Guiselle is co-founder and Academy Director of Etham Core Academy. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a double Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Spanish. Her 16 years as an OT and her background in youth development and community outreach has shaped her passion for helping students thrive. Through her own personal need, she recognized the growing need for a high school program that prioritized strong academics while also allowing for healthy family and life balance. From that vision, Etham Core Academy was born. Guiselle has been actively involved in community service, missions, and entrepreneurship. Her heart for service and cross-cultural connection continues to influence the culture of Etham, where students are encouraged not only to succeed academically, but also to develop compassion, character, and a desire to positively impact the world around them.

Heather is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a degree in Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, with a minor in Psychology and a specialization in Eating Disorders. Heather is a Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of counseling experience. In addition to her expertise in nutrition, Heather is the co-founder of Etham Core Academy and currently serves as the Director of Academics, where she brings her passion for education and leadership to the school community. She will be teaching the Health Elective helping students develop healthy habits and a positive relationship with food while fulfilling this required elective for graduation.

Getting to teach has been the connection in my career paths and degrees in microbiology, biochemistry and medicine that included instructing/teaching college level science courses, hospital nursing in-service programs, and direct patient education. With the formal retirement of my medical career as a PA-C, I pursued classroom teaching of high school Biology and Chemistry at the IMG Academy, sub teaching of Biology at Bradenton Christian School and now I am with Etham Core Academy of Bradenton. My current classroom focus is to provide an enthusiastic environment for learning with a Christian perspective, to encourage critical thinking and application in our world through the subjects of Biology and Chemistry.

David is a software product architect for a Fortune 100 company with over 5 years of enterprise software experience. He has a passion for sharing how things work and teaching the fundamentals of how to build interesting technical solutions. David holds a degree in Biblical Studies and Java Development and is passionate about sharing all he knows about technology and computer use. Fun Fact: David loves distance running. His record includes crossing the state of Iowa twice as part of a relay team, completing 3 marathons, and running a barefoot mile in the snow.

I feel truly honored to serve in a role that allows me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Etham students. As an experienced educator with a deep passion for language and communication, I am dedicated to helping students develop advanced literacy, analytical thinking, written expression, and effective communication skills that are essential for success in higher education and in their future professional endeavors. At the heart of my teaching philosophy is empowerment. I strive to create a supportive, engaging, and challenging learning environment where students are encouraged to discover their unique voices, think critically, and appreciate the transformative power of language. Drawing on a diverse international background in corporate leadership, professional training, and for the past 10 years - education, I bring a wealth of global knowledge perspective into the classroom. Real-life application in ELA provides relatable context that strengthens student engagement and supports a growth-oriented mindset by showing how communication skills apply to everyday life, academic success, and future opportunities.

I am an educator with a passion for helping students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. My teaching experience includes sixteen years in early childhood education and fourteen years working with middle and high school students in subjects such as social studies, economics, and history, where I focus on making complex concepts engaging and relevant. Before working full-time as a public school teacher in Manatee County, I served throughout the community in both public and private schools, as well as in youth groups and churches. In this role, I taught a Christian-based character education program that achieved an 82% success rate in helping at-risk students shift from making poor life choices to more positive ones. Throughout my career, I have designed lessons that encourage active participation, real-world connections, and analytical thinking. I strive to create a supportive classroom environment where all students feel confident sharing ideas and growing academically. As part of my role as an educator, I develop lesson plans, create instructional materials, and adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs. I am committed to fostering curiosity, encouraging student voice, and preparing learners with the skills they need for future success. I embrace the challenge of taking difficult subjects or topics and making them relevant to everyday life.