The Okaloosa County School Board approved Holly Tew as the Director I of Secondary Education, Curriculum, and Instruction; Amy Dale as the Director of Elementary Education, Curriculum, and Instruction; Morena Mannucci as the Specialist for Career and Technical Education; and Brittany Tate as the Assistant Principal of Pryor Middle School at the June 9, 2025, School Board meeting.
Holly Tew - Director I of Secondary Education, Curriculum, and Instruction
Holly Tew began her journey in education 30 years ago, right here in the Okaloosa County School District. A native Floridian, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Math and Science Education from the University of West Florida, followed by a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Throughout her career, Ms. Tew has taught both math and science at the middle and high school levels. She went on to serve as Assistant Principal over Curriculum and Instruction at Shoal River Middle School, Riverside Elementary, and, primarily, Crestview High School. For the past four years, she has led Davidson Middle School as the “Panther Proud” Principal—and has truly cherished every moment.
Ms. Tew is passionately committed to equipping every student with the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to thrive in life. After 12 years as a school-based administrator, she is thrilled to take this mission to the district level and serve an even broader community of students, families, and educators.
Holly has been married to her husband, Aaron Tew, for 32 wonderful years. Together, they are the proud parents of Chapman (and his wife, Alana), Weston (and his wife, Makenna), and Aubrey (and her fiancé, Seth). The Tew family recently celebrated the arrival of their first grandchild and they eagerly await the arrival of their second in November.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Tew enjoys spending time with her family, serving in her church, playing the piano, being on the water, and cheering on the Florida Gators.
Amy Dale – Director of Elementary Education, Curriculum, and Instruction
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A proud graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Ms. Dale began her teaching career in South Carolina and California before returning to Florida, where she and her family spent the last several years as her husband completed his service in the United States Air Force. Ms. Dale’s children are now living and working across the United States, each pursuing their own unique paths and careers — a testament to the strong foundation and preparation they received from the Okaloosa County School District.
When she joined the Okaloosa County School District in 2003, Amy quickly realized how special Antioch Elementary was. With the encouragement and support of her fellow teachers and administrators, including Glenda Robinson and Wanda Avery, she was inspired to “navigate beyond her horizon.” Through that support, she earned National Board Certification, completed her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University, and went on to serve as a District Instructional Math Coach, Elementary Math Specialist, and Title I Program Director. With a deep commitment to educational excellence and a passion for student success, she brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this new role.
In her own words, “I am humbled and thrilled to serve Okaloosa County School District elementary schools, principals, students, and families as Elementary Curriculum Director.”
Morena Mannucci – Specialist, Career and Technical Education
Originally from Rome, Italy, Ms. Mannucci relocated to the United States at the age of 19 to pursue her education and career. She earned two bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Washington University in 2010, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Tampa in 2014. In 2021, she completed a master’s in educational leadership at the University of West Florida.
Ms. Mannucci began her career as a high school Math and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher in North Carolina. In 2018, she moved to Okaloosa County, where she began teaching middle school CTE programming courses at Pryor Middle School. During her time there, she served in multiple leadership roles, including curriculum writer, department chair, mentor, and track & field coach. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the top three finalists for Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year.
She has also served as a Dean at Wright Elementary and most recently as Assistant Principal at Elliott Point Elementary. She now brings her passion for education and leadership to the CTE department, where she is excited to contribute to the success of students, staff, and the broader school community.
Ms. Mannucci is married to Sergeant First Class Phillip Puccino of the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group. They have a four-year-old daughter. She is thrilled to be part of the CTE team and looks forward to making a positive impact.
Brittany Tate – Assistant Principal of Pryor Middle School
Brittany Tate is a proud graduate of Niceville High School and the University of Alabama. After college, she joined AmeriCorps, where she led the implementation of hands-on science curriculum in local elementary schools. Her passion for education inspired her to pursue a master’s in Instructional Technology from the University of West Florida, which led her to the classroom full-time.
In Okaloosa County, Ms. Tate has taught at Niceville High School and Pryor Middle School, where she has spent the majority of her career as an 8th grade Science teacher. At Pryor, she has also served as Science Department Chair, Robotics Coach, Cross-Country and Volleyball Coach, and School Advisory Council representative.
A leader in both instruction and innovation, Brittany has hosted numerous technology professional learning sessions and is a skilled grant writer, having secured over $2.5 million in funding for Okaloosa County Schools. Her dedication and impact were recognized when she was named Okaloosa County’s 2023 Teacher of the Year and a United Way “40 Under 40” honoree. In 2024, she earned her second master’s degree—this time in Educational Leadership.
Outside of school, Ms. Tate enjoys running, cooking, live music, and keeping up with pop culture. She cherishes time spent with her family and friends and continues to be a passionate advocate for students, teachers, and the power of community.