Josh Meurer, Academy Director
pcs.meurerj@pcsb.org
23 years with Pinellas County Schools
15 years with Chi Chi's - 5 as Director

"My favorite thing about Chi Chi's is when our graduates come back to visit and share all their great memories and the positive impact we had on their lives." 

Lauren Messina, Counselor
pcs.messinal@pcsb.org 
1 year with Pinellas County Schools
1 year with Chi Chi's

"My favorite part about working at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy is witnessing our students reach their fullest potential and begin to believe in themselves. Being the School Counselor gives me the opportunity to guide and assist students through their academics, mental health, social skills, and prepare our students for success in all aspects of life."

Paige Arrigoni, Middle School Teaching Assistant 
arrigonip@pcsb.org 
6 years with Pinellas County Schools
6 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about Chi Chi's is that it feels like family. I love working with all the kids and the staff is awesome." 

Kyrena Azar-Capshaw, Reading Intervention Teacher
azar-capshawk@pcsb.org 
3 years with Pinellas County Schools, 23 years overall
2 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about Chi Chi's is that I work with amazing staff, who teach me by their example, and set the bar high; and I am challenged by the students to be the best teacher I can be every single day." 

Charlene Bartlett, Middle School Teacher - Reading/Language Arts and PCSD
bartlettc@pcsb.org 
13 years with Pinellas County Schools
9 years with Chi Chi's 
"The thing that I love about teaching at Chi Chi's is the strong sense of community that we have between the administration, the foundation, the staff, the students, and the parents.  There is a huge amount of support offered for and from all parties. I also enjoy the opportunity to teach the same students over three years.  This allows me time to truly get to know my students and provides me with the valuable tools to meet their individual needs. I often tell people, I wouldn't work anywhere else!"

Colin Haugh, Middle School Teaching Assistant
haughco@pcsb.org 

Sean Hughes, Middle School Teacher - History/Civics and PCSD
hughesse@pcsb.org 
3 years with Pinellas County Schools
3 years with Chi Chi's 
"I love helping develop growth mindsets and watching the students' confidence grow."  

Margaret Lucas, Middle School Teaching Assistant
lucasma@pcsb.org 

Jenell Mann, Math Intervention Teacher
mannje@pcsb.org 

Melissa Murphy-Boyes, DMT/Front Office
murphy-boyesm@pcsb.org 

Kayla Olson, Middle School Teacher - Reading, Science and PCSD
olsonk@pcsb.org 
5 years with Pinellas County Schools, 12 years overall
5 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is that we are more than just a school. We are a safe place, a community, and a family. We teach our kids life skills that they take with them wherever they go! When our kids succeed academically, it's a win for everyone on campus. Every adult here has the opportunity to make an impact on our students' success and I believe that is really special."

Michael Shultz, Physical Education Teacher
shultzm@pcsb.org 
37 years with Pinellas County Schools
8 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is the students."

Barbara Spanolios, 5th Grade Teaching Assistant
spanoliosb@pcsb.org 
24 years with Pinellas County Schools
7 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is seeing the 8th Grade students at their graduation knowing how I contributed in some way to their academic growth and success here at Chi Chi's!"  

Lauren Stuart, Middle School Teacher - Math and Science
stuartla@pcsb.org 
8 years with Pinellas County Schools
6 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is the ability to teach the same students from their 6^th grade year through their 8^th grade year.  We really get to know our students and how they learn best!"

Lori Vanderklok, 5th Grade Teacher
vanderklokl@pcsb.org 
25 years with Pinellas County Schools
21 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is watching the students grow from struggling, self-doubting elementary students to confident, successful 8^th grade students."

Karriem Akbar
akbark@pcsb.org 
3 years with Pinellas County Schools
2 years with Chi Chi's

"My favorite thing about working at Chi’s Chi’s is how all the staff work well together and give their very best collectively and individually to help each student achieve success in their education at the school."