Mrs. Wheeler taught for 15 years in Florida public schools prior to joining the administrative team at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in 2015. Her teaching experience includes primary grades and literacy coaching, which provided extensive experience in supporting classroom and ESE teachers with core and intervention instruction, diagnosing reading difficulties, designing interventions, administering and analyzing assessments, working with at-risk students, and professional development for both parents and faculty. Her educational credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Reading.

Mrs. Wheeler has a long-standing relationship with Pineapple Cove Academy. In 2006, Mrs. Wheeler began working with PCA’s VPK teachers. Through curriculum development, training, and data analysis, teachers worked to create a prestigious VPK Literacy program that is known throughout Palm Bay and Melbourne. In addition, Mrs. Wheeler also authored and organized PCA’s SES and private tutoring program.

Mrs. Wheeler is a founding member of the Palm Bay location and has worked closely with the administrative team, instructional staff, Barney Charter School Initiative, and the governing board to ensure a successful launch in the school’s beginning years. In her role as Assistant Principal, Mrs. Wheeler oversaw student discipline and adherence to our school’s virtues and policies, monitored the MTSS process and student progression, coordinated student assessment, supported teacher instruction, and conferenced with students and families to enhance our school’s academic and school culture.

E-mail Mrs. Wheeler here.

Mrs. Miranda Kraus is a founding member of the Pineapple Cove Classical Academy faculty. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a Florida certified teacher in Elementary Education (K-6) and Exceptional Student Education (K-12). Mrs. Kraus began her career teaching Exceptional Student Education in Virginia before moving to Florida in 2015. When starting with PCCA, she was an ESE teacher for primary grade scholars. After a few years, she supported whole-school efforts as a Student Services Coordinator. In this role, Mrs. Kraus facilitated the MTSS process and worked closely with ESE teachers, classroom teachers, district personnel, parents, and scholars. Most recently, Mrs. Kraus became the Assistant Principal for grades K-6. She brings great experience with discipline, student services, parent communication, curriculum, and teacher support to this position. 

E-mail Mrs. Kraus here.

Mrs. Braun comes to us as a Brevard native with over 25 years of experience in elementary education which includes teaching elementary students for 18 years and serving 7 years as an administrator for Brevard Public Schools. She joins our administrative team as the Elementary Dean here at PCCA this year. Her teaching experience includes VPK, 1 st , 3 rd , and 5 th grade. She also worked as a Title 1 resource teacher as a math coach and science teacher at the elementary level. During her teaching career, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for Math Prism Teacher of the Year. Through the years she has gained the knowledge and experience in supporting students, parents and teachers. Her educational credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education in Chicago. Mrs. Braun holds certifications in English Speakers of Other Languages (K-12), Elementary Education (1- 6), Educational Leadership, and School Principal(K-12) in the state of Florida. Mrs. Braun is excited to join the PCCA staff work with our scholars and families.

E-mail Mrs. Braun here.

Mrs. Michelle Melian joined Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at the University of Miami, and is a Florida certified teacher in Middle Grades Math (5-9), Spanish (K-12), and the Gifted Endorsement.

Mrs. Melian brings almost 19 years of education experience to her new role as the K-6 Student Services Coordinator. She began her career as a math teacher with Miami-Dade Public Schools, where she was also a grade level team leader. In 2007, she moved to Melbourne Beach with her husband and taught math for a few years with Brevard Public Schools before advancing to a rigorous coordinator position. In this role, she gained invaluable experience managing various services, programs and events, including district and state assessments, ESOL program services, 504 student plans, career days, general student services, and various school-wide initiatives. In this role, Mrs. Melian also analyzed student performance data, facilitated professional development sessions for teachers, worked with course scheduling, and connected families in transition with needed resources and services. After 9 years in this position, she left the public school system to join the PCCA family as a K-6 Spanish teacher, where for 3 years she thoroughly enjoyed bringing the Spanish language and culture to life for our scholars. She truly believes in our vision and mission, and is immensely proud of our school and organization. Mrs. Melian is honored to be able to support our teachers, scholars, parents and administrative team as we work together to develop intelligent, virtuous American citizens.

E-mail Mrs. Melian here.

Ms. Stacey Gilbert taught for 10 years prior to joining the administrative team at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy. In 2020, she earned a Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education at the University of Central Florida and received various awards such as UCF‘s Faculty Advisor Award. She is a Florida-certified teacher in Elementary Education (K-6), Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Reading (K-12), and English Speakers of Other Languages (K-12). She is also an active certified Crisis Prevention Instructor. She has presented at national conferences for the Council for Exceptional Children on anti-bullying campaigns and served as secretary for Florida‘s Division of Autism and Developmental Delays from 2012-2015 and before that was the president of UCF‘s student chapter. Just before joining PCCA, she was nominated Teacher of the Year. Most recently, Ms. Gilbert became PCCA’s Jr./Sr. Assistant Principal of Student Affairs.

E-mail Ms. Gilbert here.

Mrs. Michelle Johns has over 19 years experience as both a teacher and administrator in public schools and Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.  She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Instructional Systems from Florida State University.  Mrs. Johns is certified in Elementary Education and ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) endorsed. Additionally, she earned her National Board Certification in 2008.

Mrs. Johns began her career at PCCA as a third grade teacher and ESOL Contact during its founding year. Mrs. Johns also taught Math Enrichment to PCCA’s middle school scholars before becoming the Student Services Coordinator and ESOL Contact schoolwide in 2018.  She currently serves as the Student Services Coordinator and ESOL Contact for the Jr/Sr High School.  Mrs. Johns works closely with district personnel, classroom teachers, ESE teachers, Bilingual Assistant, 504 Contact, Gifted teacher, parents, and scholars to coordinate support to meet the needs of our scholars. She also supports school operations with admissions, scheduling, discipline, technology integration, and coordinating state assessments.

Email Mrs. Johns here.

Mrs. Hayford is excited for her first year at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in Palm Bay as the 7-12 Student Services Coordinator. She was raised in Brevard County and graduated from Satellite High School before attending Valdosta State University for her Bachelors Degree and the University of Central Florida for her Masters Degree. She comes to PCCA with 14 years experience in secondary education with Brevard Public Schools. Her classroom experience includes Drama, Musical Theatre and course recovery. She also served as a Testing Coordinator with Brevard Public Schools. This role included implementation of state and district assessments, managing ESOL Programs, development of master schedules and various school wide events and initiatives. Mrs. Hayford holds certifications in Drama K-12, Elementary Education (1-6) and Exceptional Student Education (K-12). Mrs. Hayford is thrilled to be a part of the Pineapple family and serving our staff and families, while furthering our mission of developing graduates in mind and character.

E-mail Mrs. Hayford here.