Indian Rocks Christian School Administration

Walter Weller joined the IRCS Administrative Team as Superintendent of Schools in July 2013. Prior to that, he served in the Pinellas County School System as a teacher, coach, school administrator, and county level administrator for 26 years. In his last position with Pinellas County, he served as the Principal of Seminole High School. He is a graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School, the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Social Science Education and Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Walter’s passion is for every child to realize and utilize their God given abilities in a way that honors God. Walter is drawn to activities and events that help students grow in knowledge and in faith. Walter and his wife Karen have been married since 1990 and have four children: Noah, Samuel (IRCS graduate, class of 2015), Solomon (IRCS graduate, class of 2020), and Chloe (IRCS graduate, class of 2022).

Mr. Starner returned to Indian Rocks in June 2018 as Preschool Director and will now serve additionally as the Elementary Principal in 2019. He previously served at IRCS from 1992-2003 as Guidance Counselor and then Elementary Principal. Most recently, he served as Head of School at Grace Christian Academy in Bainbridge, Georgia. Rob has a B.A. in Psychology from Clearwater Christian College and a M.S. in Counselor Education from the University of Southern Maine. Rob and his wife Joella have six children, including two who previously graduated from IRCS, Kara (class of 1999) and Kevin (class of 2002).

Stephanie Vogel began her career in education in 1997 working for Pinellas County Schools. She has experience as a Classroom Teacher and an Administrator. She received her Bachelors in Education in 1997 from the University of South Florida and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership & Supervision from U.S.F. in 2001. She has been at IRCS since 2013. Stephanie has been married to her husband Rick for over twenty years. She has four children including two IRCS graduates. One attends Florida State University in the College of Business. The other attends the University of Central Florida also majoring in Business. Her younger two children still attend IRCS.

Mrs. Suzanne Croce has served at IRCS since 2022. Mrs. Croce holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Western Michigan University and has worked with children and infants for 25 years. Suzanne has been married to her husband Kevin for 10 years and they have 2 children together, Gavin (9) and Finley (6) that attend IRCS.

Melissa began her career in education in Lexington, Kentucky. She has experience as a classroom teacher, district representative for MAP testing, Teacher Growth and Effectiveness coach, and school administration. Melissa received her Bachelors in Education, Masters in Teacher Leadership, Masters in School Administration, Certification from National Institute for School Leadership (NISL), and a Principalship. She and her husband, Brian, have four boys and two daughters-in-law: Nolan (Lizzy), Samuel (Emma), and Cameron and Caden (10th-grade twin boys at IRCS).

Libby Essig is entering her 6th year at IRCS. With over 25 years of teaching experience, she has served our school as both Elementary and High School Spanish teacher. Mrs. Essig has a bachelor’s degree in Bible, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s of Science in School Leadership with a Principal Certificate. As a seasoned teaching professional with a background in school leadership, Mrs. Essig has a desire to help all IRCS students and teachers grow spiritually, emotionally, and academically. She is excited to serve the Lord and IRCS as Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning. Libby has been married to her husband Mike for 15 years. She also has two adult children and two grandchildren.

Michelle DiFrancesco started teaching at IRCS in 1994. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education from University of South Florida and M.Ed. in Curriculum/Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She has experience as a classroom teacher and has been serving as the Guidance Director for IRCS since 2020. She and her husband Danny have been married since 1994 and have 2 children, Joshua (IRCS class of 2015) and Rachael (IRCS class of 2018).

My name is Dee Bates, and I am the College Advisor. I consider it a privilege to work with our students as we navigate the college admissions process. Each year 97% -100% of our seniors attend college in the fall after graduation! It is my desire to make college planning easy. Each student/family meets one-on-one with me to discuss college goals, preferences, and plans. The main objective is to achieve a “best fit” for the student. Whether the outcome is a community college, Christian University or an Ivy League school, each decision is carefully and prayerfully planned with our families.

Dee Bates received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 2004, she received an M.A. in Education/Guidance Counseling from the University of South Florida. She started teaching at IRCS in 1985, and has been the IRCS Guidance Counselor since 2002-2020. She and her husband, Ric, have three children, Melissa (IRCS class of 2002 and Elementary Art teacher at IRCS), Brianna (IRCS class of 2010), and Ty (IRCS class of 2012). They also have four grandchildren, who all attend IRCS.

Joe Frost is the IRCS Dean of Students for Middle and High School. He has been with Indian Rocks since 1994. After graduating from Clearwater Christian College with degrees in Business Administration and History Education, he completed his Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Joe taught 6th grade for 13 years before joining the administrative team of Indian Rocks. For over 20 years he coached the varsity basketball team at IRCS and currently coaches the bowling team. His wife, Sharon, is a 6th grade teacher at Indian Rocks. They have four children who attended Indian Rocks. Joe also enjoys teaching Foundations, a Sunday School class at Indian Rocks Baptist Church.

Ryan Johnson holds an MBA in sports management from Florida Atlantic University and is a Registered Athletic Administrator through the NIAAA. Additionally, he has seven years of athletic administrative experience and has coached several teams that have gone on to conference championships. Looking at IRCS athletics, he sees so much potential for growth. The term ‘growth’ encompasses a wide variety of areas within the Athletic Department, like the winning of championships, the additions and upgrades to athletic facilities, and, most importantly, the increased impact on the lives of the student athletes. He is extremely excited to lead IRCS athletics and cannot wait to see everyone out at the Eagles Nest supporting our student athletes.

David Witthun holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration  from Sacramento State University and a master’s in Physical Education from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. He has coached football for more than 20 years at the high school, college and professional (AFL) levels. David is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength Conditioning Association and a Certified Throws Coach through the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Jillian is deeply committed to the future of Indian Rocks Christian School, both as a dedicated professional and as a loving mother to three children enrolled at IRCS. She brings a wealth of experience in marketing, special events coordination, and social media management as well as organizational and leadership skills through the IRCS Enrollment Process. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a Master’s degree in Information Science, both earned from the University of South Florida. Jillian and her husband, Steven, love the IRCS community that their three children, Aubrey, Landon, and AnnaLynne, thrive within. She believes that God led her family to IRCS and faithfully dedicates her efforts to the glory of God alone.

Donella Woodbury returned to IRCS as Admissions Director in January 2024.  Prior to that, she served for 10 years as Director of Admissions at Calvary Christian High School; however, her professional education career began at IRCS teaching Preschool/Kindergarten for 15 years.  She is a graduate of University of South Florida with a B.A. in Elementary Education.  Her passion and calling for Christian Education are driven by Colossians 1:28-29 which says “He is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.  To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”  She so enjoys helping new families searching for an exceptional education with a Christ centered focus ensuring students develop a biblical worldview.    

Donella and her husband Ron have been married since 1985.  They have three children who graduated from IRCS; Kyle, Kayla (class of 2006) and Kollin (class of 2010).  They are now proud grandparents to Evie, Addie and JoLee.  Evie is now attending IRCS aspiring to have a legacy impact on this community with many other IRCS generational families.