With a new school year starting today (Aug. 11), some Collier County schools are experiencing changes in leadership.
Six elementary schools and three high schools have a new principal this year.
Here’s who they are:
Calusa Park Elementary School: Susan (Susie) Summers
Susana (Susie) Summers has been named principal of Calusa Park Elementary School. She most recently served as Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Naples Park Elementary School and has held leadership roles at Manatee Elementary, Avalon Elementary, and eCollier Academy. With 14 years of experience in education—all within Collier County—Summers brings a strong instructional background and a deep commitment to student success.
Golden Gate High School: Geronimo Mulholland
Geronimo Mulholland has been named principal of Golden Gate High School, home of the Titans. He succeeds last year’s Florida Principal of the Year, Joe Mikulski. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Mulholland has served in leadership roles across Collier schools. He is passionate about ensuring every Titan graduates with a clear path—whether it’s college, career, or military service.
Aubrey Rogers High School: Yesenia (Jessie) Garcia
Yesenia (Jessie) Garcia has been named principal of Aubrey Rogers High School, home of the Patriots. Garcia joined Collier County Public Schools in 2011 and has served in various roles across multiple high schools. As a member of the inaugural administrative team, she helped open Aubrey Rogers High in 2023 and has played a key role in shaping its 21st-century learning environment focused on academic rigor and student engagement.
Village Oaks Elementary School: Maria Ferro
Maria Ferro has been named principal of Village Oaks Elementary School in Immokalee, home of the Panthers. She most recently served as Assistant Principal at Poinciana Elementary School, where she helped lead the school to an “A” rating. With more than 20 years in education, Ferro is committed to high-quality instruction, strong relationships, and continuous growth. She looks forward to partnering with families and the community to support every Panther’s success
Big Cypress Elementary School: Brandon Carter
Brandon Carter has returned as principal of Big Cypress Elementary School, home of the Bobcats. Carter previously served as principal from 2020 to 2023 and as assistant principal from 2017 to 2020. With experience in both elementary and middle school settings, he brings a focus on data-driven instruction and school climate. Big Cypress Elementary is aiming to maintain its “A” rating while continuing to build strong family and community partnerships
Tommie Barfield Elementary School: Amanda Kubin
Amanda Kubin has been named principal of Tommie Barfield Elementary School on Marco Island. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from John Carroll University and a master’s in educational leadership from the American College of Education. Kubin began her career as a classroom teacher and reading coach before serving as assistant principal at several Collier elementary schools. She brings more than two decades of experience in public education.
Highlands Elementary School: Tiffany Rosenberger
Tiffany Rosenberger begins her first full school year as principal of Highlands Elementary School in Immokalee. She joined the Highlands staff in 2020 as a reading coach, later serving as assistant principal before stepping into the principal role mid-year last year. Rosenberger holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida Gulf Coast University and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Florida, with a focus on teacher leadership and reading.
Osceola Elementary School: Tracy Fisher
Tracy Fisher has been named principal of Osceola Elementary School. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Florida Gulf Coast University and brings more than two decades of experience in education. Fisher previously served as an assistant principal in Collier and Lee counties and has a background in instructional leadership, student support services, and school operations. She looks forward to building strong connections with Osceola Elementary families.
Gulf Coast High School: Tim Kutz
Tim Kutz has been named principal of Gulf Coast High School in Naples. Mr. Kutz began his career in Lee County before moving back to Illinois. He relocated to Collier County in 2008 where he served as principal of Barron Collier High School and held district-level roles in operations and school leadership. He returns to campus leadership with a focus on building upon Gulf Coast High’s “A” rating and continuing its tradition of academic and extracurricular excellence.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Back to school: Nine Collier County schools have new principals. Here’s who they are
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
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