Get to Know the ESE Staff...
Charles Feld
Welcome.
I am glad you’re here!
I am Mr. Charles Feld, ESE School Specialist and Behind the Wheel Driving Instructor.
As the ESE School Specialist I am responsible for county, state and federal compliance, student achievement along with being part of a team that makes your high school experience here at Umatilla the best it can be.
I have taught ESE classes all of which have been here at Umatilla High School. I taught multiple subjects such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Life Management and others. I am currently certified in ESE (K-12), Educational Leadership (All Levels), ESOL endorsed and Reading endorsed.
I enjoy working here at Umatilla High with many wonderful colleagues, coaches and am especially proud to be a part of our ESE department which is full of experience and energy. I have coached multiple sports (baseball, softball, basketball, golf and weightlifting) and have worked summer school at Lake Hills.
I grew up in New York and moved to Florida to go to college, at Northwood University and for my masters degree, Barry University. I played professional baseball after college and relocated to central Florida in 1998. I am married and enjoy bass fishing tremendously.
I believe that hard work and discipline are necessary to become successful. If you remain focus on your school work and dedicate yourself to your studies I promise you that you will be successful and prosper.
Excellence achieves greatness.
Jacqueline DeWitt
My name is Jacqueline DeWitt. I am the Department Chairperson for Exceptional Student Education and a Cooperative Consultant at Umatilla High. I have been a teacher in exceptional student education since 1972. I put myself through college by working 6 days per week during the school year in addition to every summer, in order to pursue a teaching certificate. I graduated from Trenton State College (now the University of New Jersey) with honors, (debt free!) earning a degree in Special Education, with certification to teach the Developmentally Handicapped. I came to Florida in 1991 and was hired to teach at Tavares High School and take over the position of ESE (Exceptional Student Education) Department Chairperson.
Currently, I work with ESE students who are attempting to earn a standard diploma. I also work closely with their teachers, and often their parents. I make a point of being invitational so that my students feel comfortable to ask questions, clarify information, and seek help when needed. Many of my students have gone on to successful careers.
In my free time, I enjoy riding my Suzuki Burgman and scuba diving. I enjoy both open water and cave diving, and plan at least one diving trip a year out of the country.
Catherine Barto
Hi, I am a UHS and LSCC graduate; I then went to Delaware and graduated from Goldey-Beacom College with a BS in Accounting. I have an M.Ed in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University. I worked in the business world for 20 years before becoming a teacher. I have taught for eight years. 3 ½ years at Lifestream Academy, 2 ½ years at Nike’ Academy in Marion County, 1 year at Umatilla Middle, and 1 year at Tavares Middle. All of my teaching has been with ESE students. I enjoy working with this population because it allows me a lot of one on one with my students. It is very rewarding for me as a teacher when one of my students realizes that he/she can, when all along he/she thought I cannot.
Karen Dempsey
MA – National University
BA – Stetson University
As required for what I teach, I do have the Reading Endorsement
UHS Teaching Experience – 4 years
LifeStream Academy – 7 years
ESE Intensive Reading is the only subject I currently teach at UHS.
Goals for ESE Intensive Reading: student improvement in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Tests which demonstrate the above: Brigance (2 times a year), MAZE (three times a year), Oral Reading Fluency (6 to 9 times per year).
Students take ESE Intensive Reading if they score a level one on FCAT reading. It is not necessary for an ESE student to pass FCAT if they are on the Special Diploma track but they must show that they are making AYP – Annual Year Progress or Gains on each attempt.
Student who are considered a level one in reading must attend intensive reading (as required by the State of Florida) for 180 consecutive school days, for 90 minutes per day.
ESE students must attempt the FCAT 2 times in their high school career.
Elizabeth Rollins
My name is Elizabeth Rollins. I am a native Lake County resident and enjoy the surrounding waters of Lake County, FL. I graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts concentration in Psychology and Business Administration. I recently obtained my Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Barry University.
I currently work with the mainstreamed Exceptional Student Education population as a Cooperative Consultant teacher. My educational goal is to work closely with the general education teachers to help plan realistic alternatives for special education students encountering difficulty in the mainstreamed curriculum. The Cooperative Consultation process results in a pooling of observations and resources of all persons involved and a shared responsibility for implementing alternatives and monitoring outcomes for the students.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, traveling and taking boat rides through the Dora Canal.
