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:
Deborah Cross, Wright Elementary, Okaloosa County
Summer Program: Science Quest 1st-3rd Grade
Debbie has been teaching in Okaloosa for more than 28 years. She has extensive knowledge in exceptional education, K-8th grade and talented and gifted classes. Currently she is the 3rd-5th grade talented and gifted teacher at Wright Elementary in Project Child. She holds a BA in elementary education and early childhood with a MA in administration. She also holds her National Board Certificate in intermediate education. After receiving her gifted endorsement certification, she is now working on her ESOL and reading endorsements. Additionally, she has training in T.O.O.L.S in science and aviation training at the Armament Museum. During 1991, at Silver Sands School, she won recognition for Teacher of the Year.
Megan Tucker, Kenwood Elementary School, Okaloosa County
Summer Program: Aviation Fascination 4th-6th Grade
Megan Tucker is currently a fourth grade science teacher and the science committee chair at Kenwood Elementary. She previously taught summer science enrichment camp at her elementary school and is gifted certified. She recently earned her National Board Certification in Middle Childhood. In 2007, she was Kenwood’s Teacher of the Year. She also earned the distinction of being the Elementary Teacher of the Year 2008 for the Hurlburt #398 Chapter of the Air Force Association. She was one of six teachers selected nationwide to attend the America’s Teachers Program at a conference held by the National Training and Simulation Association. Megan has also been a coach for Odyssey of the Mind for the past five years. She has done many activities related to aviation and aerospace. In the summer of 2008, she attended Educator Space Camp in Huntsville. She also works closely with the CHOICE Aviation Institute at Choctawhatchee High School, teaches workshops on aviation and has seamlessly integrated aviation and aerospace into her elementary curriculum.
