Principal: Linda Edel
Mrs. Edel joined the extraordinary EAGLE team at Timberlin Creek Elementary School in July 2017. Mrs. Edel earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May 1998. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Education Degree in Reading with a Reading Specialist Certification from Slippery Rock University of PA in December 2001, followed by a K-12 Principal Certification in May 2004. Mrs. Edel started her educational career in January 1999 and has been an elementary principal since July 2004. In her free time, she enjoys baking sweet treats, shopping with her daughter, and going to dinner & a movie with her family. In order to build optimal learning experiences for all students, Mrs. Edel promotes excellence among all stakeholders within the school and community setting.
“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.” – Lady Bird Johnson
Assistant Principal: Allison Tumbelty
Mrs. Tumbelty comes to Timberlin Creek Elementary with sixteen years of teaching experience in Special Education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education – Special Education from the University of North Florida in 2005. She began her teaching career in special education resource and self-contained settings in Duval and Clay counties. She came to St. Johns County in 2011 and taught at Switzerland Point Middle School and then most recently at Patriot Oaks Academy as an ESE/VE Teacher. Mrs. Tumbelty earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida in 2022.
Mrs. Tumbelty believes that all students can learn and thrive when given tools and support needed in the classroom. She believes that mistakes are the hallmark of learning and should be embraced and encouraged in the learning process! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and six children (often on the soccer field!). She loves to travel, take care of plants, and read.
Assistant Principal: Lisa Gilbert
Ms. Lisa Gilbert is looking forward to joining Timberlin Creek Elementary in July 2023! She received a BA in Business Administration from UCF in 1997 and began her career with Johnson and Johnson. For five years she worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep, until deciding to focus on raising her family. It was when she began assisting in her children’s classrooms that she realized she had found her passion in education.
Ms. Gilbert received her teaching certification and began her career in education in 2009. In 2017, she was promoted to Teacher on Assignment in Volusia County. She received her Ed Leadership degree at Stetson University in 2017. A year later, she was promoted to Assistant Principal at Seabreeze High School. In 2021, she was hired as in Assistant Principal in St. John’s County.
In her free time, Ms. Gilbert enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She has an 18-year-old daughter and a 22- year-old son as well as three fur babies.
Lisa believes that every student is unique and has special qualities to share. It’s when students feel valued, safe and loved in a classroom community, that learning can grow exponentially.
Assistant Principal: Samantha Sawruk
Ms. Samantha Sawruk is excited to join Timberlin Creek Elementary for the 23-24 school year. She joins the Eagle family with over 15 years of experience in education, most recently serving as the testing coordinator at Mill Creek Academy. Ms. Sawruk has been in St. Johns County since 2017 and taught at Picolata Crossing Elementary and Valley Ridge Academy. Prior to moving to Florida, she taught in Maryland and abroad in Malaysia and South Africa.
Ms. Sawruk is passionate about ensuring all students are provided with learning opportunities that inspire them to become lifelong learners and kind members of the community. She has a master’s in curriculum and teaching from Michigan State University, a bachelor’s in elementary education from MSU, and a post-master’s certification in educational leadership and administration from Florida State University.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, baking, and traveling with her husband and three daughters.
Mission Statement
We are a family in which everyone is capable of success. We strive for social, emotional and academic growth for all students by fostering a love of learning, supporting creative thinking, and building exemplary character.
District Vision Statement
Every student matters. Every moment counts.
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