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 1st grader.
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. Besides education, she loves gardening and kayaking. 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 young adults. She has been teaching with us since 2017.
Michelle Burks is mom to a 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. She has been a part of our team since 2023.
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. She has been a part of our team since 2023.
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. He has been teaching with us since 2023.
Mayumi Beckwith is originally from Japan. She has degrees in nursing and health care education from Ozawa College of Nursing and the National Yamagata University. She worked as a school nurse in elementary and middle schools in Japan, and as a pastry cook at Cassis Bakery in St. Pete. She is a clay artist and a seamstress, and makes clay items and clothes not only for her family, but also sells them at local markets. Mayumi has an 8-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. They speak Japanese at home, so the kids are able to maintain the language and knowledge of their culture.
Nicholas Calise is an ecologist, musician and mushroom educator dedicated to the biosphere. He has devoted over ten years of service to growing food forests and foraging around the country to better the scope of ecological literacy for those around him. He is currently on track to become a Registered Nurse through Saint Petersburg College. He loves taking care of people and empowering individuals to utilize critical thinking for the betterment of their community.
Mylena Jones is originally from Brazil where she earned a bachelor's degree in Tourism and Hospitality. She has worked with children of all ages for more than 10 years. For the past 8 years, she has been placing and supervising exchange students in the U.S. She is a proud Army veteran wife and the mother of 3 beautiful children: a son in high school, a daughter in elementary school and a toddler. She is passionate about kids, different cultures and languages. She loves to travel and see new places and also explore the local area and watch tv shows and series. She has lived in NC, Okinawa Japan, WA, TN and now FL.
Kristen Stuart studied Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida and was a pharmacy technician for many years. She is a mom of two young children in elementary school. She has always enjoyed working with children of all ages through child care or teaching and has a natural love for learning, helping others, and creativity. She loves running, baking and reading as well as friendships and travel. "I believe anytime a child can learn concepts through creativity they are given the opportunity to not just memorize the concept but truly learn through originality and problem solving"
