Paul C. Milford, LCSW – President
Paul was raised in Venice, FL and moved to the Fort Myers area in 2007 to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where he earned his bachelor degree in psychology. While at FGCU, Paul worked on a longitudinal research study focused on infant language development. After graduating, Paul went on to complete his master of social work degree from the University of South Florida, where he was selected as the first social work student to participate in the university’s Maternal & Child Health Scholar program. Paul carried his research experiences into the clinical domain, working with children and their families in a variety of settings, including healthcare, outpatient treatment, and the school system. Paul is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has served as a School Social Worker since 2016. In this role, Paul utilized a variety of clinical and psycho-social techniques to improve the well-being of his students. In 2019, Paul was named the School-Related Employee of the Year for the Lee County School District, an honor that recognized his innovative approaches at improving student outcomes. Paul has presented his work in a variety of settings, including conferences, trainings, and professional development offerings. In addition to serving his students, Paul also works to elevate his peers. In 2021, he became a department administrator for School Social Workers. In this role, he enjoys mentoring new employees, training staff in best practices, and working to improve outcomes for the students and families of Lee County.
Samantha White – Secretary
Samantha was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Cape Coral, FL at age 10. She is a product of the Lee County School system and attended Florida SouthWestern College before obtaining a BA in English from the University of Florida and an MEd in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently completing her dissertation for a doctorate of education from Grand Canyon University. Samantha taught language arts in Lee County for a decade, earning the titles of Lee County English Teacher of the Year and Golden Apple Finalist. Samantha also served as the lead secondary English teacher for the district and as a middle school representative on the District Advisory Council. For the last ten years, Samantha has worked as a Senior Faculty member at Western Governors University. She currently assists graduate students in the Teachers College with obtaining their masters degrees in curriculum and instruction. Samantha has also served as an adjunct professor at many institutions and works part-time for Pearson Education. When Samantha isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family (including her dogs) and traveling.
Sarah Calabrese – Director
Sarah was raised on Boca Raton , FL and moved to the Fort Myers area in 2011 to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where she earned a bachelors degree in secondary education. While at FGCU, Sarah was a Student Government Senator for Education during 2013 and was on the FGCU Panhellenic Council as Recruitment Director. After graduating, Sarah went on to teach Social Studies to middle school students in Lee County for 3 years while completing her Master Degree in School Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University. Sarah now currently holds a MA in School Counseling and has worked as a School Counselor in Lee County for the past 3 years. Being a School Counselor is something that Sarah has strived for since High School as she was inspired by her own High School Counselor. She enjoys helping students achieve their goals and allowing them to have a safe place to talk and be themselves. Sarah strives to be an advocate for all students she comes across.