📣 Meet Our Staff!
Dr. Iliyana Vassileva (Dr. V.) has been teaching adult ESOL students for more than 14 years. Bulgarian-born, she understands firsthand the challenges English learners face as they work to communicate, build new lives in the US, and pursue employment opportunities. Dr. V. is deeply committed to supporting her students’ growth as confident communicators, lifelong learners, and successful professionals.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Officer Jonel Pierre-Louis and I am a Hillsborough County Resource Officer. I have lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and love having a job where I work to serve and protect the public. I have worked for 7 years as an officer in various places around the county. I am married with two children, and I like to spend time with my family, go to restaurants and parks, and attend church.
📣 Meet Our Staff! - Sasha Benvenutti
I am a paraprofessional at Leto Adult School. I am an ESOL test proctor. I have worked at Leto for almost 4 years, and I like working with the students and staff to provide a quality experience.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Lucretia Dovi. I am currently a paraprofessional supporting students and teachers. I retired 3 years ago after 32 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools and am returning for a second chance at doing what I love-teaching! My experience includes students with exceptionalities, credit-based virtual instruction, ABE/GED, and my final position was at Brewster Technical College in ESOL for 10 years, my favorite job. I am a 5th generation Tampa native, and my family has a long history in Hillsborough County Schools, particularly my 103-year old mother who was a curriculum coordinator for Adult Education. I love yoga, nature, animals, and any job working with people!
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Marilyn Parrado, and I have been a paraprofessional here at Leto Adult for 6 years. I help with registration, testing, English Discoveries access, and substitute teach occasionally. I love to take my dog for walks and get coffee at a coffee shop!
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Nora Branson, and I’m thrilled to begin teaching English to adult learners at Leto Adult School!
I also work during the day as a Reading/ESOL teacher and a Literacy Coach. I’m passionate about supporting learners of all backgrounds and excited to bring that energy to this new opportunity.
🦃 Thanksgiving is almost here! Check out our latest newsletter to explore traditions and try some classic recipes!
👉Leto Thanksgiving Newsletter
🦃Thanksgiving at Leto Adult School was filled with gratitude and community spirit! Students and staff shared what they’re thankful for on the Gratitude Tree and Tom Turkey before enjoying a traditional holiday meal. 🍂 We’re grateful for our amazing Leto family—wishing all a joyful break! Classes resume Dec. 1.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Cindy Kelly, and I have been at Leto Adult School for 11 years as a bookkeeper/secretary 3. I have 2 sons and am about to have my first grandson any day now! I enjoy reading, playing pickleball, and rooting for the Bucs and Rays.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
Detective Cecilia Rosendo is a Tampa, Florida native and graduate of Hillsborough High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida and has served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for seven years. She is currently assigned to the Special Victims Section. Detective Rosendo is dedicated to serving her community and is passionate about advocating for and protecting children and well as ensuring the safety of everyone at Leto Adult School.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
Meet Marquis Boddie!
I teach Adult ESOL with a relationship-first, practical approach, boosting speaking confidence, pronunciation, and everyday English for work, family, and citizenship. My classes use role-plays, job and healthcare scenarios, and data-informed mini-lessons aligned to CASAS so learners make rapid, real-world progress.
📣 Meet Our Staff!
Meet Juliette Villeme!
Hello! I am the post-testing paraprofessional at Leto Adult. My responsibilities include tracking students’ instructional hours, scheduling post-testing, and maintaining student records. I am dedicated to supporting both students and staff by ensuring smooth and efficient testing procedures. In my free time, I am pursuing my master’s degree in school counseling at USF. Outside of work and school, I enjoy exercising, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 12.
Enjoy the day as we honor and remember all who have served! ❤️🤍💙
📣 Spring 2026 registration is OPEN at Leto Adult School!
NEW and CURRENT students can register for ESOL, GED, and Credit Recovery classes.
Classes begin in January—don’t miss out!
Interested credit recovery students can register for this semester or next semester.
Register in person Monday–Thursday, 4–6:30 PM: 📍 4409 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33614 📞 (813) 356-1831
Or register online: https://cis.sdhc.k12.fl.us/
📣 Meet Our Staff!
My name is Mercedes Prado, and I have been a GED instructor in Spanish since 2010 at Leto Adult & Career Services (Hillsborough County Public Schools). I currently teach in person during the day, and I also teach online in the evenings.
Over the years, my students have consistently shown strong academic progress and successful GED completion. In 2023, I was honored with the “Teacher of Excellence” recognition, which reflects my commitment to adult education and to the success of our program.
Join us as we honor their stories and recognize the voices that continue to shape and strengthen our communities.
My name is Yarelis Ortiz, and I am the Data Processor at Leto Adult. In my role, I manage and maintain student data for Credit, Co-Enrolled, GED, and ESOL programs. I specialize in creating master schedules, entering student information into the system, and ensuring records are accurate and organized. I take pride in my attention to detail and in helping keep everything running efficiently for both students and staff.
