There are new faces at the front of the class at Stanley Switlik Elementary School this year – but a few will be more than familiar to the Marathon community. Now that they’ve welcomed their students for the 2026-27 school year, the Keys Weekly is proud to introduce these educators to our Middle Keys readers.
BAYLEE PEEPLES
4th grade ELA & social studies
Where did you get your degree? Daytona State College – a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I’m brand new to the Keys. I moved to Marathon just a little over a month ago.
How would you describe your teaching style? Positive, organized and relationship-focused. I love creating a classroom where students feel comfortable being themselves, participating and learning from their mistakes.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I grew up surfing, so I’d say surfing is my hidden talent.
What are your hobbies? Reading, spending time on the water, fishing, snorkeling and exploring all the fun things the Keys have to offer.
CRYSTAL UMPLEBY
3rd grade ELA & Social Studies
Where did you get your degree? I graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a bachelor of arts in education, majoring in early childhood education. I am a newly certified teacher and excited to begin my first year in third grade, but I am not new to Stanley Switlik. I spent the past 10 years teaching VPK here before making the move to third grade.
How long have you lived in the Keys? My entire life. I’ve even been lucky enough to work alongside some of the teachers who taught me when I was a student at Stanley Switlik, which makes being part of the Switlik family even more meaningful.
How would you describe your teaching style? Warm, structured and relationship-focused. I want my students to know they are cared for while also knowing that I have high expectations for them. I love finding ways to make learning engaging and meaningful, and I want my classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and growing.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I’ve had my motorcycle endorsement since I was 18, and although I don’t get the chance to ride often these days, it’s something I still really enjoy.
What are your hobbies? Reading, boating and spending time on the water, geocaching and cheering on my kids at their sports and activities. I also enjoy spending time with my family and being involved in our community.
KELLY SMITH
4th grade reading and writing
Where did you get your degree? A bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Texas State University, and a teaching certification from the University of Texas.
How long have you lived in the Keys? My husband and I moved to Marathon from Austin, Texas, in March 2026. I originally came to Stanley Switlik to teach first grade and now have the privilege to teach fourth grade reading and writing.
How would you describe your teaching style? Warm, structured and relationship-centered. I believe students thrive when they feel known and supported, while also being held to high expectations. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel confident taking risks, asking questions and growing into independent learners.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I can type 75 words per minute with 100% accuracy.
What are your hobbies? I love reading, fishing and traveling. Since moving to the Keys, I have especially enjoyed spending more time on the water and exploring everything this area has to offer.
DARBY SHEEHAN
VPK
Where did you get your degree? A bachelor’s in elementary education from Oklahoma State University.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I’ve been in the Keys for six years this November.
How would you describe your teaching style? Student-driven. I like to make learning fun and something the kids take pride in and want to invest in. I want them to feel like they have some control in driving their own learning.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? Maybe not a special talent, but a fun fact: I collect copies of Harry Potter books from the countries I travel to that are in the language. I have 13 Harry Potter books that I can’t read.
What are your hobbies? Reading, being outside, with my dogs and sharing my love and passion for Jesus.
