Matthew Catanzarite
Social Studies teacher
mcatanzarite@edison.edu
941-833-3954
With a family history sewn into the fabric of Florida’s educational system Matthew Catanzarite brings a kind smile, hearty handshake and passion for the craft to Edison Collegiate High School.
“Students of Edison Collegiate High School are going to get a quality education in a college atmosphere, yet at the same its going to be a tremendous high school experience,” Mr. Catanzarite said. “This first group that comes in is going to be very important. They’re going to create the culture and traditions and I feel blessed to be a part of that.”
Mr. Catanzarite and his wife, Stacy, are proud products of Charlotte County schools as Lemon Bay High and Port Charlotte High graduates, respectively. Eager to give back to the community they call home, both look forward to the day their 1-year-old son Brody attends his first class.
With a bachelor’s degree in secondary education social science and masters in educational leadership from the University of North Florida, Mr. Catanzarite is an excellent resource for ECHS students. He spent the last three years teaching world history and serving as the varsity boys basketball coach at South Fort Myers High.
While history has provided countless quotes and leaders to remember, one stands out the most for Mr. Catanzarite.
“I heard Colin Powell speak when I was a senior in high school,” Mr. Catanzarite said. “He said, ‘Whenever you start, give it your best. The opportunities are there to be anything you want to be. But wanting to be someone isn’t enough; dreaming about it isn’t enough; thinking about it isn’t enough. You’ve got to study for it, fight for it with all your heart and soul, because nobody is going to hand it to you.’ I think that’s a great quote to live by.”
Amber Foster-Vasile
Guidance Counselor
afostervasile@edison.edu
941-637-3556
With a friendly demeanor and warming smile Amber Foster-Vasile is as delightful as they come. With more than a decade of experience providing counseling for both adults and children Mrs. Foster, as she prefers, is a valuable asset to the students of Edison Collegiate High School.
Mrs. Foster earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and masters in community counseling from the University of South Florida. She served as a community mental health specialist at the Ruth Cooper Center in Fort Myers and a psychological specialist at Charlotte Correctional Institution before joining the high school ranks as a guidance counselor at Cape Coral High School in 2006.
“My favorite age population to work with is high schools kids,” Mrs. Foster said. “They’re at that age where you can really talk with them and work with them. The possibilities are really endless, and they understand that and are excited about it.”
Mrs. Foster served as the guidance counselor for the academically rigorous International Baccalaureate program in her three years at Cape Coral High. The opportunity to join the faculty at Southwest Florida’s first collegiate high school, however, was simply too great to pass up.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this exciting new school,” Mrs. Foster said. “It’s going to be a wonderful experience full of enrichment for the students at Edison Collegiate High School.”
Born and raised in Fort Myers, Mrs. Foster is the mother of two boys and step-mother to two girls. Along with husband Tony, the family is actively involved at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers and they also run a karaoke business on Tuesday and Saturday night’s at Biddle’s Bucket on Sanibel Island.
Michael E. Mitchell
Science teacher
memitchell@edison.edu
941-833-3923
Arguably Charlotte County’s most qualified science teacher, Mike Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the students of Edison Collegiate High School.
Mr. Mitchell spent the last seven years teaching at Lemon Bay High, where he taught the county’s only Marine Science Honors course. He also taught General Marine Science, Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science and served one year as the varsity swimming coach and the last five as diving coach.
“I’ll be able to use the connections that I have to bring Edison Collegiate High School students unique experiences,” Mr. Mitchell said. “I know I can press students and challenge them to reach new heights.”
Prior to teaching Mr. Mitchell spent 15 years with the Florida Marine Institute where he helped start up the Charlotte Harbor Laboratory and served on the Technical Advising Committee for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. Three of his articles were published in peer-reviewed journals regarding White sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, fish species of Charlotte Harbor and juvenile fish habitat utilization.
Mr. Mitchell earned bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he also was a two-time All-American gymnast and member of UIC’s back-to-back Division II national championship and top-10 Division I teams. He also earned a master’s degree in Marine Science from the University of South Florida.
Mr. Mitchell shares his passion for education with his wife, Jill, who teaches the second grade at Deep Creek Elementary.
“One of the best aspects of Edison Collegiate High School is the passion everyone has for learning,” Mr. Mitchell said. “The students want to be there, and they want to learn. That really helps to maintain the dynamic environment necessary for everyone involved to reach their full potential.”
Dawn Nolan
Math teacher
dnolan@edison.edu
941-833-3929
If it’s Binomial Theorem or andante you wish to learn, look no further than Dawn Nolan. With degrees in music and mathematics Mrs. Nolan brings an eclectic mix of knowledge to the students of Edison Collegiate High School.
Mrs. Nolan earned bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Music from Dartmouth College. She also earned a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University.
“There’s an empowering feeling that comes with education and seeing a student learn from your teachings is tremendously rewarding,” she said. “As a teacher there are always new challenges on a daily basis, but it’s only when those challenges are continually met that one maximizes their potential.
“With Edison Collegiate High School the students have an abundance of opportunity with limitless potential. It’s an exciting time for Charlotte County.”
Mrs. Nolan spent the last three years at Good Shepherd Day School teaching math and science in grades fifth through eighth. Before that she spent six years as a teacher at her alma mater, Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, where she taught Advanced Placement Calculus, College Algebra Honors, Algebra II Honors, Algebra and Vocal Ensemble.
Mrs. Nolan also spent four years as a volleyball coach at Bishop Verot. She served as both the freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach.
During her time at Bishop Verot, Mrs. Nolan also spent a couple years as a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony.
“Part of my claim to fame is while in the Dartmouth Glee Club I was able to perform in Carnegie Hall,” she said. “It was a great experience.”
After college Mrs. Nolan spent two years as an accountant for Ernst & Young in New Orleans. Her husband, Jim, owns Nolan Family Insurance in downtown Punta Gorda.
Jessica Souter
English teacher/yearbook advisor
jsouter@edison.edu
941-833-3955
An avid reader with a passion for the English language Jessica Souter promises to be an integral part in developing a family atmosphere at Edison Collegiate High School. With her heart deeply rooted in Charlotte County, Mrs. Souter will teach English and serve as the yearbook advisor.
Born in Charlotte, N.C., Mrs. Souter moved to Charlotte County with her family at 4 and in 2000 graduated from Lemon Bay High School, where she served as class secretary. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004 and graduated from Edison State College’s Educator Preparation Institute in 2006. Mrs. Souter spent three years teaching freshman English at Boca Raton High School before returning home to join the ECHS faculty.
“Charlotte County has always had a close-knit community feel that I’ve missed and Edison Collegiate High School is another great example of that,” Mrs. Souter said. “It’s a very innovative school that promises to be a tremendous experience for the students and a lot of fun for everyone involved.”
Married in February, Mrs. Souter returns to Charlotte County with her husband, Norvyn, and an eagerness to reinvest in the community. She applies that same eagerness to working with her students.
“I’m going to be the yearbook advisor but I’m sure there’s going to be other needs for club sponsors,” she said. “So whatever the kids want to do I’ll be all for.”
That certainly includes reading as Mrs. Souter enjoys a vast array of authors and genres. But she always finds her way back to The Poisonwood Bible, a fictional tale of a missionary family in Africa by Barbara Kingsolver.
“It’s just an interesting story … and beautifully written,” Mrs. Souter said. “The messages are very thought provoking. It’s one of the books that I’ve read several times.”