South Sumter Middle

Mrs. Melynda “Brooke” Shea proudly serves as the principal of South Sumter Middle School. A native of Key Largo, Florida, she has called Sumter County home for the past twenty years. Mrs. Shea holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Barry University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

With over twenty-two years of experience in education, Mrs. Shea has taught and led in several Florida school districts, beginning her career in Miami-Dade, then Hernando, and ultimately Sumter County. From 2007 to 2014, she taught third through fifth grades at Bushnell Elementary, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year. She continued her leadership journey at Wildwood Elementary from 2014 to 2019, serving as MTSS Case Facilitator, Reading Coach, and Assistant Principal Intern. In 2020, she became principal of Webster Elementary, where her leadership helped raise the school’s grade from a C to a B. Since August 2022, she has led South Sumter Middle School, guiding the school to an impressive improvement from a C to an A rating in the 2023–2024 school year.

Mrs. Shea’s commitment to excellence has been recognized throughout her career. Her accolades include being named the 2004 Beginning Social Studies Teacher of the Year Elementary District Finalist in Miami-Dade, the 2014 Sumter County Teacher of the Year, and the 2023 Sumter County Principal of the Year.

Driven by a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, Mrs. Shea is passionate about turnaround school initiatives, closing achievement gaps, and fostering strong character in every student. She believes that with hard work, high expectations, and attention to detail, students can achieve extraordinary success and graduate prepared for college, career, or service.

At South Sumter Middle School, Mrs. Shea continues to champion the school’s mission: “Excellence is our norm… Everyone, Every Day!”

Email: Brooke Shea

Amanda Woythaler serves as an Assistant Principal at South Sumter Middle School overseeing the English Department and 8^th grade academics and behavior.  She has over 20 years of experience in secondary education, specializing in English and reading instruction.  She is an AVID trained teacher and has led various Professional Development workshops to continue her commitment to growing teacher leaders. 

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and embracing new adventures whenever possible.

Email: Amanda Woythaler

Greetings, Raiders!

I am thrilled to serve as your Assistant Principal here at South Sumter High School. Growing up, I was a student at Lake Panasoffkee Elementary, South Sumter Middle School, and South Sumter High School. Graduating in 2008, I earned my Bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University, setting the foundation for a lifelong journey in fostering learning environments. Later, I pursued a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from The University of West Florida, honing the skills necessary to guide and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Having dedicated over a decade to the Sumter County School District, I bring a wealth of experience to my role. From the classrooms of South Sumter Middle, where I started as a special education teacher, to the administrative offices of Sumter PREP Academy, South Sumter High, and now South Sumter Middle, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the vibrant community we call our own. As a proud member of this district, I have witnessed the strength that comes from collaboration and shared dedication to student success. It is my belief that every student deserves not only a quality education but also a supportive environment that nurtures their individual growth.

In my role as Assistant Principal, I am committed to working alongside our dedicated faculty and staff to uphold the standards of excellence that define South Sumter Middle School. Together, let's embark on a journey of academic achievement, personal development, and community enrichment. Go Raiders!

Email: Ricaldo Velazquez

Email: Deanna Strickland