About Us
STEAM Preschool Academy owns and operates six Florida-based schools.
John Stover, founder and CEO, started the company with a single goal: to instill in children a love of learning that never goes away, equipping each child for future success. John is a twenty-year veteran of healthcare and nonprofit management. He is also a volunteer in the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program. STEAM Preschool Academy combines these two passions, operational excellence and caregiving, to create a unique educational environment.
John has a true passion for helping people. After getting an undergraduate degree in Long-term Care Administration and an MBA from UCF he spent 17 years managing nursing homes, helping to make a difference in the lives of our frail elderly neighbors. Soon he moved up the corporate ladder and began to realize that he was getting more and more removed from the people he wanted to care for. During one particularly long board meeting John realized there had to be more to life than boardroom politics so he decided to exit the corporate world and buy a business. Preschools were the perfect fit as they allowed him to take care of people and make a positive impact on their lives.
John also volunteers his time as a guardian ad litem for the family courts. When children have been removed from their parents due to abuse or neglect he spends time with the children and becomes their voice in the courtroom advocating for their wants and needs. And as a pilot he also volunteers with his local flying club to support the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles outreach program providing free flights to children in hopes of incubating an early love for aviation.
With three children to keep him busy John is always on the move. His two older sons attend schools in north Georgia and Chattanooga and his 9-year-old daughter is in elementary school. But no matter how busy he is he loves to hear from the parents in the preschools. You will often find him in work clothes turning a wrench to fix a leaky drain under a classroom sink or changing a burned out light bulb. He will always make time to chat with a parent, usually because their children have said, "There's Uncle John" and pulled their parent over to say hi as they are leaving for the day.
His cell phone number is on all of his business cards in the front office. Please call him with any advice or suggestions you may have. He will kindly welcome you with a listening ear.
Schedule A Tour
We would love to have you! Schedule a visit to one of our locations and speak with our knowledgeable and caring staff while touring our safe and structured educational environment.