Abess Park Elementary

ESE Team

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Ms. Adkins (Resource)

My name is Debra (Debbie) Adkins and I am so thrilled to be teaching here at Abess Park! I am an Exceptional Education teacher and I am currently providing services to some of our students.  I look forward to spending many more years teaching and learning from the faculty and students of Abess.

 I am originally from Concord, California which is located in the Bay Area. I met my husband who was stationed in Alameda, California on the USS Enterprise. We spent a short while in Virginia Beach, Virginia before we moved to Jacksonville. We have been here since 1990.  My husband is now retired from the navy and we have decided to make Jacksonville our permanent home. We have four wonderful sons, who keep our lives quite busy with the different sports they are involved in. We are also active within our church community.

When I do have some down time, I love to watch movies, make jewelry, read a good book, and fish. I live for surf fishing!!!

You can contact Ms. Adkins at: adkinsd@duvalschools.org

Ms. Beaman (Autistic Kind. - 2nd grade)

        Thanks for checking out our wonderful teachers here at Abess Park! I am one of the lucky teachers to work everyday with such an awesome team and the best students in town! This is my fourth year working at Abess in the Autism Program. I currently teach Kindergarten, First and Second grade; each one of my students are very special to me and I take great pride in helping them achieve their goals.

        Although I have only been teaching for four years I have many years experience working with children in therapeutic settings and recreational settings. I have a Bachelors Degree in Studio Art from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Art Therapy from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

        I have two boys, Curtis 5 years old and Ian is 2. My husband Joel, also an artist and teacher. He teaches at Jacksonville Community College and is an Installer for California Closets. We have one cat that we love very much, her name is Jolie.

        You can contact Ms. Beaman at: beamans@duvalschools.org

Ms. Fair (Autistic - 4 year olds)

        Hello! My Name is Katie Fair and I teach a pre-kindergarten class of students in the Autism program. This is my third year teaching at Abess Park and I am proud to be part of such a wonderful and encouraging team. I love coming to work everyday and watching the children in my class progress with such enthusiasm. They are an absolute joy! 

        You can contact Ms. Fair at: fairm@duvalschools.org

Ms. Harris (Autistic - 3 year olds)

        Hello, I'm Beverly Harris. It has been my pleasure to serve in the Autism Program at Abess Park Elementary for four years.  This year I am the prekindergarten teacher for three year old students on the Autism Spectrum, and students with Developmental Delays.  Although I have worked with ESE students and their parents in various capacities for many years, this experience has been particularly gratifying  for me because one can readily  see, and measure the impact of  a consistent and caring educational environment on a  three year old's  life. My students are exceptional in so many beautiful ways.  I love what I do and appreciate the opportunity to serve this community! I am fortunate to share each day's challenges with a great assistant, Denise Martinez. Her support and competence enhance each day for our students and me!

        In my leisure time I travel, read, play bid whist and enjoy professional tennis and music. ( I played tennis until my legs and arms began to creak. ) I am also a real movie buff. I embrace the company of  my family and good friends whenever possible.

        You can contact Ms. Harris at: harrisbl@duvalschools.org

Ms. Koci (Autistic Site Coach)

 You can contact Ms. Koci at: kocij@duvalschools.org

Ms. Myers (Resource)

        My name is Becky Myers, and I am the VE Teacher for Kindergarten and 2nd grade here at Abess Park.  In 2000, I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in Communication with concentrations in interpersonal communication and public speaking.  After moving to Jacksonville in 2001, and working in corporate America for two years, I pursued my true passion, teaching students with disabilities.  While working towards my certification, I served as a Teacher at The North Florida School for Special Education for 5 years.  In 2006, I was lucky enough to be offered an ESE position here at Abess Park.  I truly enjoy my job, and the students and adults I have the pleasure of working with everyday.

        You can contact Ms. Myers at: myersr@duvalschools.org

 

Ms. Plass (Resource)

        Ms. Plass currently teaches 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students, providing extra services for those students in the VE classrooms here at Abess Park.

        You can contact Ms. Plass at: PlassK@duvalschools.org

Ms. Reinhold (Autistic 2nd - 5th grade)

    This is my second year at Abess Park and I am very excited to be here!  I work in the Autism unit and have a wonderful class of eight 2nd - 5th grade boys!!  Prior to working here I worked at a school near Boston, Ma. for kids with Autism ages 8 - 22.  I have only been in Jacksonville for about a year (although went to College in nearby Gainesville a few years back...Go Gators!), and I have enjoyed my time here thus far.  I look forward to getting to know the students, faculty and staff here at Abess Park!!

        You can contact Ms. Reinhold at: reinholdd@duvalschools.org

Ms. Sanford (Gifted Kind. - 5th Grade)

My name is Wendy Sanford and I am so happy to be here at Abess! I have been teaching at Abess Park Elementary since 1997, when Abess Park opened it's doors for the first year. I have been teaching elementary school children for a total of 19 years. Before teaching gifted, I worked as a 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classroom teacher at several elementary schools. I taught my first year in Miami -Dade County, at North Miami Elementary. I then moved to Jacksonville where I taught 3rd and 4th grade for 6 years at R.L. Brown Elementary. When we opened Abess Park, I was a 4th grade teacher. In 2001, when the previous gifted teacher retired, I started teaching the gifted classes at Abess.

My two children come with me to work each day. They get to come to school at the best school in town - Abess Park. My husband is an airline pilot, and enjoys traveling and flying the "big planes". Our many animals "family members" include 1 dogs, many many fish, a gerbil, and 2 turtles.

My favorite things to do on the weekends is to watch the Florida State Seminoles win, watch my children play sports and take pictures! When my children play sports, I take a lot of pictures that I then get to scrapbook. I love spending time with my family, reading and scrapbooking.

I started my education in Miami, going to my local elementary, middle and high school there. I went to Miami-Dade College (now Miami-Dade University) for two years before transferring to FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY  where I finished my Elementary Education degree. GO NOLES! In 1998 I went back to school to earn my Master's degree in Education from University of North Florida.   

You can contact Ms. Sanford at: sanfordw@duvalschools.org or check out her website at: http://new.schoolnotes.com/sanfordw/

 

Ms. Street (Autistic - 4 year olds)

    Ms. Street is currently teaching a pre-kindergarten class of students in the Autism program. This is her second year teaching at Abess Park. 

 You can contact Ms. Street at: StreetN@duvalschools.org

 

Ms. Thompson (Autistic - Kindergarten)

    Ms Thompson is currently teaching the Kindergarten Autistic students at Abess Park.

        You can contact Ms. Thompson at: thompsony@duvalschools.org