What degree’s do you hold?
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Social Studies and Master of Education – Curriculum and Instruction

What teacher or professional credentials do you hold?
Professional Certificate – Social Sciences 6-12

What year did you start teaching at Destin High School?
2023

Mrs. Sam Ruppel is an educator with a passion for student-centered instruction and hands-on learning experiences. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of education, Mrs. Ruppel is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her students and is committed to enhancing her teaching skills and providing the best possible education for her students.
Mrs. Ruppel holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Sciences from the University of Alabama. She furthered her academic journey by obtaining a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida.
With a teaching career spanning six years, Mrs. Ruppel brings a wealth of classroom expertise to her role. Mrs. Ruppel started teaching in Escambia County, she then spent three years in Tampa, and is now thrilled to be back in the panhandle
Mrs. Ruppel is also an enthusiastic supporter of extracurricular activities. She is currently serving as a Student Council sponsor, guiding young leaders to make a positive impact within the school community. In the past, Mrs. Ruppel has also taken on the role of a cheerleading coach, promoting teamwork, discipline, and school spirit among her students. Mrs. Ruppel has also held multiple leadership roles such as 11th/12th Grade Team Lead and Assistant Testing Coordinator.
One of Mrs. Ruppel’s primary teaching philosophies is a dedication to student-centered instruction. She believes in tailoring her teaching methods to meet the individual needs of each student, fostering a deep understanding of the subject matter and igniting a passion for learning. By incorporating hands-on learning activities into her lessons, Mrs. Ruppel ensures that her students are actively engaged in their education, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Outside of school, Mrs. Ruppel can be found spending time with her husband, Coach Garrett Ruppel, teacher and boys basketball coach here at DHS, and their two cats, Roscoe and Rue. Mrs. Ruppel is an active reader, fan of college football (specifically the Crimson Tide) and energetic beach goer.

What degree’s do you hold?
Associates Degree in Psychology and Bachelors Degree in Psychology

What teacher or professional credentials do you hold?
Temporary Teaching Certificate

What year did you start teaching at Destin High School?
2023

Mrs. Jennah Gordon, a proud local of Fort Walton Beach, comes from an Air Force family, instilling in her a deep sense of discipline and commitment to excellence. Mrs. Gordon’s academic foundation was laid at the University of West Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her passion for understanding the human mind and her desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young minds set the stage for her career in education. After completing her studies, Mrs. Gordon embarked on her teaching journey as a long-term substitute teacher at Baton Rouge High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She took on the challenging role of instructing Advanced Placement (AP) Art History and World Geography. Mrs. Gordon returned to her beloved Fort Walton Beach area in 2022, where she continued her educational mission as a substitute teacher for Okaloosa County Schools and Collegiate High School. At the beginning of the 2023 school year, Mrs. Gordon joined the Destin High School team to teach Government and Economics. This marks a significant milestone in her career, and she looks forward to making a lasting impact on the students and the educational community in her hometown. Outside of her professional life, Mrs. Goron finds joy and fulfillment in spending quality time with her husband, family, and her two cherished cats. She enjoys cooking, baking, going to the beach, and listening to Taylor Swift.

What degree’s do you hold?
Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education with a minor in Speech Communications

What teacher or professional credentials do you hold?
Social Studies 6-12 certificate

What year did you start teaching at Destin High School?
2021

I was born in Houston Texas and lived in Kingwood Texas until the age of 16 when we moved to Bossier City Louisiana and I graduated from Airline High School. Then attended and graduated from Northeast Louisiana University now known as University of Louisiana in Monroe. I moved to Little Rock Arkansas in 1994. While in Arkansas I worked with the Arkansas Sheriff’s Association as a Law Enforcement Educator. Also in Arkansas I worked in the Risk Management department of the largest general contractor in the state CDI Contractors. I was responsible for finding proper temporary laborers at every construction site we were working all over the country and securing the proper insurance. I moved to Dallas Texas in 1999. Got married in 2000 and had two children who are now 18 and 22. I taught AP World History, World Geography and Speech Communications Applications at Seagoville High School. We moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2014 where I worked for the 30A Company in marketing and sales for six years. I wanted to teach at DHS ever since I heard about Destin High back in 2019 and have been following the progress of the school ever since. In late 2021 I felt led to send a blind email to Mrs. Cruickshank in hopes she had a opening. She did not, but I met with her and I was hired as a part time World History teacher which turned full time in February of 2022. I am so proud to be a Shark and can’t wait to see how high our school progresses. We have the best students in Okaloosa County.