For Parents

Parent, Teachers, Pupil

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Teachers

Julie Rutenberg is Blossom’s Director and Founder. Ms. Rutenberg graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1997 with an AA in Public Administration.  In 2000 she received her AS in Sign Language Interpretation from St. Petersburg Junior College then continued her education at the University 
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Tara Bonano is Blossom’s Business Manager.  She is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day administration of Blossom, working with our teaching staff, students, families, vendors, contracted personnel and others.  Ms. Bonano manages all record keeping, accounts, student records, personnel, and other business functions of 
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Colette Derks is Blossom’s Associate Director.  She has been working at Blossom since it opened in August of 2003, starting as a Classroom Assistant, progressing to a Classroom Teacher, and is now part of Blossom’s Administrative Team. She has been involved with the Deaf community 
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Mariah Potter is Blossom’s 3-6 Classroom Teacher.  She is also a former student of Blossom, one of the very first.  Ms. Potter originally joined Blossom as a Classroom Assistant in 2016, and she has been the Classroom Teacher for the 3-6 year old students since 
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Amanda Livesay is Blossom’s 6-9 Classroom Teacher.  She originally joined Blossom in 2010 as the 9-12 Classroom Teacher, before making the transition to teach the younger 6-9 age group.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education: Deaf Studies; a Master’s Degree in Special Education: 
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Elaine Hampton is Blossom’s 3-6 & 6-9 Classroom Assistant, as well as our Art Teacher for all ages.  Mrs. Hampton assists in the teaching and growing of the children of Blossom to show by example that all things are possible if you never give up! 
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Jamie De Jesus is Blossom’s 9-12 Classroom Teacher.  She originally joined Blossom in 2012 as one of the Classroom Teachers in the 3-6 Class, then moved up to teach the 6-9 class, before making the transition to teach the older 9-12 age group. Ms. De 
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