Kaye McKinley, Principal

Picture Kaye McKinley
Kaye McKinley holds a BS degree in Special Education K-12 and English K-12 from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from University of West Florida.  Mrs. McKinley has been an educator for 37 years in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Since arriving in Okaloosa County in 1993, she has been a Special Education teacher, General Education teacher, ESE staffing specialist, Director of ESE, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. She is married to Marv McKinley, retired USAF.  They have five children who are all active duty and/or married to military members.  They are the proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren.  Mrs. McKinley was duly commissioned in 2010 as the Military Family Education Liaison for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for the state of Florida. 

Ms. Leiah Coraine, Elementary School  Assistant Principal 

Picture Leiah Bolin

Leiah Coraine is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, K-5. She also currently maintains the Success for All reading program and the Response to Intervention/MTSS process.

Previously, she worked as a second and fifth grade teacher at Liza Jackson Preparatory School. Her professional interests include cooperative learning, student engagement and reading instruction. She has completed consulting with failing schools on how to use these components to increase student achievement. 

She received her National Board Certification in Early Childhood Generalist in November of 2011. Ms. Coraine has a duel Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education and Elementary Education with ESOL Endorsement. She has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Comprehensive Program in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

Michele Bailey, Middle School Assistant Principal

Picture Michele Bailey
  • I began my education career in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as a Technology Discovery teacher in a junior high.  During my first year of teaching, I was awarded the Sallie Mae Teaching Award for Outstanding First Year Teacher in the school district. Several years later, my husband and I moved to Jackson, Mississippi where I taught high school mathematics including Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Statistics.  In 2000, my husband and I relocated to Fort Walton Beach and my career shifted to seventh grade mathematics at Bruner Middle School, where I was named teacher of the year during my second year.   I felt as though I definitely found my place teaching middle school and couldn't image teaching any other age.  Three years later, I found my home at Liza.  I have spent my time teaching seventh grade mathematics, and serving as the IB Coordinator and Middle School Math Coach until becoming the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator in 2016 and the Middle School Assistant Principal in 2018. I am truly blessed to have been a part of the Liza family over the years.  My family includes two beautiful step daughters, two handsome sons-in-law, a witty volleyball playing college daughter and a joke telling, video gaming high school son.  My awesome husband and I will be celebrating our 24 year anniversary in 2021.