Owner's Story

Duran and Jade Thompson

Duran and Jade are a husband-and-wife team bringing passion, purpose, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of local families.

Their journey to Ivybrook began with a very personal inspiration — the desire to create a safe, nurturing, and academically-enriching environment for their own child. As parents, they understand how vital early childhood education is, and they’re excited to bring another high-quality childcare and preschool option to the Tampa Palms community.

Duran is an Army veteran who brings strength in leadership and discipline, backed by a degree and professional experience in finance and business administration. Jade, a dedicated healthcare professional, offers a wealth of clinical and operational expertise with a strong focus on compliance and safety — ensuring every child is cared for in a secure and structured environment.

Together, their values, experience, and dedication to excellence make them the ideal team to lead Ivybrook Academy and positively impact families across our community.

Meet the Team

Amy Gauvin - Director of Admissions

With a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Florida State University and over 15 years of experience in early childhood education leadership, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and heart to our team.

Amy has successfully opened new schools, led regional operations for multiple campuses, and is known for building strong, positive cultures everywhere she goes. Her ability to lead with warmth and clarity has created lasting relationships with families and staff alike. In her most recent role, she achieved exceptional parent satisfaction scores and maintained full enrollment—demonstrating her outstanding communication and organizational skills.

In this role, Amy will be working closely with Jade and Duran to support admissions, enrollment, community events, and pre-opening operations. Once we open our doors, she will also serve as the on-site principal, ensuring our students and families experience the very best of Ivybrook’s vision from day one.