Experience

Mike DeLucas has worked as a Principal, Assistant Principal, Teacher and Coach.  As a parent of three, Mike has seen education from every angle.  Mike wants to help students and their parents make the best possible educational decisions.  His business, Student First Education, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Mike began his educational career at P. K. Yonge as a middle school Physical Education teacher and high school Boys Basketball Coach.  Mike began to dabble in test prep and college placement with his players.  He was recruited to Levy County as an Assistant Principal.  He worked at Bronson Middle/High and Joyce Bullock Elementary before becoming the Principal at Williston High School.  While at Williston High, Mike started a School-within-a-School for students who were two or more years behind in school.  

He was next recruited to Florida Virtual School as an Instructional Leader.  Part of the allure of FLVS was their commitment "to put the student at the center of every decision."   Mike left FLVS after five years and became the Assistant Principal for Student Services at Gainesville High School.  At GHS, Mike was able to work with outstanding students (GHS is home to a Cambridge Program) and other students who were struggling to graduate.  He also began tutoring students on the ACT.  Mike was next appointed to Principal at Buchholz High School, home to a large number of outstanding students.   

Mike is now a full-time educational consultant.  Mike has two degrees from the University of Florida.  One is a Masters in Educational Leadership.  He has been married for more than 28 years.  His children are 27, 25 and 19.  Mike has lived in the Gainesville area since 1983.  He graduated from Piper High School in Broward County.   

From working as a teacher and assistant basketball coach to leading dynamic high schools, Mike has worked with students and their families for 30 years.  Mike is a parent and an educator.  He understands most educational issues from all sides.