
“What happens after school matters!”
Now Enrolling for Fall 2022
Our Teachers
Solaria teachers are dedicated to offering children a high-quality, customized and well-rounded education.

Mercy Roberg
Founder
As founder of Solaria Enrichment Programs, Mercy Roberg is dedicated to offering children a customized and well-rounded education. The curriculum at Solaria is targeted to provide students with skills that enable them to move effortlessly through school and life, providing weekly exposure to Artists-in-Residence, Environmental Science, Technology, Literacy and Music. Her mandate for the program is wholly guided by a passion for providing high quality education.
Mercy holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree from the Stetson University College of Law, alongside a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in ESOL, and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. She previously taught Environmental Education while serving in the Peace Corps in Central Africa, and then worked as an Kindergarten and 1st Grade teacher for seven years in Pinellas County and Alachua County, before having children and becoming an attorney.
As an active working attorney, Mercy is the Director of Operations at Community Law Program, Inc. Her previous work includes multiple roles with Stetson University College of Law: as Director of its Office of Professional Education, Coordinator & Fellow for the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy, and as a Law Clerk for Special Education Law & Advocacy.
Her motivation for founding Solaria began while searching out schools and enrichment programs for her two children—when she recognized that the learning stopped before 3 p.m. everyday. She knew her children deserved a full day of learning, fun and enrichment with enthusiastic, skilled and licensed teachers in a small group environment.
Virginia Badone
Lead Teacher
As Lead Teacher, Mrs. Badone brings a wealth of knowledge and true passion for science education to Solaria Enrichment Programs. Mrs. Badone is a Florida Certified Science Teacher and has over thirteen years of teaching experience in Pinellas County.
Throughout her education, she has held many positions working with children of varying ages and abilities. From teaching science at BayPoint Middle School to Holy Catholic School in St. Petersburg, Mrs. Badone is completely invested in STEAM education.
Mrs. Badone holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing from the University of South Florida. Coming to teaching as a second career through the IMPACT/EPI program at St. Petersburg College in 2010, Mrs. Badone found her passion in teaching science.
Mrs. Badone loves encouraging curiosity and teamwork in all her students.