New Faculty and Staff 2024-2025

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: I spent a little over sixteen years at St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School, wearing many hats: 5 years as the Main Office Administrator, 6 years as the Admission Assistant, and 5 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. In a previous life, I was an Aesthetician and a bartender, though my bartending skills were more 'shaken' than 'stirred'!

Fun fact: I speak English and Spanish. Born and raised in Miami. I married my high school sweetheart and we have 3 children together.

At PTS, my role will be...Executive Assistant for the Head of School and Board of Trustees Liaison

Education: University of Connecticut BA in Education

Previous Experience: Served on the PTS PTPA Executive board 4 years including serving as PTPA President/ Chaired various PTPA events 

Fun fact: Born and raised in Venezuela and speak Spanish; mother of three; two PTS alums and one current student in 11th 

At PTS, my role will be...Administrative Assistant to Parent Relations and PTPA Liaison 

Education: Florida International University, Bachelors of Science Hospitality Management

Previous Experience: Not the typical start for a person in education, yet I believe it has prepared me the most
for almost anything. Before coming to work at PTS, I spent 14+ years in the hospitality industry. Opening boutique hotels in South Beach, to becoming one of the General Managers for an upscale dining steakhouse group. A young adult career change happened post Covid, finding my new home as a support staff for my former English teacher now Associate Head of Academic Affairs. 

Fun Fact: As an alumni of PTS, I have always given credit to the World Languages department (shout out Mr. Garces who JUST retired) for cultivating my ability to talk and understand Spanish. Especially coming from a household where I was the only one who spoke Spanish.  I've volunteered (and hope to do more soon) at a local no-kill animal rescue shelter, Paws 4 You. 

At PTS, my role will be...Administrative Assistant to the Academic Team & the Associate Head of Academic Affairs, along with this year's Yearbook Advisor.  

Education: Jiangsu Normal University B.A International Chinese Education

Before PTS I was a substitute teacher for Kelly Educational Services. I started last year in October of 2023. Before that I was also teaching Chinese to International Students during a required self study session. The main focus would be on reading , writing ,and speaking.

Fun fact: I am a traveler – I've been to a multitude of places domestically and internationally. I speak three languages  English, Chinese and French . 

At PTS, my role will be...Interim Chinese Teacher

Mr. Andrew Cooper

Education: Trevecca Nazarene University, B.A. Religious Studies/Philosophy; Duke Divinity, MTS; North Carolina Central, MLS; University of the South, Anglican Studies

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: Chaplain~ Episcopal Collegiate School 2013-2024

Fun fact: Moved to Miami from Little Rock, AR

At PTS, my role will be...Chaplain

Education: University of Miami for Undergrad and Nova Southeastern for Master's

MDCPS, McGlannan School, Riviera Schools, Epiphany

Fun fact: I lived in many states as a child including Ohio, Illinois, MInnesota, Wisconsin, and Virginia

At PTS, my role will be...Teacher of History and English

Education: (University/College and Degree) Florida International University,  B.S. in Math Ed

Taught math at Southwest High, math and computer science at Riviera Prep, and computer science at Gulliver Prep. I've sponsored clubs and honor societies such as Mu Alpha Theta, the Computer Science Honor Society, and the Asian Culture Appreciation Club (aka the Anime Club 😉)

Fun fact:  I was born and raised in Miami as 2nd Generation Cuban-American, but you wouldn't guess it from my lack Spanish skills - conversational at beat. In my free time I enjoy reading and playing video games with my preferred genre being fantasy for both. My favorite recognition to date is a letter from MIT which is sent to teachers that incoming freshman select as an important influence in their educational journey.

At PTS, my role will be...Computer Science Teacher

Education: Clarion University of Pennsylvania/BA Political Science major, History minor.  Florida International University/M.A. International Studies, with certificate in Latin American and Carribean Studies.   Florida International University/Ph.D. Political Science

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: Professor of Political Science at Barry University, full time from 2005-2024, part time from 1999-2005. Also taught classes at FIU, UM, MDC, and St. Thomas University in the past.

Fun fact: I'm often called to do political commentary on radio and TV for various media outlets. I also have moderated many debates among candidates for local offices and other dialogue forums. I am the co-editor of eight books including seven in The Roads to Congress series and Local Politics and Mayoral Elections in 21st Century America: The Keys to City Hall. For my role as a public intellectual and for work on civic and voter engagement, I was awarded in 2021 Public Educator of the Year by American Society of Public Administration-(ASPA-South Florida Chapter); received the Community Engagement Educator Award in 2020 from Center for Community Service Initiatives Community at Barry University; and in 2014 earned the Graham-Frey Civic Award from Florida Campus Compact.

At PTS, my role will be...History Teacher

Anything else you'd like to add? My wife and her siblings are alums, and my two boys are currently PTS students.

Education: Florida International University ~ Degree in Science in Mathematics

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: High School Math Teacher at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart until 2015. Been home with my children for the last few years.

Fun fact: I was born in Cuba, came when I was 11 years old. Love being outdoors, either hiking or being in the water.

At PTS, my role will be…High School Math Teacher.

Education: (University/College and Degree)

Universidad del Norte-Barranquilla, Colombia: Bachelor of Arts in International Relations// Universidad ICESI-Cali, Colombia: Master of Science in Education

IB teacher and Language and  Literature Coordinator for MY and DP at Colegio Colombo Britanico

Fun fact: I have done paragliding. I am married and have a 2 year old.

At PTS, my role will be...Spanish Teacher

Education: BS Secondary English Education and Counseling Psychology- Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!); MS Educational Leadership- Barry University

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: I have been teaching Humanities for 11 years, most recently at Miami Country Day School for 8 years.

Fun fact: I was born in Canada, grew up in Los Angeles, and have lived in Miami for 10 years. When I'm not at school, I love spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching sports (especially the Dodgers, Lakers, IU Hoosiers, South African rugby, and the occasional cricket match, too!). 

At PTS, my role will be...Middle School English Teacher

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: 

At PTS, my role will be...IT Specialist

Education: NCSU/B.S. Zoology. NOVA/M.S.Ed.

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS:  11 years animal/lab assistant at UM, 14 years teaching MS, 7 years teaching HS

Fun Fact: Originally from Chicago. Lived in Belgium from ages 6-13, Caracas Venezuela sophomore and junior year of high school. Worked as a zookeeper in Little Rock, AK for one year. I have resided in Miami since 1992, met my husband at UM, and started a family. I speak a bit of Spanish (not fluent but I understand). I love to swim, crochet and knit.

At PTS, my role will be...Science teacher

Education: (University/College and Degree)University of Miami Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: Engineering and Computer Science at TERRA Environmental Research Institute

Fun fact:  Fluent in Spanglish. Full time dad, but my second favorite hobby is playing with the stock market. I received the Volunteer of the year award for VexIQ 2018-2019 season for volunteer service in robotics. If I could only consume one food for the rest of my life it would have to be coffee.

At PTS, my role will be...Robotics, Computer Science and Physics

Education: Miami Dade College - Degree in Supervision and Management 

Previous (teaching or relevant) experience or position before coming to PTS: I taught at Saint Brendan for a year, then moved to Calusa and taught there for two years. 

Fun fact about me: I love Sports, I have been coaching basketball at a high school level for 5 years now.

Math comes so easy to me, but students don’t always feel the same way. I want to inspire my students to try different learning techniques and try to make a difference in the way they see subjects that they don’t really enjoy.

Education: University of Miami - Psychology BA 

2 years teaching / academic advising

Fun Fact: I love baking and reading books 

Middle School Science Teacher - Earth Space