GCCAS Faculty & Staff
Administration
Will Staros - Regional Vice President
FORZA Education Management
Mr. William Staros, Regional Vice President of FORZA Education Management, most recently served as the principal of Gulf Coast Charter Academy South. Over his nine years at GCCAS, he oversaw the school's enrollment expansion, the development of its STEM program, and left the school as a Florida Department of Education High-performing Charter School with an extended 15-year charter with Collier County. He continues to be extremely enthusiastic about working with the incredibly dedicated and talented staff, diligent and hard-working students, supportive parents, and the caring communities in which the FORZA schools are located.
William Staros was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and attended Florida Gulf Coast University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2006. After his graduation from FGCU, he spent time in Savannah, Ga. where he taught fourth grade. He later returned to the west coast of Florida to continue his teaching and leadership career with time in Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers, and Immokalee, Florida before joining GCCAS in 2014. Mr. Staros earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from The University of New England in 2011.
When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Beth, and their two girls, Ella-Rose & Ava. Besides his passion for swimming, he enjoys cooking, returning to Savannah, Ga. for a taste of good Southern food, and escaping to Disney with his family.
He feels honored to have been the Principal of GCCAS and looks forward to developing relationships with all FORZA charter schools and child development centers. He invites all stakeholders to contact him and is happy to clarify any questions that they may have.
Jose Rubio - Regional Vice President
FORZA Education Management
Mr. Rubio graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Biology. Subsequently, he earned his Master of Science Degree in School Building Leadership from St. John’s University, New York.
Mr. Rubio began teaching in 2000 as a high school science teacher in his hometown of New York City.
During his second year of teaching, Mr. Rubio was chosen by his colleagues as a member of the School Leader Team at Manhattan Village Academy. In 2003, as a Grade Team Leader, his grade level received the award of the Best Grade Level Team by the school’s administration. In 2004, Mr. Rubio joined St. Raymond High School team, and the following year, he was credited with replacing the entire Chemistry curriculum. This alteration facilitated the overall school in attaining high scores, or, significant learning gains on the State’s Chemistry exams. In 2008, he was named Head of the Science Department. During his tenure as Head of the Science Department, he reconstructed the entire science curriculum and secured funds to build three new science labs at his school. During his teaching years at St. Raymond High School, he earned a scholarship that allowed him to return to St. John’s University for further study.
In 2015, he relocated to Washington, D.C. to become the Assistant Principal of a middle school, Meridian Charter School. Moreover, within four months, he was also named the Assistant Principal of the elementary campus concurrently. In 2016, he was hired by FORZA Education Management to become the Principal of Oak Creek Charter School of Bonita Springs K-8. It had been evident in the previous schools that he excelled in enhancing the school’s academic programs and advancements. At Oak Creek Charter School, he has also excelled in creating a vibrant and unified school environment where he is respected by all stakeholders. He has been contributory in generating a school setting with a warm and familial atmosphere where the children can thrive, additionally, it is one of those unique schools where that warm and family atmosphere is felt as soon as you enter the school doors. Moreover, Mr. Rubio was instrumental in enhancing the academic learning environment and school facilities at Bonita Springs, now Oak Creek Charter School of Bonita Springs. He is currently enrolled in his doctorate program in education at Florida Gulf Coast University. Mr. Rubio has begun his new role as our Regional Vice President with FORZA Education Management.
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Brittany Fangmeier - Principal
Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
Ms. Fangmeier is an experienced teacher and grade level team facilitator who joined the Gulf Coast Charter Academy South (GCCAS) team during the school’s inaugural year. She will be a part of the administrative team this year as the Principal of Gulf Coast Charter Academy South.
Brittany Fangmeier grew up in Homestead, Florida, and moved to Naples in 2003 to attend Ave Maria University. She quickly fell in love with Naples and never left. After completing her Bachelors’ Degree, she taught at a private school for five years and worked on her first Masters’ Degree in Elementary Education. She then taught for two years at Bonita Prep and Fitness Academy. In 2013, she joined GCCAS during its first year, and has been here ever since. While teaching at GCCAS, she finished her second Masters’ Degree in Educational Leadership with an internship in administration.
Ms. Fangmeier spends her free time with her seven-year-old-daughter, Aubrey, fiancé, Noah, and her parents who also live in Naples. She is actively involved in her church and community. Ms. Fangmeier is excited to be a part of the administrative team this year. She’s thrilled to continue her journey with her GCCAS Family of amazing teachers, students, families and administrators. She looks forward to collaborating with the school’s dedicated staff, the students’ families, and the administrative team to help provide the best educational experiences for our students.
Karen Ochoa, Ed. S.- Assistant Principal of Student Services
Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
Mrs. Ochoa Joined Gulf Coast Charter Academy in 2021, as an academic STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Coach. Karen Ochoa grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and immigrated to the United States in 1994. After she completed her undergraduate degree at The University of West Florida in Pre-Law, she decided to pursue a career in education so that she could be involved in her children's education as they grew up. Mrs. Ochoa has a passion for learning and sees herself as a lifelong learner. She completed a Master's in Elementary Education at William Carey University in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then went on to complete her Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, and is currently writing her dissertation for her Ph.D. in RESA (Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment) from the University of Southern Mississippi and will graduate in December of this year.
Mrs. Ochoa was a Gifted and Talented teacher in Long Beach School District for 9 years where she focused on promoting STEM to all her students.
It was during this time that she fostered her love for education. She believes that children shape the future and that all children have unique individual strengths that are needed in our competitive global society. She then taught in Biloxi Public Schools in Biloxi, Mississippi for 4 years where she took on the role of STEM coordinator for her school and was on the District STEM committee which implemented a Department of Defense Grant to advance STEM in education. In 2019, she moved to Boca Raton with her husband and taught in Palm Beach County, before joining the GCCAS team in January of 2021.
In her spare time, Mrs. Ochoa loves traveling and spending time with her family. She also has a passion for wildlife and volunteered for a wildlife rescue during her 13 years in Mississippi and served on the board of directors for 4 of those years.
She is proud to serve as assistant principal of student services and looks forward to supporting students and their families while they are at GCCAS.
Kelly Salmons - Dean of Academics
Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
Mrs. Salmons joined Gulf Coast Charter Academy South in 2021 as the Technology/STEM teacher. She also taught the computer science classes that are part of the Amazon Future Engineers program. This school year she will continue teaching the computer science classes and take on the role of Dean of Academics, assisting in our growth as a STEM school.
Mrs. Salmons grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Oceanography), she served as a Surface Warfare Officer and Oceanographer for the Navy. She has had many different experiences since leaving the Navy including network administrator, swim coach, owner of a health club and operations manager for a real estate investor. Though her true passion lies in education. Mrs. Salmons has held several education roles including STEM coach, 5th grade teacher, middle school science teacher, Department chair for PreK-8th grade science, and Director of STEAM for preK-8th grade. She was also an education consultant training districts, schools and individual educators to learn how to implement the STEAM framework into their daily routine prior to joining the GCCAS family. Mrs. Salmons received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM Emphasis from Adams State University along with a STEM Leadership certificate.
In her free time, Mrs. Salmons enjoys connecting with her two daughters who are both in college, spending time with her husband and sharing a great meal with her family in Naples. She loves to read, learn new things and travel. Her two 150-pound dogs, Buddy Love and Hulk also demand a lot of her time with ear scratches, walks and lots of slobber. Mrs. Salmons is honored to step into the Dean of Academics position where she hopes to collaborate with the staff and connect with the students and families to make GCCAS the best STEM school around.