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Principal Dr. Esther Seward
I have a passion for children and strive to make a positive impact in the lives of the students I encounter daily. My career as an educator began 20 years ago in the Broward County Public Schools as a 6th grade teacher. I taught middle school for eight years, which includes serving students at Fruit Cove and Pacetti Bay Middle. Prior to coming to Murray, I served as an Assistant Principal here in St. Johns County for six years at John A. Crookshank, Cunningham Creek, and The Webster School. My administrative experience also extends to the secondary level where I served for three years in Jacksonville, Florida for Duval County Public Schools. Schools at Highlands Middle School, and two years in Northern Virginia for Prince William County Schools at Rippon Middle School. My educational experience includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Barry University in Miami, Florida; Master’s Degree in Math Education, Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate Degree in Education with a major in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Human Resource Development from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am thrilled to be part of a community committed to and invested in the success of our student body. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the students, parents, staff, and community of R. J. Murray Middle School. One Team!!! No Limits!!!
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Assistant Principal Ms. Angela Hunter
My career in Education started more than twenty years ago as a substitute teacher in SJCSD, as I worked on my Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education at the University of North Florida. My specific area of certification is Secondary Chemistry Education. After graduation, I spent four years working as a high school science teacher in Baker County. During this time, I honed my skills related to supporting reading in the content area, STEM lessons, and Project Based Learning. I was a teacher in the Criminal Justice Academy and started Advanced Placement Chemistry. My return to SJCSD included three years as a science teacher at Switzerland Point Middle School, where I focused on co-teaching science with ESE support and standards-based grading. From there, I transitioned back to the high school level as a science teacher at Ponte Vedra High School. My departure from the classroom started with the role of Science Coach at Nease High School and continued for the next five years at Ponte Vedra High School, where I served as Instructional Literacy Coach. The coach role has helped me hone my skills in supporting new teachers, monitoring school data, setting schoolwide goals, implementing action plans, and building relationships with all school community members. During my time as an Instructional Literacy Coach, I worked to earn a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana. Completing this degree has led me to the current opportunity to serve as an Assistant Principal. As a product of SJCSD, I am excited to start my administrative chapter here at R.J. Murray Middle School. St. Augustine has been my home for decades, and this is the local community where I am raising my own family now. My actions as Assistant Principal directly impact my home community, family, and friends. I am so thankful to be of the R.J. Murray Legacy. One Team; No Limits!
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Assistant Principal Ms. Holly Smith
I am excited to be part of the R.J. Murray Middle School Bulldog team. My passion as an educator is driven by the belief that students can dream, believe, and achieve when provided with a nurturing environment surrounded by champions for children. Each child deserves our very best everyday to help them become their very best, and that is my commitment to every student who walks the halls of Murray Middle School. I began my career in Duval County at Wolfson High School before I moved to Highlands County, Florida. I taught English/Reading and International Baccalaureate, Theory of Knowledge at Sebring High School for 13 years before moving to Fred Wild Elementary as an Instructional Literacy Coach. The following year I was named Assistant Principal at Lake Placid High School where I remained for five years before moving back home to St. Johns County to serve as an Assistant Principal at Nease High School. My education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a second Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from University of North Florida. I completed my Master’s in Educational Leadership from American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana. My passion for serving students has led me to R.J. Murray Middle School. The staff welcomed me with open arms, and I cannot wait to do the same for each Bulldog this school year. I am a servant leader at heart. It is with this mentality that I aim to provide support to the staff, students, parents, and community we serve to ensure our students become the best versions of themselves. One Team! No Limits! |
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Melanie Csorba – Executive Secretary/Bookkeeper Dani Fisher Computer Operator/Records Requests Enrick Joseph– Maintenance Coordinator Rhonda Ponce – Cafeteria Manager Tyler Coleman – Dean of Students |