FCIS Team

Dr. Hodges has identified her vision for FCIS “to be a premier independent school association with a strategic board, proactive legislative advocates, and a streamlined quality accreditation process that provides outstanding member services, while utilizing strong communication, up-to-date technology, and marketing to operate with efficiency and professional excellence.

Melissa Alton joined FCIS as Director of Accreditation in 2014. Melissa began her teaching career as a Teaching Assistant at UNC-Charlotte, where she also worked in the Writing Resource Center and later served as an instructor and the President of the Adjunct Faculty Association. While living in Charlotte, she was also employed as an Educational Consultant with Manus Academy and as a summer instructor at Charlotte Country Day School. Melissa moved to Brevard County, Florida in 1999. In that year, she began working at Florida Air Academy as a teacher and as Tutoring Director. During her tenure at Florida Air, Melissa served as English Department Chair, Senior Class Advisor and Assistant Principal. She became the academy's Principal in February 2012. An English instructor by trade, Melissa has taught literature and language arts to students in grades 6-12 and at the college level. She holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA from UNC-Charlotte, and an M.Ed. from the University of Florida.

Melissa’s experience with accreditation includes intensive coursework on school improvement through the University of Nebraska, service on multiple school visiting teams, and leadership in her previous school’s accreditation efforts. She currently serves as chair of the ICAISA Directors of Accreditation group.  As Director of Accreditation, Melissa serves as a resource for member schools as they engage in the challenging work of self-examination and school improvement.

Evelyn McCulloch is the Director of Technology and Accreditation Support for FCIS Florida Council of Independent Schools. She provides strategic leadership and direction for FCIS technology operations; management of accreditation, registration, and in-service portals and support of the accreditation process for 150 independent schools. 

Prior to her role at FCIS, Evelyn and her team built i-Tech for Schools. The team had the honor of supporting over 50 independent schools across the state of Florida, empowering educators, enhancing learning through technology, and helping shape the future of education together. Evelyn brings 20 years of experience as an educator and school administrator in local and global schools including Park Maitland School and The International School of Beijing, China. While at Park Maitland, Evelyn served as the Director of Teaching and Learning, spearheading innovative technology and curriculum.

She is a Google Certified Trainer and has been a conference presenter at FETC Future of Education Technology Conference, FCIS Annual Conference, LLI Lausanne Learning Florida, Adobe and Flip #StudentVoice is Magic Summit, and the Orlando Learning Summit. 

Evelyn and her husband are the proud parents of three children, all adopted from the foster care system of Central Florida.

Stephanie Massey joined FCIS as the Assistant Director of Professional Development in the summer of 2026. Throughout her career in education, she has served as a teacher, Division Head, Business Manager, and Head of School. She is passionate about lifelong learning and enjoys connecting educators with meaningful professional development opportunities and resources.

Stephanie has had the privilege of serving on several boards, including the Florida Kindergarten Council, and as an officer of the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University and a Master of Education degree from the University of North Florida.