12 Lee County Schools Welcome New Leaders: Meet the Principal Lineup

New Leadership in Lee County Schools for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

As the new school year begins on August 11, several schools in Lee County are welcoming new leaders to guide their educational journeys. This year, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and the Success Academy have appointed new principals. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student success.

Gulf Elementary School: Dr. Jessica Duncan

Dr. Jessica Duncan is starting her 31st year in education, having worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She moved to Lee County in 2002 and has served as an ESE teacher, assistant principal, Director of ESE, and Executive Director of Student Services. Dr. Duncan has also completed training to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, which has been instrumental in her work with various student populations. She is excited to return as the principal at Gulf Elementary, where she previously worked as a teacher.

J. Colin English Elementary School: Misty Smyrnios

Misty Smyrnios is proud to serve as the principal of J. Colin English Elementary School. With a passion for education and student success, she brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to building “learners for life.” Her career has been centered in Lee County, Florida, where she has held various teaching and leadership roles. Most recently, she served as a principal in North Florida before returning to Lee County with renewed dedication to leading J. Colin English Elementary into its next chapter of growth and excellence.

Lehigh Elementary School: Jessica Stafford

Jessica Stafford brings over a decade of educational experience to Lehigh Elementary School, having served as a Kindergarten teacher, ESE middle school teacher, and assistant principal for five years. She implemented a school-wide "Walk to Read" intervention model providing targeted literacy support for K-5 students and is a strong advocate for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Known for mentoring staff members who have advanced into leadership roles, she prioritizes family partnerships and community involvement to strengthen school relationships.

Manatee Elementary School: Kristine Calcara

Kristine Calcara serves as Interim Principal of Manatee Elementary, where she began her education career in 2012. She played a key role in helping the school move from BSI status to a B grade by 2019 and again as Assistant Principal in 2023-2024, helping raise the school grade from a D to a high C. Her leadership experience spans middle and high school levels, including Varsity Lakes Middle and Immokalee High, where she led cultural and academic improvements, earned the highest attendance award in Collier County, and reduced discipline referrals among 2,200 students.

Mirror Lakes Elementary School: Teri-Ann Petrekin

Teri-Ann Petrekin brings 14 years of educational experience to her role as Principal of Mirror Lakes Elementary, having served as assistant principal at the school for the past 4.5 years. She began her career as a classroom teacher and has gained 7 years of experience in school administration. A proud Lee County Schools graduate, she earned her bachelor's degree in special education from Florida Gulf Coast University and her master's degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is committed to cultivating a safe and nurturing learning environment focused on student achievement and academic excellence.

Rayma C. Page Elementary School: Jennifer Shonak

Jennifer Shonak is thrilled to join Rayma C. Page Elementary as principal, bringing 25 years of dedicated service in the Lee County School District. A proud graduate of Penn State University and Nova Southeastern University, she has cultivated a deep understanding of educational excellence and student support throughout her career. Starting as a Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Shonak quickly became known for her passion for her students' success and well-being. She has been an intervention specialist, district administrator for parent communication, and district volunteer coordinator and assistant principal.

Tortuga Preserve Elementary: Lisa Thomas

Lisa Thomas brings 30 years of educational experience to Tortuga Preserve Elementary, including 21 years as a classroom teacher, 2 years as a district Literacy Specialist, and 7 years as an administrator. Her diverse teaching background spans every grade level from Pre-K to High School, including experience as a Montessori teacher across Primary, Elementary, and Secondary levels. Her career began in the high Arctic of Canada, teaching Inuit children whose primary language was Inuttitut, which established her expertise in literacy and language acquisition that remains central to her instructional approach.

Lemuel Teal Middle School: Melissa Layner

Melissa Layner brings 30 years of educational experience to Lemuel Teal Middle School, having begun her career at Lehigh Acres Middle School teaching a self-contained ESE classroom. With a bachelor's degree in English Education from FSU and leadership degree from FGCU, she has served at eight schools throughout the district as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Her administrative experience includes leadership roles at East Lee County High School, South Fort Myers High School, and Bonita Springs Middle School. She now leads a growing population of 1,100+ students and oversees the soon-to-be-opened black box theater shared with neighboring Veteran's Park Academy for the Arts.

Trafalgar Middle School: Kristina Morgan

Kristina Morgan is the principal of Trafalgar Middle School in Cape Coral, Florida. A proud graduate of the Lee County School District and alumna of Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, Kristina is deeply committed to serving the community that shaped her. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Stetson University. With over 15 years of educational experience, she has held roles as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, district coordinator, and school principal.

South Fort Myers High School: Vincent Lewis

Vincent Lewis serves as Principal of South Fort Myers High School, bringing extensive educational leadership experience across multiple roles. A 1998 graduate of Moore Haven High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport/Business Management from Hampton University in 2002 and completed his Master of Educational Leadership from FGCU in 2018. His career progression includes classroom teaching in ESE Resource, Math, Science, and Language Arts, followed by roles as Technology & Edgenuity Instructor, Safety & Security Supervisor, Intervention Support Specialist, Restorative Justice Coordinator, and Dean of Students.

Success Academy: Dr. Joseph Restino

Dr. Joseph Restino brings 12 years of school-based administrative experience to Success Academy, where he oversees the district's Special Centers including Success Academy, YPEP, Jail, DJJ, and Vince Smith Center. A former Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Restino previously served as Principal of Lemuel Teal Middle School, leading the school to achieve the highest middle school gains in Lee County history with 110 points while clearing all ESSA Subgroup categories. He has also maintained full staffing for three consecutive years.

Treeline Elementary: Jill Cooke

Jill Cooke brings 25 years of educational experience to Treeline Elementary as a lifelong Lee County resident and proud graduate of the Lee County School District. A University of Florida graduate, she has served as a classroom teacher, teacher leader, district coordinator, and assistant principal. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal of Curriculum at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, where she was named the 2024 Lee County Assistant Principal of the Year. Her focus centers on developing teacher leaders and creating supportive school cultures where everyone feels valued and inspired.