Pre-K Faculty and Staff

Principal

Jonathan D'Avignon

Principal
Website: Website
Jonathan D’Avignon is a professional educator with over 18 years of experience. His teaching experience ranges from middle school to college and includes charter and public schools. His graduate work includes: social science educational, political science and educational leadership.  Mr. D’Avignon grew up in a military family, born in Germany and graduating high school in Hawaii, and continues to enjoy traveling. He is married to his beautiful wife Megan and has a precocious daughter named Simone. He is honored to be working with a great staff of professionals at the WISE center. His focus has always been student first and believes that building professional, consistent and supportive relationships with students generates the environment for all to succeed. 

Guidance

Amanda Varnum

Guidance
Website: Website
Mrs. Varnum received her Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.  She brings 19 years of educational experience with her and is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Troy University.  In her spare time, she enjoys camping, watching her children play sports and relaxing with her husband and four girls.  She is very excited to join the faculty and staff at In10sity and looks forward to a great year with students and families.

Teachers

Ashley Wilcox

PreK Teacher
Website: Website
My name is Ashlee Willcox. While in high school, I dual enrolled at Northwest Florida State College and received my AA degree the same month that I graduated from high school. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University Panama City in Elementary Education.  I am certified to teach K-6 Elementary Education, K-12 Exceptional Student Education, and PreK-3 Education with endorsements in ESOL and Pre-K with Disabilities. This will be my 7th year in education. I taught two years of 2nd grade and this will be my fifth year teaching Pre-K at the WISE Center. I have two daughters and enjoy giving them as much love, time, and life experiences as I can.

Sheila Hudson

PreK Teacher
Website: Website

Ms. Hudson is a lifelong resident of Walton County.

Ms. Hudson is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has been a teacher of the Walton County School District for 27 years. 22 of those years she had taught kindergarten.

She is the mother of 2 wonderful children.  Her daughter is a middle school student and her son is an elementary student with the WCSD.

She is excited about working with Pre-K students to facilitate their love of learning and make learning fun and exciting.

Jennifer Casey

PreK Teacher
Website: Website
Mrs. Casey received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from the University of West Florida in 1993.  She has 21 years of educational experience.  Mrs. Casey has taught a wide range of students, from Pre-k to college level.  She is currently a Pre-K D teacher at the WISE Center.  Mrs. Casey is certified in Elementary Education, Early Childhood, English 6-12, and Pre-K – 3 and she is endorsed in Pre-K D and ESOL.  In her spare time Mrs. Casey likes to visit with friends and family around the pool and cook for others.  She is very excited and looks forward to having a great year in Pre-K

Tyana Kendall

PreK Teacher
Website: Website
Mrs. Kendall received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Northwest Florida State College in December 2019. She was employed with the Walton County School District for 11 years as a paraprofessional while earning her teaching degree. Mrs. Kendall looks forward to teaching her third year at the WISE Center Pre-k. In her spare time, she enjoys spending it with her husband and three children, watching them grow and become young adults.  Mrs. Kendall’s favorite place to be is on a beach relaxing and enjoying her family.   When she is not working with students or listening to the soothing sound of waves, she is cheering on the Florida State Seminoles!

Sharon Mosely

PreK Teacher
Website: Website
My name is Sharon Mosley and I am a MELD-Pre-K teacher at the Wise Center. This is my 23rd year teaching. I have taught ESE for 12 years, 7 years in Kindergarten and 4 years Pre-K MELD. I have lived in Walton County my entire life. I love teaching and watching my students grow daily. I have 2 children. Shyann and Christian Mosley. I enjoy drawing, cooking and watching Hallmark. My favorite hobby is thrifting and finding things for my classroom. Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions. – Unknown

Tonya Gainey

PreK Teacher
Website: Website

My name is Tonya Gainey and I am happy to be teaching in the  Pre K MELD class this year. I have been teaching for 7 years . Six of those years have been in the Walton County School District. I have taught Kindergarten for 6 of those years.

I have been married for 32 years and have two children. My daughter is a nurse and my son is a soldier in the U.S. Army. My husband retired from the Army after 23 years of service.

Educational Support Professionals

Cindy Bolden

PreK Paraprofessional

Hello, my name is Cindy Bolden I was born in the Bronx section of New York. I went to school in N.Y from pre-k. to high school. I did not get a chance to complete high school instead I had to enroll in a G.E.D program where I received my general knowledge diploma. I raised four wonderful children Tayvies 21 who completed high school in Florala Al.  Tatiyana 19 who completed high school in Defuniak  Springs FL, Corie14 who attends the Wise /ALC center in Defuniak Springs FL and Layquan 10 whom is a student at Paxton school located in Laurel Hill, FL

I moved to North Florida  about six years ago with my children, after getting settled and finding a job and a place to live I pursued my education at NWFSC where I earned my Associate's degree in Associate's of science December 2019. This year 2020 during transition I earned and received employment with the Walton County School District working as an paraprofessionals/teacher assistant with the VPK students at the Wise Center. I am currently enrolled at NWFSC continuing to further my education in early childhood birth to four years old. The year 2022 I will have earned my Bachelor degree in early childhood.

Patty Broadway

PreK Paraprofessional

Lauren Farabaugh

PreK Paraprofessional

Michelle Jackson

PreK Paraprofessional
Mrs. Jackson received her Associate degree in Early Childhood Development from Northwest Florida State College.  She brings over 10 years of educational experience with her.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and watching her grandchildren play.  She is very excited about working at the WISE Center and looks forward to a great year with her students and their families.

Debbie McBroom

PreK Paraprofessional
Ms. McBroom received her Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Northwest Florida State College in 2007. She has been employed with the Walton County School District for 15 years as a paraprofessional and is currently continuing her education at Northwest Florida State College to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. McBroom has three children, two of which graduated from Walton High School and one that is a senior there while also completing the Electrical program at Emerald Coast Technical College. In her spare time, she enjoys sitting on her porch watching the birds, being in nature, and watching sunsets on the beach.

Kimi Parker

PreK Paraprofessional

My name is Kimi Parker and I am an instructional aide in the MELD classroom at the WISE Center. I have been an instructional aide with the Pre-K Program in the Walton County School District for 26 years. I am currently working toward my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. I love working with our Pre-K students and helping them learn to be independent and successful. I have 5 children and 5 grandchildren.

Justina Pickard

PreK Paraprofessional

My name is Justina Pickard. I have been married to Tom Pickard, Jr. for 39 years and I have lived in DeFuniak Springs for 37 years.

I have been working with young children for 28 years,  8 years with Chautaqua Child Care Center and 22 years with the Walton County School. I obtained my degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northeastern Philippines and Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Northwest Florida State College.

I have three children and four grandchildren plus 5 bonus grandchildren. I enjoyed cooking, gardening, spending time with families and most of all, I love my church First Baptist Church of  DeFuniak Springs, where I serve in the Hospitality Committee, the SONSHINE (mission) Group and I volunteer in the Nursery.

Amanda Montgomery

PreK Paraprofessional
I am a mom to two amazing kids Abigail and Jacob. I am a lifelong resident of Walton county.I have worked as an ESE paraprofessional for the past few years. I am enjoying working in the PreK MELD class here at WISE

Amy Morse

PreK Paraprofessional
Mrs. Morse received her Early Childhood degree and National CDA from Northwest Florida State College. She has been employed with Walton County School District for 20 years. Mrs. Morse has lived in Walton County her entire life. She has been married to her husband Charlie for 26 years they have 2 daughters and 2 son-in-laws and 2 wonderful grandchildren. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, riding bikes and going to concerts. Mrs. Morse looks forward to watching her students learn and grow this year.

Maddie Varnum

PreK Paraprofessional

Kassie Young

PreK Paraprofessional
My name is Kassie Young. I have my Associates degree in early childhood education and am currently enrolled at Northwest Florida State College obtaining my bachelor's degree with the hopes of graduating in December of this year. I have six years' experience as a pre-k paraprofessional, and I am excited to be working in pre-k MELD this year. I have lived in the panhandle of Florida most of my life. My husband and I have been together for 19 years and we have three boys together. We love having adventures as a family. The beach and the springs are some of our favorites.