Meet EASL 3616.

EASL is member-led. Officers, Executive Board members, and Worksite Leaders are elected decision-makers. This page lists current leadership and the union professionals who keep the work moving every day.

One President for the Education Association of St. Lucie. Three Vice Presidents — one for each bargaining unit. A Treasurer, and three Secretaries (one per unit).

Name: David Freeland Email: David.Freeland@FloridaEA.org

David Freeland
President, EASL

David Freeland has been an educator for nearly three decades, including 17 years teaching in St. Lucie County at Treasure Coast High School and Fort Pierce Central High School. Before coming to Florida, he taught in Wisconsin and supported Talented and Gifted programs at the district level in Madison.

Before entering the classroom, David worked as a cartographer and later in the tech sector with an Apple Developer. Those experiences continue to shape his approach to teaching, problem-solving, and leadership, emphasizing clarity, precision, and systems that work for the people inside them.

As President of the Education Association of St. Lucie, and a former Chief Negotiator and Executive Board member, David brings a classroom-first, student-centered approach to union leadership, grounded in the belief that strong conditions for educators lead to stronger outcomes for students.

Classified Teachers' Association - CTA Name: Rebecca Petrie Email: Rebecca.Petrie@FloridaEA.org

Rebecca Petrie
Vice President, CTA
Rebecca has been a teacher in SLPS for 25 years. As a proud graduate of PSLHS, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree at FAU. She taught first, second, and third grades at Savanna Ridge Elementary for 17 years and was a long-time member of our Executive Board before being elected as the CTA Vice-President. Rebecca serves on several local and state committees and has represented EASL at multiple national conferences. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking, gardening, and spending time with her husband and family, including their rescue dog.

Classified Unit - CU Name: Laura Lovette-Estima Email: Laura.Lovette-Estima@FloridaEA.org

Laura Lovette-Estima
Vice President, CU
Education Support Professional for 34 years. Currently serves as the SLPS District Records Specialist, District Records Custodian, and Records Management Liaison Officer. A graduate of Indian River State College with a degree in Business Administration and Organizational Management.

Professional and Technical Unit - ProTech Vacant

Name: Alan Matheson

Alan Mathison
Treasurer, EASL
Alan is in his 21st year teaching in the CTE department at Lincoln Park Academy and has been a union member since his first day in the classroom. His wife, Christine, is an elementary school teacher at Windmill Point. Both are PSLHS graduates, and their daughter is a graduate of Lincoln Park Academy. Alan strongly believes in the value of union membership and standing together in support of educators and students.

Classified Teachers' Association – CTA Name: Mary Magnuson

Mary Magnuson
Secretary, CTA
Mary is in her 11th year in education and became involved with the union after being encouraged by a fellow member. She is committed to strengthening educator voice and believes collective action is essential to protecting working conditions and supporting students.

Mary has taught alongside colleagues at Sam Gaines and Fort Pierce Central, where collaboration and shared purpose have shaped her work.

Classified Unit — CU Name: LaShawn Floyd

Professional and Technical Unit - ProTech Vacant

The Executive Board includes the officers listed above plus unit representatives and at-large members. This is the decision-making body that sets direction, governs, and ensures member voice is represented across the district.

Executive Board Member — CTA Name: Claudia Martin-Vegue School/Site: SLWK8

Claudia Martin-Vegue
Executive Board Member, CTA
34 years in education, first as an ESE inclusion and math teacher and now serving as a Testing Coordinator. Previously taught in Miami-Dade and Broward counties before coming to St. Lucie West K-8 in 2004.

Executive Board Member — CU Name: Pamela Jenkins School/Site: VCHS

Pamela Jenkins
Executive Board Member, CU
Bio coming soon.

Executive Board Member — ProTech Vacant

At-Large Executive Board Member Name: LeAnne Carangelo School/Site: OHK8

LeAnne Carangelo
At-Large Executive Board Member
18-year middle school language arts educator with experience at Westgate (7 years), CAST (1 year), and Oak Hammock (currently finishing year 10). BA in English from Stetson University, MA in Theological Studies from RTS, and M.Ed. in Special Education from Concordia University. Currently teaches intensive reading ESE resource and serves as an ELA support facilitator. Union-certified professional development facilitator for ESE and reading comprehension.

At-Large Executive Board Member Name: Aurea Barrios-Cardenas School/Site: MAN

At-Large Executive Board Member Name: Allison Thomas School/Site: TCHS

Allison Thomas
At-Large Executive Board Member
Secondary social studies educator for over 18 years, currently at Treasure Coast High School. Professional development facilitator for EASL, FEA, and AFT. Began teaching in charter schools in Detroit, Michigan, bringing firsthand experience with the importance of protected planning time and an enforceable contract.

EASL is member-led, and the elected leadership sets direction — but this work does not run on titles alone. Our union professionals are critical to the day-to-day operation of the local: organizing, member support, case coordination, communications, and the operational backbone that makes representation possible.

Organizing & Member Advocacy Specialist Name: Lucy Bravo Email: Lucy.Bravo@FloridaEA.org

Office Manager Name: Barbara Ziegler Email: Barbara.Ziegler@FloridaEA.org

ER&D Consultant Name: Maureen Sinnott Email: Maureen.Sinnott@FloridaEA.org

Worksite Leaders are elected leaders at each school/site — your first line of connection and support on campus. If you don’t know who your Worksite Leader is, call the office and we’ll point you to the right person.