Meet Our Staff
Amy Bedard
My name is Amy, and I am Premier Academy's new director. My family is everything to me and is what brought me down to Florida from Maine. I have a son heading to college at NSU and a daughter commissioning into flight school in Pensacola from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
I have worked in education for the past 30 years, and I am truly passionate about working with children and their families. I graduated in 1995 from the University of Maine at Farmington, with a degree in Elementary Education K-8. I added a developmental therapy license for birth-age 5 in 1998 while working with special needs children. I have taught Pre-K through 2nd grade and have been a Special Education Teacher for ages 3-5.
The preschool years are where my passion lies, knowing the impact these early years have on their future in education.
I will miss skiing in Maine, but I will happily trade it for the beaches and activities Florida has to offer. When I’m not at school or with family, I love running, biking, exploring, and photography.
I can't wait to meet all of you and am looking forward to a successful school year.
Esther Grillo
Regional Director
I am originally from Maryland but relocated to sunny Florida in 2004. I have been in the field of education for over 20 years, earning a degree in Physical and Health Education K-12 from Ithaca College in 1999. After graduation, I moved to Boston and returned to school to earn my Masters in Elementary Education. My experience includes teaching all ages from Pre-K through 8th grade. In 2013, I became the director of Cranium Academy Winter Garden, where I helped grow the preschool and develop its elementary program.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I am the proud parent of one girl and two boys. We enjoy visiting amusement parks and spending time outside. When I’m not with my family, I am usually training for a marathon.
Esther Grillo
Regional Director
I am originally from Maryland but relocated to sunny Florida in 2004. I have been in the field of education for over 20 years, earning a degree in Physical and Health Education K-12 from Ithaca College in 1999. After graduation, I moved to Boston and returned to school to earn my Masters in Elementary Education. My experience includes teaching all ages from Pre-K through 8th grade. In 2013, I became the director of Cranium Academy Winter Garden, where I helped grow the preschool and develop its elementary program.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I am the proud parent of one girl and two boys. We enjoy visiting amusement parks and spending time outside. When I’m not with my family, I am usually training for a marathon.