Hurricane Milton: TSMA School Closure October 8-11

TSMA closed Tuesday, October 8 through Friday, October 11 in response to Hurricane Milton. No decision has been made for Monday, October 14. More information to follow over the weekend, post storm.

Joy Collins

Joy Collins

7th Grade Team

Hi Wildcats! My name is Joy Collins and I grew up in Lakeland. After spending many years traveling the world and living in North Carolina I returned home to Lakeland and have loved being part of the McKeel Family. I went to college at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC and earned a degree in history and political science. 

 This is my fifth year at MAT. I was at South McKeel for many years as the librarian and 7th grade ELA teacher. It's fantastic that I have known so many of my students since they were picking out picture books in the library. Now I get the privilege of taking on another role in their educational journey. 

I love all things world travelish, bookish and historyish. I am a big fan of people watching, ball caps, 80's movies/music and documentaries. Most importantly,  I am a MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTHUSIAST. Middle schoolers are my absolute favorites. Send me your gangly, awkward, creative, moody, brilliant, noisy and chatty middle schooler and I will promise to be their biggest cheerleader. 

 I'll be teaching the Emerging Leaders course and am excited about all of the ways our students will learn to affect positive changes in our school and in our communities. 

I am also a very proud of member of the House of DEVRIMCI. GO REVOLUTIONARIES!  

It's going to be an amazing year and I feel honored to be able to share in it with my students, parents and the MAT staff! Let's go 2024-2025, we are ready for ALL that you hold! 


 To review my syllabus please click here: 







7th Grade Team