Meet Our Team
Our work is about one thing above all else – the individual development of your child. Riviera Day School carefully screens and interviews teachers to ensure that they meet our high educational standards.
Our degreed teachers are true professionals. RDS educators regularly participate in advanced training sessions and continuing education classes to ensure that they are always up-to-date with fresh ideas and sound teaching principles. We're here for you and your child.
We're proud of our staff members and all that they do. This is who we are:
Cyndi Chavez
Riviera Day School Director
Joined RDS in 1998
Education:
- BS Degree, Statistics, University of Florida
- AA Early Childhood, St. Petersburg College
- Director Credential
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Paula Miklos
Administrative Assistant + Chapel Leader
Joined RDS in 2013
Education:
- BS, Christian Education, Florida Southern College
- CPR/First Aid Certification
Peggy Smith
Office Assistant
Joined RDS in 2010
Education:
- BA, English Literature, University of South Florida
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Melinda Kasson
Bookkeeper + Finance
Joined RDS in 2002
Education:
- BS, Social Sciences, University of South Florida
Brenda Moore
Substitute Teacher
Joined RDS in 1983 (Retired as a Lead Teacher in 2023)
Education:
- BA, Early Childhood Education, University of South Florida
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Rachel Anderson
VPK-A: 4's Class Lead Teacher
Joined RDS in 2018
Education:
- AA, Elementary Education, St. Petersburg College
- CPR/First Aid Certificate
- NAEYC Member
Sandi Risley
VPK A: 4's Class Teaching Assistant
Joined RDS in 2011
Education:
- Communicative Disorders, University of Central Florida
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Kelly Orta
VPK-B: 4's Class Lead Teacher
Joined RDS in 2023
Education:
- BS, Educational Studies & Community Leadership
Preschool Education, St. Petersburg College
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Kim Wasserman
VPK-B: 4's Class Teaching Assistant
Joined RDS in 2021
Education:
- BA, Psychology, St. Joseph's College NY
- CPR/ First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Kristin Zuppa
3's (5-Day Class) Lead Teacher
Joined RDS in 2017
Education:
- BA, Fine Arts, University of Missouri
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Casey Burke
3's (5-Day Class) Teaching Assistant
Joined RDS in 2021
Education:
- BS, College of Nursing, University of South Florida
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Carla Stewart
3's (3-Day Class) Lead Teacher
Afternoon Adventures Teacher
Joined RDS in 2001
Education:
- Preschool Certification, St. Petersburg College
- Business Admin., Palm Beach Community College
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Becky Matthews
3's (3-Day Class) Teaching Assistant
Afternoon Adventures Lunch
Joined RDS in 2019
Education:
- BS, Hospitality Management, Buffalo State College, NY
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Kelly Ewert
2's Class Lead Teacher
Joined RDS in 2022
Education:
- BA, Elementary/Early Childhood Ed., University of South Florida
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member
Amie DeCosmo
2's Class Teaching Assistant
Music Teacher
Joined RDS in 2015
Education:
- Otsego HS, Tontogany, OH
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- NAEYC Member