Meet the Director
Welcome to CARES!
It is an honor to be the Executive Director of CARES which brings together a 20-year-old dream, 15 years of classroom experience, and a wealth of educational knowledge.
As a public school teacher in Florida, I quickly noticed the academic needs of students of all abilities were not being met. Feeling powerless to make real change, I returned to graduate school. I earned my doctorate in special education to learn how to collaborate with fellow educators to make a more significant impact using well-researched instructional practices.
I was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, as the daughter of two veteran teachers. This is where my love for teaching began. I attended public school in Broward County, where an early childhood program in high school furthered my passion for teaching. This was also where my love for working with and opening a school for children with disabilities began. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University in 2009, I began teaching various subjects in middle school, including language arts, reading, math, and American history. After meeting my husband and moving to Gainesville in 2014, I continued to teach middle school language arts before returning to graduate school in 2019 to pursue my doctorate.
Each experience along my educational and professional journey played a role in the development of CARES where children can receive the compassion, understanding, support, individualized attention, quality instruction, and an academic environment they need and deserve. As parents, we know the importance of a quality education but often do not know where to turn. Thus, I designed CARES to help families make the best educational decisions and to support them through what has become a difficult journey for so many.
I am privileged to welcome you to CARES where we are making academic success accessible for all!
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Peterson
Executive Director
Instructional Team (more to come)! Dr. Peterson teaches too!
Natacha Petruzzelli M. Ed. - Instructor
Natacha Petruzzelli M. Ed. - Instructor
Natacha Petruzzelli M. Ed. - Instructor
Natacha Petruzzelli, M.Ed, has taught various grades from the primary through secondary level, but has spent the majority of her career in preschool and elementary education. She has recently worked at a local elementary as a First Grade intervention teacher for students with special needs and learning disabilities, and has a passion for
Natacha Petruzzelli, M.Ed, has taught various grades from the primary through secondary level, but has spent the majority of her career in preschool and elementary education. She has recently worked at a local elementary as a First Grade intervention teacher for students with special needs and learning disabilities, and has a passion for fostering early childhood literacy, reading/math interventions, and creating dynamic classroom environments that emphasize hands-on and experiential learning. Natacha is a proud “Double Gator,” holding a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Education, and a Master's Degree in Reading Education from the University of Florida. Outside of the classroom, she cherishes family time with her husband, their four kids, and her two cats. She also enjoys reading, theatre, live music, learning new things, and traveling in her free time. Natacha is so very thrilled to be joining the CARES program and looks forward to working together to make a meaningful impact in our community and young learners alike.
Alysha Mckenzie Instructional Assistant
Natacha Petruzzelli M. Ed. - Instructor
Natacha Petruzzelli M. Ed. - Instructor
Alysha is a dedicated professional with a passion for working with children, boasting a wealth of experience in the field since 2018. With a background in youth development and family education, Alysha has honed her skills in creating engaging and enriching environments for children to thrive. Her commitment to fostering positive rel
Alysha is a dedicated professional with a passion for working with children, boasting a wealth of experience in the field since 2018. With a background in youth development and family education, Alysha has honed her skills in creating engaging and enriching environments for children to thrive. Her commitment to fostering positive relationships and promoting learning and development sets her apart, making her an invaluable asset to any team. Alysha’s expertise in curriculum development, behavior management, and creating inclusive spaces ensures that every child she works with receives the attention and support they need to reach their full potential.