore as an Early Childhood Educator.
I traveled and did missionary work that teaches agriculture, water filtration system and nutrition with my husband as part of Seeds for Life Ministry.
I also enjoy playing piano and guitar.
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Ann Smith
English, Reading
Civis & Law Program
After 18 years as a trial lawyer, Ann joined the U.S. Peace Corps, volunteering in youth development, in Morocco. For the last 10 years, she taught students in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. She has a B.A. and M.B.A from University of North Florida, and Juris Doctor from University of Florida. Ann is teaching-certified in English, Social Studies, and Business Education. She recently became ASA certified to captain a catamaran up to 50’. Ann loves spending time with family and dogs Belle and Buddy. Her hobbies include water sports, gardening, cooking, and arts and crafts. She has traveled to 65 countries and hopes to add a few more. Her passion in education is incorporating critical thinking and practical skills into everything.
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Kristin Walker
Principal
+ ESE Consutlant
Kristin Walker graduated summa cum laude from Columbia College with a major in History and a minor in English. She earned her Master of Education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University in 2014. 2023/24 will mark her tenth year with Micanopy Academy, where she serves as principal. n 2021 she became the school's ESE consultant and enjoys working with students with special needs.
In her spare time, Ms. Walker enjoys spending time with her family, reading a wide variety of books, gaming, and doing yoga.
kwalker@micanopyacademy.com
Alene Williams
Administrative
Assistant
Ms. Williams graduated from Williston High School and has worked at Nationwide Insurance and the University of Florida. She joined the MA family in 2012 and enjoys working with the faculty and students alike. Her hobbies include reading and sewing. Alene is known for her smile, which earned her the nickname "Sunshine" by her coworkers at Nationwide. She was also told that it was her smile that helped someone make the decision to join her church.
She enjoys spending time with friends and family and is looking forward to a great year with new and former students!
info@micanopyacademy.com
Kristy Orbe
HS Math + Science
Kristy Orbe earned two Bachelor’s Degrees in 2022 from the University of Florida (UF) in Microbiology and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Ms. Orbe taught a First Responder Course and tutored College Algebra at UF. Before transitioning to a full-time teaching position at Micanopy Academy, Ms. Orbe was a Resource Technician for Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) over the last two years. The position developed her skills in resource pairing, patient advocacy, and educating citizens of Gainesville on how to access social and health resources to improve overall quality of life and self-reliance. During her time at GFR, Ms. Orbe became a CPR instructor, Mental Health First Aid certified, and a speaker at Public Health conferences.
Ms. Orbe was born and raised in Miami Florida and has frequented her second home in Ecuador to see her extended family. She enjoys crocheting, rock climbing, gardening, reading, and painting. The best advice she’s been given is to let failure teach you and not define you.
Ms. Orbe is looking forward to an amazing school year at Micanopy Academy!
Serena Suggs
Art + Drama
Serena Suggs earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 2007 from Saint Leo University and is also a certified K-12 Art teacher. Throughout Mrs. Suggs’ career she has had the opportunity to work in several different school settings and says confidently that her heart belongs to our rural communities.
Mrs. Suggs is native to the area and is now raising her family here. They enjoy almost anything outdoors, including camping, tubing, hiking, and swimming in the local Springs. The Suggs family is big into board games, RPGs, and attending Comic-Cons too!
In her spare time, she enjoys watercolor painting, thrift shopping, shelling and shark teeth hunting, and chasing her backyard chickens. She believes incorporating mindfulness in education and the concept of “progress not perfection” can improve academic, social, and emotional learning.
She is excited to see what another year at Micanopy Academy will bring! Go Mustangs!
Elizabeth Ricks
Assistant Principal
Elizabeth Ricks earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2011 from the University of Florida in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences with a minor in Family Life Education. The 2023-24 school year will be her sixth at Micanopy Academy where she will serve her first year as our Assistant Principal.
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Mrs. Ricks lives not far from where she grew up in Hawthorne, FL with her husband Erik and their kids, Dalton and Fayth. When not spending time with her family her hobbies are traveling, photography, fishing, and sewing.
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Contact us
Teacher's & Staff
emails
Lesleigh Phillips
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Kristy Orbe
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Clay Smith
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Ann Smith
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Serena Suggs
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Lourdes Welch
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Kristin Walker
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Elizabeth Ricks
Alene Williams
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Richard Johnson
Clay Smith
Dean
ELA+Civics
Clay Smith served in the USMC (Security Forces) for 6 years and then transitioned to the IT field, where he spent 15 years honing his craft. During that time, he worked at NASA (Kenney Space Center) and the HQs of the IRS in D.C. Wanting a change, he returned to school and received his Juris Doctor. Upon completion of law school, Clay joined his wife in establishing their own law firm. After many years of practice, Clay left the practice of law to join the US Peace Corps (Youth Development). He volunteered in Morocco for 4 years. After his service, he decided to continue to work with youth and obtained Florida Teaching certifications in English and Social Science. He worked as a professor of Social Studies in Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Karachi, Pakistan. He recently returned to the U.S. and purchased his forever home in Micanopy. He loves spending time with his family, dogs, garden, and workshop. He is a super geek, an avid gamer, a seasoned traveler (65+ countries), and loves to make things.
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Richard Johnson
School Guardian
***Bio Coming Soon***