Mainspring Academy is closed for Spring Break beginning 3/10/2023 to 3/17/2023. We will be responding to inquiries promptly upon our return.
We strive to recruit the most qualified candidates for our academic and support staff. Our employees receive competitive salaries, and full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, short-term disability, and discounts on Mainspring Academy tuition. All employees are also eligible for supply and professional development stipends.
Please visit our Employment Page to view current openings and apply for a position at Mainspring Academy.
Join us in supporting the amazing students we serve at Mainspring Academy.
Dina originally joined Mainspring as a founding board member and consultant during the school’s formation. She accepted the position of Director of School Operations in 2015, during Mainspring’s inaugural year, where her primary focus was school finance, vendor contracts, and human resource management. Through her experience as a parent and administrator, Dina has become an expert in McKay and Gardiner scholarship compliance and management, helping many families and several other private schools become better educated in properly utilizing scholarship funds. In 2018, due to her proven track record and continued passion for Mainspring, Dina was asked to take over as Head of School. Since this time, she has run two successful end-of-year campaigns and a successful capital campaign that allowed Mainspring to move into a customized space better suited for the needs of our students.
Dina, a Florida native, has always been interested in working in the non-profit sector. Dina attended Louisiana State University where she was a student ambassador for the EJ Ourso School of Business’s inaugural technology campaign, for which she was the campaign’s top fundraiser. After graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature and minor in business administration, Dina worked in several fields, including the airline industry and healthcare industry. In 2005, Dina had her first child, Luke, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. It was through her experience as a parent of a child with special needs that Dina’s passion for the non-profit sector was reinvigorated. In 2010, after spending five years as a stay-at-home mom, Dina volunteered to start a non-profit parent group for her son’s private special education school. She led committees that put on several successful fundraising events for this organization, allowing it to purchase a playground, sensory equipment, and put on many fun events for the students and families. During this same time, Dina completed coursework at the Florida Institute of Technology in applied behavior analysis.
Dina holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership,
with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Lewis University, as well as
a graduate certificate from Jacksonville University in Executive
Leadership. In addition to her business studies, Dina has completed
coursework with the Florida Institute of Technology in Applied Behavior
Analysis. Her professional interests include special education advocacy,
non-profit management and collaboration, leadership and change
management. In her free time, Dina enjoys spending time with her three
children and husband.
Liz began working with the special needs population in 2003 when she joined the Best Buddies club as a high school student. While in college, she worked as a teacher’s assistant at a school for autism, and as a caregiver for a young girl with cerebral palsy and autism. After graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2011 with a degree in health sciences, Liz obtained a teaching position in Osceola county in a self-contained autism classroom. She moved to Jacksonville in 2013, where she continued to teach children with varying disabilities. Liz was accepted into UCF’s Project ASD program and graduated with a Masters of Education in exceptional student education, with a focus in severe profound disabilities. She decided to continue her education at the Florida Institute of Technology in the ABA program and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2019.
At Mainspring, Liz supervises the instructional staff and provides them with training and in-class support. She chooses and implements the school’s curricula and is also the school’s liaison with Duval county for various title programs. Liz is is a certified Crisis Prevention trainer and provides staff training and oversight in crisis prevention and reduction. In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and sons, as well as attending music festivals, playing video games, and traveling.
Sabrena discovered her passion for serving the special needs population in 2011, when she spent the summer working as a mentor for the Arc Jacksonville’s Living Independently and Finding Enrichment (LIFE) program at the University of North Florida. Sabrena spent six years traveling around the country as a marketing professional and promotional product specialist, representing hundreds of brands. From fall to spring, one of her main brand partnerships was with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the North American International Auto Show circuit, where she worked as a product presenter and spokesperson. She spent her summers serving in Americorps VISTA through the Arc Jacksonville, as a mentor for young adults with IDDs. In 2018, Sabrena found the opportunity to combine her experience in marketing with her love for working with the special needs population, and now feels right at home with Mainspring Academy. While at Mainspring, she has completed her Cornerstone Foundation nonprofit certificate courses in Nonprofit Essentials, Fundraising, and Grant-Seeking; along with Content and Social Media Marking certifications from Hubspot Academy. She received her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration and Development from Louisiana State University in July 2022. Sabrena has lived in Jacksonville since 1995. In her free time, she loves to cook, practice yoga, play her guitar and ukulele, and explore the beautiful state with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Amy is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She attended the University of South Alabama and graduated with a dual degree in special and elementary education. Amy has been teaching at Mainspring Academy for nine years. Her work has primarily focused on working with students who have profound needs in the areas of academics, communication and independent functioning. She is committed to providing students with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning. Amy strives to create and maintain an environment where her students can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them. Outside of the classroom, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, pets, and extended family!
Casey joined Mainspring this year as a teacher’s assistant. Casey grew up with two younger brothers on the autism spectrum and at age 14, he knew he wanted to make a difference and work with kids with disabilities. While his position at Mainspring is his first position in the special education field, his life experiences as a caregiver prepared him for his role. After just a short time at Mainspring, he realized he had found the perfect field, and he decided he wanted to work toward his RBT and continue to work with children with disabilities for years to come. Casey is currently completing his RBT coursework with Florida Institute of Technology and is excited to start his career working in ABA and special education.
Jennifer Boisvert, a native Floridian, is a vocational teacher at Mainspring Academy. She received her Bachelor’s in Science for business management, with the ultimate focus in the special needs community and bridging the gap of employment. She has worked in the field of ABA as an experienced Registered Behavior Technician. Her interest in the field came from raising a son on the spectrum and learning to guide him into adulthood. She has previous experience as a sensory motor coach and has worked with a variety of exceptional individuals. Her hobbies include swimming, gardening, and boogie boarding at Vilano Beach.
Callie Downing is a Florida native, raised in Gainesville. She brings over 9 years of experience working with children of all ages and backgrounds. In her years as an educator and clinician, she has gained a passion for enhancing meaningful learning and social and emotional development.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Professional Education from University of North Florida. Post graduating, she pursued an interest in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and has completed additional ABA coursework and supervised fieldwork earning credentials allowing her to support other therapists with their clients and families in clinical, classroom and in-home ABA services. In her years in the ABA field, Callie had the opportunity to train RBT’s in the Maryland and Washington DC area to provide ABA services to diverse children of all ages and backgrounds. She currently is in pursuit of obtaining her Master’s in ABA. Callie is an avid Florida Gator fan and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her Rottweiler Cici, traveling, doing DIY projects and fishing!
Jennifer joined Mainspring this year as a teacher’s assistant and was quickly promoted to classroom teacher. Jennifer realized that she wanted to work in special education after her twin sons were diagnosed eight years ago. After having worked in the financial industry for 14 years as a Six Sigma Black Belt, she pursued her goal and decided to make a career change into something near and dear to her heart. In 2019, she taught students with varying disabilities for a small private school. Jennifer joined Mainspring this school year after being a Mainspring parent for 3 school years. Her goal is to make a difference in the kids’ lives and give their families the support they need. Along with her twins, Jennifer is a mom to two adult sons, one of whom is a teacher’s assistant at Mainspring.
Laney is a Jacksonville native. She began working with the special needs population in 2013 at a special-needs summer camp and then went on to become a teacher’s assistant at a private pre-school for a class that included children with special needs. In 2018, Laney became a classroom paraprofessional at Mainspring Academy. She is currently a teacher’s assistant and works directly with students who exhibit
severe behaviors and need additional supports to access the learning
environment. Laney is a certified RBT and currently pursuing an AA degree at
FSCJ. Laney is married to her high school sweetheart, and she enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.
Lindsay is the enrichment instructor at Mainspring Academy. She received her
Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in ceramics from the University of
North Florida. She is also a Level 2 Certified Kids and Family Yoga Teacher through Rainbow Yoga, which includes Yoga for Children with Additional Needs. From 2012 to 2016 she was a nanny for a little boy with Down
syndrome, an experience that completely changed her life and her career goals.
Lindsay received her RBT certification in 2020. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys traveling, yoga, and making
ceramics.
Sara recently joined the Mainspring Academy team in a classroom which focuses on academics and social skills. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in Professional Education. She has spent almost a decade working with ESE and low-academic students in numerous Duval County private schools through Catapult Learning and Title 1. Previouslt, Sara spent two years as an RBT, serving at a special education school in Jacksonville. She has lived in many states, including Massachusetts, New York and Michigan, and has lived in Florida for the past 22 years. Sara has been married almost 20 years, and has three children. Her oldest, aged 16, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Sara enjoys spending time playing video games with her family.
Paige graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2019 with a B.A. in public health. She spent her time there as a sports medicine intern for various USC athletic teams, as well as tutoring refugee children in an after-school program. Paige moved to Jacksonville to work as a therapy technician at Brooks Rehabilitation. She assisted PTs, OTs, and STs with patients of all ages and abilities, and also volunteered at Surfers for Autism in September 2019. She has recently completed classes in communication sciences and disorders and American Sign Language. She is now currently working towards her Master’s in Special Education, with a concentration in Disability Services. Paige enjoys spending her free time doing yoga, reading, and walking on the beach with her yellow lab, Harden.
Bianca has traveled between Texas, Michigan, California, and made her way to Jacksonville in 2018. She earned her AA from Santa Fe College in communications sciences and disorders and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in social work. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work from the University of Central Florida, with the goal of specializing in behavioral and mental health. Bianca has worked with children of all ages through various internships and jobs as a classroom assistant, afterschool caregiver, in-home caregiver and nanny. Outside of Mainspring, Bianca enjoys spending time with my family and friends, cuddling with her chihuahua Dale, binge watching tv shows, and playing the guitar.
Stephanie is a teacher’s assistant in the Vocational I class at Mainspring Academy. She began working with the special needs population in 2011, where she developed experience with students with IND-P, PMH, TMH, High & Low functioning Autism, Asperger’s & EBD. Stephanie has her Associate’s degree in Education & is working towards her Bachelor’s degree and RBT certification. She has three children, one of whom has special needs, which sparked her passion for helping the special needs community. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys the beach and pool, and spending time with her family and children.
Logan was born and raised in Jacksonville. She began working with children in high school. Then, after graduating in 2020, served as a paraprofessional at Sabal Palm Elementary before starting her journey with Mainspring Academy. Outside of work Logan enjoys napping and spending time with her two cats, Willow and Sweetpea.
After a five year break to be a stay-at-home mom, Lisa is excited to be back in the classroom. Her love for the special needs community originated when she was a young child, after being introduced to a family friend with autism. Lisa volunteered at Camp I Am Special and began her teaching career in the public school system after she graduated from college. Lisa began teaching at Mainspring Academy in 2012. Her current focus as a teacher is to help her students build foundational functional skills with the goal of helping them gain a sense of independence. Lisa is currently pursuing her Registered Behavior Technician certification and plans to enter her master’s program for special education. When Lisa isn’t teaching you can find her at home with her husband and 3 boys, in her garage making dollhouses, or at the local community theatre participating on stage or behind the scenes.
Dawson is a teacher’s assistant in the transition classroom at Mainspring Academy. He is originally from Iowa, but moved to Jacksonville with his military family at the age of eight. Dawson has a younger who was diagnosed with autism, which sparked his passion for working with children with special needs. After graduating from Mandarin High School in 2019, Dawson worked as a 1:1 paraprofessional at Mayport Elementary School. After one year at Mayport, he sought a new position in child care which led him to his position as a teacher’s assistant at Mainspring Academy. Dawson is currently a student at Saint Johns River State Community College and plans to pursue his RBT certification courses.
Elizabeth is originally from Albany, New York and moved to Jacksonville, Florida after serving in the US Navy for five years. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology. Elizabeth has over three years of experience working with children and adults with special needs. In her free time, she enjoys being with my friends, trying new foods, and practicing martial arts. Elizabeth is also currently working towards earning her black belt in Taekwondo.
Christian is originally from Tennessee, but moved to Jacksonville with his partner Jessica in July 2022. He spent years working in many different fields before finding his passion in working with children with special needs. Before moving to Florida, Christian began his career as a paraprofessional with Rocketship Public Schools where he helped to integrate children into a general education classroom setting. He is looking to further his education in early childhood development and become certified as an RBT so that he can better serve the children he works with.
Jonathon is originally from Oregon and moved to Florida in 2017. He is a child of a deaf adult (CODA) and studied at Keuka College in New York where he received a degree in sign language and interpreting. During his years in college, Jonathon volunteered at various schools to interpret for deaf children. This experience grew his interest in the education of children with intellectual and developmental differences. Jonathon’s hobbies include working out, traveling, and collecting cups.
Tawaynna was born in Virginia and spent her life traveling as a military child. Her family eventually settled down in Hinesville, GA after her father retired. Tawaynna honorably served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, then entered into the field of education after her years of service. She worked in Hinesville for seven years as a paraprofessional for a special needs elementary program before moving to Florida in 2022. She is a proud mom of five beautiful children. Tawaynna is a die-hard Alabama fan. When not at Mainspring Academy she enjoys planning her wedding, spending time with her family, cheering on her childrens’ sports teams, and serving the community with her sorority.
Jeff studied at the University of Central Florida where he received his degree in Special Education. He spent a few years teaching in both Orange County and Osceola County before moving to North Florida. Jeff enjoys working with students with intellectual and developmental differences and is looking forward to an outstanding year with his students at Mainspring Academy.
Kimberly began her career in the field working for Miami Dade Public Schools as a substitute teacher in the special education department. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Jackson State University in Mississippi. Kimberly has been living in Jacksonville for 2 years and worked as an RBT at private schools in the area before coming to Mainspring Academy. She enjoys spending her free time with her 6-year-old daughter and two dogs. Kimberly’s hobbies are working out and creating new dishes in the kitchen.
Shermaine has served in the education field for ten years after beginning her career in Connecticut as a Teacher’s Assistant. She recently graduated from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. As a child who grew up in a family of educators, Shermaine knew at a young age that teaching was her passion. She loves to incorporate mindfulness within her teaching, equipping students with tools to build self-esteem, manage stress, and skillfully approach everyday challenges. Shermaine enjoys football, DIY projects, cooking and baking, dancing, walking, shopping, and all the girly things in life. Most importantly, Shermaine is a family-oriented woman and loves making memories with her two boys.
Dominique is a Florida native that knew early on that she wanted to work with the special needs population, a calling that was passed down from her grandmother who shared her eagerness to make a difference. She is a certified RBT and is currently working towards receiving her BA in social work with a minor in psychology at the University of North Florida. Before working at Mainspring Academy, Dominique provided ABA services to numerous clients in many environments. In her free time, she enjoys watching football with her family and ensuring her dogs are having the best times of their lives.
Mainspring Academy is closed for Spring Break beginning 3/10/2023 to 3/17/2023. We will be responding to inquiries promptly upon our return.