Department: TDS Administration

Lois has served as the Head of TDS since 1997. She has an M.A. in Special Ed., Post Master’s Certification in Administration and Supervision, and has completed doctoral coursework in Special Ed.  More importantly, Lois has been actively involved in education for over four decades. She has experience in schools, has taught Special Ed. courses at the university level and was the Founding Dir. of the Keystone Prep H.S. Board. As a lifelong learner, she is passionate about finding ways to unlock academic and social successes for each child. She is inspired daily by the commitment of outstanding parents and a faculty dedicated to the students, making it a joy for her to come to work each day!  Married with 5 grown children & grandchildren (one lives with her to keep her young), she loves to read, read and read-sometimes at the beach!

Jennifer Mitrakos serves as the Assistant Principal at Tampa Day School and is passionate about creating a positive, engaging learning environment where both students and teachers can thrive. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Lehman College, a Master of Science in Educational Technology, and a Post-Master’s Certification in Educational Leadership.

Jennifer holds certifications in Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, Gifted Education, Middle Grades Science, and ESOL. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to supporting teachers through professional development, instructional coaching, curriculum planning, and the implementation of best practices that promote student achievement.

As Assistant Principal, Jennifer works closely with faculty to strengthen instructional practices, develop school schedules, coordinate after-school clubs and enrichment opportunities, and foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. She believes in educating the whole child and values building strong partnerships with students, families, and staff.

Jennifer and her husband are proud parents of four children, all of whom attended and graduated from Tampa Day School. She is also the proud owner of Poppi, Tampa Day School’s beloved school dog, who brings joy to students and staff each day.

Jim wears many hats at Tampa Day School, which is in keeping with his broad experiences in the business world before joining TDS. He is currently a PE Teacher, a Sports Coach, the TDS Athletic Director, and Building Manager. Jim joined TDS in 2019 after a 29 year career as a Human Resources leader for IBM. After earning a B.S. in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse and a M.S. in Human Resources Management from the University of Illinois, he held HR leadership roles at four IBM sites, including a 2-year assignment in Dublin, Ireland, and finally at the corporate headquarters in Armonk, NY. While at IBM, he specialized in organizational transformation, leadership development and executive coaching. Jim was a certified executive coach and organizational culture consultant. Outside of his corporate roles, Jim also coached youth sports for 20+ years, starting with high school diving right out of college and then had 18 years of coaching youth soccer here in Tampa. Jim brings his broad global business experiences, along with his passion for helping others and coaching sports to everything he does at Tampa Day School.

Linda studied business at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University before her extensive experience in the private business sector.  Linda serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Admin Team and is the point of contact for appointments with members of the Team.   She is often behind the scenes adeptly coordinating many of the important details of both day-to-day events as well as many of the school’s annual activities/events.   She is a master of organization and planning and is committed to providing excellent customer service.  She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and visiting her lake house in Michigan when she is away from work.

Pat has over 26 years of experience serving in public and private schools. Although she was initially a member of the Learning Solutions Tutoring team, she eventually assumed the role of business manager.  She is an amazing asset and is always willing to “go the extra” mile for faculty, staff and parents. She is dedicated to providing excellent customer service to families and works diligently to respond to parent and vendor requests and questions in a professional and timely manner.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her adult children and grandchildren.  She also loves to read, cook and travel.

Andrea serves as the School Psychologist and Director of Outreach. She is a graduate of both the School Psychology and Education Leadership Programs at USF and has been a practicing school psychologist for over 2 decades. In addition to her experience in schools and private practice, Mrs. Mowatt-Duncklee has been a member of the admin team since 1998. She has provided a variety of school psychology services and in the past, has served several roles at TDS including the Associate Head of School, Director of Admissions, and Lower Division Director. She has dedicated her career to working with children, families, schools and community professionals to promote the well-being and school success of children and adolescents and is excited to be a continuing member of the TDS student support team. She loves to travel with her husband and son, has a passion for learning and innovation, and enjoys designing experiences that build student character & confidence.

Paula has over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in school & clinical settings. She has a B.A. in Education, an M.A. in Special Ed., and is certified in multiple areas, including-Elementary Ed. and Specific Learning Disabilities. While at TDS, she has taught Reading/LA classes, served as a member of the L.S. Tutoring Team, and has been instrumental in planning several large community events. In her role as the Director of Admissions, she combines her in-depth knowledge of TDS and tutoring services with her clinical experience and training to identify potential candidates for enrollment. She is a dedicated professional whose expertise and passion helps families as they search for a good fit school for their child. Paula serves on several local boards and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.

Patricia has provided educational intervention at TDS for over 20 years.  She shares her expertise in clinical reading methods in her dual role as Director.  She is knowledgeable about L.D., dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and Asperger’s and is experienced in evidenced-based strategies for teaching students with learning differences. She has advanced training in Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes (LiPS/VV)® and Orton-Gillingham Methodologies. Patricia works collaboratively with TDS teachers and the local community to promote success when L.S. students return to the classroom.  She provides ongoing, up-to-date training for TDS tutors and parents, works tirelessly to support students, and exudes a passion for delivering high-quality, effective intervention services.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family & friends.