Mrs. Michelle Melian joined Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in 2018, bringing with her over two decades of rich and varied experience in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Miami, and is a Florida-certified educator in Middle Grades Math (5-9), Spanish (K-12), and Gifted Education.

With more than 22 years of educational experience, she has served in a wide range of roles that have shaped her into the leader she is today. She began her educational career as a math teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she led her grade-level team early on. In 2007, she relocated to Melbourne Beach and continued her teaching career with Brevard Public Schools before stepping into a challenging and impactful role as a school-based coordinator.

In this capacity, she gained extensive experience managing vital student services and academic programs. Her responsibilities included overseeing district and state assessments, supporting ESOL services, coordinating 504 student accommodation plans, planning Career Days, and leading a variety of school-wide initiatives. She also played a key role in analyzing student performance data, facilitating professional development for teachers, building master schedules, and connecting families in transition with essential community resources.

After learning about and connecting with PCCA’s mission in 2018, Mrs. Melian chose to return to the classroom and spent several rewarding years as a Spanish teacher. This transition to PCCA marked the beginning of an incredible journey, and she delighted in sharing the beauty of the Spanish language and culture with our scholars, cultivating a classroom environment filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. She later served on the administrative team at the Palm Bay campus, growing her deep commitment to classical education.

Mrs. Melian is deeply aligned with the school’s classical mission and is proud to lead our West Melbourne campus, taking great pride in the growth and success of the PCCA community. As principal, she is honored to work alongside dedicated teachers, engaged families, and our remarkable scholars to not only uphold the highest standards of excellence, but to nurture the development of intelligent, virtuous American citizens.

E-mail Mrs. Melian here.

As a founding member of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy West Melbourne, Mrs. Short is a dedicated educational leader with nearly a decade of experience fostering student engagement, building strong school communities, and supporting student success. Prior to entering the classroom, she served as the school’s Before and After Care Coordinator, where she developed meaningful relationships with students and families. Today, she proudly serves as the Elementary Assistant Principal, bringing enthusiasm, compassion, and a deep commitment to the school’s mission.

Mrs. Short began her educational journey by earning an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Florida State College. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, further strengthening her leadership and organizational skills. Driven by a passion for education and school leadership, she earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.

With a diverse educational background and a servant-leader mindset, Mrs. Short is passionate about creating a positive school culture where students feel valued, challenged, and supported. She believes that strong relationships are the foundation of student achievement and is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders while fostering a welcoming and connected school community for all families.

E-mail Mrs. Short here.

Ms. Amy Gobeli has been in education since 2007, teaching grade levels 4-12. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with teaching fields focused in music theory and English, and is Florida-certified in K-6, 6-12 English, and K-12 Reading Endorsed. Ms. Gobeli joined PCCA in 2021 and taught 4th grade and 7th grade English Language Arts before moving to administration in 2023. Because of her extensive work with teenagers and in secondary education, Ms. Gobeli brings great experience with discipline, classroom management, and teacher support. She has a passion for education and loves serving as part of the Jr/Sr administration team at the West Melbourne campus.

E-mail Ms. Gobeli here.

Mrs. White joined Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in 2017 and brings more than 18 years of experience in education. She is a Florida-certified teacher in Elementary Education (K–6) and Exceptional Student Education (K–12) and also holds a Reading Endorsement.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology from Nova Southeastern University. Throughout her career, Mrs. White has been dedicated to helping students reach their full potential while building strong relationships with families and colleagues.

In November 2023, she transitioned from her role as a classroom teacher to school administration. In her leadership role, she remains committed to fostering a supportive school culture, academic excellence, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

E-mail Mrs. White here.

Mr. Petersen comes equipped with more than 35 years of experience as a professional educator across homeschool, private school, and public charter school settings. He has filled a wide variety of positions, including science teacher, coach (basketball, football, golf, and track), Athletic Director, Chaplain, and Head of School at various institutions in Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, and Colorado.

He has been involved in the Barney Charter School Initiative (BCSI) network since 2013, when he served as the Founding Principal of Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in Bentonville, Arkansas. He also served as Principal of Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas, Nevada before becoming Assistant Principal at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colorado in 2017.

In each of his various roles, Mr. Petersen has rigorously defended the importance of building excellent rapport with students, parents, and teachers alike. Prioritizing the maintenance of good relationships has enabled him to urge students onward and upward as they encounter difficult obstacles. He believes that new challenges should be received as opportunities to grow in virtue and wisdom, and maintains that personal success arises from steadfast integrity.

After hours, he enjoys the outdoors, time spent with family and friends, and most recently being “Bedstefar” (Danish for “grandfather”) to his young grandsons.

Pineapple Cove Classical Academies have built a strong foundation, and Mr. Petersen is eager to contribute in pursuit of an even stronger legacy.

E-mail Mr. Petersen here.

Mrs. Laura Lopez is a Florida-certified educator in Elementary Education (K–6) and Exceptional Student Education (K–12) and holds a Reading Endorsement (K–12). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton. Mrs. Lopez began her educational career in Pennsylvania, where she served as a Title I Mathematics Teacher from 2009 to 2014. During her time in a Title I school district, she developed a deep passion for supporting students with diverse learning needs and ensuring every child had access to meaningful educational opportunities.

After relocating to Florida in 2014, Mrs. Lopez continued her commitment to student success as a Mathematics Coach within Brevard Public Schools, where she supported teachers and students in strengthening mathematics instruction and achievement. Mrs. Lopez joined the Pineapple Cove Classical Academy family in August 2016, serving as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Teacher at both the Palm Bay and West Melbourne campuses. In this role, she expanded her dedication to supporting students with exceptionalities through individualized instruction and collaborative partnerships with families and educators.

In January 2022, Mrs. Lopez transitioned into the role of Student Services Coordinator at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy. In this leadership position, she collaborates with teachers, administrators, support staff, and families to ensure scholars receive the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports they need to thrive.

Mrs. Lopez is entering her 18th year in public education and her 11th year with Pineapple Cove Classical Academy. She remains dedicated to advocating for students, empowering educators, and creating opportunities for every scholar to reach their fullest potential.

E-mail Mrs. Lopez here.

Mrs. Ashley Dawsey worked for 11 years as a classroom teacher prior to joining the administrative team at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Teacher Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is certified in Elementary Education (K-6), Social Sciences (6-12), and holds a Reading Endorsement (K-12), and ESOL Endorsement (K-12). She began her career in BPS working with diverse groups of students across a variety of grade levels for 9 years. There, she served on the school’s shared leadership team to help solve problems and make the school a better place. In 2019, she was also nominated Teacher of the Year.

Upon learning about the mission and vision of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, she decided to begin her PCCA journey in 2020 as a classroom teacher. She has worked with both elementary and Jr./Sr. scholars during her time here as a classroom teacher. After joining the administration team, she has served as both Student Services Coordinator and Assistant Principal. Mrs. Ashley Dawsey is thrilled to be part of a team that works to support the cultivation of virtuous American citizens.

E-mail Mrs. Dawsey here.

Mr. Adam Craven joined Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in 2018 as a founding member of the West Melbourne campus. He holds certifications in Exceptional Student Education K–12 and Elementary Education K–6. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and is currently working toward a Master of Education in Educational Leadership at the American College of Education.

As Student Affairs Coordinator, Mr. Craven works alongside scholars, families, and faculty in service of preserving a school culture built on character formation, where courtesy, courage, honesty, perseverance, self-government, and service are not simply ideals but the ordinary expectations of an ordinary day. He understands that helping a child grow in character is not separate from helping them grow in knowledge, a conviction rooted in the classical tradition.

That conviction took shape over fifteen years in education, beginning at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, serving children and adolescents with significant emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. It found its fullest expression at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, where classical education gave it a name and a framework, an understanding that the goal of schooling is not the mere accumulation of knowledge but the development of the whole person, in pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

For Mr. Craven, education is not merely preparation, but the formation of a full and flourishing life rooted in virtue, prepared for citizenship, and alive with wonder for lifelong learning. He believes the most important work a person can do is to see the souls before them clearly and serve them faithfully. He considers it a privilege to answer that calling alongside the scholars, colleagues, and families of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.

E-mail Mr. Craven here.