WELCOME TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Royal Palm Academy

Welcome to Our Elementary School

Dear Prospective Families,

It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the Lower School at Royal Palm Academy. Our Lower School is a vibrant and nurturing environment where young minds are encouraged to explore, learn, and grow. We are dedicated to providing a strong foundation in both academics and character development, rooted in our Catholic values.

At Royal Palm Academy, we believe that each child is unique and possesses their own special talents and potential. Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to recognizing and nurturing these individual gifts, ensuring that every student receives the personalized attention and support they need to thrive.

Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire our students, fostering a love of learning that will last a lifetime. We emphasize not only academic excellence but also the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Through a variety of engaging and hands-on learning experiences, our students are prepared to meet the challenges of the future with confidence and resilience.

In addition to our strong academic program, we place a high value on the spiritual and moral development of our students. Our Catholic faith is woven into every aspect of school life, guiding our students to grow in their relationship with God and to live out the values of compassion, respect, and service to others.

We are proud of the close-knit community we have built here at Royal Palm Academy. Our school is a place where families come together to support one another and to celebrate the achievements and milestones of our children. We invite you to become an active part of our community and to join us in our mission to nurture the whole child.

Thank you for considering Royal Palm Academy for your child’s education. We look forward to partnering with you on this exciting journey and to witnessing the many ways your child will grow and flourish in our care.

Welcome to Royal Palm Academy — Come see where students thrive!

Meet Our Elementary School Team

Kindergarten

Rachel Schultz

Kindergarten Teacher

B.A., Ave Maria University

Reading & ESOL Endorsement

Rachel is starting her first year at RPA. Rachel has over four years of experience as an elementary school teacher in the Collier County Public School system; she also brings specialized expertise in CCPS Cambridge programs and Wilson Foundation Phonics training. She is excited to share her love of learning with her students.

Lanie Weck

Kindergarten Teacher

M.Ed., The University of Tampa

Reading Endorsement and ESOL Endorsement

Lanie is starting her second year at RPA. Lanie is excited to teach Kindergarten and coach Volleyball again this year. This will be her sixth year teaching. Previously she has taught second and third grade in Tampa and kindergarten in St. Charles, Illinois.

Yasmina Caruso

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

B.A., Dowling College

Yasmina is starting her fourth year at RPA. In 2019, Yasmina moved from New Jersey to Naples. Prior to her move, she was a teacher assistant and substitute teacher for grades K-12 for 15 years. Currently, she has been the kindergarten assistant for the past two years at Royal Palm Academy. She continually looks forward to working closely with faculty, staff, families, and students.

1st Grade

Gina Bernarding

1st Grade Teacher

B.A., Point Park University

Gina is starting her second year at RPA. Gina, as a first-grade teacher, enjoys sharing her love of learning with her students and spends her free time reading, writing, exercising, pet sitting, and with her family.

Gabriella Di Palma

1st Grade Teacher

M.A., University of Notre Dame

Gabriella is starting her second year at RPA. Gabriella is an experienced teacher who has worked in the Collier County Public School system and at The Village School of Naples. She is bilingual in English and Italian and has taught Italian at the University of Notre Dame.

Gina Manfredi

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

B.A., Florida Gulf Coast University

Gina is starting her tenth year at RPA. Gina has been a dedicated faculty support and teacher aide at Royal Palm Academy for over five years. She is very involved in her church community, serving in faith formation, and she enjoys sharing her love of God with our students.

2nd Grade

Joe Alig

2nd Grade Teacher

M.A., Binghamton University

Joe is starting his fourth year at RPA. Joe has been an elementary teacher for 30 years. His expertise is in reading, science, and hands-on learning. He loves to extend a child’s sense of interest by challenging them with new ways of solving problems through projects and experiments.

Carissa Valerio

2nd Grade Teacher

B.S., Seton Hall University

Certified Elementary Education with ELL & Gifted Endorsements

Carissa is starting her third year at RPA. She enjoys having the opportunity to integrate her Catholic values into her teaching practices. She has spent the last seven years at a public charter school where she has taught both second and third grade.

3rd Grade

Rachel Graffy

3rd Grade Teacher

B.S., College of Charleston

K-6 Certified Teacher by the Florida Department of Education & 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Leader in Me Trained

Rachel is starting her first year at RPA. Rachel joins RPA with seven years of experience in both pre-k and first grade. Originally from Naples, she’s thrilled to be back near her family! Rachel finds joy in shaping the minds of young leaders and encouraging faith exploration in their daily lives. She is eager to be a part of RPA’s transition ahead!

Julie Rice

3rd Grade Teacher

B.A., Florida Gulf Coast University

PreK-3 Florida Professional Teacher Certificate

Julie is starting her second year at RPA. Julie is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from FGCU with a degree in Child Studies and has eight years of teaching experience in grades K-2. She loves teaching third grade at RPA!

4th Grade

Lesley Greene

4th Grade Teacher

M.Ed., Grand Canyon University

Orton-Gillingham Trained

Lesley is starting her 14th year at RPA. She loves sharing her faith with her students and watching the school grow and change. On the weekends, you can find Lesley with the wind in her face. She loves boat rides, bike rides, and anything adventurous.

Marshel McCormick

4th Grade Teacher

B.S., University of Texas at Arlington

Marshel is starting his first year at RPA. He has been a teacher and coach for eleven years and is looking forward to joining the RPA family. His career started in sports and fitness with the YMCA, an organization with which he is still heavily involved. Marshel was previously a math and science teacher as well as the head basketball coach at Northstar School in Arlington, Texas. For the past two years, he worked for the Montessori Academy of San Antonio as the head basketball coach and an afterschool sports performance coach. In his spare time, Marshel enjoys anything basketball-related, working out, and playing chess.

5th Grade

Amanda Evans

5th Grade Teacher

B.A., Christendom College

Amanda is starting her first year at RPA. Amanda is a recent graduate of Christendom College and is excited to be teaching at RPA! She loves watching young minds and souls blossom as they learn about their faith and God’s beautiful creation. In her spare time, she can be found singing, reading a good book, or watching a British drama.

Andrei Ghelman

5th Grade Teacher

PhD., Bowie State University

Andrei is starting his fourth year at RPA. Andrei has been dedicated to serving students for over 21 years. He is a transparent instructional leader who always makes decisions based on the best interests of students.

Spanish

Martha De La Barrera

K-2 Spanish Teacher

B.S., Sacred Heart University

Martha is starting her fifth year at RPA. She is a Catholic-educated teacher originally from Peru. Martha has taught at private schools in Naples for the past 15 years. She is very passionate about teaching Spanish and tries to be creative when planning while introducing students to the wonderful and colorful Latin American culture.

Ana Ozores

3-5 Spanish Teacher

M.A., Ave Maria University

Ana, founding teacher of RPA’s Spanish Program, is returning for her 26th year. A very important component of her life is her Catholic faith. Ana’s teaching philosophy is based on meritorious and aspirational learning and promotes these opportunities in a competitively lively yet, nurturing and supportive classroom setting.

Learn More about our Elementary Curriculum

Becoming a Good Follower & Developing Leadership Traits

At Royal Palm Academy, our mission to nurture apostolic leaders aligns closely with the outcomes we strive to achieve in our graduates. As students progress through our program, they embody the values and principles that enable them to flourish as compassionate, informed, and empowered individuals.

Living Virtues: In the early years, students practice virtues such as kindness, respect, and empathy, laying the foundation for becoming compassionate members of the community.

Team Collaboration: Students learn to work harmoniously with peers, cultivating collaborative skills and understanding the value of shared goals.

Character Development: Through stories and examples, students internalize the importance of making ethical choices, setting the stage for becoming ethical decision-makers.

Exemplifying Virtues: Students demonstrate virtues in their daily lives, serving as role models for younger students and siblings and becoming exemplars of the RPA values.

Effective Communication: Through collaborative projects and discussions, students enhance their communication skills, learning to express themselves with empathy and clarity.

Resilience and Problem-Solving: Students engage in critical thinking activities, building resilience and the ability to navigate challenges while seeking innovative solutions.

Kindergarten Program

A Balanced Approach to Learning

While Kindergarten offers a more structured learning environment, it is designed to be both fun and hands-on, sparking your child’s curiosity, engaging their imagination, and encouraging critical thinking. In this pivotal year, your child will be introduced to classroom routines, homework, and grades, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability.

Our Kindergarten curriculum emphasizes:

Reading Comprehension and Spelling: Building strong foundational skills in reading and spelling to enhance literacy.
Writing and Critical Thinking: Developing writing abilities alongside critical thinking skills for effective communication and analysis.
Problem-Solving and Math Applications: Encouraging problem-solving through practical math applications that connect learning to real-life situations.
Expanded Learning in Science and Social Studies: Deepening your child’s understanding of the natural world and social structures through engaging lessons in science and social studies.
A Deeper Understanding of the Catholic Faith: Nurturing your child’s spiritual growth with a deeper exploration of Catholic teachings and values.

Elementary Program

A Time of Discovery, Growth, and Leadership

At Royal Palm Academy, the elementary years from 1st to 5th grade are marked by significant growth as students accelerate their learning, ask more questions, and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Our curriculum is designed to nurture this period of discovery, offering an educational environment that promotes safety, patience, and curiosity.

Throughout these formative years, students are encouraged to embrace their individuality, collaborate with peers, and develop both academically and spiritually. Our comprehensive curriculum builds on foundational knowledge while introducing new challenges that foster analytical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of core subjects.

Our elementary curriculum emphasizes:

Language Development: Enhancing phonemic awareness, listening skills, and writing abilities to strengthen communication.
Mathematical Concepts: Expanding understanding of numbers, including counting, money, time, and dates, to develop problem-solving skills.
Social Studies Foundations: Introducing concepts of citizenship, community, and history to broaden social awareness and responsibility.
Scientific Exploration: Engaging students in hands-on learning about the seasons, animals, plants, weather, outer space, and the five senses.
Spiritual Growth: Nurturing a deeper understanding of God’s love, the life of Jesus Christ, and the spirit virtues to foster moral development.

As students progress through the elementary grades, they mature into confident thinkers and compassionate leaders. Our rigorous curriculum challenges them to expand their knowledge, explore new interests, and learn from their experiences. In this supportive and faith-centered environment, students are celebrated for their achievements and empowered to thrive as leaders, collaborators, and decision-makers.

Spanish

The elementary Spanish program at Royal Palm Academy provides students with daily immersive language instruction, helping them to steadily build their vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills. Through a variety of engaging activities, such as storytelling, songs, role-playing, and interactive games, students deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and develop confidence in speaking. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to reinforce language skills progressively, connecting with other academic subjects to enhance comprehension and retention. By fostering an appreciation for Hispanic cultures and encouraging active participation, the program ensures that students not only learn Spanish but also cultivate a lifelong interest in language and global communication.

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In This Section

Welcome to Our Elementary School

Meet Our Elementary School Team

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Spanish

Learn More about our Elementary Curriculum

Becoming a Good Follower & Developing Leadership Traits

Kindergarten Program

Elementary Program

Spanish

About RPA