BIOGRAPHY


Since graduating from Florida International University and falling in love with teaching during my first year at JFK Middle School, I have served as club sponsor for the Science Club and the SECME Team.  In those capacities I have had the opportunity to participate in student-led projects such as annual competitions, butterfly garden planting, school recycling programs, and community nature preservation projects.  I have also served as Science Department chairperson for two years.  In those two years we have acomplished alot as a department.  We were able to almost double student performance on the science FCAT exam.  Our Science Fair was one of the most successful in years, and we retained all but one teacher on our team.  Serving as the Department Chair was fulfilling and provided me with an avenue to contribute to the leadership of my school and the ultimate betterment of our students.  I, however, felt a need to dedicate more of my time to he developement of a practical science curriculum that would enable all students to be successfull in the newly-implemented science FCAT and to surpass the challenges that life presents.  I respectfully resigned as Department Chairperson and now focus my energies on deepening scientific and critical thinking skills in my students.

My enthusiasm for educating children, however, cannot be contained in the classroom and, as such, even though I am not directly engaged in any school leadership teams, I continue to offer my assistance when and where relevant.



PHILOSOPHY


My philosophy of education extends beyond the school environment to wherever my resources will allow me to reach children in need of help and education.  In my community, I am actively involved in community-based education endeavors and sponsorship.  During the summer, I am blessed with the opportunity to sponsor an education and community building youth summer program for impoverished and undereducated youth in Jamaica.