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Our Team

Ray Polk

directOR
rpolk@NESTED.LIVE

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts
St. Petersburg Jr. College & St. Leo University
Concentration: Elementary Education

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • 15 years as the Director at Academy at the Farm Dade City, FL
  • Educational Consultant & Account Executive for Pearson Digital Learning
  • Teacher & Technology Specialist for the Pasco County School Board
  • 14 years as Treasurer for Standard Auto Parts Inc. Dade City, FL

Anita Alexander

Director of Academics
aalexander@NESTED.LIVE

Education:

Master of Education
Mansfield University
Concentration: Reading Specialist

Bachelor of Arts
Oklahoma Baptist University
Concentration: Elementary Education & Psychology

Professional Experience:

STEM/STEAM Specialist &
Instructional Design Specialist
Pasco County School District

K-12 ELA Senior Curriculum Specialist & Lead Reading Specialist
Aiken County School District

Certifications:

School Management & Leadership, Elementary Education, Middle Level ELA, Reading Director

Career Highlights:

President of South Carolina Leaders of Literacy
Learning Forward Coaches Academy, Center for Results

Differentiated Assessor & Grader, Staff Development for Educators

Distinguished Reading Teachers, Aiken County School District

Golden Apple Teacher, Northern Tioga School District

Brendon Ramsay

Director of Coaching
bramsay@NESTED.LIVE

Education:

Bachelor of Arts
University of South Florida
Concentration: English, Creative Writing

Professional Experience:

6th Grade Reading & Language Teaching (13 years) Williams Middle Magnet I.B., Walker Middle Magnet I.B.

6th Grade Team Leader
Williams Middle Magnet I.B.

AVID Certification

Middle School Competitive Sports Coaching:
Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Girls & Boys Track & Field, Boys Flag Football

Irish 31 Teacher of the Year Finalist

Career Highlights:

2 years Buffalo State College Div. III SUNYAC

2 years University of South Florida Hockey Club Div. III ACHA

Academic Staff

Amanda Price

Certified Teacher

Amanda Price

APRICE@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts Florida State University - Concentration: History with a Minor in Geography & Education. Master's Degree University of South Florida - Concentration: Art of Teaching Social Science Education. Specialist's Degree University of West Florida - Concentration: Curriculum & Instruction Assessment.

Professional Experience:
3 years of exp. teaching high school AP & honors
7 years of exp. teaching middle school advanced & on level and 2 years as a STEM Instructional Coach

Career Highlights
4 Time Teacher of the Year Finalist. Presented Professional Development at a National Conference. Being a Teacher Leader. Honored with invitations to former students' weddings.

Justin Zabilowicz

Instructional Assistant

Justin Zabilowicz

jjzabilowicz@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Education

Professional Experience:
Student Ambassador | Beacon College
Canoeing Instruction & Counselor | Maple Ranch
Former rescue climber
Former lifeguard

Career Highlights:
Induction into the American Christian Honor Society. Numerous competitive speech awards, 1st place at the state level for an original persuasive oratory, extemporaneous speaking, humorous interpretation of literature, and competition choir.

Connie Stone

Academic Coach

Connie Stone

CSTONE@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Science West Virginia University Morgantown - Concentration: Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. Master of Science
University of South Florida - Concentration: Speech-Language Pathology

Professional Experience:
Speech-Language Pathologist & Guidance / Exceptional Student Education Services Coordinator. Administrative Support & Elementary Teacher | Pasco County Schools Kardia Christian Academy | Houston, Texas

Career Highlights:
Florida Department of Health Licensed Speech-Language Pathology. American Speech-Language & Hearing. Certificate of Clinical Competency. School Advisory Committee. Secretary Parent-Teacher Committee.
President 4H Club Program Leader

Kelsey Lien

Certified Teacher

Kelsey Lien

klien@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts University of Southern
Florida - Concentration: Criminology. Juris Doctorate Ave Maria School of Law - Concentration: Law

Professional Experience:
English & Law Studies Teacher | Tampa Catholic High School
English Middle & High School Teacher | Hillsborough County Public Schools

Career Highlights
Teacher Certifications: English 6-12
Reading Endorsed

Jeanmarie Zabilowicz

Certified Teacher

Jeanmarie Zabilowicz

jzabilowicz@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Science Georgian Court
University - Concentration: Business Administration Certifications: Elementary Education & Gallup Strengths Coach

Professional Experience:
5+ years of experience in education 25+ years of experience in HR leadership and operations across Fortune 500 organizations

Career Highlights:
Global business experience in India & Poland

Licensed Florida Realtor
Ministry & Volunteer at Oasis Pregnancy Care Center | Land O Lakes

Leah Baacke

Instructional Assistant

Leah Baacke

lbaacke@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Master of Science Florida State University - Concentration: Library Info Studies. Master of Arts Belmont University - Concentration: English. Bachelor of Science Florida State University Concentration: Communications.

Professional Experience: Virtual ESL Instructor. VIP Kid Youth Services Librarian. Pasco County Library Cooperative Adjunct English Instructor | Pasco Hernando State College

Career Highlights: English (6-12) and Educational Media Specialist (K-12). Certifications: Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management Certificate (ALCTS). Over 1,600 ESL classes taught to 300+ Chinese students. Experience planning library programs, special events, and fundraisers.

Linda Cain

Certified Teacher

Linda Cain

lcain@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Master of Education Salem University & West Virginia University - Concentration: Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. Bachelor of Arts Salem University - Concentration: Social Studies, English, ELA, Special Education Bachelor of Arts Marshall University - Concentration: Reading Endorsement

Professional Career:
Self-Contained Special Education
Push-In Special Education
Ancient World History
West Virginia Studies Early United States
History Civics/American Government Journalism

Suzette Richie

Certified Teacher

Suzette Richie

srichie@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Master's Degree Graceland University - Concentration: Integrating Technology. Bachelor's of Education Indiana University.

Professional Experience:
12+ years exp teaching middle and high school mathematics | Indiana and Florida Schools
2 year college professor | Ancilla College, Indiana

Career Highlights:
FCA Leader
Academic Team Coach
National Honors Society Leader
ACSI Certification

Mark Burns

Instructional Assistant

Mark Burns

mburns@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts University of Michigan - Concentration: History with Minors in Political Science and Crime & Justice. Juris Doctorate Belmont University - Concentrations: Law

Professional Career:
10+ years of experience working in the sports business industry as a talent marketer and reporter. Former Assistant Dean of Student Discipline at Pepin Academics.

Career Highlights
Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree

Commitment to learning

Faith based culture, quality academics and structured hockey development for student athletes 5th-12th grades.

Accreditation through CSF and MSA. Also NCAA approved curriculum

Melisa Elwin

Instructional Assistant

Melisa Elwin

melwin@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Law Enforcement Certification |
Pasco Hernando State College

Professional Career:
3 years of experience as an Instructional Assistant | Jacksboro Elementary School Knoxville, TN

Career Highlights:
Law Enforcement Academy Class President

Zachary Dietz

Instructional Assistant

Zachary Dietz

zdietz@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts Charleston Southern
University - Concentrations: Christian Studies
& Communication.

Professional Career:
3 Years as a Youth Director and Ministry Intern

Career Highlights:
Began involvement in church ministry in 2023, and am excited to begin working as an Instructional Assistant and helping with coaching.

Hockey Staff

Brandon Fehd

Hockey Coach

Brandon Fehd

bfehd@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor's Degree - Concentration: Business Management & Sustainable Entrepreneurship.
NASM Certified Personal Trainer & Nutritionist. Currently studying for his CSCS

Professional Experience:
15 years exp. as a skills & power skating coach
U16 Northstar Assistant Coach

Career Highlights:
8 years playing in the ECHL
Played in Allsvenskan, Sweden

Brent Barber

Hockey Coach

Brent Barber

bbarber@NESTED.LIVE

Education:

Coach Level 4, USA Hockey

Professional Experience:

Skills & Player Development Trainer:
Amateur through Pro Player Levels.

Career Highlights:
Played for the Tampa Bay Juniors
Player for the Islanders Hockey Club in MA
Played at Farmington State

Jack Billings

Nutrition | Strength & Conditioning Coach

Jack Billings

jbillings@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Science Niagara University.
Masters of Business Administration Niagara University

Coach: Level 2, USA Hockey

Career Highlights:
Played in the ECHL & Europe (EIHL)
NCAA All American
NCAA All Academic
Atlantic Hockey Association
All-Conference Team NCAA D1 Asst. Captain
ECHL Asst. Captain

Kristina McAuley

Power Skating & Efficiency Coach

Kristina McAuley

kmcauley@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelors of Science Florida Gulf Coast University - Concentration: Exercise Science.

Professional Experience:
Former professional figure skater.
13+ years of elite skating instruction, ranging from beginners to NHL & Professional players.
8 years exp. coaching youth hockey.
Current 2010 Alliance Assistant Coach

Career Highlights:
Coached 07 Florida Alliance 2022-2024 | State Champion 2x, District Champions 1x, National Competitor Plant High School | 2022 State Champions National Competitor 07 Bulls | 2020-2022 State Champions, Number 1 in the Nation 2021-2022 National Competitor Philadelphia Independence 2019-2020 Scorpions Hockey Club 2017-2019 U12AA, U16AA | State Champions National Competitors FL Everblades U14 2016-2017

Mike Craig

Hockey Coach

Mike Craig

mcraig@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Science Michigan State University - Concentration: Construction Management.

Level 4 USA Hockey Coach

Professional Experience:
FL Alliance Coach 2021-2023
Directory of Lacrosse | Shipyard Lacrosse
Junior B Hockey
Metro Jets Club Hockey | Waterford, MI

Career Highlights:
Girls Lacrosse #4 in Nationals | US Club Lacrosse.
Won a Florida State Championship with Plant High School in Girls Lacrosse.
Sent Multiple Athletes to DI/DII/DIII programs, including John Hopkins, the University of Colorado, and Rutgers | Led several youth hockey teams to state tournament championships.

Pat McAuley

Hockey Coach

Pat McAuley

pmcauley@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts University of Connecticut - Concentration: History. Master's Degree Hofstra University - Concentration: Secondary Education.

Career Highlights:
NCAA D1 | University of Connecticut 2008-2010
USHL-Lincoln Stars 2006-2007
AJHL-New Jersey Rockets 2005-2008
4x SAHOF State Champions
2x Southeast District Champions
1x Southeast District Finalists

Zach Remers

Hockey Coach

Zach Remers

zremers@NESTED.LIVE

Level 2 Hockey Coach

Professional Experience:
Skills & Player Development Trainer:
Amateur through Pro Player Levels

Career Highlights:
Played Junior Hockey NAHL
Played Collegiate Hockey at Buffalo State
Played 2 Years Professional Hockey in the
ECHL & SPHL

support staff

Julian Juarez

Chaplain

Julian Juarez

I have served as a full-time Children’s Pastor at Bridgeway Church since 2018 and as the Campus Pastor and Chaplain at Nest Hockey Academy since 2023. I have led large-scale events with over 400 students and adults, spoken at schools throughout the Wesley Chapel area, and participated in FCA programs over the years. I value working in school settings, as they provide unique opportunities for meaningful relationships and consistent engagement with both staff and students.

Cindy Zasucha

Administrative Assistant

cindy zasucha

czasucha@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Executive Assistant Certification
Program | Bryant & Straton Business Institute

Professional Experience:
Legal Secretary
Non-Profit Administrative Assistant
Corporate Executive Administrative Assistant
School Finance Secretary

Career Highlights:
Successfully organized a yearly non-profit organization's annual silent auction fundraiser, achieving fundraising goals.
10+ years Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer

Nicole DeCicco

Student & Client Services

Nicole DeCicco

ndecicco@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Science St. Petersburg College - Concentration: Management & Organizational Leadership

Professional Experience:
5 years exp. as a 2nd Grade Teacher | Apollo Beach, FL

Career Highlights:
Teacher to Teacher Mentor
Lightning Leader Award Winner
Teacher of the Year Nominee
Great American Teacher Finalist

Facility Staff

Jeff Griffey

Rink Manager

Jeff Griffey

jgriffey@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Associate's Degree University of Kentucky Community College - Concentration: Science Associate's Degree Kentucky Tech -Concentration: Information Technology

Professional Experience:
Hopkins Co. Board of Education / IT Specialist, Voice Comm. & Data | Madisonville, Kentucky
Madisonville High School Boys Basketball Coach
Madisonville Tire & OTR Outside Sales Manager

Career Highlights
Madisonville Boys Basketball Coach – Hall of Fame 2021
Dell & Microsoft Computer & Educational Software Certification
Bridgestone / Firestone OTR Safety & Sales Certified

Nick Dubaj

Rink Manager

Nick Dubaj

ndubaj@NESTED.LIVE

Education:
Bachelor of Arts St. Leo University - Concentration: Sports Business.

Professional Career:
Nest Hockey Rink Manager 2022-present

Coaching Highlights:
Dean's List at St. Leo University
Assistant Captain, St. Leo's
Men's Club Hockey Team