Osceola County School of the Arts has experienced over 20 years of excellence, upholding their standard of an artistic and educational community. Just this year, OCSA ranked #6 in Niche’s 2025 List of Best Public Schools in Central Florida. A school with such a flourishing history means change is inevitable. As our school faces new construction, schedules, and procedures, it is the people within the building that continue to choose optimism and growth. Especially the new teachers and staff at OCSA, who all seem to have one thing in common: they flourish in times of change because their positivity is constant.
Before being interviewed, Ms. Haley Fye, OCSA’s new Orchestra Director, was helping one of her students with a wide smile on her face. She expressed how inspired she is by the school’s environment, “every student is dedicated, and the staff enjoy working here.” She strives to uplift and encourage the students because she appreciates how they “always go the extra mile.” This mindset is absolutely fitting for the passion that OCSA exhibits.
Of course, she always teaches her students from a place of compassion. She started playing viola and bass in the 4th grade and her dedication to music has only grown since. Ms. Fye always knew that she wanted to help others, and she is grateful that she gets to blend both of her passions into one. She ended the interview with an impacting insight, stating that she wants to lead by example. She hopes that by getting out of her own comfort zone it “will inspire the students to do the same.”
I asked Dr. Herman Kitshoff, our new social studies teacher, what excites you the most about OCSA? His answer?
“Everything.”
Dr. Kitshoff teaches Economics, U.S. Government, and APUSH. So far, he adores the community within OCSA, stating that it is “a very welcoming, inclusive, and unique environment.” Before arriving in Florida, about a month ago, he taught in South Africa for 20 years. As he adapts to our school’s environment, he mentioned that he gets a sense that everyone at OCSA “really wants to be here” because he is “always greeted with smiles.”
Dr. Kitshoff is an emblem of what our school stands for. In the past, he has explored theater, scriptwriting, and directing. He feels an authentic connection to this school and recognizes that there is “a real sense of purpose amongst the students.” He believes that teaching is an art itself, saying “as a teacher you are responsible to bring your subject alive to the students.” Adaptability, engagement, and the ability to pivot are all key qualities to a great teacher. Almost like an artist, “you need to be in the moment.”
Ending the interview, Dr. Kitshoff explained that most of all he wants his classroom to be a positive environment where students can “find their space in the world.” He is determined to be the kind of teacher that “students can be proud of.” All in all, he looks forward to his future here at OCSA.
Ms. Destiny Francois teaches Personal Finance, Math Data and Financial Literacy, and College Statistics. For her students, her room isn’t just a class; it is a portal into the future. “Without key knowledge about the real world, you’ll have to learn on your own,” she says. Ms. Francois leads her lessons with a determination “to give students the knowledge that they would need to go out into the real world and be successful, not just academically, but financially.”
A lot of people tell Ms. Francois, kids “won’t learn unless they fall.” You know what she says to that?
“Well then, I am the pad cushion on the floor.”
Students will and should fail. Mistakes are a part of learning, growing and experiencing. Ms. Francois’ goal is to be the reason students feel safe and educated enough to get back up and try again. All Ms. Francois “ever wanted was students that care,” and she is more than amazed at the “exceptional” and “uplifting” students at this school.
Similarly, Mr. Evan Smith, one of our new social studies teachers, has a very clear message: “Learning doesn’t have to be boring.” He never wants students to perceive learning as something they have to do, but instead, as a privilege. In fact, the one thing he doesn’t want students to say is, “I’ve learned enough.” He encourages students to enjoy the process of learning “because none of us can ever learn enough. We are all constantly learning.”
Mr. Smith is versatile in the arts, having dabbled in instruments, musical theater, and more. He says, “I didn’t study arts, but I am so happy to be in an arts school, and I want to implement it in every way that I can.” He isn’t the kind of teacher to use “PowerPoints that were made 80 years ago,” but the kind that makes “history feel alive.” He does not expect students to care about “what an emperor ate on a random Tuesday,” but about “how history affects us today.” In fact, Mr. Smith believes that “connecting social studies to the present is not only an important thing to do, but if you’re not doing it, you’re not doing it right.”
Mr. Smith is very grateful for the opportunity to teach the leaders of tomorrow. He tells his students, “history is the study of the past, how we got to the present, and using those lessons to change the future.” Mr. Smith is an inspired teacher with goals to uplift students one lesson at a time. “More than anything, I want to teach kids to use the tools of the past to shape the future.”
Ms. Crystal Becker, our new math teacher, and Ms. Meghan Pelfrey, our new technical theater teacher, are “best friends.” Ms. Pelfrey attended OCSA and Ms. Becker used to “pick her up” when they were in high school. They both have deep roots in this school.
Ms. Becker says, “it is so inspiring to see the changes.” She feels encouraged by the constant positivity even within the evolving environment. She admires how OCSA students have continued their legacy of achievements, stating that they “are driven and passionate about what they do.”
In the past, Ms. Becker trained cast members at Epcot. She notes that this experience has truly prepared her to become a sharper teacher. She recalled, “I started to realize how much I enjoy sharing knowledge with people and how much I enjoy preparing people to do something for their future.” Working with a variety of ages, Ms. Becker knows how to reach students and get them to where they need to be.
For Ms. Becker, it’s more than just being a teacher. When asked about her goals, she explained “I hope I inspire students to stay curious and to keep making mistakes.” Her history at this school fuels a passion to pass down lessons to the new generation. She says, “if you learn that mistakes are okay from a young age, then it will be so much easier to accept change as an adult.”
Ms. Pelfrey, our new Technical Theater Director, attended OCSA for grade school. Ms. Pelfrey notes the sentimentality of her situation, stating that it is a “weird mix of nostalgia and excitement.” Returning to OCSA has felt like fulfilling a “dream job” as she feels she is giving back to a community that served her in the past.
Similar to many students at OCSA, Ms. Pelfrey has an array of passions and talents. She has taught different subjects (including History, Drama, and English) and spent almost two decades dedicated to a local theater group where she has fulfilled numerous creative roles, “you name it, I’ve probably done it!”
More than anything, Ms. Pelfrey wants to “encourage creativity.” She loves the idea of showing “students just how fun and inspiring the behind-the-scenes work can be.” She believes that OCSA will always be a place where young people can flourish and “challenge the norms of society.” She is truly inspired by the student body and continues to support their right to “express” themselves.
Mr. Santiago is also a returning math teacher, who taught at OCSA from 2015 to 2018. Even after all these years, Mr. Santiago has always felt that “OCSA is a special place.” He has taught in “different states and counties,” but OCSA remains special. This school radiates “an exuberance of joy.”
OCSA is more than a school to him. When he began working here in 2015, he “was so excited” because he saw himself in the students. He explains, “when I was young, I was aspiring to be a traveling musician and I got to do it in for quite a bit of years, full time in Nashville.” His past musical experience impacts his teaching style today because he has an authentic understanding of the student’s perspective. He says, “I ask students to randomly do monologues just for fun.”
Mr. Santiago is set on making the students feel safe to express themselves while also focusing on the subject. The way he sees it, “I’ve always told students you may not remember the math I teach you, but I hope you remember the life lessons.” Mr. Santiago is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and effective learning environment.
We love our new teachers, but our new staff is just as dear to our hearts! Ms. Shirley Meyers and Mr. Wayne Sysock have also joined us this school year. It is Ms. Meyers’ first time working at a school and she is “looking forward to seeing how the events go.” Although this is a new experience for her, she feels welcomed at this school, saying that “everybody is really kind and friendly.” Ms. Meyers’ superpower is her organization, which allows her to focus on and manage financial transactions so we can have a successful and eventful school year.
Mr. Wayne might be our new IT technician, but his connection to OCSA isn’t new at all. His daughter attended high school here, and he remembers “coming to his daughter’s performances.” Ever since then, he adored OCSA and “what it represents.” Even though Mr. Sysock wouldn’t consider himself an artist, he has a deep appreciation for it. In fact, Mr. Sysock can’t even count how many concerts he’s been to in his lifetime. One thing that would make any music lover jealous is that he got to see Queen live at Maddison Square Garden.
Besides his love of music, Mr. Sysock is passionate about educating the school on technology safety. There is one specific thing that Mr. Sysock wants everyone to know, “students, staff, everybody!” He asked me to “underline, bold, and highlight” this message: “do a windows restart on your laptop!” Doing a windows restart “fixes nine out of 10 issues.” So, before you go to Mr. Sysock, restart windows on your laptop. You might not even have to go, and Mr. Sysock will be personally proud.
As construction continues and things change before our eyes, it is important for us to remember that our school’s spirit resides in the people. We are more than happy to welcome every single teacher and staff that joined us this year. We wish them a great and successful school year!
