Our Faculty
Our dedicated faculty are here to meet our student-athlete’s needs from grade 3 through graduation. Highly educated and bringing a wide variety of life experiences to the classroom, our teachers nurture and support each and every student at every step of their school career.
Deanna Garrett
Head of School
Dade City, Florida
M.Ed. In Educational Leadership, Saint Leo University
B.S. in Early Childhood Education, University of South Florida
SPS Head of School since 2018
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2016
As the Head of School at Saddlebrook Prep, Mrs. Garrett’s educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, committed and focused academic team, encouraging community, and supportive family.
Prior to joining the staff at Saddlebrook Prep, Mrs. Garrett worked in the Pasco County School District for 22 years in a variety of teaching, instructional support, and administrative roles.
In her free time, Mrs. Garrett enjoys watching movies, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Angela Vasilopoulos
Director of Curriculum
Clearwater Beach, Florida
B.A. in Communication, University of Tampa
Master of Education, St. Thomas University
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2022
As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Vasilopoulos supports student achievement and professional learning for instructional staff. She believes in building leadership teams to support the improvement of learning and teaching and believes in promoting students’ confidence in their ability to succeed. Ms. Vasilopoulos is a doctoral candidate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and going to the beach.
Chris Rosenke
College Planning, Media
St. Petersburg, Florida
B.A. in History, University of Florida
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2010
After several years teaching in the math and social studies departments, Mr. Rosenke is now responsible for Saddlebrook Prep’s college planning, print and digital media, and photography class. Students see him all over campus and at tournaments taking photos and putting them to use for the school’s social media and yearbook.
Prior to Saddlebrook Prep, Mr. Rosenke taught in the juvenile justice and public systems, as well as at Bradenton Prep where he taught athletes including tennis players, golfers, and the US Boys’ U-18 soccer team.
In his free time, Mr. Rosenke enjoys running, cycling, and working on creative projects.
Jenna Campbell
High School English, AP English
Lakeland, Florida
M.A. in English Literature, University of Central Florida
Saddlebrook Faculty Member since 2019
Ms. Campbell teaches High School English, AP English, and several electives. Ms. Campbell chairs Saddlebrook Prep’s National Honor Society chapter and our Spartan Ambassadors Program.
Prior to Saddlebrook Prep, Ms. Campbell taught for both the University of South Florida’s English Department and the University of Central Florida’s Rhetoric & Composition Department.
In her free time, Ms. Campbell enjoys reading and adventuring outdoors.
Kevin Hughes
High School Math
Dayton ,Ohio
B.S. in Finance, Ohio State University
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2022
khughes@saddlebrook.com
Mr. Hughes joined the Saddlebrook Prep team as part of the math department. In addition to his classroom duties he also serves on the curriculum and technology committees.
Prior to moving to Saddlebrook Prep, Mr. Hughes taught math in the public school system in Tampa for 18 years. He has taught every math class that is offered at the high school level, but excelled in teaching AP Calculus for which he was recognized by the state of Florida for his students’ performance.
Mr. Hughes is an avid golfer and he played collegiately at Ohio State. He is also an enthusiastic fan of the Buckeyes and he loves to watch all types of sporting events in his free time.
La Trecia Taylor Carson
High School Math and Physics
Jacksonville, Florida
B.A in Mathematics (Concentration in Statistics)
Mrs. Carson was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where she graduated from University of North Florida with a B.A in Mathematics and a minor in Spanish. She taught various math subjects for 10 years at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville (where she had also been a high school student classically trained in various forms of dance). She then moved to the Land O Lakes/Wesley Chapel area, and taught at Land O Lakes HS for 3 years prior to joining Saddlebrook Prep School.
In her spare time, Mrs. Carson enjoys spending time with her family. She especially enjoys watching her two sons play their sport, baseball and golf. She also loves to read, travel, watch movies, and watch sports. She loves to cook, especially for other people.
Meric Dunn
High School English
Istanbul, Turkiye
B.A. in American Literature, University of Istanbul
M.S. in Education, Wikes University, PA
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2022
Meric Dunn teaches English to Grades 9 through 11 and Health as an elective course at Saddlebrook Prep.
She is celebrating her 19th year in education 15 years being in international schools and working in various styles of educational schools including; International Baccalaureate, IGCSE, New York State diploma program, and Florida State diploma program. During her career, she has served the needs of the student body as well as the community by wearing many hats: DSO, advisor, Dean of Students, and Resilience Coach.
Meric firmly believes in the mind-body connection and enjoys being a lifelong learner. She’s a certified breath coach as well as an MBSR practitioner and is in the third (Advanced) year of her training as a Somatic Experiencing Trauma Practitioner. She is also working towards a Mental Strength Coaching license which will come to fruition in late 2023.
Natalie Edgeman
High School Science
Dade City, FL
B.S. in Biology and Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2016
Ms. Edgeman teaches high school science and oversees the Saddlebrook Prep Science Fair. Ms. Edgeman has led many field trips across Florida from Kennedy Space Center to the Florida Keys and most recently took a group of students to Boston, MA to visit MIT and the New England Aquarium.
Prior to teaching at Saddlebrook, Ms. Edgeman taught with Pasco County Schools for 13 years. Out of all the courses she has taught, her favorite courses are those with field work such as Environmental Science and Marine Science. Her hobbies include spending time outdoors, singing, reading, and many types of arts and crafts.
Erin Robison
High School Social Studies
Zephyrhills, FL
B.S. Degree Criminal Justice
B.S. Degree Sociology
Juris Doctorate Degree, Western New England University
Saddlebrook Faculty Member since 2018
Ms. Robison teaches High School Social Studies classes including World and American History, Government, Economics and Social Science electives. Ms. Robison chairs Saddlebrook’s Student Council.
Prior to Saddlebrook Prep, Ms. Robison was an active member of the Massachusetts Bar and transitioned her knowledge of trusts and estates into work for high net worth clients, including global wealth management at a Fortune 500 company in New York.
In her spare time Ms. Robison enjoys playing games, reading and going on adventures.
Patrick Dunn
Middle School
Alva, Oklahoma
B.A. Ed. In Education & History, University of Central Oklahoma
M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2021
Mr. Dunn is currently in his second year at Saddlebrook Prep teaching Middle School grades 6-8. In his 25+ years in education he has had many experiences teaching in: American, British, International, Turkish, and University, while teaching various programs including; Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate in both areas of History and English from grades 7-12 both domestic and abroad. He was also an Academic Dean for Johns Hopkins University Summer Program Center for Talented Youth. He has written articles for the Istanbul Daily Newspaper as well as been an article contributor for the American Research Center in Egypt newsletter. In 2005-2006 Mr. Dunn had the pleasure to become the first President of the American Research Center in Egypt Pennsylvania chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. He spends as much time as possible in his second home, Turkey, with his wife, Meric whom is also on the teaching staff, and their son, Miran, who is a student at Saddlebrook Prep.
Frances Cotto
High School Spanish, Latin Cultures
Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
B.A. in Spanish Education, University of Puerto Rico
M.A. in Educational Neuroscience, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Human Resource Certification, Advanced School of Human Resources and Labor Legislation
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2021
Ms. Cotto is the Spanish Instructor of High School in Saddlebrook.
Previously she has worked in private schools in Puerto Rico in the administrative and academic area and here in Pasco County Schools she has had the pleasure of teaching the students her native language.
In her free time, he enjoys reading.
Katrina Keys
Administrative Manager of School Operations
Wesley Chapel, Fl.
B.S in Business Administration, Ambassador University
Saddlebrook faculty member since 2019
Katrina is the Administrative Manager of School Operations. Mrs. Keys is responsible for the student database, attendance, uniforms, and special school events.
Prior to Saddlebrook, Mrs. Keys worked at Pasco County schools for the past 5 years. Previously from Georgia, Mrs. Keys & her husband owned a gymnastics, cheerleading, and indoor baseball training center. These athletes competed all over the nation and were featured on ESPN. They had over 700 athletes which many of them went on to get college scholarships and several of them even made it to the professional levels.
During her free time she enjoys traveling with her family and watching her son play golf.
Nona Wagh
Administrative Manager of Admissions and Tournaments
Mumbai, India
B.A. in Sports Management, Pfeiffer University
Saddlebrook team member since 2003
nwagh@saddlebrook.com
Ms. Wagh is responsible for recruiting new prospects, assisting prospects with the admissions process, and organizing and coordinating travel and itineraries for golf and tennis tournaments.
Prior to joining the Saddlebrook family, Ms. Wagh played college tennis at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina.
In her free time, Ms. Wagh enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as her beloved dog. She also enjoys traveling, watching movies, fitness, and playing tennis.
Donna Claggett
Accounting Administrative Manager
Zephyrhills, Florida
Saddlebrook Staff member since 1982
Donna joined Saddlebrook Preparatory School in 1997. She handles student enrollment contracts, tuition fees and personal accounts. Donna is also responsible for maintaining international student visa records. Prior to that she held positions in the resort as Front Desk Supervisor, Rental Manager at the Lakeside Village and Office Manager at Hopman Tennis.
In her free time Donna enjoys spending time with her husband and family.
