A Day in the Life at ROA
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Our Team
"Teaching is not about answering questions but about raising questions-
opening doors for them in places that they could not imagine"
-Yawar Baig
We would like to think of ourselves as facilitators, motivators, or guides.
Learners are encouraged to take more control of their learning process.
Our role is to embrace each child's unique qualities, equip and support them
with resources to be problem solvers and creative thinkers even through failures,
empowering and motivating them to find what they want to accomplish in the world.
Barbara Stout
Spark Guide
Barbara was born and raised in New Jersey and has been married to her best friend, Daniel, for 39 years. Together, they raised three wonderful children—two daughters and a son—and are now blessed with five grandchildren, ranging in age from 4 to 16.
In 2021, Barbara and Daniel began a new chapter of their lives in Florida, where they’ve embraced the sunshine, the community, and the joy of being closer to family.
Throughout her life, Barbara has worn many hats, but her heart has always belonged to working with children. With more than 20 years of experience as a preschool teacher, she finds nothing more rewarding than watching children learn, grow, explore, and discover the world around them.
For Barbara, working with children has never been just a career—it has been a calling. She is genuinely grateful to play a small but meaningful role in their early years and for the opportunity to support a child’s early journey in life.
Kathy grew up in Miami and is a proud military child of Japanese and Costa Rican heritage. She moved to Jacksonville in 2017 to be closer to family and is the devoted mother of an 16‑year‑old Montessori‑raised son. Her love for Montessori began in her twenties while working at an AMI school, where she was inspired by how deeply children learn when given the right tools and independence.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Forensic Science from Florida International University but ultimately followed her heart into Montessori education, completing her training at Loyola University. Kathy has taught for more than two decades across Toddler, Primary, and Lower Elementary classrooms.
At ROA, her Learners seek her out for her warm hugs, patient listening, and genuine care. She loves getting to know each child—especially during ROA’s beloved tradition of weekend playdates.
Outside the classroom, Kathy enjoys baking with her family and taking her Learners on day trips to the nail salon or exploring the outdoors; taking mini trips to historical places; and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Kathy Aguilar
Guide
Guide
ES Guide
Kathy grew up in Miami and is a proud military child of Japanese and Costa Rican heritage. She moved to Jacksonville in 2017 to be closer to family and is the devoted mother of an 16‑year‑old Montessori‑raised son. Her love for Montessori began in her twenties while working at an AMI school, where she was inspired by how deeply children learn when given the right tools and independence.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Forensic Science from Florida International University but ultimately followed her heart into Montessori education, completing her training at Loyola University. Kathy has taught for more than two decades across Toddler, Primary, and Lower Elementary classrooms.
At ROA, her Learners seek her out for her warm hugs, patient listening, and genuine care. She loves getting to know each child—especially during ROA’s beloved tradition of weekend playdates.
Outside the classroom, Kathy enjoys baking with her family and taking her Learners on day trips to the nail salon or exploring the outdoors; taking mini trips to historical places; and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Kathy Aguilar
Vince grew up in Orlando, Florida, in a family rooted in education, creativity, and hands‑on learning. With an educator for a mother and a Disney Imagineer for a father, he developed a deep appreciation for service, problem‑solving, and building with his hands.
He served proudly in the United States Navy for 20 years before retiring and holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. Vince brings his leadership, organization, and practical skills to River Oak Academy, where his role has grown into serving as an Administrator who supports Guides, learners, and daily school operations.
One of his greatest joys at ROA is sharing his love of woodworking and hands‑on creation, giving learners opportunities to use real tools, solve problems, and experience the pride of making something themselves.
Vince and Kathy have grown alongside River Oak, and their son Raz is now part of the ROA learner community—making the work especially meaningful. Vince hopes every family feels welcomed and supported, and that every learner finds a safe place to grow into a confident, capable, and independent individual.
Vincent Wesson
Our Team
Admin
Vince grew up in Orlando, Florida, in a family rooted in education, creativity, and hands‑on learning. With an educator for a mother and a Disney Imagineer for a father, he developed a deep appreciation for service, problem‑solving, and building with his hands.
He served proudly in the United States Navy for 20 years before retiring and holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. Vince brings his leadership, organization, and practical skills to River Oak Academy, where his role has grown into serving as an Administrator who supports Guides, learners, and daily school operations.
One of his greatest joys at ROA is sharing his love of woodworking and hands‑on creation, giving learners opportunities to use real tools, solve problems, and experience the pride of making something themselves.
Vince and Kathy have grown alongside River Oak, and their son Raz is now part of the ROA learner community—making the work especially meaningful. Vince hopes every family feels welcomed and supported, and that every learner finds a safe place to grow into a confident, capable, and independent individual.
Vincent Wesson
Our Team
Vincent Shaeffer
MS/LP Guide
Vincent’s story at River Oak Academy began when he was just eight years old, as one of our founding learners. His journey challenged the familiar path of simply being told what to learn, when to learn it, and what success should look like; instead, he was given the freedom and responsibility to set his own goals, make decisions, work through frustration, and take ownership of his learning. In doing so, he learned to trust himself, persevere when things didn’t work, and see failure not as a measure of what he couldn’t do, but as part of discovering how he could.
With the freedom to explore, Vincent began trying things simply because he was curious. He experimented with drums and guitar, and eventually discovered something that resonated deeply with him: music. What began as exploration became a passion, and music became a way for him to find his voice, confidence, and a sense of identity. Today, he plays guitar in his own band and performs at local concerts.
Vincent’s journey has not been about following a predetermined path or becoming what someone else expected of him. It has been about having the freedom to explore, the support to work through challenges, and the time to discover what genuinely matters to him. Now, he hopes to share the same opportunities he was given with other River Oak learners—to encourage them to try something new, take a chance, discover a passion, and find something within themselves they may never have known was there.
Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give a child is not a path to follow, but the freedom to discover their own.
