AICE Instructors

Dr. Little has been a bobcat since North Port High School opened in 2001. She spent many years teaching freshman English, and most recently was the AICE Global Perspectives teacher at NPHS. Dr. Little is here to help students achieve success in the AICE program. Please feel free to make an appointment using the QR code on her door or email any time if you need support.

Ms. McKay is one of the dedicated AICE counselors for diploma track students.  She helps students whose last names start with A-L with academic advising, study skills, social or emotional concerns, problem solving, and much more.  She is passionate about helping every student to be successful so that they can accomplish their goals.  Ms. McKay is very excited to be a part of the AICE program as a school counselor and as a parent. 

Ms. Kayser is one of the dedicated AICE counselors for diploma track students.  She helps students  whose last names start with M-Z with academic advising, study skills, social or emotional concerns, problem solving, and much more.   

She has been a school counselor since 2006 and enjoys helping guide students to reach their maximum potential and achieve their goals. Ms. Kayser is enthusiastic to be part of the AICE Team at NPHS. 

 Ms. Williamson came to NPHS in 2016 after moving to Florida upon her retirement from teaching in Indiana. Chapter 2 of her career has her teaching AICE General Paper to sophomores , three levels of Pre-AICE French, and AS French Language. The joy of interacting with motivated students in rigorous courses has provided a renewed love to a veteran teacher!

 Ms. Kennedy loves all things that involve literature, writing, history, and coffee.

Ms. Kennedy teaches AICE Global Perspectives and Research and A Level English Language. 

Mrs. Pryer began her teaching career in Illinois in 1994.  She started at NPHS in 2004 and has been teaching AICE Psychology since the course began.  Psychology is an interesting course that examines human behavior.  Mrs. Pryer loves to explore the research of human behavior with her amazing students.

 Mrs. Taylor began her teaching career in the wonderful state of Texas and became a part of the North Port High School staff in 2010. She has been part of the AICE program at NPHS for seven years teaching Pre-AICE English to our new freshman classes and AICE Thinking Skills. She enjoys teaching students how to analyze the credibility of documents and that the world is full of more complex issues that must be evaluated beyond yes or no answers. In her free time, Mrs. Taylor can be found hanging out with her family at the beach or the soccer field when she is not grading papers.

Mr. Troyer began his teaching career at NPHS seven years ago. He has a bachelor's degree from Florida State University in English Education, and a Master of Education degree from Western Governor's University in Learning and Technology. This will be his first year teaching AICE General Paper, having spent the last six years teaching Sophomore and Freshmen English, Intensive ELA, Creative Writing, and Speech & Debate. He is eager to join the AICE team and is excited to serve the needs of the AICE program and its students.

Mrs. Backo found her bobcat family after moving from New York to Florida in 2012. In AICE General Paper, Mrs. Backo strives to teach her students a love for both the fictional and real worlds. The classroom is not just a place to learn the content, but also the skills that will help you in the future. You will read A LOT and write A TON, but you will also have the chance to learn and discuss unique topics, as well as express your knowledge through your own passions and talents.  

Mr. Pinna was born and raised in Rome, Italy. He worked for a financial company in Milan for three years and then the International American Overseas School of Rome before moving to Florida in 2017.  He joined NPHS in 2018. He has been teaching Pre-AICE World History for two years and he will be teaching AICE International next year. Mr. Pinna has high expectations and wants his students to always give 100%. He loves history, soccer and traveling. 

Ms. Luqman teaches Global Perspectives and Research at North Port High School.

Laura David has been teaching at NPHS since the school since the 2001-2002 opening school year. Previously, she taught in Venice, Sarasota and Tampa. Currently, AICE Environmental Management and AICE Marine Science are her classes. 

Outside of school, Laura enjoys spending time with family and being active in outdoor activities like swimming, gardening and going to the beach. 

Mrs. Mitchell earned a BS in Mathematics and played softball at University of the Cumberlands. She began teaching math and coaching softball in 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Mitchell joined the bobcat family in 2004 as a math teacher and coach. She earned her master’s degree in Math Education from Florida State University. Mrs. Mitchell currently teaches Geometry Honors and AICE Thinking Skills at NPHS. 

Mrs. Reich has been instructing  the AS Language course since 2012. She is committed to assisting  her students navigate this rigorous course. 

When she is not reviewing and scoring writing pieces, she enjoys family, music,  the beach,  and the overall spontaneity that life brings!  

Collaborating  with NPHS’s amazing  teachers and students keeps her busy and positive. She appreciates the hard work  and passion that all stakeholders bring to the AICE program.   

Mrs. Wood has taught Biology here at North Port High School since the school first opened, and Pre-AICE Biology since the AICE program was started.  She holds a Master’s degree in Science Education as well as the State of Florida’s Gifted Endorsement.  She reads extensively and attends numerous lectures to learn about cutting-edge research and new scientific discoveries, which she then incorporates into the classroom curriculum.

Mrs. Wood is a 6th generation Floridian with a deep love of nature.  In her class, you will explore the living world in depth and get hands-on in a variety of labs.  You will also develop critical thinking skills and study habits that will benefit your future in the AICE program and beyond.

Sean Naeger has been a NPHS Bobcat for 5 years but has been teaching science classes for 15 years in many different places all over the world. He has his B.S. in Biology from Florida Atlantic University with a focus on Ecology. Previously, he has taught AICE Environmental Management and is currently teaching AICE Biology. Outside of school, Sean enjoys hiking, cooking, playing piano, and spending time with family.

David Nelson grew up in Kansas and attended the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He began his teaching career in 2010 teaching mathematics. During his time teaching at a private school, he was asked to also teach Physics. He loves to share how physics explains everything that happens in nature and how math is the language we use to solve physics problems. He came to North Port High School in 2018 to teach Physics as part of the AICE program.

Mr. Alvarez began his teaching career at North Port High School in 2007 following a successful business career and has taught Language Arts, World History, U.S. History, and Global Perspectives. He currently teaches AICE United States History in addition to U.S. History and U.S. History Honors. The author of two published historical novels, Mr. Alvarez is passionate about the History of the United States and looks forward every year to imparting to his students this same love of the people and events that have shaped our country

Mr. Blecke has been teaching Spanish and ESOL classes for over 15 years. He has his B.S. in Spanish and a master’s degree in Educational Technology.  Mr. Blecke enjoys collecting fossils, hiking, biking, and spending time with family.

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