The Art of Science
MEET OUR TEAM
Egle Mateo is a local artist specializing in many mediums, including drawing, painting, and cookie decorating. She received her degree in Interior Decorating from the School of Applied Arts at Stepo Zuko College of Arts in Lithuania. Egle has exhibited her art work in various galleries, including the Morean Arts Center and the Holocaust Museum. She is in charge of creating the art curriculum for The Art of Science. She has a daughter in college and an energetic kindergartner.
Teresa Restom Gaskill has a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Hawaii and a Masters in Ecology from Brazil. In addition to designing the science curriculum at The Art of Science, she teaches Biology at Saint Petersburg College as a full time faculty. She has a daughter in college and a son in high school.
Christina Miller has a degree in Elementary Education from Saint Petersburg College. She is a dedicated, student-focused professional, who is committed to providing a well-balanced, supportive, and engaging environment for all students. She is mother to a beautiful girl, and has been teaching with us since 2021.
Bridget Newell has an Associate in Art degree from Bergen Community College, and is a certified Yoga teacher from YogaMatrix, Orlando. She has taught as a volunteer at Eola Charter School, Lakeview Fundamental, and at the YMCA. Bridget is a mother of two teens. She has been teaching with us since 2017.
Michelle Burks is mom to a 6 year old boy and a professional photographer. "Joining The Art of Science team was a no brainer for me as I love both art and science and have experience working with children of various ages since my teen years. From volunteering at the Children’s Art Museum in the summers to nannying triplets on the weekends, as well as being in a club that helped underprivileged children at school, kids have always been a huge part of my life." In her spare time, she loves baking, party planning/decorating, trying out new restaurants around town, going on hikes and traveling.
Magdalena Chytra grew up in the Czech Republic where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Banking Management. After spending 5 years as a stay at home mom with her two kids, she found the passion in making arts and crafts with kids, brightening their faces with new ideas and learning through play. She is known for speaking French, baking, running, taking care of others and always having a smile on her face. She also loves to travel in an RV with her family exploring new places.
Libby Smith is an English Education major at Florida State University. She loves working with kids and encouraging them to be creative and critical thinkers. Libby has experience with working and teaching for St. Petersburg City Parks and Recreation as a teen, and she has been a teacher with us since 2022.
Brian Jacob has art degrees from Davidson College and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He taught art for 12 years in public and private elementary schools. He also has museum experience and worked on an archaeological dig. He has three kids who are now young adults. His art skills include painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture and graphic design.
Reese More is a local artist and a Biology major at St. Petersburg College. She has been drawing and creating art since she could hold a pencil. She has a big passion for nature and animals, and she wants to share her passion with as many people as possible through her art. She specializes in pyrography (wood burning), but also enjoys sketching, painting, and working with clay.
Allison G. Redd is a licensed child care professional with more than 12 years of experience. She is an accomplished artist having done pieces for Nina Harris Exceptional Center, The Bolesta Center, Chairs for Charity, Outdoor Arts Foundation, the Art Arbor at Boyd Hill Nature Park, and has exhibited her art in London. She is the Family Liaison specialist at Bay Vista Fundamental, and is a proud Girl Scout troop leader. She has a very creative daughter in middle school. She has been teaching with us since 2017.
Ella Cuddy is a promising 11th grader at the IB program, St. Petersburg High School, interested in a career in Zoology. When she was in elementary school, she participated as a student in The Art of Science until she was old enough to start volunteering. She loves to travel and play soccer. Between being a student, a volunteer and now a teacher assistant, Ella has been with us since we started in 2015!
Salida Chann has a bachelors in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida and a desire to become a physician. Her love for teaching kids started when she helped raise her nephew and had to come up with fun ways to make learning engaging, fun, and hands-on. She volunteers at a guide dog school and cancer foundation in her spare time. She enjoys cooking, hiking with her dog, reading, and spending time with her family.
Kayla Mond has a bachelors in biology with a concentration in medical biology from the University of South Florida and her dream is to become a pediatrician. She volunteered with a reading program at an elementary school for a year and enjoys finding ways to incorporate fun activities into education. In her spare time she likes to read, garden, and experiment in the kitchen
