GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – June 2026 – As Clay County District Schools celebrates the conclusion of another highly successful academic year, the district is proud to announce several key administrative and leadership appointments for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year.
Following the recommendations for new administrative roles, these appointments bring together a dynamic group of experienced educators, proven leaders, and dedicated advocates who are committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and student success across the district.
Please join Clay County District Schools in welcoming these leaders to their new positions:
Dr. Michael George – Chief of Secondary Education
Dr. Michael George joins Clay County District Schools as the incoming Chief of Secondary Education, bringing a career deeply rooted in expanding student access, opportunity, and community transformation. He succeeds Treasure Pickett, who will retire this June.
Dr. George began his educational journey teaching in Ghana before returning to the United States to serve as a social studies teacher, basketball coach, and dean of students at Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia. He later moved to New Orleans, serving as Chief Operating Officer for Enriched Schools and spending three years as principal of Cohen College Prep High School, where he led the campus to a remarkable 100% college acceptance rate for three consecutive years. Most recently, he served as principal of Atlantic Coast High School, the largest comprehensive high school in Duval County. There, he launched innovative programs, including a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Mayo Clinic and a Universal Advanced Placement model.
An acclaimed leader, Dr. George was named the 2024 Florida Principal of the Year by the Florida Department of Education, and the 2025 Florida Principal of the Year by both the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA). He coaches school leaders statewide through FASA and Connected Leadership, and serves on the board of Impact Florida. He holds an MBA in International Business from Arcadia University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Xavier University of Louisiana.
Amanda Stilianou – Principal, Clay High School
For Mrs. Amanda Stilianou, being named principal of Clay High School brings her leadership journey full circle as she returns to her alma mater. A 1997 graduate of Clay High, Mrs. Stilianou has deep roots in the community; both her husband and her two daughters are also proud Clay High alumni.
Mrs. Stilianou’s professional ties to the school are equally profound. She began her teaching career at Clay High, spending nearly a decade teaching various mathematics and science courses, including AP Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology. She transitioned into administration as Assistant Principal at Oakleaf High School, helping the school maintain an “A” rating and contributing to some of the highest biology assessment scores in the district. Most recently, she spent six years as Principal of Clay Virtual Academy, leading the institution to its highest achievement gains in school history and securing an “A” school rating.
Returning home to lead the Blue Devils, Mrs. Stilianou is committed to fostering an environment of high expectations, innovation, and strong teacher support. Her message to the campus remains clear: “Once a Blue Devil, Always a Blue Devil.”
Nate Warmouth – Principal, Orange Park High School
Mr. Nate Warmouth joined Clay County District Schools in 2006, beginning his career as a teacher and coach at Middleburg High School. Throughout his two decades in administration, he has consistently driven exceptional academic growth across multiple campuses.
At Oakleaf High School, Mr. Warmouth was instrumental in maintaining an "A" rating throughout his tenure. He then moved to Lakeside Junior High, where he boosted the school’s performance by 46 points over four years and spearheaded the creation of the junior high Cambridge/Pre-AICE pathway, which has since expanded district-wide. Next, he served at Fleming Island High School, helping sustain their "A" rating and leading a 48-point growth in just one year. Most recently, he spent four years as principal of Wilkinson Junior High, lifting the school's performance score by 125 points, securing back-to-back "A" ratings for the first time in 17 years, and extensively working with Title I frameworks and Community Partnership Schools.
A resident of Clay County alongside his wife and son, Mr. Warmouth is excited to collaborate with the Orange Park community to elevate student success and prepare lifelong learners for the 21st century.
Ivin Gunder – Principal, Ridgeview High School
Mr. Ivin J. Gunder brings a wealth of instructional expertise and a proven track record of school turnaround to Ridgeview High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
Mr. Gunder spent twelve years as a classroom literacy teacher and mentor before serving three years as Assistant and Vice Principal at Lakeside Junior High. He then became Vice Principal at Oakleaf High School, where his strategic master scheduling helped the school improve its grade from a "B" to an "A" in back-to-back years. In 2019, he returned to Lakeside Junior as Principal, and later served as Principal of Riverview High School in Hillsborough County during the global pandemic.
Most recently, Mr. Gunder served as Principal of Orange Park High School. Under his leadership, the campus achieved historic academic milestones, including a 57-point FSA achievement increase in his first year and a record-breaking 629 points in 2024, earning the Exceeding Schools Expectations Award (ECTAC). A graduate of Leadership Florida-Education Class IV and the New Leaders program, Mr. Gunder serves on the FASA Board of Directors as the FASSP President-Elect and is a John Maxwell-certified team member.
Melanie Rodriguez – Principal, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School
Following four years of dedicated service as Assistant Principal, Melanie Rodriguez has been named the new Principal of Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School. Her journey within Clay County District Schools began in 2005 as an ESE classroom paraprofessional—an invaluable experience that sparked her lifelong commitment to student advocacy.
Mrs. Rodriguez brings an exceptionally diverse background to her new role, having taught nearly every grade level, including Pre-K, elementary, and 7th–12th grade ESE. Her literacy expertise led her to serve as a secondary intensive reading teacher and a district-level reading coach before transitioning into administration as the Dean at Green Cove Junior High. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University and a Master’s degree from the American College of Education, with certifications in K-12 ESE, Reading, and ESOL.
Deeply connected to the Keystone Heights community where she raised her own children, Mrs. Rodriguez firmly believes that while “it takes a village to raise a child,” it takes “a tribe to educate a child.” The district is proud to have her lead the home of the Indians.
Dr. Jen Halter – Principal, Wilkinson Junior High School
Dr. Jen Halter is an accomplished educational leader with 21 years of dedicated service to Clay County District Schools. She began her career teaching English and coaching track at Orange Park Junior High before serving six years as Principal of Green Cove Springs Junior High, guiding the school to significant academic growth.
For the past five years, Dr. Halter has served as the principal of Clay High School, leading the campus through a remarkable transformation from a "C" rating to an "A" rating in 2024, while achieving record levels of student performance. Her leadership philosophy focuses heavily on building positive school culture, strong relationships, and high expectations.
Dr. Halter holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and has earned prestigious state and national accolades. She was named the 2021 Florida Principal of the Year, the 2021 NASSP Florida Principal of the Year, and was a 2025 AASA National Finalist for Women in Leadership. She serves as a NASSP Ambassador, a Northeast Regional Director on the FASA Board, and a leadership coach. Dr. Halter and her husband Jon, a 23-year educator, have two daughters who attend district schools.
Becky Murphy – Principal, Clay Virtual Academy
With 26 years of dedicated service in education, Mrs. Becky Murphy has been named the new Principal of Clay Virtual Academy. Mrs. Murphy has spent her distinguished career serving local families as a junior high and high school English teacher, Assistant Principal at Fleming Island High, Principal of Lake Asbury Junior High, and, most recently, as Principal of Ridgeview High School for the past seven years.
In the classroom, Mrs. Murphy earned distinction as a National Board Certified Teacher and a Top Five Finalist for Clay County Teacher of the Year in 2005. Her excellence in school leadership was later recognized when she was named the 2022 Clay County Principal of the Year. At Ridgeview High, her student-centered leadership balanced academic rigor with meaningful relationships, fostering a culture of pride, belonging, and inclusive instructional practices.
Mrs. Murphy holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a Level II School Principal certification. Her extensive experience positions her perfectly to lead Clay Virtual Academy as it continues to expand innovative and flexible learning opportunities for students across Clay County.
Laurie Burke – Supervisor of Federal Programs
Bringing 31 years of dedicated service within the district to her new role, Mrs. Laurie Burke will serve as the Supervisor of Federal Programs, following the retirement of Ryan Widdowson. Her deep-rooted commitment to Clay County spans from her early days as a teacher and coach to her most recent leadership role as Principal of Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School.
During her tenure leading Keystone Heights, a Title I campus, Mrs. Burke became a champion for systemic reform, maximizing federal resources to catalyze academic growth and student opportunity. Her leadership was recognized state-wide when she was selected for the FLDOE Chancellor’s Leadership Academy.
Mrs. Burke’s administrative expertise includes serving as an Assistant Principal at both Fleming Island High School and Fleming Island Elementary, alongside teaching and coaching roles at various district schools. This comprehensive, K-12 perspective allows her to approach federal programs with a clear vision of how district-level funding impacts daily instruction. Active on numerous district task forces, Mrs. Burke will focus on maximizing federal funding and ensuring that grants are implemented with heart, precision, and alignment to the district's core mission.
Florence LaFontant – Coordinator of Student Engagement
Mrs. Florence LaFontant is a 20-year veteran of Clay County District Schools who operates under the firm belief that every student deserves a pathway to success. Prior to entering education, she served as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Clay County and a Juvenile Magistrate in North Carolina—roles that gave her a profound understanding of the challenges facing at-risk youth.
As a classroom teacher and administrator, Mrs. LaFontant has specialized in Exceptional Student Education (ESE), literacy, and behavioral interventions. She has served as an ESE teacher and coach at Bannerman Learning Center and Ridgeview High School, and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida.
For the past six years, she has served as Assistant Principal at Oakleaf Junior High, where she led the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) initiative. Under her strategic leadership, Oakleaf Junior High achieved Model School status for the first time by leveraging behavioral data to build proactive support systems. A proud Clay County resident, Mrs. LaFontant is dedicated to creating inclusive school environments built on high expectations.
Rebekka Matthews – Coordinator of Exceptional Student Education
Mrs. Rebekka Matthews brings an extensive background in specialized instruction and a collaborative leadership style to her new role as Coordinator of Exceptional Student Education (ESE). She began her educational career in Texas and, as a military spouse, taught in multiple states before moving to Florida and joining Fleming Island Elementary in 2013.
For the past nine years, Mrs. Matthews has served as a district Curriculum Specialist, successfully overseeing programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. During this time, she pursued her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, graduating from the American College of Education in 2024. She has earned widespread respect from teachers and leaders across the district for her natural leadership and dedication to ESE advocacy.
Mrs. Matthews is the proud wife of Kevin Matthews, a retired U.S. Navy serviceman and current NJROTC teacher at Fleming Island High School. They have three children, all proud graduates of Clay County District Schools.
Clay County District Schools congratulates all of these outstanding leaders on their new appointments and extends its deepest gratitude to our retiring administrators for their years of invaluable service. We look forward to an incredible 2026–2027 school year ahead!