ELLM Grant

Carol Clabaugh has served as a Literacy Coach for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2010; and as of 2015, has held the position of team leader.  Her role is to support teachers’ implementation of the ELLM program to increase learning outcomes of at-risk children and to improve Kindergarten Readiness Rates throughout Collier County.  Carol is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

Carol Clabaugh began her career as an elementary education teacher in Baltimore, Maryland.  During her eight years at the elementary level, both in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Carol took on a leadership position as a mentor for new teachers, assisting them in assessing students, writing lesson plans, creating activities, and keeping anecdotal records.  After moving to Florida, Carol continued her teaching career, at the early childhood level, at the “Y” of Naples as a Pre-K teacher for five years where she mentored new teachers and won the Apple Blossom Award in 2008.

Middy Raffaldini has served as a Literacy Coach for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2015.  Her role is to support teachers’ implementation of the ELLM program to increase learning outcomes of at-risk children and to improve Kindergarten Readiness Rates throughout Collier County.  Middy is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

Middy began her career teaching early childhood in the Migrant Program in Immokalee, Florida.  She directed an enrichment program and coordinated outreach learning opportunities for elementary students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools in North Carolina and served as the Assistant Director of a Private Preschool in New York City.  Middy taught and served on the Administrative Leadership Team for 18 years at a Private school in Naples, Florida  where she taught and wrote curriculum for the second grade program, held the position of Elementary Team Leader, and chaired and served on accreditation teams for the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). 

Megan Turner has served as a Literacy Coach for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2010.  Her role is to support teachers’ implementation of the ELLM program to increase learning outcomes of at-risk children and to improve Kindergarten Readiness Rates throughout Collier County.  Megan is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

Megan began her career as an early childhood education teacher in Immokalee, Florida in 1999.  She worked as a lead Pre-K teacher in Collier County for ten years.  During that time, she was a member of several leadership committees. In 2010, Megan won the Apple Blossom Teacher of the Year Award.  Her experience includes teaching in both public schools and private early learning centers before becoming an ELLM Literacy Coach.

Kristi Tautznik has served as a Literacy Coach for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2016.  Her role is to support teachers’ implementation of the ELLM program to increase learning outcomes of at-risk children and to improve Kindergarten Readiness Rates throughout Collier County.  Kristi is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

Kristi began her career as an elementary school teacher in New York State public schools.  During her 12 years of teaching experience in New York, Kristi served as a grade-level team leader and a mentor to new teachers.  She developed curriculum at the elementary level and participated on instructional committees that support student learning.    

April Schmidt has served as a Literacy Coach for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2024.  Her role is to support teachers’ implementation of the ELLM program to increase learning outcomes of at-risk children and to improve Kindergarten Readiness Rates throughout Collier County.  April is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

April began her career as a Head Start teacher in North Dakota in 2006.  She worked in the Early Childhood setting for 11 years.  During that time, she was a part of the Bright & Early ND program that empowers early childhood professionals to elevate the quality of care they provide to children from birth to age five. In 2017, April started within the school district in ND as an interventionist and as a coach to teachers in building relationships with their students and classroom management.  Her experience includes teaching in both public schools and private early learning centers before becoming an ELLM Literacy Coach.

 Minerva P. Borrego has served as a Program Administrative Assistant for the Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) program since 2006.  Her role is to support teachers and coaches for classroom and office management.  Minerva is part of a collaborative team that provides professional development trainings, develops curriculum, and publishes educational resources for Head Start, Florida VPK, and Migrant teachers.

She has served in the community at Village Oaks Elementary as a second grade tutor for 10 years and then went to work at Marion E. Fethers Medical Center for 5 years, at North American Family Institute for 5 years and David Lawrence Center for 5 years.  She graduated from Immokalee High School and she has lived in Immokalee since 1963.

Dr. Vickie Johnston currently serves as an Instructor II in the College of Education in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Culture at Florida Gulf Coast University and is the ELLM Director. Her major responsibilities include teaching, scholarship, and service in the areas of literacy, digital literacies, and teacher education. She also provides leadership, guidance, and service to the department by way of:

• Faculty Senate Library Committee
• Member of the College of Education Diversity Committee
• Collaboration with faculty on program accreditation

Dr. Johnston began her career interpreting for deaf high school and middle school students and has more than 15 years of teaching experience in both elementary and special education classrooms. She has taught in public and private schools in Illinois, Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, and Florida. Her areas of research include early literacy learning, differentiated instruction, technology integration, and teacher education.

Vitae