Meet the BES Faculty!
ADMINISTRATION
Principal - Deidre McManaway
deidre.mcmanaway@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"From the pavilion to the kitchen and everywhere in between, each person is an essential piece at Branford Elementary making our school a great place for students to learn."
Assistant Principal - Melinda Ahrens
melinda.ahrens@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Being a part of Branford Elementary has been such an amazing experience. It is exciting to witness the teachers and students interacting and engaging in learning. The staff here genuinely love and care for the students. I feel blessed to be able to play a small role in the education of students at BES!"
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Lisa Flowers
Academic Coach
lisa.flowers@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES allows me to use my love of reading and teaching to be the best literacy coach that I can be."
Brad Mincks
School Resource Officer
brad.mincks@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Always do the best that you can with what you got."
Margaret Williams
School Counselor
margaret.williams@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Every child matters to me here at BES. Making sure each child knows they are loved, they are important, and they matter fills my heart full of joy."
OFFICE STAFF
Amanda Harris
School Registrar
amanda.harris@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Our students make me smile, laugh, and want to come to work each day."
Andrea Lanier
Rebekah Mercer
School Nurse
rebekah.mercer@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I really enjoy the small-town, family atmosphere of BES. I pray everyday that I will be a blessing and help to provide comfort and healing to those in need."
Mary Roberts
Bookkeeper
mary.roberts@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love being a part of BES and the success of our students. I AM BLESSED!"
ESE
Michelle Adams
Speech Therapist
michelle.adams@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"As a Speech Language Pathologist I really appreciate how our staff and parents promote open and effective communication with our students and among ourselves. This is so necessary for success academically!"
Amy Allen
Classroom Teacher
"I do not look at each student's disability as disabling them. Instead, I see each student as uniquely different."
Vera Knighton
ESE Support Facilitator
vera.knighton@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"My mission in education is to help students learn to tap into their hidden potential and not allow fear of failure to hold them back. When students feel safe, loved, and appreciated they begin to open up and trust the learning process. I am blessed to be part of that process."
Lindsey Ramsey
ESE Support Facilitator
lindsey.ramsey@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"We might not see the change immediately, but we are making tiny ripples throughout our school and community that will make a HUGE difference in the future. I'm in it for the long run!"
PRE K
Kelly Davidson
kelly.davidson@suwannee.k12.fl.us
“The Faculty and Staff provide personal nurturing to all students. A nurturing Effect can Affect the young minds of our students in a positive and powerful light that allow students to shine brightly and successfully.”
Cara Howard
cara.howard@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love the magic of Pre-K. Every day is full of love, hugs, questions, and adventure!"
KINDERGARTEN
Victoria "Tori" Jensen
victoria.jensen@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"It takes a village to raise and educate tiny humans. I'm so proud to be part of the BES village."
Julie Klecka
julie.klecka@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love teaching at BES. Teaching kindergarten is my Super Power."
Hannah Knighton
hannah.knighton@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I'm a Special Education Para because multi-tasking ninja is not an official job title."
Jessica Nipper
jessica.nipper@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"After 12 years at BES, the most rewarding aspect is how much I learn on a daily basis. Everyday is a new adventure and I have not only evolved as a teacher but as a person as well."
Denah Phillips
denah.phillips@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I'm proud to be a part of the BESt faculty and staff. It truly is the place that your child becomes "ours"."
FIRST GRADE
April Barnes
april.barnes@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love the relationships built between the walls at BES. My students inspire me every day!"
Crystal Brown
crystal.brown@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"For me it's all about the "AHA" moments. It fills my heart to watch my students learn and celebrate their accomplishments with them!"
Sabrina Harrell
sabrina.harrell@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I want to be able to say I made an impact on the next generation."
Mandi Howard
mandi.howard@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES classrooms inspire, love, & teach little minds to be all that they were created to be."
Amanda Koon
amanda.koon@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I am proud to be a part of the BES family. Everyone strives everyday to grow and develop each student to the best of their ability."
Charlena "Lori" Land
charlena.land@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES classrooms teach, love, & inspire little minds to be all that they were created to be."
SECOND GRADE
Lyndsey Browning
lyndsey.browning@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"As a Branford graduate, I am priviledged to be able to provide a welcoming, safe and challenging learning environment to the students in our community."
Melinda Hawthorne
melinda.hawthorne@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"They say it takes a village to help raise children. BES truly demonstrates this each day and each year in how they care for their students. I am blessed to work here and be a part of a wonderful school!"
Tina Hayes
"At BES, we strive to work hard, build relationships, and are commited to the success of all of our students."
Miranda "Joy" Walker
miranda.walker@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Being a former Buccaneer, I take pride that BES is centered around relationships."
Kimberly Williams
kimberly.williams@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES is a family of teachers, staff and administrators that is dedicated to the success of others. "
THIRD GRADE
Kirsten Boston
kirsten.boston@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I am so proud to teach at Branford Elementary School. Our small town atmosphere makes it easy to form strong connections with my students that will last a lifetime!"
Kimberly Cannon
kimberly.cannon@suwannee.k12.fl.us
I believe in my students and encourage them to believe in themselves."
Tiffany Cochran
tiffany.cochran@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Every child deserves to have someone in their life that truly believes in them and at BES I intend to be that someone."
Amanda Hayes
amanda.hayes@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"It’s a joy to share my love of reading with students."
Caron Heffner
caron.heffner@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love working at a school where teachers work as teams to make educational MAGIC happen every day for the sake of the children."
Stephanie Knighton
stephanie.knighton@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES a place where you are loved more than you know."
FOURTH GRADE
Jacqueline Glover
jacqueline.glover@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"It is so rewarding to see the personal and academic growth in our students. It's the small everyday victories that make the BIG differences!"
Tim Grinstead
timothy.grinstead@suwannee.k12.fl.us
“The best part of teaching is watching how students grow! Planting educational seeds in growing minds can literally change the world!”
Traci Kirby
traci.kirby@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love teaching at BES because I get to work with so many great teachers, great staff, great students, and great families."
Amy Townsend
amy.townsend@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"BES, where family works together to make a difference."
Jennifer Winnett
jennifer.winnett@suwannee.k12.fl.us
“BES is a small town school that loves our children. We celebrate our differences, recognize our talents, and encourage our children to dream BIG!"
FIFTH GRADE
Amanda Clark
amanda.clark@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"It is my desire to love and empower children to be thinkers and advocates for themselves. I have the best job ever!"
Kimberley Garrett
kimberley.garrett@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"If there is one thing I have learned about being a teacher, it's love them first, teach them second. Students who feel loved, safe, and respected will meet, and even exceed, your expectations of them!"
Priscilla Jones
priscilla.jones@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"My everyday goal is to be that teacher each child remembers in their heart years and years later; those are the great ones. Those are the ones that make the real difference. I hope to be a difference maker."
Wynette Sumner
wynette.sumner@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"A multitude of awesome teaching styles coming together for one main goal: to develop well-rounded students."
SPECIAL AREA
Emily Blackmon
Music
emily.blackmon@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Every student has a song in their heart, and it is my privilege to listen and sing along. I love my music makers!"
Lynsee Dicks
Melissa Francisco
Computer Lab
melissa.francisco@suwannee.k12.fl.us
" Educating students with love and laughter... teaching technology and life skills!"
Jennifer Richer
Media Specialist
jennifer.richer@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I have the honor of serving as the BES Media Specialist which allows me the opportunity to share my passion of history as well as the challenge of finding the perfect book for each person."
PARAPROFESSIONALS
Amaris Chapman
amaris.chapman@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Children are little sponges absorbing all you can give them. BES is that positive juice all children need."
Staci Feeney
staci.feeney@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Tough enough to be a paraprofessional, Crazy enough to LOVE being one at BES."
Carla Hollinger
carla.hollinger@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"If you think our hands are full, you should see our hearts. We have the BIGGEST hearts here at BES."
Candice Hudson
candice.hudson@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love seeing students' faces at BES light up when they understand what they're learning."
Karen Knighton
karen.knighton@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Our students and staff at BES are a true inspiration. You can always find a smiling face and a willing heart on our campus."
Amanda Martin
amanda.martin@suwannee.k12.fl.us
" It takes someone special to hear what someone cannot say."
Amity McCall
amity.mccall@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love working with so many different students from all levels and helping them find success."
Deborah McFadden
deborah.mcfadden@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I enjoy seeing the children's eyes light up when they learn something new."
Pamela Norton
pamela.norton@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love working with the kids at BES. I feel I make a difference in their life as they do mine."
Shawna Shea
shawna.shea@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I am proud to be a part of BES and helping to mold the young minds of our future."
Wendy Stines
wendy.stines@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary."
Damaris Valdez
Bilingual Para
damaris.valdez@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I feel blessed to be part of the BES team, and to have the opportunity to share experiences with each of the teachers and their students. BES is an AMAZING team!"
CUSTODIAL
Anthony Jackson
Head Custodian
anthony.jackson@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"The students and staff make me feel grateful to be part of BES."
Austin Holtzclaw
austin.holtzclaw@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I am grateful the students at BES are aware of the importance it takes a team to have a clean and organized school."
Dawn Willms
dawn.willms@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"The staff and students are grateful for clean classrooms here at BES."
CAFETERIA
Alysia Causey
alysia.causey@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I enjoy when the children share the exciting things they are learning in class everyday."
Janice Lee
Manager
"I love seeing our kids smiling faces as they come to eat in our cafeteria!"
Stephanie Whittington
stephanie.whittington@suwannee.k12.fl.us
"I love all the little children's excitement when they are here at BES."