Carrie Geiger named next director of P.K. Yonge

Lynda Hayes to remain as interim-director through leadership transition

The College of Education at the University of Florida has appointed Carrie Geiger, Ed.D. as the next director of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School. Lynda F. Hayes will work closely with Geiger until the formal leadership transition on June 1.

Dr. Geiger comes with more than 13 years of P.K. Yonge administration experience and more than 21 years of direct teaching experience in Alachua County Public Schools. She currently serves as the secondary school principal at P.K. Yonge, where she supports the school’s mission to design, test, and disseminate promising educational practices. Additionally, Geiger has been an adjunct professor at the college since 1999. In this role, she has helped shape the next generation of educators by teaching literacy courses, including reading and language arts methods, and children’s literature. 

“As I step into this new role, I do so with a deep sense of honor and responsibility — committed to sustaining the remarkable legacy of P.K. Yonge while forging strong pathways to its future,” Geiger said. “Grounded in trust and shaped by years of shared experience with this community, my leadership will be focused on continuity, connection and the collective pursuit of excellence that defines who we are.”

Among her proudest accomplishments in her current role has been leading the school community through a series of significant disruptions, Geiger said, including the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened safety mandates and multiple hurricanes, while preserving a sense of stability, care and purpose. 

“I am especially proud of the systems we built to ensure uninterrupted support for students and families, including structures for open communication, conflict resolution, and direct aid in times of crisis,” Geiger said. “Most importantly, we created and refined protocols that contributed to a 100% on-time graduation rate for our seniors, alongside strengthened instructional feedback loops that positioned our teachers to continuously grow and thrive — even in the face of uncertainty.”
 
Her deep understanding of the school’s operation and administration, along with a continued focus on elevating the academic outcomes for all students, have prepared for the school directorship.

“We are deeply invested in the continued success of P.K. Yonge and focused on growing the collaborative partnership between the school and the college,” said College of Education Dean Glenn Good. “Dr. Geiger is a trusted and valued member of the Blue Wave community and exceptionally well positioned to advance the school’s mission and to further establish P.K. Yonge as a national leader in K-12 education.”