Mrs. Gunter is a member of the Founding Board of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy and was the founding principal for the first three years of our school. Mrs. Gunter wrote the original charter application for Pineapple Cove Classical Academy at Palm Bay, as well as the subsequent applications for West Melbourne and our high school programs. In addition, Mrs. Gunter authored the Charter School Program grants for both schools, totaling over $850,000 in grant awards.

Mrs. Gunter brings 15 years of education experience as a classroom teacher, college professor, and faculty advisor to PCCA. She is certified in Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, and English 6-12.

As Director of School Operations, Mrs. Gunter handles much of the business tasks associated with the school, manages grants, ensures district, state, and federal compliance, and continues to mentor school leadership. She is currently completing her Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Email Mrs. Gunter here.

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. 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.

Mr. Ottinger is a founding faculty member of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy – Palm Bay and a teacher with over fifteen years of instructional experience in grades 5-12. He formerly taught in private schools and for five years owned, operated, and developed a classical instructional program for homeschool students in middle school and high school. He also spent three years as a senior loan adviser in commercial real estate finance and development.

Mr. Ottinger has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education – Middle Grades and earned his Master of Arts in English from the University of Central Florida. He is certified in Elementary Education and English 5-9 and holds the ESOL Endorsement.

At PCCA, Mr. Ottinger taught sixth grade and middle school English and was the National Junior Honor Society adviser and chess club adviser. He was awarded two field trip grants from Target for students to attend plays at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. As the Upper School Faculty Chair, Mr. Ottinger served as the liaison between instructors and the administration and coached new teachers in the classical model of education and the mission of PCCA.

E-mail Mr. Ottinger 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.

Ms. Engeron began working with PCCA at its inception as a founding member of the governing board. After serving on the board, she taught third grade at the school for two years, and then served in the role of Assistant Principal at the Palm Bay campus for three years. In her role as Coordinator of Special Projects, she assists the school-based leadership teams and serves with the Director to provide support of school-based initiatives.

Ms. Engeron brings 9 years of education experience as a classroom teacher, adjunct college instructor, and student academic advisor. As a complement to her role in student services at Eastern Florida State College, Ms. Engeron earned her master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from the University of Central Florida. Her student services experience includes student scheduling, program coordination, and admissions.

E-mail Ms. Engeron here.