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Welcome to Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership

I am incredibly excited and honored to lead the Patriots of JSMAL for my fifth year! The 2023-2024 school year will be epic! I look forward to leading a dynamic and talented staff and faculty, committed to providing an excellent education that is engaging, challenging, rich in military traditions and designed to meet the needs of each cadet.

I come to you with a very diverse background rooted in servant leadership and a commitment to public school education. In 1982, I enlisted in the United States Army Reserves from right here in North Florida while I was still in high school. Upon graduation, I attended Florida Junior College at Jacksonville, compliments of the Army. I soon realized that I wanted to become a commissioned officer, and in 1986, I entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1990, I graduated from West Point and served on active duty in the United States Army from 1990-1997. In 1995, I was assigned to teach ROTC at the University of Florida. This was a turning point for me; it would be my last assignment in the Army as I fell in love with teaching. I soon found my way to the classroom to teach math, coach, and serve as the dean in a small private school in Lake Mary, Florida. As I found myself in increasingly challenging roles, I soon dreamt of leading my own school. I came to Jacksonville in 2007 to pursue my Educational Leadership degree at the University of North Florida and started my public-school career teaching Algebra and Geometry at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. For the next five years, I served as an Assistant Principal at Douglas Anderson, Mandarin High School and LaVilla. I then had the privilege of serving as the Principal of Twin Lakes Academy Middle School where we moved from a C school to a B school in 2018.

All these incredible experiences have led me right here to Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership. I bring to JSMAL a passion and deep appreciation for education and the military. It is my goal that every cadet at JSMAL is prepared for high school and develops a lifelong appreciation for all those who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s middle school experience. Please feel free to reach out to us to let us know how we can best meet the needs of your son or daughter. Our commitment to you is excellent instruction in every classroom, for every student, every day!

Sincerely,

Tamara Roper Principal