GCCAS Faculty & Staff
Administration
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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.
Will Staros - Executive Director
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.
Michele Guettler - Assistant Principal of Student Services
Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
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Originally from Edina, MN, Ms. Michele Guettler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her position as Assistant Principal of Student Services. She embarked on her teaching journey in both New York, and Bath, England before devoting over 25 years to teaching in the Robbinsdale School District, supplemented by an additional 5 years as an adjunct instructor. Recently, she accomplished her second master’s degree in school counseling and has been providing counseling services in Collier County ever since. Beyond the halls of GCCAS, you can often find Ms. Guettler in her kitchen, indulging her passion for cooking, or enjoying long walks with her dog. She also finds solace in the aisles of Barnes and Noble, where she loves to explore new books and contemplate her next traveling adventure. Ms. Guettler is deeply committed to supporting the growth and success of our students.
Erin Farina - Assistant Principal of Academics
Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
Erin Farina has been an educator for 7 years and is very excited begin her role as Assistant Principal of Academics. Mrs. Farina obtained her undergraduate degree in Special Education from National-Louis University in Chicago, IL. She is currently obtaining her master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction within the Teacher Leadership and School Improvement program from the University of Florida. Mrs. Farina got her start as a Special Education Resource Teacher at Gray M. Sanborn Elementary in Palatine, IL. and later transitioned into a self-contained setting for students with behavioral and emotional disabilities at Army Trail School in Addison, Illinois. It was there that she developed her passion for integrating behavioral curriculum into the classroom. As Assistant Principal, Mrs. Farina looks forward to bringing her plans for MTSS, behavior modification, and differentiated instruction to life at GCCAS.
Ron has over forty years of professional experience in K-12 education and has been in the charter school business since its inception in the mid-1990s. He was a former board member of Gulf Coast Charter Academy and has written, opened, and operated over thirty charter schools in Florida.
Ron received a BA degree from the University of South Florida, a master’s degree in Bilingual/Multicultural Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Miami. He is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Ron began his career as a middle school and high school English and social studies teacher in 1977. He has been an elementary, middle, and high school principal for over 20 years. Ron has conducted workshops on finance, budgeting, governance, and start-up procedures. Ron has developed numerous materials to assist schools and has collaborated with schools in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington D.C., and overseas. Before creating his own school consulting firm, Ron served as Director of Operations in Florida and Georgia for one of the nation’s largest education management companies. In that position, Ron negotiated contracts with various School Boards, opened new schools, and ensured regulatory compliance. Ron has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and we are excited to have him on our team!