Dr. Thomas Michel grew up in Kent Ohio and is the youngest of ten children. He started his career in education as a Dropout Prevention teacher at Punta Gorda Middle School in Charlotte County before coming to Diplomat Middle School in Lee County where he taught social studies. Dr. Michel moved on to school administration by serving as Assistant Principal for Gateway Charter High School and then to Mariner High School where he was an Assistant Principal for 13 years. He worked last year as Assistant principal for Challenger Middle School before being called up to be the new Principal at Mariner High School. Dr. Michel has a Bachelor Degree in Education from Kent State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate Degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida Southwestern State College for the past 14 years and has served on numerous School District Leadership Committees. Dr. Michel’s wife Alena is a professional piano instructor and pipe organist for St. Hilary’s church in Fort Myers. His oldest daughter Katia is attending Medical school at the University of South Florida and his youngest daughter Sophia is an 8th grader at Challenger Middle School. In his spare time Dr. Michel enjoys traveling with his family and spending time by his pool barbequing.
Mrs. Beth Gedde is originally from Southern New Jersey. She received her Bachelors Degree in Economics from Rutgers University and received her Masters in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. She started teaching at Mariner in 2005 in the Reading and Business Departments, before becoming Assistant Principal in 2014. While teaching, she coached volleyball, soccer, and softball, as well as co-sponsored the National Technical Honor Society. She also co-sponsored the Class of 2013 for four years. Her primary responsibilities at Mariner High include facilities, technology, academies, and student discipline.
Mr. Robert Higgins is originally from New York state. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida Gulf Coast University and Masters of Educational Leadership degree from American College of Education. Mr. Higgins began his teaching career over six years ago after spending many years in banking and finance. He worked as a middle school math teacher for over six years beginning at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts then Challenger Middle School. His primary responsibilities at Mariner High are athletics, transportation, math, foreign language, and student discipline.
Angel McNeeley
Mrs. Angel McNeeley is from Cleveland, Ohio. She earned a Bachelor’s of English Literature from John Carroll University, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from The American College of Education, where she is currently completing her Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership. Her hobbies include reading, singing, and ice-skating. Angel was an Edu-trainer and began teaching theatre, musical theatre and stagecraft after a successful entertainment career on cruise ships and in touring theatre companies. Mrs. McNeeley has worked at Estero and Island Coast High Schools, and has been an Assistant Principal for four years. She is excited to be part of the Triton family. Her primary responsibilities at Mariner High include Activities/Clubs, the Arts, Data/SIP, and student discipline.
Roberta White
Mrs. Roberta White was born in Tennessee and lived in many states since her father was in the Marines. Mrs. White ended up going to high school and college in Virginia. She received her Bachelors in Family and Child Development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University otherwise known as Virginia Tech. She received her Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She taught for ten years in elementary, middle, and high school. She became an assistant principal in 2005 at Caloosa Middle School. She transferred to Mariner High in April of 2012. Her primary responsibilities at Mariner include curriculum, school improvement, Title II, scheduling, and professional development.