“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll learn.”
Lauren Fopp, Founder
Lauren Fopp, M.Ed. created Tampa Learning Co. (or TLC) in 2014. While working at a local private school, she realized that connecting with students on a different level than in a whole-class setting doesn’t just lead to better academic results - teaching a child HOW to learn, can have a lasting impact on their entire life.
Combined with her love of teaching, Lauren's expertise in brain-based learning, developmentally appropriate practices, KTAV learning styles and gifted education has led her down the path to create Tampa Learning Co.
Lauren has a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Early Childhood Specialization, a Gifted Teaching Endorsement from University of South Florida, and she has completed the Harvard School of Education Teaching for Understanding Course 1. With 19 years teaching experience at a leading private school in Tampa, she has extensive training in all aspects of teaching and how to effectively reach each individual child.
Meet our Learning Coaches
We are only as good as our Learning Coaches. That’s why we work with certified teachers who have both experience in the field and a rock-solid education in teaching. We feel that it is essential for them to not just understand what they are teaching, but also know how to teach the material.
All of these experienced professionals are catering to your child’s unique learning style. Effective teaching is an art form that our Learning Coaches are constantly striving to perfect.
Abby Sammons
Abby Sammons has a Bachelor of Science in Community Leadership and Development from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. This will be her third year teaching 5th grade in Hillsborough County. Abby holds a K-12 reading endorsement as well as a ESOL Endorsement. She has experience teaching all subject areas but currently teaches reading and science.
Abby is passionate about creating connections with all her students and encouraging them to find the best version of themselves through learning. She wants us students to know how important their voice is and just how to find it.
Alexa Speicher
Alexa Speicher has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from University of South Florida. She is going on her 10th year of teaching with Hillsborough County Public schools. She has taught grades third through fifth. She holds her gifted, ESOL and K-12 Reading Endorsement.
Alexa is passionate about literacy instruction and has extensive experience working with emergent readers. In addition to literacy, she enjoys integrating technology into lessons and has experience using many education platforms to engage students. When Alexa is not teaching, she is also a district trainer for Hillsborough County Schools.
Becky Fuller
Becky Fuller has a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration of American Sign Language Interpreting from the University of South Florida.
She is currently teaching 4th and 5th grade Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Becky is passionate about giving all of her students equal access to communication and advocating for her students needs.
In her free time, Becky enjoys spending time with her husband and three dogs.
Carly Salemme
Carly Salemme earned a Bachelor in Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Tampa. She then continued her passion by earning her Masters Degree in Education where she specialized in Curriculum and Instruction.
Her 8 years as an Elementary School Teacher has given her an extensive skill set including student-led learning, innovation and working with students of diverse needs. Carly taught at a Leader in Me school which empowered students to be leaders, equipping them with life skills and core values. She firmly believe there is no one-size fits all approach to learning, which is why she loves offering one on one support to help students reach their academic and personal goals.
Dana Pawlan
Dana Pawlan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from Indiana University in Bloomington. She then received her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESOL endorsement from National Louis University. Dana is going into her 8th year of teaching but is currently a 3rd grade teacher in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Dana is a passionate, flexible, and enthusiastic educator that creates positive, engaging learning experiences by building relationships with her students. She aims to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences for all of her learners and adapt to their learning style.
Faye Leach
Faye received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Wayne State College. She obtained certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities.
Faye has 9 years experience working with the Orton Guillingham program. She currently holds a certification in Elementary Education K-6 and Educational Leadership K-12 and is reading endorsed and ESOL endorsed for Grades K-12. With 20 years experience in grades K-12, she is also Reading Recovery Licensed and taught Reading Recovery in the district for 4 years. Currently, Faye is the Reading Resource Teacher/Reading Coach at Muller Elementary School. She is passionate about early literacy and giving students a solid foundation in phonemic awareness and phonics and enjoys working with students to create a positive learning environment with engaging lessons.
Heather Anderson
Heather has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She is a certified K-6 and VPK teacher in the state of Florida and currently teaches VPK at a local private school.
Her 10 years of experience as an educator in grades Pre-K through 5th grade have allowed her to to utilize different strategies, skills and support tools for a variety of learners. After deciding to leave the classroom in 2020 to raise her son, she was able to maintain her skill set through private tutoring at the request of former Kindergarten families and students.
Jacinda Michel
Jacinda Michel has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She has taught in Hillsborough County for 10 years. She has been evaluated as a Highly Effective Educator for 7 years.
Jacinda holds a K-12 Reading Endorsement, ESOL Endorsement and an Exceptional Student Education certification. During her time in the district, she has had the privilege to teach at 6 different schools including transformational schools. She has taught all subject areas in elementary, teaching experience in all grade levels and teaching experience working with students with varying exceptionalities.
Jasmine Shanteloo
Jasmine Shanteloo has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in African and African American
Studies from the University of South Florida. She has been in the educational field since 2006. She taught all subject areas in 3rd grade for 10 years, was previously a Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Professional Development Specialist, a HCPS instructional mentor to new teachers in the district’s highest needs schools and is currently a Mathematics Instructional Coach for HCPS.
She believes that all students can learn and deserve a teacher that makes learning fun and relevant. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Jillian Evans
Jillian Evans has a Bachelor in Science degree in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement from The University of Tampa. She has since taught for 7 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Jillian has taught both Kindergarten and 2nd Grade and has experience with students from all backgrounds and with various learning styles and abilities. Her area of expertise is in phonics and early reading skills.
When Jillian is not working with students she is spending time with her husband and two young boys.
Kat Edler
Kat Edler has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of South Florida. Her teaching career began in teaching PreK at The USF Preschool for Creative Learning. Upon graduating, she earned her teaching certificate through the ACP program. She has been teaching in Hillsborough County for 13 years in various diverse academic settings. She is currently an ESOL Resource Teacher at a local elementary school.
She has received extensive training in teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Her area of speciality is reading. Reading is a foundational skill that is essential for life long education.
Kayla Andux
Kayla Andux has a bachelor's degree of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and a master's degree in educational leadership from Saint Leo University. This will be her 10th year teaching grades 3-5. She is certified K-12 in Exceptional Student Education and holds her ESOL and K-12 Reading Endorsements.
Kayla is passionate about creating a positive and engaging learning environment for all students. She enjoys making learning interactive and meaningful. When she is not teaching, she enjoys traveling and art.
Kimberly Lindner
Kimberly Lindner has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She currently teaches all 3rd grade subjects and has been teaching in Hillsborough County for the past 10 years.
Kimberly holds a K-12 Reading Endorsement and ESOL Endorsement. She also has teaching experience and training in animal science, environmental science, and performing arts magnet schools working with diverse populations of students.
Kristeen Reape
Kristeen Reape has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She is currently in her eleventh year teaching with Hillsborough County Public Schools and is teaching third grade English Language Arts. Kristeen also has experience teaching VPK and fourth grade. She holds a K-12 Reading Endorsement as well as an ESOL Endorsement.
Kristeen is passionate about fostering a love of learning with her students. She works hard to build connections and help each student reach their full potential.
Meredith Hungerford
Meredith Hungerford has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education K-6 with a minor in ESOL from Saint Anselm College. Meredith is in her 7th year of teaching in Hillsborough County Public Schools. She has teaching and tutoring experience in all grades K-5, all subjects. She is currently teaching 2nd grade ELA.
Meredith finds passion in fostering students’ love for reading and learning new things. She strives to pass on a growth mindset and the “Power of Yet” to her students.
Sarah Davis
Sarah Davis is a seasoned educator with over 11 years of enriching teaching experience. She’s had the privilege of igniting a passion for learning in students and helping them succeed. Her approach revolves around cultivating a love for learning, building confidence, and adapting to the unique needs of each student. Whether it's navigating challenging subjects or enhancing skills for personal growth, Sarah is committed to guiding students on their educational path.
With a deep understanding of various learning styles and a proven track record of success, she’s here to create a positive and empowering learning experience.
Savannah Brotherton
Savannah Brotherton earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. This is Savannah’s second year teaching First Grade at Hillsborough County Public Schools in which she has gained experience in creating a differentiated & multi sensory educational experience for her students.
Savannah is passionate about providing a positive learning environment with engaging and diverse lessons that reach each unique type of learner.
Shalynda Carithers
Shalynda Carithers has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She is currently teaching 3rd grade math and science as well as 4th and 5th grade ELP (Extra Learning Period) throughout the school year and has been evaluated as an Highly Effective Educator.
Shalynda has taught all subjects areas in elementary but specializes in math and science. She also has years of "Leader in me" training based on Sean Covey's "7 Habits of Happy Kids," which provides practices for students to take control of there learning, set goals, and build their social emotional skills.
Stacy Velasquez
Stacy Velasquez has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of South Florida and received her teaching certification K-6 from the Educator’s Preparation Institute.
She holds her Gifted Endorsement and ESOL Endorsement. Stacy is currently teaching 2nd grade and has been teaching for Hillsborough County for 17 years. Her teaching experience has been with animal science, environmental science, and performing arts magnets schools working with diverse populations.
Stacy’s specialty is science. She was a science resource teacher for two years where she supported students (K-5), teachers, and administrators in the area of science.
Are you a motivated and experienced teacher? If you are interested in joining our team, click below.