Central Florida Prep Administration
Rowena Flanders-Ramos – Director
rowena@cfprep.org
Rowena graduated from St. Leo University in 1977 with a B.A. in Elementary and Secondary Education with a concentration in applied voice and a minor in Speech. In 2007, Rowena went back to school and earned her AMS Montessori Credential and a Master of Education from Chaminade University. After graduating from St. Leo, Rowena taught in the public school system until she settled in Orlando. Upon her move to Orlando, Rowena went to work for Walt Disney World. While employed with Disney, Rowena performed with the Voices of Liberty and taught educational classes for the Disney University. After founding CFP with her late husband, Bob Flanders, Rowena held a number of positions, including music teacher, science teacher, Director of Admissions and Testing, Dean of Students, and Assistant Director. Rowena is married and has seven children. Four of her children have graduated from CFP and three are current students. Davis is in fifth grade; Sean and TJ are in ninth grade. She has one child enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University and one at Chaminade University. Two of her eldest three, who are triplets, have just graduated from college.
Rowena played an instrumental role in the opening of Central Florida Preparatory School and continues to help shape the school’s philosophy and vision today.
Sandy Graf – Principal
sandy@cfprep.org
Sandy joined Central Florida Preparatory School in 1999. She came to us from the Ocoee Police Department where she had served twelve years as a police officer. Toward the end of her tenure with the police department, Sandy was promoted to the position of sergeant and placed over the Youth Services Division. While she held this assignment, Sandy discovered that she enjoyed working with adolescents, but she began to crave a more positive involvement with them. Recalling how much she enjoyed teaching (she had taught in the police academy in Osceola County while she was a police officer), she decided to change careers and become a full time educator.
A long-time Central Florida resident, Sandy graduated from Valencia Community College with an Associate of Criminal Justice. She continued her education at Barry University, where she earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies, and at Troy State University where she earned a Master of Counseling and Psychology. In 2007, Sandy went back to school and earned her AMS Montessori Credential and a Master of Education from Chaminade University. Sandy has one son, a CFP graduate who currently attends Florida Gulf Coast University. A world-class admirer of cats, Sandy owns five incredibly spoiled cats. She enjoys reading, motorcycling, and outdoor activities in the sun.
Nora Colon – Assistant Principal
ncolon@cfprep.org
Nora began with CFP in August 2004, as a fifth grade teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Puerto Rico, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She continued her education at Harvard University, where she was awarded a Masters in Education specializing in Teaching, Curriculum and Learning Environment. Ms. Colon furthered her studies at Seton Hall University and received her Ed S. in Bilingual/Bicultural education. She taught in the New Jersey public school system for six years before moving to Florida. She has assisted in the research and implementation of innovative programs designed for the particular needs of minorities in the United States and also contributed to reforms in school curriculum in different educational systems, such as the Department of Education of Puerto Rico (while working as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education). Her philosophy is that every teacher must promote high standards for all students, especially those who are culturally and emotionally challenged by providing equal opportunities in order to raise their academic goals and professional skills. It is her belief that children can learn to live together while celebrating differences. Ms. Colon has a daughter, Sofia, who is currently enrolled in the Elementary program at CFP.
Chip Coburn – Business Manager
chip@cfprep.org
Chip Coburn is originally from Columbus, Ohio. He comes from a background in banking and worked for many years at Walt Disney World Finance. It was while attending Manatee Community College that he decided to pursue finance as a career. Throughout his career, he has toured as both an entertainer and Business Manager for Christian singing groups The Spurrlows and TRUTH. He is married and has one daughter, Paris who attends Central Florida Prep.
Ms. Lonie – Administrative/Technology Assistant and Events Coordinator
Ms. Michelle – Administrative Assistant
Christopher Tinoco – Maintenance
In Memory Of..
ROBERT FLANDERS (1950-2002) – Founder. Bob Flanders began his educational career in 1974 as a classroom teacher at a small private school specializing in learning disabilities. After several years, he realized that teaching was his life’s calling and returned to school, adding a Master’s degree in Business Administration to his undergraduate degree in Education. He then set out to acquire the skills necessary to successfully start and run a private school. In 1990, the opportunity arose to start a school and, with his wife’s support, he opened CFP. Bob served as director of the school until his death in June 2002. People often joke that the reason Bob started CFP was so he would have a place for his children to go to school, and in the first two years they were the majority of the student body.
