Below you can find introductions to our team of dedicated full-time and part-time facilitators, resource people, volunteers, and board of directors . As per Florida Department of Education requirements, all of our facilitators (teachers) meet one of the following criteria: have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject, OR three or more years of K-12th grade teaching experience, OR have special skills, knowledge or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in K-12th grade subjects.

Still have questions? Contact us.

Spark ALC Team

Dawn Leonard

Co-Founder, Director of Education, Facilitator

Dawn worked in public schools as a Florida licensed teacher before seeking alternatives to traditional schooling. Feeling disenchanted with the outdated structures and confines of the public school system, she sought an educational environment that fostered curiosity, inquiry, and natural learning through play and living life to the fullest. Spark ALC was created from the desire for a self-directed learning environment inspired by the philosophies of John Holt and Peter Gray. Dawn loves sharing joyful "a-ha" moments with young people, designing immersive project-based learning experiences, and creating imaginative play environments at Spark ALC. She feels very thankful to spend her days doing what she loves and building a wonderful community of life-long learners.

Erika Moyer

Director of Operations and Facilitator

Born and raised in vibrant Miami, Erika has also explored life in Vermont, Georgia, and Ontario before settling down in the beautiful Suncoast. Her journey into alternative education started with a personal twist: disliking her own school experience as a child, she opened a successful daycare in Canada to stay home with her firstborn son. Shortly after, she began homeschooling—a journey that’s now spanned over 12 years and includes her daughter as well.

A native Spanish speaker with a diploma in medical transcription and editing, Erika brings a rich professional background in the medical, education, and corporate worlds. She’s worked in writing, editing, project management, event planning, administration, and social media, as well as tutoring in English Language Arts and Spanish.

When she’s not busy helping others learn, Erika loves to relax outdoors. Whether swinging under the trees, bird-watching, reading everything from novels to self-help books, practicing yoga, going fishing, walking trails, or tending to her edible garden, she finds joy in the simple, quiet, and beautiful moments of life.

At Spark, Erika loves sharing her passions for Spanish, writing, grammar, anatomy, edible gardening, sustainability, and yoga for teens. She’s also dedicated to guiding high school learners in creating personalized paths for life after high school, helping them discover and pursue their dreams. But her favorite thing of all? Having fascinating conversations with the incredible kids at Spark!

Sheila Blake

Facilitator

Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, Sheila moved to sunny Sarasota in 2009, where she discovered her true Floridian spirit. With over 12 years of experience working with children in various environments, Sheila has developed a gentle, kind, and compassionate approach that helps kids thrive and reach their full potential.

Sheila’s educational journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. While seeking the best fit for her two daughters, she explored Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio-inspired methods, gaining a wealth of knowledge along the way. She’s thrilled to have found Spark ALC—a self-directed learning center that feels like the perfect match for her passion and expertise.

With a strong background in yoga, Sheila understands the importance of building a solid foundation for lifelong well-being, starting with our youngest learners. Through her Kidding Around Yoga business and a mobile art studio, she has brought joy and creativity to the community by hosting events, camps, and classes. Sheila also shares her talents in aerial silks, sewing, cooking, and self-improvement, always looking for ways to uplift and inspire others.

On her days off, you’ll likely find Sheila soaking up the sun at the beach, paddleboarding in a local spring, or camping and enjoying the great outdoors.

Debbie Leonard

Facilitator of Culinary Arts

Debbie Leonard has always found it rewarding to care for and help others. She started her career as a medical surgical intensive care nurse. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to learn about different cultures and cuisine. Traveling furthered her interest in cooking and increased her culinary skills by taking various classes such as pasta making in Siena, Italy and classes at California Cooking Academy and the Culinary Institute of America in Napa. After raising her children, she started a catering business fueled by her passion for cooking. Currently, Debbie is the instructor of the Culinary Arts Program at Spark ALC. She enjoys sharing her love of cooking with young people and helping them become independent in the kitchen. One of her favorite quotes is from Julia Child, “No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.”

Amanda Thress

Speech Language Pathologist, ELA Facilitator

Amanda’s passion is connecting with young people and earning their trust. She received her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology from State University College of New York at Geneseo in 1995, and has held a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Communicative Disorders from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) since 1996. She has completed several advanced continuing education courses in order to enhance her skills including but not limited to: Orton Gillingham, ADHD and Anxiety, Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), Emotional Intelligence, and Trauma Informed Care. Amanda has also co-treated with many Occupational Therapists and has learned to combine sensory and movement activities into her therapeutic activities. She has worked in homes alongside parents and other therapists, in schools, and in clinics. Amanda also had the opportunity to act as teacher of Language Arts/Reading/Writing for five years at Woodland Academy in Lakewood Ranch. Having the freedom to offer meaningful and motivating activities based on children’s interests and needs instead of a predetermined curriculum is empowering to her. She enjoys watching children’s curiosity and creativity ignite, and their confidence increase. Amanda believes in creating a safe and supportive environment so that people are willing to take risks to grow and explore. She is most inspired when participating in a multi age community who desires to bring out the best in each other. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling, hiking, boating, gardening, reading, exploring coffee shops and playing games with family and friends.

David Moyer

Facilitator

Dave brings a dynamic blend of creativity, global perspective, and lifelong passion for learning to Spark. With over 20 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer and Creative Director for clients like Pepsi, Twitter, Major League Soccer and more, he now channels that same energy into helping learners think critically, communicate visually, and explore their own ideas.

Outside the classroom, Dave spent over 30 years playing competitive rugby, teaching snowboarding, and diving into just about every boardsport you can think of. He also has a passion for woodworking and carpentry, and he‘s traveled the world, gaining a deep appreciation for different cultures and ways of thinking—experiences he loves to share to spark curiosity and broaden perspectives. Whether he’s mentoring students or carving down a mountain, Dave believes in creativity, resilience, and the value of trying new things.

Michelle Millner

Office Coordinator

Michelle was born in Venice, FL, and relocated to Virginia as a child before returning to Florida as an adult. With a background in law enforcement, her career was interrupted by an injury, but her passion for helping others has remained steadfast. With a deep commitment to working with individuals of all ages, Michelle finds immense fulfillment in encouraging and supporting both children and adults. She also spent several years as an executive assistant and event coordinator, honing strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Outside of professional pursuits, Michelle enjoys spending quality time with her fiance, appreciating the beauty of Anna Maria Island, and engaging in hobbies such as cooking, writing, and photography. Michelle is excited to bring their positive, supportive energy to the families at Spark ALC.

Part-Time, Resource, and Volunteers

Salina Robbins

Administrative Volunteer

Salina Robbins knew when she had kids that traditional school was not the best option for her family. After a few years, she decided to begin homeschooling her oldest son. Eventually, she found herself at Spark. When her son first started, he wanted her to stay on campus just to provide support. As she worked from Spark, she began helping the facilitators with small tasks that needed to be completed. She came to enjoy working with the kids and using her administrative skills to help. Prior to Spark, she was the office manager for her family run business for 20+ years. She has also worked with kids through Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Children and Family Services, and Boys & Girls Club.

Harold Gonzalez

Math and Chess

Harold Gonzalez is a National competitive chess player and directs a local United States Chess Federation team in Bradenton, Florida. Their passion and love for chess has driven them to teach the game to different communities, with a goal of sharing and teaching others how to enjoy the game while learning about themselves in the process. Harold is also passionate about subjects like philosophy, music composition, and writing, and loves to encourage others to create and think freely. Harold is currently working through their Masters degree in Data Science at New College of Florida, and is a strong advocate for the pursuit of knowledge and curiosity. "We never stop learning, I believe we as members of a community have a duty to share, teach and learn so that we could contribute to a better world."

Board of Directors

Amy Korenman

President of the Board of Directors

Amy Korenman has always enjoyed helping people of all ages reach their full potential as a therapist with a background in social work. Early in her career, she discovered the rewards of working with at-risk youth through 8 years of experience in the Outward Bound program. Once Amy had school-aged children of her own, she knew that she wanted to find a safe, creative, and fun place where her family could build long-lasting friendships. Amy shared a joint vision with Dawn and co-founded Spark ALC to build a community of self-directed learners in Manatee County.