Faculty
Dr. Heather Kenny
Dr. Heather Kenny is Professor of Reading and Literacy Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. Early in her career, while serving as classroom teacher and private reading interventionist, she developed a passionate interest in helping students acquire foundational skills that contribute to reading proficiency. She pursued that interest at the University of Toledo, where she earned her M.Ed. (2006), and her Ph.D. (2009), was awarded a University Fellowship, and was twice recognized as Outstanding Graduate in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
From 2009 – 2019, Dr. Kenny served as a tenure-line faculty member in the Graduate Reading Program and Department of Early Childhood and Reading at Edinboro University (now Pennwest University). In 2016, she was recognized by that institution for outstanding teaching with a Robert C. Weber Honors Program Award for Excellence and in 2018, she was honored by the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators with a Professional Achievement Award for Exemplary Service/Partnership. She has published books on literacy instruction, and her work has been featured in publications such as The Reading Teacher and The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education.
In 2019, Dr. Kenny established Unleashed Innovation, Inc., an educational consulting firm dedicated to innovative, science-based literacy instruction. In her role as President and literacy consultant, Dr. Kenny has led curriculum development projects, created innovative instructional resources, and designed and delivered hundreds of professional development seminars, including keynote addresses for the Bureau of Education and Research. She strongly believes that everyone has the right to read and, as a member of the FSW faculty, her goal is to inspire and empower new teachers to teach reading right, right from the start.
Dr. Rita Menendez
Dr. Rita Maria Menéndez is a TESOL educator, researcher, and program evaluator with extensive experience in higher education and K–12 settings. She holds a Ph.D. in TESOL/Research from the University of Miami, an M.S. in Bilingual Elementary Education from Hunter College, and a B.S. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida International University. Her teaching and research focus on multilingual learners, bilingual and ESOL education, just in time responsive instruction, assessment, and positive student outcomes. Dr. Menéndez has taught at several universities and has extensive experience evaluating federally funded educational initiatives. She is biliterate in English and Spanish and is committed to preparing educators to create caring and effective learning environments for students that are acquiring a new language and academic content simultaneously.
Dr. Terri Ratini
Dr. Terri Ratini is a Professor of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. She began her teaching career in 1992 in Chicago and has taught mathematics, reading, science, and social studies in a variety of public and private settings. She completed her doctorate at Florida Gulf Coast University where her research and dissertation focused on discourse in the elementary mathematics classroom. She holds a Master’s of Education from DePaul University, a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University and earned National Board Certification as a middle childhood generalist. She assisted the National Center for Technological Literacy in developing a STEM curriculum and served as a national field site teacher for the Museum of Science and Industry in Boston. Dr. Ratini has published articles in The American Journal of Qualitative Research and The Journal of Curriculum Theorizing.
Dr. Joyce Rollins
Dr. Joyce Rollins has been a professor of Elementary Education at Florida SouthWestern State College since January, 2009. Dr. Rollins completed her doctorate in education in July 2016 where her research and dissertation centered on mathematics anxiety in elementary education teacher candidates. Her master's degree, from George Mason University was in Transformational Education. There, she also received the Teaching and Learning Award in 2000.
Prior to coming to FSW, Dr. Rollins taught with renowned scholars in the Initiatives in Educational Transformation program at GMU for seven years. Dr. Rollins coauthored the article, "Singing in my own voice: teachers' journey toward self-knowledge" published in the July 2008 edition of the Journal of Transformative Education. Dr. Rollins spent twenty years teaching elementary school in Arlington, VA where she received multiple honors including Teacher of the Year and Math Educator of the Year; she was also nominated for the Disney American Teacher Award. After teaching elementary school for twenty years, Dr. Rollins was the Vice President of Bell School Network where she traveled nation-wide providing educational support to K-12 schools. Since joining FSW in 2008 she has received the NISOD award for excellence and the School of Education's Outstanding Educator Award. In addition to teaching ELED program oversight, Dr. Rollins is the co-advisor to KDE. Dr. Rollins was hired by FSW when the baccalaureate degrees in education were just developing and is proud to have been a part of the success not only of the School of Education but of all the graduates that are now improving the education in southwest Florida.
Dr. Kelly Ross
Dr. Kelly Ross Kantz Roy joined the faculty at Florida SouthWestern State College as Professor and Coordinator of Early Childhood Education in fall 2016. She began her professional experience in Western New York more than 35 years ago teaching preschool and providing early intervention and family support services for children with developmental challenges. Dr. Ross holds a Ph. D. in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education from Iowa State University. She completed her multi-disciplinary Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees at Buffalo State College and the University at Buffalo respectively. Dr. Ross has managed both private and public inclusive educational services in such varied locations as eastern North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Paris, France. She has been a professor of Early Childhood Education at Danville (Va.) Community College, the University of the (US) Virgin Islands, Hood College, and the University at Buffalo. Dr. Ross has presented at numerous regional, national, and international conferences. She has garnered more than $3,000,000 in grant funds for various projects throughout her career. Her scholarly interests lie in the study of outdoor environments and their impact on self-determination and learning for young children.
Dr. Angela Valuta
Dr. Angela Valuta is Professor of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. She began her teaching career in 1987 in Romania, where she taught for 12 years before moving to the United States. After she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Edison (Florida SouthWestern) State College, she taught for 10 years at the elementary and middle school level, being recognized as a High Impact Teacher by the Florida Department of Education and a recipient of the Florida Best and Brightest scholarship. Dr. Valuta holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education, and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in effective classroom management from the same institution. Her research focused on the experiences of novice second-career teachers. Pursuing her desire to provide mentorship and support to teachers, she worked for 4 years as a curriculum resource teacher and instructional coach, providing professional development, training, and coaching to K-8 educators at different stages of their professional careers. Dr. Valuta also served for 3 years as an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. She is excited to be part of the FSW family and committed to inspiring and empowering her students and future educators to become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.
Abby Zylstra
Abby Zylstra is Professor of Early Childhood Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. She is an early childhood educator and higher education professional with a career centered on supporting young children and their families. She earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota. After several years teaching preschool in a collaborative Head Start and special education classroom, Professor Zylstra pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota.
Professor Zylstra later transitioned from classroom-based teaching to a family-focused model of education through Minnesota’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program. This experience deepened her passion for working not only with children, but also with the adults and families who play such an important role in their development and learning. She went on to earn a second master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in Parent and Family Education.
Most recently, Professor Zylstra served as an early childhood program manager before transitioning into higher education, a longtime professional goal. Her work continues to be grounded in the belief that children learn best when their whole family feels supported, valued, and connected to their education.
Professor Zylstra’s professional focus is on family-centered education and creating meaningful partnerships between educators and families. She believes that supporting the whole family creates stronger opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive.
Staff
Dr. Anne Angstrom, Associate Dean
Dr. Anne Angstrom began her teaching career in 1992 in Kentucky, where she taught middle and high school reading, Spanish, English, and speech and drama. She holds a Ph.D. in English Language Arts Education from Auburn University, a Master of Arts degree in Secondary School Counseling from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English and Spanish Education from the University of Kentucky. Her honors include High School Teacher of the Year (Glasgow Independent Schools, 1996); Paul W. Scheid Memorial English Education Award (Auburn University, 1998); Albert Hamilton Collins and Presidential Graduate Fellow (Auburn University, 1998-2000); and Outstanding Graduate Student (Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Auburn University, 2001). She has been a professor of English at Western Kentucky University and at Florida SouthWestern State College before joining the School of Education in 2012. She is a 2021 recipient of the NISOD Award for Service to College and Community. While Dr. Angstrom serves as the associate dean in the School of Education, she teaches a variety of courses in the School of Education and is passionate about supporting the professional growth and development of teachers at all levels.
Dr. Sherry Blanset
Dr. Sherry Blanset is the Placement Coordinator for the School of Education. She is a life-long resident of LaBelle, Florida where she graduated from LaBelle High School. After high school, she started a family before earning her Associate in Arts (2011) and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (2013) from Edison State College. She enjoyed teaching in both Lee and Hendry County Schools, where she taught 3rd and 5th grades and K-5 as an art and music teacher. Throughout her career, Ms. Blanset has advocated for both teachers and students of underserved populations and communities through speaking engagements at the Federal Department of Education and the Florida Senate. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructions at the University of Florida where she was awarded the highly competitive Dassler Transformational Leader Award in Education (2020, 2021), the Evelyn Weitzel Excellence in Educational Advocacy Award (2019, 2020), and named an Outstanding Graduate Student (2019, 2020, 2021). She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a Major in Educational Law and Policy from the University of Florida. Sherry remains passionate about supporting educators and students, and is very excited to be a part of the School of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Kathie DiLascio
Kathie DiLascio is the Coordinator of Operations in the School of Education. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management from Florida SouthWestern State College and an Associate in Arts degree from Edison State College. Kathie has worked in post-secondary education since 2002 holding positions in the School of Health Professions and the Office of the Registrar as well as supporting Senior Administration at FSW before coming to work in the School of Education. She is a member of the Association of Florida Colleges, Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Kathie has been nominated for the FSW Staff of the Year Award, an award that recognizes outstanding public service, mentorship, and dedication to student success.
David Koehler
David Koehler is the Recruiting and Advising Specialist in the School of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College. He began his teaching career in Oxford House, MB (Canada) over 18 years ago. He has earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Education degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in English and Geography from the University of Winnipeg. During the past 18 years, he has taught elementary, middle, and high school students in a variety of private and public school settings. As the Academic Success Director at Southwest Florida College, he managed tutoring services and instituted new initiatives to improve student retention and student success. He was also awarded the Educator of the Year award in 2007 and the President's Award in 2012.
Jennese Morauski
Jennese Morauski is the principal of FSW Collegiate High School - Lee. Originally from Ohio but a proud longtime Florida resident, Principal Morauski has dedicated her life to serving the students and families of Lee County. After raising three children through the Lee County School District and spending 27 years working in local education, she brings a deep understanding of what students need to thrive.
Principal Morauski earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) and went on to complete a master’s degree in School Counseling and in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. She began her career as a coordinator for adult education, partnering with community organizations and the criminal justice system. That work sparked her passion for early intervention and inspired her transition to support younger learners.
For the past 20 years, Principal Morauski has served in a variety of leadership roles across both middle and high school settings, always with a focus on empowering students, supporting teachers, and building strong school communities. Her experience, paired with her commitment to student success, guides her leadership as principal of FSW Collegiate High School - Lee.
With a heart for service and a belief in the potential of every student, Principal Morauski is honored to lead and to help shape the next generation of scholars and leaders.
Michelle Wier
Michelle Wier joined our FSWC Collegiate High School - Charlotte campus faculty as Principal in the 2018-19 school year. She has been an educator and instructional leader for the past twenty-seven years serving most of those years in Charlotte County, Florida. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio where she completed her Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University and began teaching Marketing Education in Hamilton, Ohio. She married and moved to Florida in 1993 and began teaching middle school students in the areas of varying exceptionalities and at-risk cohorts. She moved back to the high school level teaching Diversified Career Technology and Business Management classes at Charlotte High School for a decade and then moved into the role of Dean. She earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership in 2007 from Florida Gulf Coast University and joined the Student Services team at Charlotte Technical College. She became an Assistant Principal at Lemon Bay High School in 2012 where she oversaw student services, activities, facilities, and discipline until she joined the faculty at FSWC. She is excited to bring her vast educational and administrative experiences to FSWC - Charlotte and become a Buccaneer!