Project Description
Larissa McCoy-Mitti, Fellow
A.P. Leto Comprehensive High School
Tampa, FL
Larissa McCoy-Mitti began her career as an English, Reading, and Journalism teacher at Alonso High School in Tampa, FL in August of 2004. A graduate of the University of South Florida, she earned a B.S. and M.Ed. in Secondary English Education and later went on to pursue a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership. During her tenure as a teacher, in 2010, Larissa was recognized by JustReads! as the State of Florida Reading Teacher of the Year. Shortly after, she transitioned to administration, where she served as an Assistant Principal for Student Affairs and Assistant Principal for Curriculum. In 2013, she was, once again, recognized for her leadership in literacy when she was deemed the State of Florida Reading Leader of the Year. This recognition led to Larissa’s relationship with the Aspen Institute, where she was groomed to assist in the pioneering of Instructional Leadership Teams (ILT) for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Larissa’s ILT work gained national attention when Learning Forward selected Alonso High School’s ILT as the 2015 Shirley Hord Learning Team of the Year. A graduate of the Learning Forward Academy and US DOE Teach to Lead program, Larissa was selected to serve the students of Leto High, a turnaround school, as Principal, in May 2017. During Larissa’s first year at Leto, students and staff worked collaboratively to move the school a total of 59 points. Larissa is excited about the future of Leto and looks forward to supporting students as they consider and prepare for life beyond it.
Robyn Sullivan-Jackson, Ally
Reading Coach and Reading Department Head
A.P. Leto Comprehensive High School
Tampa, FL
Robyn Sullivan-Jackson began her career as an English and Reading teacher at Alonso High School in Tampa, FL in August 2008. A graduate of the University of South Florida, she earned a B.S. in Communications and an M.A.T. in Secondary English Education. After just 3 years in the classroom, Robyn’s principal noticed her genuine leadership skills and asked her to serve as the school’s Literacy Coach. In her first year in the position, she was awarded District Reading Coach of the Year and was asked to develop and present curriculum materials throughout the district and at the State of Florida Literacy Design Collaborative. This recognition and her successful facilitation of professional development to stakeholders across the state, led to Robyn’s relationship with the Aspen Institute, where she was groomed to assist in the pioneering of Instructional Leadership Teams (ILT) for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Robyn’s ILT work gained national attention when Learning Forward selected Alonso High School’s ILT as the 2015 Shirley Hord Learning Team of the Year. From there, she capitalized on opportunities to become a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy and US DOE Teach to Lead program. In 2017, Robyn transferred to Leto High School, a turnaround institution. At Leto, she serves as Literacy Coach, Reading Department Head, and an invaluable mentor to new and veteran teachers. In addition, she has navigated and orchestrated significant change efforts centered around shared leadership. Robyn looks forward to continuing to grow herself and her colleagues into becoming Leto literacy leaders.