ABOUT US

Welcome to SPARK!

What is SPARK!?

SPARK! is a trendy family enrichment center that offers innovative learning and fun activities for the entire family. With an impressive listing of enrichment activities and classes for preschool, homeschool, afterschool, and adults, SPARK! consistently achieves its mission by delivering diverse, exciting, and novel educational programs to students and their families using a “one-stop-shop” approach.

The wide variety of classes at SPARK! allows each student to customize their education. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just contact us. Our goal is to meet the community’s supplemental educational needs.

SPARK! employs certified and Montessori-trained teachers who engage students in learning activities. We also utilize adjunct instructors who have attained a high level of expertise in many academic areas.

Classes… And More!

In addition to classes, SPARK! also provides tutoring, birthday parties, scout classes and more.

For the homeschooling community, SPARK! provides many additional services, such as year-end evaluations and testing. Regardless of the occasion, SPARK! provides a family-friendly environment that promotes learning, sharing and having fun.

Our goal is to create a warm and caring atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Our commitment to the community is to provide a safe, enriching environment where families can learn through experience, participation and fun! SPARK! Family Enrichment Center is thrilled to have received such a warm and enthusiastic response from all the families we have encountered since opening our doors. We are grateful and thankful for this opportunity to serve the community!

SPARK! is dedicated to the community. We do not want cost to keep anyone from walking through our doors. Therefore, we offer many flexible options such as multi-class discounts, sibling discounts and bartering. (Parents volunteer their talents for discount classes). Call us for more information.

We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover, Cash, Checks  and PayPal.

Staff

The staff at SPARK! is dedicated to serving the family enrichment needs of the Central Florida community.

All of our highly qualified staff are background-checked and fingerprinted to ensure that your child will receive the best instruction possible. We want to see every child succeed!

Marybeth DeLeonardis – Founder - marybeth@sparkec.net

Marybeth created the concept for SPARK! Family Enrichment Center. She is a former business development executive and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in high-paced environments (logistics and food industries). She has launched various successful small businesses, and now brings her experience in children instruction in academic settings to SPARK!.

Denise Archilla – Share Holder - denise@sparkec.net

Denise Archilla earned a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education at Auburn University including a double major in Biology and Health Education. She continued her education at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1990, with a Masters of Social Work (MSW). She worked in pediatric medical settings, including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children and Johns Hopkins, for over 10 years. She also earned her Montessori Certification for grades 1-3 and taught for several years. She employs many of the basic tenets of her educational and personal philosophy in teaching by allowing children to work at their own pace, utilizing sensory, hands-on instruction, and empowering children toward success by promoting self-esteem.

Catriona Sherwin - Office Manager - Catriona@sparkec.net

Once her husband’s career was firmly established, Catriona left the world of retail management to finish her degree at UCF. She graduated with a BA in Radio/Television Communication, and worked for years in the central Florida TV news market. Now she brings her organizational skills to Spark!’s bustling environment. And she envies the kids who get to take Miss Fabiola’s art classes every week!

Tiffany Desabrais  - Tiffany@sparkec.net

SPARK! MAKERS (Teachers and Administration)

Alberts, Michael

Aten, Susan BA, MA  (Academic Advisor, Curriculum Development) 

Suzi Aten earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Sacramento in Liberal Studies and Mathematics, and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.  She has extensive training in math and science as well as a background in art and theatre.  Her degree in Liberal Studies has qualified her to teach a myriad of subjects.  She has taught for 3 years in a diverse area of California.  She believes that there is no “one size fits all” approach to education and that students should be encouraged to explore many different strategies for learning.  She believes that all students should be given the opportunity to experience enriching activities so that they may have the opportunity to excel.  In addition to her background in education, she has over 18 years experience working in theatre,  has worked for a local designer as the head seamstress and assistant designer, has over 10 years experience as a henna artist, and practices eco-artistry.

Bolton, Kevin (Homework Lab, Photography, Research Writing, Latin)

Kevin has worked as a contracted photographer, post-production editor, and post-production artist during the last six years. Kevin is a member of Professional Photographers of America and Florida Professional Photographers and is certified as an Underwater Photographer. He has been photographing for 14 years and began his work in post-production 10 years ago when he started editing for his high school yearbook staff as the Editor-in-Chief of Photography.

In addition, Kevin began participating in Forensic Speaking in middle school. He immersed himself in Policy Debate at The Master’s Academy, where he led the Varsity Debate Team as the team captain to over 10 state and regional wins and was awarded Degree of Distinction, Degree of Excellence, Degree of Merit, and Degree of Honor by the National Forensic League. His six years of Latin, formal writing and public speaking later helped him attain his B.A. in Psychology at Flagler College, where he participated in Students in Free Enterprise in a National Exposition, qualifying as runner-up.

Brecht, Kelly (Math Tutor)

Education major at the University of Central Florida.  Minor in Math Education and have taken College Algebra, College Trigonometry, Statistical Methods I, Statistical Methods II, Calculus I, and Calculus II

Colwell, Matt  (Clarinet, Sax, Flute)

Matt is currently enrolled in a Masters Program at UCF for Higher Educational Leadership studying music as well as Community College Education. Matt received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from UCF. He earned a music scholarship and while attending school he won the school’s Performance Excellence award was a finalist in the schools Concerto competition and played in many ensemble including the Jazz band, Wind Ensemble and Saxophone Quartet. After graduating he worked for Carnival Cruise Lines for two years where he performed nightly for hundreds of guests in various shows. He performed many styles while working for Carnival including Jazz, Rock, R&B, Funk and Dixieland. Matt has been playing saxophone for over 16 years and has extensive performing experience on Flute and Clarinet.

Czerkaski, Danica (Tutor, Piano)

Danica is a Florida-certified K-6 elementary teacher, and has also received an ESOL endorsement and reading certification. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education from Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida. Throughout her undergraduate experience, Danica worked in a variety of classrooms and schools, completing practicum hours and assignments. Danica completed a 14-week intensive internship at R.B. Hunt Elementary, where she facilitated, planned, and taught a fifth-grade class of twenty-two students. Danica is also proficient in reading and performing piano music. She began lessons with a home teacher for two years, and was then trained at the Raleigh Conservatory of Music in Raleigh, North Carolina. She performed in numerous recitals and also competed annually in the NCMTA’s auditions at Meredith College. Danica has also had professional work and volunteer experience with children, including several years working at the Wake County Special Olympics, helping facilitate after-school homework labs, and summer camp. Most recently, Danica is volunteering at Rainbow Elementary with Victoria Lammers, conducting and proctoring DIBBELS and other diagnostic reading tests.

De La Rosa, Catherine (Spanish and General Tutoring)

Dilsner, Paul (Physics, Life Science, Chemistry, Math Tutoring)

Paul Dilsner graduated from the State University of New York with a Bachelor of Science in Physics Engineering. He has worked as a professor at Seminole State College teaching Electronics courses. He has also taught high school Physics, Chemistry, and Math. Since his retirement, he has been working with a Christian organization helping to train people to find work.

Dwyer, Keenan (Tutor)

Student at the University of Central Florida. Formerly majored in Mathematics, currently majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. Courses taken include: Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Matrix and Linear Algebra, Stat Methods I, Stat Theory I, and Logic and Proof in Mathematics.

Emery, Tanya (Trumpet)

Tanya began her college career as a music education major at Valencia Community College where she studied under Dr. Larry Weed, and Mr. John Almeida.  While at Valencia, she also taught private trumpet lessons. After receiving her AA degree, Tanya won a music scholarship to the University of Florida, and studied there under Professor Joyce Davis for one year before transferring to UCF. While at UCF, she decided that the one subject she loved more than trumpet was child development, so she changed her major to early childhood education. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach trumpet lessons again, and is extremely excited about joining the Spark Community!

Grier, Michael (Guitar, Piano, Drums, Voice, Keyboard)

Michael attended Leesburg High School where his love of music began.  He was a member of the Jazz band and received honors and recognition for his abilities as a guitar player.  Michael applied to Berkley as well as University of Florida Music Program where he was accepted at both.  Michael was offered the high honor of a four year scholorship to be in the UF Jazz Program.

However, he reached for the stars and grabbed one when his Indie band signed with a Label.  Music became his career. He left his formal education and had the great opportunity to open up for national acts from the likes of The Wildflowers and Edwin McCain.   Michael continues now to search for further knowledge and increase his musical awareness daily. Michael began performing at weddings in 2007 and often can be seen around town performing his own music.

At Spark Family Enrichment Center Michael teaches guitar (acoustic and electric) to all age ranges and he focuses on his students unique interests as to encourage thier enthusiasm.  He also teaches Speech-Level Singing, a unique approach to singing that encourages the singer to discover their own voice in the most natural and comfortable way possible…often expanding their range over an octave or more!

Hansen, Fabiola (Art)

Fabiola Hansen was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She graduated in Brazil with a BA in Cinematography. Fabiola has studied art in the United States, Brazil, and Italy. She moved to Florida in 1996 to pursue a career in Art Education. She has earned her degree at the University of Central Florida and became a certified art teacher.

Haskins, Robb (Earth/Space Science,General Tutoring, Rocket Club, Piano, Voice)

An Ohio native, Robb comes to SPARK! sporting a diverse background in the arts and science. Having earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music from Wittenburg University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, respectively, Robb had an active performing, directing and teaching career for over 20 years. However, being a life-long “arm chair astronaut” and high-power model rocketry enthusiast, Robb began following a different calling and turned his focus from music to aerospace science education in 2008. As a result, he currently serves as a 1^st Lieutenant with the US Air Force’s volunteer auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, where he teaches aerospace education both within CAP and the community at large. The winner of CAP’s Aerospace Education Officer of the Year Award in 2009, Robb is excited to bring aerospace science to SPARK!’s students, while helping turn SPARK! into a quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, & math) institution.

Ikegami, Lisa (Architecture, Art and Violin)

Lisa Ikegami holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Florida.  She enjoyed a career in that field for over 20 years with several firms in the Central Florida area, designing and managing a wide variety of notable commercial projects.  Her experience is very vast and includes such areas as educational, medical, retail, governmental and theme parks facilities, with clients ranging from private investors to governmental institutions to Walt Disney World.  While working as an architect Lisa studied violin performance for 14 years beginning at age 30 and achieving many honors and awards in competition She now performs with the Maitland Symphony Orchestra.

Although her degree was in architecture, her upbringing and much of her college career was influenced by her natural tendency toward expression in the fine arts.  Three years ago Lisa chose to refocus her career to fine art and teaching, creating a large body of work in her private studio which was received with wonderful reviews throughout central Florida in local shows and galleries.  Lisa’s extensive understanding of architecture and the fine and performing arts has inspired her to focus her energy into a teaching career where her students find her passion and excitement in these areas contagious.

Jeanis, Kaitlyn (Math and Chemistry Tutor)

Kaitlyn Jeanis is an Environmental Engineering student at the University of Central Florida who volunteers her time to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Engineers Without Borders. She believes that education is of the utmost importance for both individuals and society as a whole.  Kaitlyn is consistently searching for new ways to explain and supplement material in hopes that students will have a stronger foundation as they pursue their future endeavors. She hopes to use her knowledge and experience to help others become successful and confident in the material they are attempting to master.

Kent, Matt (Drums)

Matt is Texas state-certified in instrumental music, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of North Texas. Having taught for 2 years at King High School (5A) in Corpus Christi, Texas, as an assistant band director, Matt’s primary duties being a percussion specialist at the high school and coordinating percussion studies at the feeder middle schools. Recent professional activity has been working with the band Shadow Cabinet, a working cover band that is developing original material. Matt has also played at The  Treasure Tavern, as well as performing in a Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute called Texas Flood. Matt has extensive experience working full-time on cruise ships traveling the world as a drummer and music director, playing and reading a variety of styles as well as playing click-track production shows. Some of the cruise lines he’s sailed with included Holland America, Renaissance, Disney, and Crystal. With his professional experience as a teacher, performer and bandleader, Matt brings a unique and valuable experience to his students and to SPARK!

Kovacs, Molly (Tutor)

Molly is a student in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida. She is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. She has been a camp counselor for the past seven years and has a passion for working with children. She loves being a student and learning new information. Her goals for the future include entering veterinary school and studying to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

McCallister, Gretchen (Evaluation, Testing, Tutoring, Academic Advisor)

Gretchen has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education,  certified in the state of Florida for grades Pre-K3-6th (Elementary Education), K-12 (Exceptional Education), and 7-12 (Consumer Science). Gretchen has worked in the field of education for 30 years, teaching preschool and  elementary grades, in public and private schools.  Gretchen is currently an instructor at Seminole State College, where I teach courses in the Early Childhood and Education Departments.  Gretchen believes that children are a wonderful way to start people!  Their enthusiasm, optimism, curiosity and honesty are what has kept her  inspired to teach for so long.  Gretchen believes  that every child can learn and that every child should be excited about learning. As a teacher, she enjoys using as many strategies, techniques and materials as are needed, to help the children comprehend the topics and concepts. She adapts learning materials to fit the individual needs of each child, and  listens very carefully to what children are saying.  She has enormous respect for the abilities and innate “goodness’ of children, and  that is reflected in her teaching.  Gretchen is a mother of six children (in a blended family), so has a great deal of “practical” experience too!

Miller, Mason (Guitar, Bass, Piano, Keyboard, Drums, Voice, Music Theory)

-Mason is a bright and smiling bundle of positivity! He is currently working towards his A.S. Degree in music performance and is teaching classes of children how to play his favorite instrument (the guitar) in an after school program called “music after school”. He currently has 8 years of musical training, which includes: Music theory, guitar, singing, drums, keyboards, bass and rocking out! He is doing all this and is only 22 years old!

Narva-Wills, Lisa (Architecture, Music Appreciation, Creative Writing, General Tutoring)

Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Humanities as well as a Minor in History from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Since then she has received Certification in Elementary Education, K-6; Exceptional Student Education, K-12; and Certification in Social Science, 6-12. From 2002 until 2004, Lisa worked as a Teacher’s Aide at University High School in Orange County before moving on to Eastbrook Elementary School to work as a Teaching Assistant in 2005. Within the next six months she was promoted to a teaching position at the school. In 2008, Lisa began teaching grades 3, 4, and 5 at Little River Elementary School then grades 1-5 at Spring Lake Elementary School in 2009.

Omens, Sharon (Piano, Voice)

Sharon Omens is a highly gifted musician who has been giving lessons in schools and privately for over 30 years. She received a full scholarship to Immaculate Heart College where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree. She has also received a Certificate of Music Therapy and has used that to provide therapeutic relief for people with special needs.

Omens, Molly (afterschool) 

Molly Omens has been volunteering at Spark! since 2009. She is currently attending Lake Howell High School and is in her junior year. She is an honors student and has been one since sixth grade in middle school. She is also a striving basketball star and always puts forth tremendous effort into anything she commits herself to.

Ortiz, Maritza (Spanish tutoring)

Rodriguez, Heather (Harp, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Sax)

Shaddeau, Karen (IEW Instructor)

Titus, Alexandra (Elementary Math-College, PSAT Prep, SAT Prep,)

Calculus 2, Calculus 3, Differential Equations, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry,Probability, Statistics, Trigonometry

 PSAT scores were in the top 0.1% in the country, and  SAT scores were among the top twenty in Rhode Island.

Alexandra is a Rhode Island native currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance at the University of Central Florida with the Burnett Honors College. She is also completing Mathematics and Psychology minors. She has extensive experience tutoring students in mathematics from the early elementary levels through the calculus series. Alexandra also spent a year interning with a high school sophomore Algebra 1 and Geometry class. Working with the large thirty-student high school class taught her how to individualize her approach to teaching and to always present new material in multiple ways to ensure a greater understanding. She also participated in the Junior Achievement program, educating elementary school students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. She is very passionate about education and mathematics in particular, and is excited to be working with the Spark students!

Torres, Danielle

Vache, Vanessa (Clarinet, Piano, Saxophone, Recorder)

Vanessa Vache is a highly talented musician who plays clarinet, saxophone, piano and recorder. She received her Masters Degree from The Juilliard School of Music and her Bachelors Degree from The Manhattan School of Music, before that.  She also has a Certificate of  Teaching from the University of Central Florida. She has taught in elementary schools, high schools, and Rollins College.

Velazquez, Rene (American Sign Language)

Rene’s education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech and Hearing Disorders from UCF, with strong focus on American Sign Language. Becoming close friends with a deaf student, she was constantly involved in the Deaf community. She worked for over four years with Audiologists in the hearing aid industry, helping the hard-of-hearing find the right assistance for their particular situation.  With strong leadership and organizational skills, Rene’ became Customer Service Manager where she trained employees and implemented processes to streamline communication among departments.  During this time she discovered both of her parents are hearing impaired, which fueled her passion to help others.  She then taught Sign Language part time for years, and is enthusiastic with a unique perspective on communication.  Currently a homeschooling mother and Spark! Maker, Rene’ is thrilled to share her love of the Language by teaching families at Spark!.

Ware, Kenna- AP (Sewing Instructor)

Kenna has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Jacksonville University in Theatre with a minor in History.  In our community, she is an Acupuncture Physician who works locally. Kenna is a Jane of All Trades when it comes to creativity and teaching. For the last seven years she was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for a local troop and has extensive knowledge in working with children and adults. For two years she homeschooled her two young children until they were ready for middle school. She has taught for over twenty years in a variety of subjects ranging from theatre, basket weaving, sewing, arts & crafts, history, English, creative writing, scrapbooking, and numerous acupuncture related subjects.  Kenna is excited to be a part of Spark! and share her enthusiasm and skills.

Gillian, Ware (afterschool helper)

Gillian is a sophomore at Oviedo High and loves being an Oviedo Lion. She is currently learning how to drive and working on her courses next year as a junior. Her enthusiasm and good nature is what makes her a great Spark! member. She loves working with children and is patient and caring

Wilkie, Margaret (French, General Tutoring)

Margaret is well educated, with a Bachelors degree from Florida State, a Masters Degree from the University of Central Florida, and a PhD from Nova Southeastern. Her experience teaching in a variety of environments, from The Institute for Reading Development to South Florida Community College, is evident in her enthusiastic teaching practices with students of all ages. She is a Florida Certified teacher as well, and she looks forward to teaching French in a creative and thought inspiring way!