The people who make Canguros feel like home
Our Board
Linda
Founder & President
Linda is a diversely experienced educator who loves to see children grow.
She holds a M.A. in Education with over 20 years of experience.
She’s worked in numerous fields ranging from running a youth sports program, providing classroom support to children who’ve suffered from traumatic experiences, to now founding and directing a nonprofit school.
Her teaching philosophy and methods are founded on the belief that each and every child is beautiful, uniquely gifted, and should know how invaluable they are to this world.
Linda is committed to seeing Canguros kids thrive from childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood- she’s so excited to start this journey with your growing child!
Lindsey
Secretary
Lindsey has been a resident of St Petersburg since the 1980s and has devoted much of her life to serving the community. She has volunteered with organizations throughout the area, including providing pro bono counseling services at a local community counseling center, bringing her expertise, guidance, and compassion to those in need.
With a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a B.A. in Psychology, Lindsey brings a deep understanding of human behavior and team dynamics to every role.
As a board member she continues to empower others through thoughtful leadership and dedicated guidance, always striving to foster connection, awareness, and growth in the communities and teams she serves.
Evan
Treasurer
Evan has resided in St. Pete for nearly two decades and carries a deep passion for the future of the city. He believes that a strong St. Pete starts with the children who live here.
He has the unique experience of witnessing the school’s growth from its inception to now and has seen the high-class learning, creativity, and connection and leadership skills given to students over the years. He continues to support Canguros because it gives him hope for the future both within St. Pete and beyond.
Evan has worked in numerous leadership positions focused on fundraising, budgeting, and community outreach. He brings an understanding of the importance of a balanced, efficient budget.
As a board member, he brings insight on the finances and is supporting the sustainability of Canguros.
Shyla
Director of Development
Shyla began her career in education in 2018 as a Pre-K teacher to an underfunded classroom in an underserved community. There, she developed a deep commitment to early childhood education and whole-child learning.
She joined Canguros in 2023 as a Pre-K teacher and has since grown to serve as the Assistant Director at the school and now as the Director of Development on the board. This progression has given her a comprehensive, ground-level perspective on the organization’s mission, programs, and community impact.
Shyla is deeply passionate about equity-based education, anti-racism, and anti-bias work. Her approach centers dignity, inclusion, and access, with a belief that early learning environments play a critical role in shaping more just and compassionate communities.
As a board member, she brings both instructional expertise and organizational leadership experience to support sustainable growth and mission-aligned development.
Alex
Director of Marketing
Alex was born and raised in South Florida, playing collegiate baseball and earning a B.A. in Business Marketing at Webber International University.
Following college, Alex spent time in the Marshall Island teaching English in a public high school before moving to St. Petersburg in 2019 where he worked as a volunteer coordinator with the nonprofit, Learning Empowered. Two years later, Alex opened his own business called Hot Korner Training Facility focused on developing and preparing baseball and softball players for the next level.
Alex has a heart to see youth reach their full potential.
As a board member, he brings both knowledge and expertise on marketing to expand the reach of Canguros, while also bringing a unique voice as a fellow founder of an organization serving youth in the Tampa Bay area.
Our Staff
We take great pride in hiring exceptional educators who share our values and our commitment to whole-child development.
Qualifications
All preschool teachers meet Department of Children & Families screening and training requirements
All K–12 teachers meet at least one Florida Statute qualification
Experience
All preschool teachers have or are actively working towards obtaining a Child Development Associate credential or higher
All K–12 teachers have one or more of the following: Bachelor’s degree or higher,
3+ years of K–12 teaching experience, specialized skills/subject-matter expertise
Safety First
All staff have a cleared Level II background check
All staff align with the mission and vision of Canguros and are committed to upholding our school values