Autumn grew up in Sarasota, attending several local schools, one being Ashton Elementary School where she was inspired by her incredible 1st grade teacher to become a teacher. Autumn’s heart stayed true to her passion as she attended the Sarasota campus of the University of South Florida majoring in Elementary Education graduating Phi Theta Kappa. She circled back to her original inspiration and obtained her first official teaching position where it all started 20 years earlier, Ashton Elementary. A few years later she enrolled in the fast-track graduate program at Nova Southeastern University obtaining her Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning with a Specialization in Mathematics, graduating with high honors and with a 4.0 GPA.
Autumn served over nine years in the Sarasota County Public School System. She wore many hats as she was a teacher of 2nd grade, 5th grade gifted, and quickly moved into administration taking on a much stronger leadership role in the school system serving on the administrative team as ESOL Liaison, Data Coach, Testing Coordinator and Title 1 Coordinator, to name a few. Additionally, Autumn was the recipient of the Kaleidoscope Award for Quality by the Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
After several wonderful years in the public school system, in 2010, Autumn was recruited into a principal/director role in the private school setting. Within months, she quickly doubled enrollment and a few years later nearly tripled the student body. She learned so much about what it takes to run a successful business.
In 2018, Autumn was in church as usual, sitting in the front row and it hit her like a ton of bricks, “do what God intends you to do” and that’s when Summer Success Institute was conceived. She knew that with her experiences, education, and inspiration directly from the Big Guy, she had to create this relevant summer experience filled with fun and intentional learning, serving elementary and middle school students in the Sarasota community, all rooted in love! Every year since, she has dedicated herself to making the program better than the year before resulting in exponential growth and thousands of happy campers!
Autumn’s love and passion for children and their education has been her central and guiding focus in her life; even in her spare time. Autumn felt so strongly and heavy on her heart that she wanted to be a mom, despite being single. In February of 2020 she said a prayer first thing in the morning, as usual but this one felt much different. A few hours later, Autumn received a phone call that changed her life forever. It was a previous neighbor from years ago that took in her biological nephews for a few months only to realize, the foster system was going to be a longer process than she was able to take on. She called Autumn, saying, “I don’t know why I’m calling you, but can you take in my two nephews? I don’t want them going to just anyone in the foster system so I’m calling you.” Obviously, Autumn knew this was no coincidence and without hesitation she said, YES! Within 5 days, these sweet 7- and 9-year-old boys were living in Autumn’s house full time and all three of them were loving life! One year later, Autumn was introduced to Josh through a mutual client and once again, it was meant to be! Autumn and Josh married in October of 2021 and in March of 2023 the family was officially & legally complete with a court ordered finalization of adoption.
Needless to say, Autumn feels blessed every day to not only have an incredibly God blessed family but to also be using her gifts by serving the kids and families in her community.
