Jefferson Middle School’s administration welcomes you to email them with any questions or concerns you may have. We consider parents and community members to be part of our team.

Principal - Meara Trine

Our principal, Mrs. Meara Trine, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.  She grew up in Brevard County and is a product of Brevard Public Schools.  She has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school level and served as a basic education teacher, an inclusion teacher, a gifted teacher, a title one coordinator, a reading coach, a dean, an assistant principal, and a principal prior to joining the Jefferson team.  She is a proud resident of Merritt Island and is thrilled to have the ability to work in her home community.  She has two daughters, Mia and Melina, and is the wife of Matthew Trine, Finance and Risk Management Director for the City of Rockledge.  Mrs. Trine is dedicated to continuing Jefferson’s tradition of excellence in the years to come.

Assistant Principal - Cathy Gahres

Cathy Gahres is a Floridian, born in Naples and growing up in the Orlando area. She began her educational journey in Orange County Public Schools moving to Brevard County in 2005. She received her bachelor’s degree in exceptional student education from the University of Central Florida and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida State University. Mrs. Gahres has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school level serving in various teaching roles; self-contained ESE teacher, co-teacher, inclusion teacher, Guidance Service Professional, Title I Coordinator and Athletic Director throughout Brevard County Public Schools. She most recently served as the Dean at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School and is excited to join the Jefferson family.  

Assistant Principal - John Harris

Dr. Harris is a Floridian having grown up in the Florida Panhandle.  He joined the U.S. Army after High School and proudly served two years in Germany.  After his stint in the military, he went to school at the University of Central Florida studying for a teaching degree in mathematics.  During his undergraduate years, he was also a 3-year varsity football letterman at UCF.  Once graduating, he taught high school math for 7 years while coaching several different high school sports teams. Dr. Harris went back to UCF to earn his graduate degree in Ed. Leadership, completing it in 2001 before beginning his 25-year journey as a Middle school/High School administrator.  Dr. Harris served 10 years as an assistant principal and 15 years as a principal. During his tenure as an administrator, he also taught college as an adjunct professor of college math for 13 years at Seminole State College then graduate level Ed. Leadership classes at UCF for an additional 10 years. Dr. Harris retired from public education after 34 years of service, but his passion for education and students brought him back full circle, starting again at Jefferson as a 7 grade math teacher, then became an assistant principal.  He is a servant leader that promotes a student first philosophy.