Jackie Cornelius – Principal
Ms. Cornelius joined the Douglas Anderson family in 1988, serving as its Arts Director and Vice Principal before taking the reins as principal in 1996. Ms. Cornelius received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. Under her leadership, DA has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a National Model School, and a National Leader School by the US Department of Education as well as being listed by the Newsweek magazine as one of the Best Academic High Schools in the country. Knowing that we come to know and experience our own humanity through art, she has tirelessly initiated and supported numerous arts education projects nationally and locally benefiting the students, school, its faculty and staff. She has served as President of Theatre Jacksonville, Uptown Civitans, First Coast Business and Professional Women’s Club, and as a Past Director of the BPW Florida Education Foundation. She is a Leadership Jacksonville Alumni, ’92. She has served as President of the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools, has served on the Jacksonville Women’s Network board and the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women board. She also has in the past served on the Gateway Girl Scout Council, the Mayor’s Insight Committee, the Jacksonville Symphony Education committee, and the Youth Leadership Jacksonville Board of Directors. Awards include: the Eve Award, Florida Times Union, 2002; Florida 2000 Leadership Award/Arts for a Complete Education/ Florida Alliance for Arts Education; National Technology Excellence Award from Highwired.com and National Secondary Principals Association, March 2001; National Service Learning Award / US Department of Education, April 2001; Outstanding Arts Educator Award/ Jacksonville Arts Assembly, 1996; Woman of Distinction Award/ Gateway Girl Scout Council, 1995; Woman of the Year/ River City BPW, 1996; Excellence Award for Most Outstanding Drug Education Program /Florida Commissioner of Education, 1988.

Lianna Knight – Assistant Principal
Ms. Knight, Assistant Principal/Instructional Leader, has been at DA for five years. She received her B.A. from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in Education Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Ms. Knight comes to Douglas Anderson with 10½ years of teaching experience, which includes high school and middle school dance and math. In 2001 she was selected Teacher of The Year at Woodland Acres Middle School in Houston, Texas. Among Ms. Knight’s many and varied duties at DA is the coordination of middle school recruitment to ensure that all students in the county receive information about auditions for admission to DA. Ms. Knight is the producer of Extravaganza, our spectacular annual showcase of the very best in all arts areas. She also oversees each aspect of Professional Development and professional learning communities.

Melanie Hammer – Assistant Principal – Curriculum
Ms. Hammer, Assistant Principal/Curriculum, is serving her second year on DA’s administration team. She earned a B.S. in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. Her teaching experience includes six years as a high school math instructor–three at a magnet arts school in Atlanta and three at Douglas Anderson. In 2007 Ms. Hammer earned National Board Certification and was selected Douglas Anderson’s 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year. Among her many duties at DA are scheduling, testing coordinator, Dual Enrollment Coordinator, and OnCourse Manager.

Michael Hilliker – Assistant Principal

Mr. Hilliker, Assistant Principal, is serving his first year on DA’s administration team. He earned a B.S. in Sociology from Buffalo State College, a master’s degree in Special Education from The College of New Rochelle, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose. His teaching experience includes three years as a special education
teacher in the Bronx, NY as well as 6 years as a Dean of Students in a middle school in the Bronx. Among his many duties at DA are ESE coordinator, attendance, transportation, security, cafeteria supervision, and teacher observations.

Tammy Tuschhoff – Assistant Principal
Mrs. Tuschhoff, Assistant Principal/Student Services, earned a B.S. in General Engineering with a field of study in Sociology from West Point and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. After serving in the U.S. Army for 15 years and teaching ROTC at the University of Florida, she realized her calling was in education. Ms. Tuschhoff comes to Douglas Anderson with five years of high school math and leadership teaching experience as well as experience in administration in the private school setting. Ms. Tuschhoff taught math at Douglas Anderson before joining the administration team in 2010. Among her many responsibilities at DA are student services and discipline, AP coordinator, textbook coordinator, Challenge Day facilitator, and facilities supervisor.