Staff

Jennifer Tollefson, Director
tollefsonj@pcsb.org

13 years in education, 7 years in non-profit management
1st year with Pinellas County Schools and Chi Chi's
"I enjoy working at Chi Chi's because I am driven to inspire and empower students to reach their full potential." 

Lauren Messina, Counselor
pcs.messinal@pcsb.org 
3 years with Pinellas County Schools
3 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite part about working at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy is witnessing our students reach their fullest potential as they begin to believe in themselves and develop the confidence needed to succeed."

Josh Meurer, Student Support Coordinator
pcs.meurerj@pcsb.org
25 years with Pinellas County Schools
17 years with Chi Chi's
“My favorite thing about Chi Chi’s is watching our students become confident, well-rounded citizens who will have a positive impact in our community."

Paige Arrigoni, Teaching Assistant 
arrigonip@pcsb.org 
8 years with Pinellas County Schools
8 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about Chi Chi's is that it feels like family. I love working with all the kids and the staff is awesome."

Alexa Cooper, Teaching Assistant 
cooperalex@pcsb.org  

4 years with Pinellas County Schools
2nd year with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing at Chi Chi's is the connections I’ve been able to build with the students and the staff. There’s just something really special about being part of a school where people care, support each other, and show up every day wanting to make a difference."

Sean Hughes, Middle School Teacher - History/Civics
hughesse@pcsb.org 
4 years with Pinellas County Schools
4 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is being a part of the village for our students, their families, and each other. Chi Chi's isn't school, it's family."

Margaret Lucas, Teaching Assistant
lucasma@pcsb.org 
12 years with Pinellas County Schools
9 years with Chi Chi's
"I love the culture we have worked to establish here at Chi Chi's. We have staff and students that are kind, helpful, and accepting."

Jenell Mann, Middle School Teacher - Science
mannje@pcsb.org 

3 years with Pinellas County School
3 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite part of working at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy is encouraging students to think outside the box and embracing their strengths."

Melissa Murphy-Boyes, DMT/Front Office
murphy-boyesm@pcsb.org



5 years with Pinellas County Schools
"I love our students!"

Kayla Olson, Middle School Teacher - Reading
olsonk@pcsb.org 

7 years with Pinellas County Schools, 14 years overall
7 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi’s is getting to be a part of my students' stories. I am so lucky I get the chance to teach the same students year after year and build a safe and secure environment for them to learn and be successful in. I hope that by the time they graduate 8th grade they know they always have a home here."

Tiffany Petzinger, Middle School Teacher - ELA
petzingert@pcsb.org 

2nd year with Pinellas County Schools, 14 years overall
2nd year with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi’s is the staff and the students. We all work together and help the students be successful beyond their academic career!"

Michael Shultz, Physical Education Teacher
shultzm@pcsb.org 

39 years with Pinellas County Schools
10 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is the students."

Barbara Spanolios, Teaching Assistant
spanoliosb@pcsb.org 



25 years with Pinellas County Schools
9 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi’s is the Graduation ceremony and seeing the students that have attended Chi Chi's since the 5th grade. Knowing that I was a part of their academic and personal  growth and success through the years is very rewarding!"

Lauren Stuart, Middle School Teacher - Math
stuartla@pcsb.org 

10 years with Pinellas County Schools
8 years with Chi Chi's 
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi's is the ability to teach the same students from their 6^th grade year through their 8^th grade year.  We really get to know our students and how they learn best!"

Lori Vanderklok, 5th Grade Teacher
vanderklokl@pcsb.org 


27 years with Pinellas County Schools
23 years with Chi Chi's
"My favorite thing about working at Chi Chi’s is being able to help students become successful!"

Laura Willock, Varying Exceptionalities Teacher
willockl@pcsb.org 

2 years with Pinellas County Schools
1st year with Chi Chi's
"I am excited for this year, my favorite thing about Chi Chi so far is the family atmosphere. Everyone is so helpful and works as a team. Their love for teaching and bettering the lives of their students is evident every day!"

Stephen Bridges
bridgesste@pcsb.org