Fern Creek Elementary Staff D

Staff D—L

	Peggy Donovan - School Psychologist: Ms. Donovan graduated from the University of SouthFlorida with a BS in Behavior Disorders. She also earned a degree from the University of Central Florida in School Psychology. Ms. Donovan is a Nationall Board Certified teacher. Additionally she has certifications in Elmentary Education, Gifted and ESOL. Ms. Donovan attended Jack Harvey Elementary in Sterling Heights, Florida. She enjoys learning, camping, sailing and any other outdoor activity. This is her 17th year in education and her 1st year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Kelly Duckworth - 4th Grade Teacher: Ms. Duckworth graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Elementary Education. She also has the 300 hour endorsement in ESOL. Ms. Duckworth is originally from Rhode Island but moved to Florida at ten years of age. She attended Mirror Lake Elementary in Ft. Lauderdale. She enjoys swimming, travel and the beach. This is her 10th year of teaching and her 10th year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Brenda Friedman - Lakeside Counselor Ms. Friedman graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a BA. She also has her Masters from Troy State University. Ms. Friedman is originally from Mapleton, Maine where she attended Mableton Elementary. She enjoys jewelery making and playing with her grand children. This is her 3rd year with OCPS and her 2nd year at Fern Creek.

	Brian Griffin - Lead Custodian: Mr. Griffin is an important part of the Fern Creek family. He is a native of Orlando. Mr. Griffin attended Lake Como Elementary. He enjoys golfing, fishing and historic trains. Mr. Griffin has been with OCPS for over 24 years. This is his 23rd year at Fern Creek. You can email him at

	Brenda Hankinson - Social Worker: Mrs. Hankinson graduated from Florida State University with a Master's Degree in Social Work. She attended elementary school in California and Hawaii as her father was in the Navy. She enjoys gardening, reading, Orlando Magic games and spending time with her new granddaughter. This is her 24th year in education and her 13th year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Keri Hefferin - Behavioral Specialist: Ms. Sapp graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Exceptional Education: Mentally Handicapped K-12. She also has her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University. Ms. Sapp also has her ESOL certification. She is a Florida native and attended Aloma Elementary right here in Orlando. She enjoys exercise, mountain biking, swimming and surfing the web. This is her 9th year in education and 8th year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Kara Herbert - Music Teacher: Mrs. Herbert graduated from the State University of New York @ Fredonia with a BM in Music Performance. She is also certified as a Kindermusik Teacher & is a member of MENC and MTNA. Mrs. Herbert is originally from Buffalo, New York. She attended Sunset Elementary in Glendale, Arizona. Mrs. Herbert enjoys hiking, skiing, travel, playing the piano and spending time with her husband and son. You can email her at

	Shanita Highland - 4th & 5th VE Teacher: Mrs. Highland graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Exceptional Education. She also has her 300 hour ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Highland is from Cocoa, Florida and attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Rockledge. She enjoys reading, dancing and hiking. This is her 5th year in education and 5th year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Kathi Holt - Staffing Coordinator: Ms. Holt graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Pyschology. Additionally she has an Exceptional Education endorsement. She is from Waco, Texas but attended Engelwood Elementary right here in Orlando. She enjoys gardening, reading, photography and stained glass. This is her 32nd year in education and 10th year at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	"Coach" Ronald Jones - Physical Education Teacher: Mr. Jones graduated from Florida A&M with a BS in Health and Physical Education. Coach Jones has endorsements in Adaptive Physical Education and Driver Education. He is a rare Florida Native and attended Phyllis Wheatly Elementary in Apopka. He enjoys table tennis, music and sports. Coach Jones is a veteran teacher with most of his career spent with Fern Creek. You can email him at

	Lindsay Kennedy - 2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Kennedy graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Elementary education. She is originally from Merritt Island, Florida where she attended Palm Chapel School. Ms. Kennedy enjoys cooking, reading, photography, travel and being with family & friends. This is her 5th year of teaching and her 2nd year at Fern Creek. You can email her at:

	Loretta Leahy - School Nurse: Mrs. Leahy is from Springfield, Illinois where she attended Douglas Elementary. She has worked as a Hospital Insurance Agent and a Health Assistant at Lee Middle School. Mrs. Leahy is a Certified Nurse Assistant and Insurance Agent. She enjoys bowling, golf, movies and fishing. This is her 7th year with OCPS with 6.5 years at Fern Creek. You can email her at

	Mary J. Lewis - 4th Grade Teacher: Ms. Lewis graduated from Florida A&M University with a BA in Elementary Education. Currently she is working on her ESOL Endorsement. She is originally from Bayboro, South Carolina. Ms. Lewis enjoys reading, making beaded jewelry and collecting recipes. This is her 7th year of teaching and her 2nd year at Fern Creek. You can email her at