Our instructors are the best of the best.  They are caring, supportive, concerned about the welfare of all students, knowledgeable about their subject matter, work extremely well with parents, and genuinely are excited about the work that they do in UWF’s Explore Summer Programs.

Needless to say, the safety of your child is our number one priority, and we take pride in our outstanding reputation in providing a very safe and most enjoyable program experience for your child. Our staff is full of energy and driven to provide motivating curriculum choices for you and your child.

All year long, our staff works diligently to provide UWF's Explore Summer Programs. Our staff is full of outstanding instructors including UWF professors, Center Directors, certified and “highly qualified” teachers from Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, as well as UWF graduate students and community professionals.

Everyone in the Explore Summer Program staff has a thorough background check at the time of their assignment.  Again, we do our utmost to provide a safe and fun environment for your child!

Meet our Program Instructors:

Lauren Baugus, Gulf Breeze Middle School, Santa Rosa County

Summer Program: Elementary Movie Maker

Lauren Baugus has been teaching middle school for three years.  During the 2008-2009 school year, she was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year for Gulf Breeze Middle School.  Lauren is an eighth grade language arts teacher at Gulf Breeze Middle School, and is responsible for special programs like the school spelling bee, poetry night, and school book club.  She believes that language arts is a crucial subject area that requires the skills from many other subjects to come together.  Reading, writing, speaking, and publishing are all essential parts of Lauren’s classroom.  In addition, Lauren includes a technology component to her classes, since technological skill will be crucial for students’ future success. Lauren has her MA in English literature from Florida State University and her BA in English from the University of South Alabama.

Julie Berry, Hellen Caro Elementary School, Escambia County School District

Summer Program: Jr. Forensic Camp

Julie Berry has been teaching for 28 years. During the 2007-2008 school year, she was recognized as the Teacher of the Year for her school and one of the top five finalist for Escambia County. As the gifted coordinator and teacher of K-5th grade gifted students, she initiated and wrote the proposal to start the gifted program on the Westside of town. Berry has her Masters in Gifted Education and a B.A. in Communicative Disorders. She teaches UWF Gifted Endorsement courses to help classroom teachers get their Gifted Certification. Her passion is teaching her students and colleagues how to think creatively.

Cherie Chrisco, Pensacola High School, Escambia County School District

Summer Program: Science Quest

Cherie Chrisco has been an Escambia District teacher since 1994. Starting off as a science elementary teacher, she moved to high school in 2003. Her involvement with the University of West Florida’s Math and Science Camp began in 2001. Currently she teaches physical science, earth science and space science. During the 2007-2008 school year, she was recognized as Teacher of the year at Pensacola High School. In 2006, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Air Force Association Hulburt Field #398. In 2003, she was recognized as Master Teacher of the Year. With a M. Ed in curriculum and instruction and a BS in cellular and molecular biology, she is well rounded in the world of science!

Shelby Johnson, Johnson Construction of Pensacola Inc., President of Pensacola Firm

Summer Program: Construct This! Camp (4-6 Grades)

Shelby Johnson is a general contractor who has been serving the local community since 1994. His company specializes is renovations, additions, and historical renovations. He serves on the board of the Home Builders Association (HBA) Green Build Council promoting green construction techniques and education. He also serves on the board for the Bill Hargraves Family Fishing Rodeo which raises money to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House. Shelby is also a husband and father of an 18-year old son and a 7-year old daughter. Every chance he gets he enjoys camping and fishing with his family. This will be Shelby's second year teaching the Construct This! Camp. During the 2009 summer, he developed a curriculum around "building a bat house".

Kevin Kern, Department of Theater , University of West Florida

Summer Program: Shakespeare Company: Theatre Art Summer Workshop

Kevin is the Assistant Professor of Theatre at UWF, where he has received two awards: 2009 Outstanding Faculty Award and 2008 Distinguished Teaching Award. Some of the many courses he teaches focuses on Performance and Directing. He was Associate Artistic Director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, where he recently directed Shakespeare’s comedy "As You Like It". Kevin's most recent endeavor is providing The Pensacola Shakespeare Theatre. The first performance will take place August 2010.

Rachel Madril, Molino Park Elementary School, Escambia County School District

Summer Program: Passport to Writing

Rachel Madril has been teaching for 4 years. She graduated from Troy University with a B.A. in Elementary Education K-6. She is currently teaching 4th Grade Reading & Writing at Molino Park Elementary in Escambia County. She was previously a 6th grade Language Arts teacher for 2 years. She developed and taught UWF's Explore Summer Program Mysteries in the Library. This was a reading program during our 2008 season. Rachel has a love for teaching writing and she enjoys finding ways to make writing creative and fun for students of all ages!

Glenda Mayo, Department of Engineering and Computer Technology, University of West Florida

Summer Program: Construct This! Camp (1-3 Grades)

Glenda has been a full-time faculty member at UWF for years along with her active role in advising the college students. From 2004-2008 she served as the Associate Director of Construction Planning for the Department of Architectural and Engineering Services. She has taught coursework in building codes, construction administration, and estimating. She spearheaded the initiative to create the BEST House, a demonstration house to be built on the UWF campus that will serve as a centerpiece of research, application, and trends in the construction profession and industry. Glenda is also a mother of 2 elementary age children and has taught Construction Camp for a total of three years.

Penny Moore, Avalon Middle School, Santa Rosa County School District

Summer Program: Elementary Robotics Camp

Penny is currently a 6th grade Earth/Space science teacher.  She has been on the faculty of Avalon Middle since 2003.  In 2008 she was Teacher of the Year.  From 2003-2006 she was a coach for the school’s Science Olympiad team; from 2006-2009 she was Avalon Middle’s Robotics team sponsor; and since 2009 she is the 6th grade’s coordinator for career day.  Penny headed up the development of the curriculum for the 2009 Elementary Robotics Summer Camp.  She earned her B.S. in leisure service with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of South Alabama; decided to complete requirements for becoming a teacher and has been teaching since 2000—and loving every minute.  With a 7 and 9 year old she stays very active all year long.

Kylie Murray, Walt Whitman Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools

Summer Program: Shakespeare Company: Theatre Art Summer Workshop

Kylie currently teaches 7th and 8th grade Theatre Arts just outside of Washington, D.C. She previously taught middle school theatre in Arizona. Kylie enjoyed three years of touring around the U.S., Canada, and Europe with the Missoula Children's Theatre where she directed students in kindergarten through 12th grade. She has also had the pleasure of working and performing with the Kingsman Shakespeare Company education program. She earned her M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University and her B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Chapman University. Kylie is thrilled to be back at UWF this summer, and is looking forward to sharing her love of theatre with new and returning students.