Our Staff

Our staff is comprised of some the county's most qualified teachers and associates. All individuals employed by us have been thoroughly screened and trained.

Executive Director

Carolyn Elmore
Elementary/Early Childhood Education, BS
Reading Education, MA

Mrs. Elmore has been teaching for over 20 years. She opened Cypress Oaks School in May 1994 in order to provide quality preschool to the area's children. She attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where she received her teaching degree. Mrs. Elmore spent several years teaching grades kindergarten through fifth in the Polk County School system. She has also received a master's degree specializing in reading education from the University of South Florida in Lakeland, and has taught reading at Polk Community College.

VPK Instructors

Charlotte Elmore
Elementary/Early Childhood Education, BA

Ms. Elmore has been employed by Cypress Oaks School since 1996. Her first assignment was as a tutor in our academic tutoring program, Cypress Kids Club. She attended University of South Florida in Lakeland, where she received her teaching degree. She began teaching VPK in August 2005, and is a state-certified teacher. She is also the associate director of Cypress Kids Club.

Mary Yakovets
Elementary/Early Childhood Education, BS

Mrs. Yakovets has been employed by Cypress Oaks School since 1994. She attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where she received her teaching degree. She has taught kindergarten in the Polk County School system for seven years. She began teaching VPK in August 2006, and is a state-certified teacher. Mrs. Yakovets also taught childcare training classes at Polk Community College.