Mrs. Akkus

I have been an educator for 10 years. This will be my 6th year teaching at Wellington Elementary!

I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA but moved to Florida shortly after graduating college. My husband and I welcomed a precious baby girl into our family this summer. We love watching her grow and learn.

In my free time, I love to go to the beach, travel, try new restaurants, and be with family and friends.

Mrs. Buzzanca

This is my 12th year as a substitute teacher at Wellington Elementary. I also enjoy mentoring at Wellington High School through Take Stock in Children. Empowering students to achieve their goals is extremely rewarding.

I moved to Wellington in 1978 and am a Wellington Elementary alumnus and a graduate of the charter class at Wellington High School. My husband and I have two daughters and it seems like only yesterday they attended WES and now attend UF in the undergraduate and PhD program.

I love spending time with my family near and far and our sweet dog Izzie. I look forward to getting to know your students during their time at WES.

Mrs. Lopez

I have been teaching in Palm Beach County schools for 30 years. I was born and raised in Belle Glade.

I have been married for 25 years to my high school sweetheart. We have three children and they all attended Wellington Elementary! Our oldest daughter, Lexi, is a senior at UCF. She's in a sorority and was on the dance team for the last three years. Our son, Max, is a sophomore at UCF and in a fraternity. Our youngest daughter, Sydney, will be a freshman at Wellington High School.

I love being with my family and friends, boating, having FUN, and University of Miami football!

I am looking forward to working with the children and to an awesome school year!!

Ms. Maloney

Hello! Last year was my very first year teaching so this will be my second year teaching 1st grade at Wellington Elementary!

I absolutely love my job working with children and helping to shape young minds.

I attended Polo Park Middle School and Wellington High School. I also graduated from FAU in December 2019!

I have two nephews who attend Wellington Elementary as well. I am recently engaged and have a puppy named Rosie.

I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family and friends, and making people laugh!

I am so very excited for this new year to begin!

Ms. Navarro

I have been teaching at Wellington Elementary school for 18 glorious years! Not only do I have a love for reading but I also have a passion for teaching reading as well. In my classroom, students know how much I love to dance and make learning fun. In my spare time I travel for fun!

I grew up in California and attended UCLA/CSUN. I have two grown children and an interesting fact is they both went to WES when they were young. I’ve lived in Wellington for the past twenty five years but now I’m residing wherever my suitcase takes me! Looking forward to a new adventure of distant learning with your new first grader. Remember we are all in this together and we will keep dancing our way through learning!

Mrs. Oerter

This is my 15^th year at Wellington Elementary and my fourth year teaching 1^st grade. Before that, I worked in the Afterschool Program. Working with kids has always been my passion! Watching them grow and succeed is so rewarding!

I grew up in Wellington and am a Wellington Elementary alumnus myself so Wellington Elementary has always been like a second home to me. My husband, George, and I have two daughters, Emma (6) and Chloe (5) who are also Wellington Wildcats!

I’m looking forward to a very successful year and am excited to get to know my students and their families!

Mrs. Oswald

I have been teaching 1st grade for 19 years here at Wellington Elementary School! I absolutely love working with children and watching them learn and grow!

I moved to Wellington when I was 10 and attended New Horizons Elementary, Wellington Landings Middle School and Wellington High School. My husband and I met our senior year of high school! Our daughter, Emily, also went to Wellington Elementary and will now be a sophomore at Wellington High this year.

I love spending time with my family and our 2 dogs. I enjoy traveling, shopping, being outdoors, and reading. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Ms. Roca

I have been teaching for 21 years. My last 16 have been at Wellington Elementary teaching first and second grades. I adore children and do my best to support their academic, social, emotional, and self image needs and goals. My personal intention each day is to "treat others as you would like to be treated" and "do YOUR best".

I have lived in the Wellington area since 1977. My father built the 7th house here and my parents started Wellington Church in our living room. I went to Purdue for 2 years, but graduated from Florida State. My family is precious and I've been blessed with 3 amazing daughters. (Yes, there was lots of hair product and drama in our home.) I enjoy music, laughter, socializing, and reading.

Regardless of where the school year takes place, we will get through it together. My students may not be in my classroom, but they are forever in my heart.

Mrs. Versage

This year will be my 25th year teaching! I have been teaching at Wellington Elementary for 4 years. Most of my years as a teacher have been in grades K and 1, with the exceptions of 1 year in 3rd grade and 3 years as a reading coach. My husband teaches 5th grade here at Wellington Elementary.

I was born here in Florida but moved to Louisiana when I was an infant. I moved back here to Florida in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

I love to travel, read, watch football (Go Saints!), and watch soccer (Go Liverpool!). I also love to spend time with my two dogs Nola and Bourbon (both Louisiana inspired names)!

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year as I get to know all of you and your children!

Ms. Mitchell