• MAHAN: (850) 219-2400
  • SOUTHWOOD: (850) 656-3235
  • MAHAN: (850) 219-2400
  • SOUTHWOOD: (850) 656-3235
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About Us

Our Team

The people who make it all happen.

At Scottsdale Academy, our team isn’t just qualified — they’re dedicated. They show up every day because they genuinely love what they do and who they do it for.

Ownership

Roy Keister

Owner

Roy Keister

Owner

For more than 20 years, Roy Keister and his wife, Jennifer have owned and operated Scottsdale Academy. Married over 30 years, they have three daughters, all of which graduated from the Academy, and today, each one has an active role in the business.

Roy is a graduate of Florida State University with an extensive background in operations management and human resources. He is actively engaged in the broader early childhood education community as a Board member for the Florida Association for Child Care Management (FACCM). For the last 15 years, Roy has played a prominent role as its past President, and currently, as its Vice President and Legislative Chair. On numerous occasions, Roy has spoken to the Florida House and Senate and been asked to present to the Florida State Board of Education.

Roy sits on the Tallahassee State College Career Advisory Board, is a member of the Informal Pathway State Advisory Committee and was appointed to and continues to be involved with the Council for Early Grade Success.

Roy’s leadership at Scottsdale Academy has been instrumental in its success and his work on behalf of Florida’s youngest learners continues to have a positive impact on our industry. Roy has been recognized for his work as the recipient of the 2026 Early Learning Leader of the Year Award.

Jennifer Keister

Owner

Jennifer Keister

Owner

As an Owner and Administrator of Scottsdale Academy, Jennifer has built a thriving dual-campus organization dedicated to providing exceptional developmental care for children. Her and her husband Roy are proud to have all three of their grown daughters in a role carrying on the mission their family has established.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from the University of North Florida and has held an active Director’s credential since 2006. Jennifer’s journey with Scottsdale Academy began in 2005 with a single vision: to create a warm, nurturing, and academically enriching environment where Tallahassee’s youngest children could thrive. What started as one campus has grown into two beautiful facilities — totaling over 30,000 square feet — serving more than 300 families and children ages six weeks through five years.

Under Jennifer’s leadership, both Scottsdale Academy campuses have earned APPLE Distinction Accreditation and are proudly recognized as Florida Gold Seal Quality Programs, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in early childhood education. At the heart of it all, Jennifer’s greatest joy is watching the children of Scottsdale Academy grow, learn, and flourish — and knowing that the Academy continues to make a difference in the Tallahassee community every single day.

Leadership

Amy Kantor

Dean of Curriculum

Amy Kantor

Dean of Curriculum

Amy is all about strategic FUN. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education & Management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with over 20 years of teaching experience with pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

Amy ensures our curriculum stays engaging, relevant and genuinely fun for both the kids and teachers. Each classroom’s lesson plans get reviewed for appropriate teaching strategies and alignment with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards. Her position is not often found at the preschool level, and Scottsdale Academy is proud to have this incredible resource influencing our everyday experiences in the classroom. Amy’s smile is like sunshine and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Katelin McLeod

Area Director

Katelin McLeod

Area Director

Katelin is a passionate advocate for early childhood education and currently serves as Area Director for Scottsdale Academy. With more than 15 years of experience in both the classroom, as well as in leadership roles where she is effective in recruiting, mentoring and developing a strong teaching team. She is deeply committed to supporting teachers, partnering with families and ensuring every child receives a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Katelin holds a National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) Endorsement and Director’s Credential, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She believes that positive relationships are at the heart of successful schools and strives to create welcoming, inclusive environments where children, staff, and families feel valued and supported.

Karlie Harris

Assistant Director
Mahan at Fallschase

Karlie Harris

Assistant Director
Mahan at Fallschase

Karlie serves as the Assistant Director at our Mahan location and has been a dedicated member of our team since 2016. She began her career with us as a full-time teacher in younger classrooms, then transitioned into the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program where she became VPK Endorsed and ompleted an associate degree in education to ensure children have a successful transition into kindergarten. Her commitment to high-quality education and natural leadership abilities led to her Assistant Director promotion in 2022.

Karlie holds a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), a Director’s Credential, and is VPK Endorsed. In addition to her professional experience, she brings a unique parent perspective—having had all three of her children attend our school. This connection deepens her commitment to creating a warm, supportive environment for every child and family.

Darielle Tucker

Assistant Director Southwood

Darielle Tucker

Assistant Director Southwood

Darielle serves as the Assistant Director at our Southwood school, bringing over a decade of dedicated experience in early childhood education. She began her journey with Scottsdale in 2011, working with children from infancy through age three. Darielle’s passion for teaching soon advanced her to the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, where she spent eight years fostering kindergarten readiness for her students. Her commitment to excellence and strong leadership skills naturally guided her into her current role as Assistant Director.

She holds a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), a Director’s Credential and is VPK Endorsed. Darielle is deeply committed to supporting teachers, partnering with families, and ensuring a nurturing, high-quality learning environment where every child can thrive.

Family Operations

Keirsten Keister

Director Mahan at Fallschase

Keirsten Keister

Director Mahan at Fallschase

Keirsten is a dedicated early childhood education leader who brings both academic expertise and a passion for supporting young learners in her role as Preschool Director at Scottsdale Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Entrepreneurship and a Master’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from Florida State University. Keirsten gained in-depth knowledge of our state’s Early Childhood Education programs, initiatives and resources specific to our field from a valuable practicum at the Florida Division of Early Learning. In addition, Keirsten has earned her Formal Education Credential and VPK Endorsed Director Credential, reflecting her commitment to early childhood education.

With a strong foundation in child development and family dynamics, Keirsten is devoted to creating a nurturing, high-quality learning environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Caitlyn Keister

Operations

Caitlyn Keister

Operations

Caitlyn supports operations across both campuses, working behind the scenes on financial aspects of the business. It is important to her that future generations get the opportunity to also be “Scottsdale families” by prioritizing a fiscally-sound establishment.

Kaley Keister

Staff Mahan at Fallschase

Kaley Keister

Staff Mahan at Fallschase

Kaley is part of the day-to-day team at our Mahan campus, contributing to the warm, family-centered culture that makes Scottsdale Academy what it is. She has a National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and understands the important impact early childhood education has within a child’s educational journey.

Our Teaching Staff

Each location is staffed with 24 teachers, all of whom hold:


  • A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development, or
  • A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or
  • 45 DCF hours, Annual Inservice hours

Our employees also receive benefits: medical, dental, life, aflac, vacation/holidays, 401K and incentive programs.

Want to Join

Our Team?

We’re always looking for passionate, qualified people.

Apply Now
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