Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership

Phone: 904-693-7523
Email Tamara Roper

I come to you with a very diverse background rooted in servant leadership and a commitment to public school education. In 1982, I enlisted in the United States Army Reserves from right here in North Florida while I was still in high school.  Upon graduation, I attended Florida Junior College at Jacksonville, compliments of the Army.  I soon realized that I wanted to become a commissioned officer, and in 1986, I entered the United States Military Academy at West Point.  In 1990, I graduated from West Point and served on active duty in the United States Army from 1990-1997. In 1995, I was assigned to teach ROTC at the University of Florida.  This was a turning point for me; it would be my last assignment in the Army as I fell in love with teaching.  I soon found my way to the classroom to teach math, coach, and serve as the dean in a small private school in Lake Mary, Florida.  As I found myself in increasingly challenging roles, I soon dreamt of leading my own school.  I came to Jacksonville in 2007 to pursue my Educational Leadership degree and started my public school career teaching Algebra and Geometry at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.  For the next five years, I served as an Assistant Principal at Douglas Anderson, Mandarin High School and LaVilla.  I then had the privilege of serving as the Principal of Twin Lakes Academy Middle School where we moved from a C school to a B school.

All these incredible experiences have led me right here to Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership.  I bring to JSMAL a passion and deep appreciation for education and the military.  It is my goal that every cadet at JSMAL is prepared for high school and develops a lifelong appreciation for all those who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces.

Follow me on twitter at: @tammytuschhoff

Phone: 904-693-7523
Email Christina Thompson

Mrs. Thompson, an educator for 15 years, currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership. She has previously served as a middle and high school teacher, Instructional Reading Coach, and District ELA Specialist.

As a District ELA Specialist, Mrs. Thompson worked closely with school-level leadership to analyze school data for the implementation of appropriate instructional strategies. She also provided support to middle school classroom teachers through collaborative planning and modeling.  Mrs. Thompson also developed and delivered district-wide professional development to school administration and teachers. For 3 years, she took on the task of planning the District Spelling Bee.

Mrs. Thompson received her bachelor’s degree in English Education from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is also ESOL and Reading endorsed.

Mrs. Thompson enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new places. She is married with one daughter and two sons. Her passion for education emanates from a lineage of equally passionate educators as her mother and grandmother were both in education for over 30 years.

The quote, “Education is the seed to success that blooms over time, leading to a bright and beautiful future” is one that Mrs. Thompson developed through her educational career.