About Us
Learn To Thrive Education is an education center offering programs specializing in supporting students who experience academic challenges and neurodiverse learners. We have discovered, there is a need for high-quality, high support academic support for children with diverse learning and social needs. Students deserve opportunities to actively participate in inclusive environments that foster quality education, high support, and high expectations to achieve their highest level.
We understand the traditional "one size fits all"classrooms is not the best fit for students needing additional academic or social-emotional support. It is often very difficult for students to achieve success without high-level personalized support in traditional classrooms and as a result, they oftentimes become bystanders and have limited access to positive learning experiences. We understand that every student has a different way of learning and very student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, thrive, and participate without barriers.
As a parent, finding highly supportive programs that best fit your child's unique needs may be challenging. We can relate to this as parents, who desire a high-challenge, high-quality, high-support education, for our children to have the opportunity to grow and thrive and enjoy learning.
We understand your desire to provide your child with the best educational and life experiences. No matter the area your child deserves a highly supportive environment that encourages and challenges them to reach their highest potential to achieve overall success. Learn To Thrive Education Center was designed to create those experiences specifically for children with diverse learning needs.
We understand the value of personalized instruction catering to the needs and enhancing the strengths of students. We understand that students need to find the way of learning that works best for them. This can be difficult to accomplish in traditional classroom settings. Our goal is to create a learning environment where students will be prepared for academic and social success in school and beyond.
We welcome the opportunity to partner with families and the community to create positive learning experiences that are nurturing, flexible, and reflect student strengths and interests to cultivate and enhance the skills and gifts of students, empowering them to build confidence and independence for a fulfilling future.
Meet the Owner
Kenyetta Russell, M.Ed
I am Kenyetta Russell. I have over 20 years of experience in the public education system. During my tenure as an educator, I became a multi-year "Teacher of the Year". I had the pleasure to serve as a certified special education coordinator, teacher mentor, and facilitator, and now—the founder and director of Learn To Thrive Education & Resource Center.
My intention for sharing this background is for you to know - I am PASSIONATE and DEDICATED to teaching, serving and advocating for students with special needs and students with academic challenges. I was invested during that season of life, but my desire was much bigger. I wanted to provide a space for children to learn authentically, naturally, and without limitations. I realized I could no longer grow and fit inside a box that was created for me.
I understood the need for students to have a place to have their needs meet and feel seen and included. I wanted students to be given high expectations with the same level of high support to fit their needs. From that, I realized my purpose was to create Learn To Thrive Education Center, a place where neurodiverse learners and learners with diverse learning needs can learn, grow and thrive through a holistic approach..
Creating a place where learning goes far beyond policies, assessments, and standardized learning. We are a learning environment where authenticity is embraced, moments are filled with care, fun and enjoyment! Students love coming to school and are free to be kids!
I continue to work, advocating for all students inside and outside of the classroom to eliminate the opportunity and learning gaps for diverse learners. I am a proud member of The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
I have had the pleasure to be featured on several podcasts and in magizinnes sharing my mission to support and serve families of diverse learners. I have also served as a guest speaker for a nationally recognized corporate company to speak on inclusion and supporting persons with disabilities.
I have the hands-on, real-world experience and commitment you need and seek “to cultivate leaders for positive transformations”.
Our Team
Jacqui Gardner, Office Manager
Jacqui Gardner is excited to join, our Learn to Thrive Education team. Jacqui is thrilled about her first year with Learn to Thrive and excited to be a part of the
team of teachers and students! Jacqui comes to us with 43 years of professional office experience with the last 16 years as a manager in the role of Executive Director. Jacqui started her career as a receptionist at age 17 and worked my way over the years obtaining experience and
skills, and eventually applying it all in a leadership role. Jacqui is a lifetime resident of the Tampa/Brandon area. She loves meeting new people and assisting where needed. She is looking forward to working with teachers, parents, and students at Learn to Thrive Education & Resource Center!
Tarmeca Baity, Enrichment Coordinator/Parent Liaison
Tarmeca Baity is thrilled to embark on a new journey as an Enrichment Coordinator. Her experience as a Sunday school teacher has cultivated a deep love for children, along with patience and skill in organizing and creating lesson plans for her youth class. Tarmeca is a proud mother of three boys and has been happily married for nearly 13 years to a very supportive husband. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, with two sisters and one brother, Tarmeca has a professional background in finance. Tarmeca is passionate about her family and event planning.
Christie Sazy, Curriculum Specialist/Teacher
Christie is passionate about making an impact on students' lives. She joins Learn To Thrive with a Master’s degree in Education and over a decade of experience across public, private, and homeschool settings, She is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment where all students feel safe to grow mentally, emotionally, and socially. Each child is a distinct individual with unique needs, deserving of a nurturing, supportive environment to learn and thrive. Christie's mission is to create engaging and personalized educational experiences that meet the unique needs of every student. Through curriculum development, direct teaching, and collaboration with other educators, parents, and students to empower all learners to achieve their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Barbara Rosario, Assistant Teacher
Meet Barbara Rosario. We are honored to welcome her to our Learn To Thrive team as a lead assistant teacher for grades Kindergarten through 8th. Barbara is an enthusiastic and creative teacher with a passion for nurturing young minds and helping them grow. She believes it’s important to create a learning environment that allows children to be themselves and lets their creative minds grow and thrive. She has over 18 years of experience working with children in various educational settings. Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. In her spare time, Barbara likes to spend time with family and friends. especially, her 2-year-old granddaughter. She is a boy mom, and loves sports A perfect day would include watching football, soaking up some sun, curling up on the couch watching movies, and even some Karaoke..lol She is excited to be a part of your child's learning journey and looks forward to creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for them to thrive.
Susan Stoa, Assistant Teacher
Meet Susan Stoa! Susan has been an amazing member of the Learn To Thrive team since the summer of 2024. Susan graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Florida College in 2015. While in school, she tutored kindergarten students at Florida College Academy and second and third-grade writing and math at Temple Terrace Elementary. Later on, her English professor recommended her for a job as a writing lab tutor for fellow college students. Susan is passionate about working one on one with students, regardless of age, to clarify and explain confusing concepts and help guide and inspire them toward success. She has many years of experience working with children as a classroom supervisor at Living Well Christian Childcare and as a private nanny to multiple families. Susan finds teaching and tutoring very rewarding. She loves the curiosity of children and the enthusiasm they bring to learning!
She is passionate and an advocate for kindness, establishing good relationships, and enjoying beautiful things. In her free time, she enjoys movies, music, writing, hanging out with friends, and spending time in nature.
Bonnie McDaniel, Volunteer
Mrs. Bonnie McDaniel has been a part of the Learn To Thrive team since 2023! Ms. Bonnie came to us from traditional education as an administrator. After retiring from the public school system, Bonnie joined Learn To Thrive microschool and fell in love with teaching all over again. She loves working with the students and helping them recognize their successes and progress and acheive that “Proud” moment. She shows dedication to teaching and fostering growth academically and socially with every student.