School Administration

Ron Barker Principal Public Records Custodian	Academic Credentials: Master of Education in Educational Leadership, American College of Education, Indianapolis, IN Bachelor of Music Education, Cum Laude, Bethel University, Arden Hills, MN; Holds Florida Department of Education Certificates in Educational Leadership (All levels) and Music Education (K-12) Personal: Resident of Columbia County 32 years Married for 30 years with 5 children, of which, one attends Belmont Academy currently and three are Belmont graduates. Profile: 2023-2024 is Mr. Barker's eighth year as principal of Belmont Academy. Being part of the administrative team since Belmont's inception, he was Assistant Principal for its first three years. Continuing as principal, he is committed to upholding the mission of Belmont Academy: "Excellence for all students", accomplished by leading everyone at Belmont to their greatest potential and success. He has over 20 years of experience as a music instructor. In addition, he has worked 23 years in positions encompassing sales, management, personnel training, and business finance. He enjoys performing on his trumpet on a regular basis with the Gateway City Big Band.
Lawton Unrau CEO	Academic Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude, University of South Dakota Minor in Business Administration Personal: Resident of Columbia County for nearly 35 years. Happily married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren (3 attending Belmont Academy). Profile: Mr. Unrau is in his ninth year as the Chief Executive Officer of Belmont Academy. During Belmont's opening school year 2013-2014, he served as Mathematics Teacher and Department Chair. Prior to being employed by the school he served on the Governing Board and was part of the school's Founding Board. Mr. Unrau has been a business owner, problem solver and business strategist for over 35 years. His ability to digest and organize large amounts of information into an effective logistical solution has proven an asset time and time again. Lawton enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, landscaping, music, photography and promoting the educational mission and opportunities for all of the Belmont Academy students and stakeholders!
April Vinson Assistant Principal of Student Services	Academic Credentials: Master's in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University Bachelor's in Psychology from Saint Leo University Reading and ESOL Endorsement Commissioner's Leadership Academy Participant NEFEC Leadership Academy Particip Personal: Mrs. Vinson has been a resident of Columbia County for nearly 35 years. She has four children, of which, two are school-aged and attend Belmont Academy. Mrs.Vinson enjoys spending time with famliy and friends on the water and spending Saturdays watching the Georgia Buildogs play football. Profile: Mrs. Vinson has served in the education field for 19 years and has various certifications including Educational Leadership, Exceptional Student Education, Elementary Education, Middle Grades Intergrated Curriculum, Reading and ESOL. She has experience in various levels of school leadership including being a principal, instructional coach, and district ESE staffing specialist. Mrs. Vinson has taugh both general education classes and ESE classes in the elementary and secondary settings. She has a passion for education and is excited to assist all Belmont students reach their full potential. Go Knights!
Jessica Harris Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction	Academic Credentials: Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education Bachelors in Elementary Education from Saint Leo University Reading and ESOL Endorsement University of Florida Lastinger Certified Instructional Coach Personal: I have lived in Columbia County most of my life. I have been married for 5 years and we have a beautiful blended family of five children. Their names are Halleigh-Ray Harris, Camden Harris, Jayse Brinkley, Ruby Harris and Sadie Brinkley. Halleigh-Ray attends Rollins College playing volleyball and the other four are still in high school. Two of my children attend Belmont. Belmont has been a blessing for our family. Profile: Mrs. Harris has been in education for over 15 years. Teaching many different grade levels and subjects most of her career. She decided to go back to school to get her degree in Educational Leadership six years ago. She served as an Instructional Coach for five years at an elementary school and one year in a middle school. During this time she became a certified Instructional Coach. She served as the Secondary Instructional Coach at Belmont Academy before becoming an Assistant Principal. She has a love for education and a passion for helping students and teachers succeed. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying some fun in the sun. When she isn't in Lake City you can find her on a boat somewhere. Mrs. Harris loves Belmont and is thankful for the opportunity to serve the staff, teachers, students, and parents who feel like family.
Drew Sloan Assistant Principal Of Behavior	Academic Credentials: Master of Education in Educational Leadership, American College of Education Bachelors in Elementary Education, K-6, Saint Leo University Personal: Resident of Columbia County 41 years Graduated from Columbia High School in 1998 Married with 4 children Enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, swimming and watching Florida Gator football. Experience: Aquatic Director at Columbia Aquatic Complex 2003-2011 Recreation Supervisor at Corrections Corporation of America 2011-2014 Teacher at Summers Elementary 2014-2017 Teacher at Belmont Academy 2017-2018 Director of Discipline at Belmont Academy 2018-2019 Assistant Principal at Belmont Academy 2019-2021