Meet our faculty

Abra has worked in Communications at Miami Country Day since 2011. She has led numerous projects to publicize the school and its diverse stakeholders. Abra edits and designs “The Beacon” magazine, the Annual Report, and other major promotional and marketing materials. She works in partnership with the Office of Philanthropy to ensure campus events, Capital Campaigns, and Annual Giving goals are met or exceeded.Abra has worked in communications and/or development since 2007 both in Washington, D.C. and Miami. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 2007 where she studied Journalism and Political Science. Abra, her husband, and their two daughters (PK3 and 1st Grade) reside in Miami Shores with their English Bulldog, Ralphie.

Having gotten into education back in 1994 after graduating with a BA in History and a Minor in Secondary Education from St John’s University (SJU), Hiram has had the good fortune working in many scholastic environments. From St John’s University in NYC to multiple inner City and private school atmospheres from New Hampshire to Miami. Seeing the needs of many of his students, Hiram returned to SJU to earn a M.ED in Learning Styles to support his students learning needs. In each school, Hiram was able to help refine his teaching style and philosophy into what it is today. Hiram has always been a “student first” type of educator who looks to empower his students, so that they develop the key analytical and interpretative skills needed in todays global markets. It has always been a goal of Hiram’s to teach his students how to express their historical opinions in a collegiate verbal and written format. Hiram wants his students to understand how history is more than just the textbook, and that one-day they will help shape the world that they live in through knowing how we have lived.

Heading up the school’s financial operations since 2011, Alice began her career as a CPA and acquired expertise in insurance, healthcare, media and independent schools. In her Independent School work , she has instituted treasury management, issued tax exempt financing, and managed a $40 million budget. She is a strong advocate for special needs children, innovation in education, and all things Miami Country Day School. Alice received her Executive MBA and BA in Accounting from Loyola University in Maryland. When not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons.

Aris Atoa has been the Athletic Wellness Coordinator since 2017. He has been in the sports performance training industry since 2003, working for Cris Carter’s FAST program in Boca Raton, Fit-Speed Athletic Performance in Weston and Chicago, and Fast Twitch Performance Training in Miami. Aris specializes in speed, agility and sports specific strength training and has worked with thousands of youth and high school athletes, as well as hundreds of professional athletes of all major sports. Aris graduated from Barry University with a degree in Exercise Physiology and also played for the Basketball Program from 2000-2002. Aris and his wife Lina are happily married and reside in Miramar, FL. They have 5 children, 4 currently attending MCDS and 1 graduate of the class of 2018, who is now attending The University of Miami.

Bryan Parizo graduated from Colchester High School in Vermont, where he played basketball, soccer, and baseball. He later earned his Bachelor Degree from the University of Vermont, participating on the collegiate level in both basketball and soccer. Bryan has been Lower School Physical Education teacher since 1988, and since 2003 as the School’s Assistant Athletic Director. In addition, he also has coached Boys Varsity Basketball, Boys Varsity Baseball, and Golf. Bryan is married to Michele, teacher at MCDS, and has two children, Brandon and Kaylee. 

Caitlin Forsthoefel‘s path to advancement began at Bloomberg, where she realized she wanted her work to be more closely connected to mission and impact. That led her to philanthropy and CCS Fundraising, where she partnered with non-profit organizations on fundraising strategy and campaign initiatives. After gaining additional experience in project management consulting, she joined Miami Country Day School as Director of Philanthropy Operations and later served as Interim Director of Advancement. Caitlin currently serves as the Associate Director of Advancement. She helps lead the School’s fundraising efforts while providing strategic and operational direction across the Advancement program. Caitlin has a knack for bringing structure to complex initiatives and turning ideas into action. Her approach combines thoughtful relationship building, collaboration, and a clear focus on achieving ambitious goals.

Candida became the International Admission Officer in 2015. Her family has been part of the Miami Country Day community since 2011. She began working in Admissions in 2012 as an Admission Associate supporting all divisions. As an International Admission Officer, she is the main contact for international students and families as they inquire about the school’s programs and community. Candida is originally from Brazil, where she graduated from law school in 2001. She speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. She is passionate about working in a school that values the whole child education. Her favorite quote: “To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater” – Bono. She lives in Miami with her husband, a daughter, a son and her lovely dog. She enjoys traveling with her family and outdoor activities.

Ms. Lopez has been part of our MCDS community since 2014 when she began working with After School Clubs. During this time, she discovered her passion for working with children and was led to pursue a career in teaching. In 2017, she joined the Early Childhood team as she worked with Junior Kindergarten alongside Mr. Beraha, where she gained exposure and professional growth in the teaching setting. Today she has earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Florida International University and is excited to join the World Language team as a lower school Spanish teacher for grades 1st-5th.As she takes on this role, you may want to know she is a born and raised Floridian that celebrates her Cuban/Colombian nationalities. She is also musically inclined as she sings in community events and religious facilities. She hopes to incorporate her talent in the classroom to aid students in the immersion of this beautiful language.

Charlie Lovett has been a part of the Miami Country Day community since 2005. He earned his BA from Cleveland State majoring in History and Secondary Education and his MA in History also from Cleveland State focusing on US Constitutional history. Through the years at MCDS, Charlie has taught everything from sixth grade to twelfth grade. Currently, he teaches AP and Honors US History to tenth graders and AP Art History to tenth grade through twelfth grade students. In his free time, he loves to travel and has taught an Art History course for three summers with the GATEway program in all three locations. Other hobbies include foreign/art house films, food, museums and music. His goal as a teacher – to create a warm, engaging and interesting learning environment for all students!

Chris Hayes has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 1991, as a social studies teacher and cross country/track coach and Middle School Athletic Director. Chris is a native of Schenectady, New York. Chris participated in football, cross country, and track at Masuk High School in Monroe, Connecticut. Chris went on to attend Barry University (Miami Shores), with a BS in Political Science with minors in History and Education, and ran cross country as a scholarship athlete. Chris studied at FIU for a Masters in Educational Leadership.

Chris Polite has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 1998, when he first joined the school as a student. He graduated from MCDS in 2002 after participating in several sports, including football and basketball. Chris went on to attend Villanova University on a football scholarship, where he was a three-year starter at wide receiver. Chris returned to Miami Country Day School in 2010 as a coach and has been a member of the faculty and staff ever since. During his time at MCDS, he has continued to make a positive impact on the school and its student-athletes. 

Christine Chancy began her MCDS journey as a student in 2003 and is a proud Spartan alumna from the Class of 2008. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 2012, she returned to MCDS in 2014, where she served as Director of Alumni for 10 years. In 2024, Christine took on a new role of Philanthropic Engagement Officer and later Leadership Gifts Officer. She now serves as the school’s Alumni Giving Manager and focuses on building meaningful relationships with alumni and current families in support of Miami Country Day School’s capital campaign and leadership giving initiatives.

Clarisa’s belief that education is the foundation for human growth and empowerment is what drove her to the educational field. After securing her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education she taught for several years in Managua, Nicaragua as a first grade teacher. Returning to the US in 2002, she pursued a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Teaching at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. Masters in hand, she returned to Nicaragua on 2004 to work as a first grade teacher and Grade Level Coordinator at the American Nicaraguan School. Considering herself a lifelong learner, she pursued a Literacy Coach training program and worked as a literacy coach for 3 years in the same school. In 2010 she had the opportunity to move to New York City and work as a Spanish teacher at The School at Columbia University for years. Clarisa has been working at Miami Country Day School since 2014 as a first grade teacher. Here she feels she continues to strengthen her strong belief of the importance of a school’s sense of community and professional development. She believes that the best professional development is ongoing, experiential and collaborative and that a school’s sense of a community can be cultivated, consolidated and supported by all these factors which are evident at MCDS. It is her committed goal to apply her professional and personal qualifications to provide optimal conditions for the academic and ethical development of our student body not just as lifelong learners, but also as valuable members of a global community whose contributions may, one day, make a difference.

Ochiel Swaby aka Coach O is a 2003 graduate of UCF with BS Degree in Liberal Arts. Ochiel Swaby teaches Physical Education in the Middle School and his head coach of the six time state and two time national champion, Girls Varsity Basketball team. Prior to this job Ochiel Swaby played pro basketball in Europe. In his free time Ochiel Swaby enjoys spending time in the outdoors. Ochie is a father of 3 kids, 2 of which are graduates of MCDS.

Cristian Miguez holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language from the American College of Education. A native of Argentina, passionate about languages and traveling, has been teaching since 1992. He currently teaches AP Spanish Literature, Spanish Speakers II, & III, and Honors Spanish IV. When is not in the classroom, he is biking around the city, reading or planning his next travel adventure.

Cristina Pla-Guzman is an educator, theatre critic, and performer. She has the privilege of being a 2016 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher. Most recently, Cristina was awarded a 2019 fellowship with the O’Neill Theatre Center’s National Critics Institute and the Theatre Communications Group’s Rising Leaders of Color. Cristina has been teaching theatre since 2004. She has her Bachelor in Fine Arts and graduated Magna cum Laude from Florida International University and a Masters in Special Education from St. Thomas University. Cristina has taken part in the Collaboration Workshop with Allison Bergman from Carnegie Mellon, and a Performance Art Workshop with Sayda Trujillo from Dell’ Arte. Cristina received Teacher of the Year 2012- 2013, Nova Southeastern University’s Cervantes Educator Award, an Award for Outstanding Service in Theatre from FIU, the 2016 Top-Notch teacher by the national Varsity Brands’ and Achievement award in 2016.Her educational theatre credits include membership in the Theatre Education Association, International Thespian Society, South Florida Theatre League, Florida Association of Theatre Educators as well as Dade Association of Theatre Educators.

Dan is Miami Country Day Schools PK3-12 Academic Dean. Since 2005, he has taught math at both the middle and upper school levels and has served as the STEM Department Chair before becoming the schools dean. Dan has an undergraduate degree in Finance from The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!), an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, and a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. In his spare time he enjoys photography, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Benjamin comes to Miami Country Day from the legal profession. Mr. Benjamin spent several years as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, including many years as its Chief Prosecutor of the Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Unit. For the last few years, Mr. Benjamin has been the Managing Partner of Benjamin & Melmer, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in family law. Mr. Benjamin is a double Gator, receiving both his Bachelor of Arts degree in History with highest honors and his Juris Doctorate degree with honors from the University of Florida. Most importantly, Mr. Benjamin is a proud alum of Miami Country Day, class of 1998. Mr. Benjamin teaches Comparative Government and Economics in the Upper School, and Civics in the Middle School. When he is not working and teaching, Mr. Benjamin enjoys running, watching movies, eating at Miami’s wonderful restaurants and spending time with his Wife and two young boys.

Since 2003, Ms. Lee has been committed to creating challenging, mindful, creative, and personally meaningful learning experiences for each of her students. After earning her Master of Science Degree from Barry University in Computing and Educational Technology, she followed her childhood dream of being a teacher of young children and has taught grades Kindergarten, first, and second grade. She is inspired by the children daily and truly loves what she does. Teaching young children is her joy and passion. As a lifelong learner, she has had diverse experiences. After pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree Spanish Literature and Italian at Florida State University, she spent 12 years in the corporate world and travelled across five continents. She was project manager for a Guatemalan sport fishing company, a resume writer, and an entrepreneur! As the founder and owner of her own language school, she supervised 25 teachers for a broad range of business language needs. She created and taught professional development courses in Accent Reduction, Business Writing, English, Spanish, and Test Preparation. In 2007, along with her two daughters, Miami Country Day School, became her educational home. She loves being a Spartan and you can see her at swim meets, chess tournaments, and at all the school musicals!

Elise Carlson was a three-sport athlete in high school, participating in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She attended Barry University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training in 2009. While at Barry, Elise also joined the rowing team in 2005 and competed for four years. She earned her national athletic training certification in 2009 and continued her education at Barry, earning her master’s degree in 2011.  During graduate school, Elise served as a graduate assistant rowing coach, working with the novice team and assisting with the varsity program. Since 2011, she has worked in a variety of settings, including a physical therapy clinic, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, an orthopedic office, and a small university. 

Elizabeth De La Cadena earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Tech University in 1994.  In 2009, after a career in Information Technology, Elizabeth earned her Master in Counseling from Barry University and became a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor.  She went on to work with individuals and families in private practice, utilizing strength-based and cognitive-behavioral approaches in therapy.  Elizabeth joined the Miami Country Day community in 2016 where she began teaching social and emotional skills to Middle School Students.  Beginning this year, Elizabeth will serve as the Lower School Guidance Counselor where she will work closely with students and their families, as well as with faculty and administration.  In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys, spending time with her husband and three children.  She also loves reading, travel, relaxing on the beach and taking Pilates classes.

Francesca, known to her students by her camp name, Torreya, is a Miami native who developed a passion for the outdoors during elementary school, when she was active in the Girl Scouts. As Torreya grew, so did her love of nature, and while attending college at Barry University, Torreya began working summers as an outdoor educator in northern Georgia. She also worked as a summer camp counselor at Miami Country Day, and after graduating with a B.A. in Physical Education, Torreya started full time as a first-grade assistant.In 2006, Torreya joined the COEP program, and saw it as an opportunity to share her love of the outdoors with her students, teaching them to both enjoy and appreciate nature. She is a member of the Association of Experiential Education (AEE) and is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and has many years of experience trekking all over the country. Torreya became Director of COEP in 2010, and has made it her mission to find innovative ways to improve and evolve the COEP program.

Gabrielle Schreffler holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from St. Lawrence University in New York. She taught math, coached cross country and the equestrian team, and was a dorm parent at a boarding school in Maine before coming to MCDS in 2018. Here, she teaches math in the Upper School, is the Upper School Divisional Mentor, acts as the Class of 2022 Class Sponsor, and coaches the cross country team. Outside of school, Gabby is passionate about running and racing, and enjoys spending time on her family’s farm in Central Florida.

Garrett Spear has been a teacher in the sciences since 2016 and has worked at MCDS since 2018. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology Studies from Pitzer College, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Phoenix. Garrett teaches College Preparatory and Honors Chemistry at Miami Country Day. Outside of the classroom Garrett enjoys various modeling projects, video games and scuba diving.

Guillermo Arribas joined the Miami Country Day School community in 2025. He brings six years of experience supporting over $25 million in charitable donations across 8 nonprofits. He is responsible for the management and organization of major fundraising activities and hopes to apply his skills to support more sustainable, collective, and equitable practices. He is a graduate of New York University (BA Economics & BFA Drama) and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Iara joined the Admission Team at Miami Country Day in 2019 as the Primary Hall Office Assistant. She studied Science, Information Systems and Business at FGV in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Prior to her time in Miami Country Day, Iara was a dedicated chess player and coach, also managed a Children & Education Foundation in Miami Beach, focused on after school enrichment classes. Iara and her husband Marcello, have two children, Sisi ’32 and Gabriel ’31.

Creating meaningful connections with people is Ingrid’s passion. Having been a professional therapist and a restaurant business owner in years past, she brings both financial knowledge and exceptional interpersonal skills to her work at Miami Country Day School. Ingrid is a member of the Educational Records Bureau advisory board, serves as a mentor to other admission professionals through the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals, and has most recently helped create content for master’s level certification exams for the field of admissions and financial aid. In 2017, she completed a certification in Enrollment Management through the University of Southern California. Ingrid and her husband have raised their two girls Gabriella ’18 and Hannah ’19 in the Miami Country Day community. Volunteering at Miami Country Day as a parent back in 2005, Ingrid became a resource for the admissions office and began formally working for the school in 2008.

Jackie joined the Miami Country Day School as Admissions Data Analyst in October 2017. In her role, she supports the organization’s vision by enhancing its state-of-the-art Enrollment Management System to ensure prospective families have a first-rate experience throughout the admission process, increasing MCDS’s business intelligence by delivering interactive reporting, essential progress-oriented statistics and analytics. Jackie contributes a 30+ years expertise in IT training and operations, in addition to, as a Cornell alumna and Prince2 Practitioner, extensive project management experience. Jackie’s background was working with non-profit agencies operating predominantly in developing countries with the United Nations Mission in Haiti, UNICEF, UNOPS, WFP, and BND. Haiti also has further afforded her the opportunity to share her know-how pro-bono to charitable organizations catering to disadvantaged children. Jackie is originally from Massachusetts, and she favors above all spending time with her two children who share her passion for nature and volunteering.

Jaclyn R. Kuhn is an experienced school counselor and college advising professional with expertise in student support, college admissions, and social-emotional learning. She earned her Master of Science in School Counseling from Villanova University and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University, graduating magna cum laude with minors in Communications and Hospitality. Currently a Professional School Counselor at Antilles School, Jaclyn works with students in toddler through fifth grade, providing counseling services and leading social-emotional learning initiatives that incorporate mindfulness and restorative practices. She has also completed advanced yoga and wellness training through Breathe For Change and Ohana Rising Yoga School. Jaclyn previously served in college counseling and admissions roles at Pine Crest School, Archbishop Spalding High School, University of Maryland, College Park, and Notre Dame of Maryland University. 

Jada Samuel joins Miami Country Day School with nearly a decade of experience in independent school education. As a founding team member of two schools in New York City, she discovered a passion for the behind-the-scenes work that helps create meaningful experiences for students and families. She holds a Bachelors in Health Sciences from the University of Hartford and a Masters from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is excited to support the MCDS community and contribute to the work that helps the school and its students thrive.

Jaime is a native Spanish speaker from Colombia where he was raised among a family of educators. His passion is teaching, inspiring and challenging children to love learning. He is a lifelong learner himself. Jaime enjoys playing soccer with his son Santiago. He joined Miami Country Day School in 2010 as a Lower School Spanish teacher. Prior to becoming a teacher at MCDS, Jaime taught in Colombia and North Carolina in different grade levels including college courses. Jaime is an active member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the Universidad de Caldas in Colombia. Additionally, he received his Master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language from the Universidad of Granada in Spain.

In 2000, Jamie started her career teaching sixth-grade science in Kansas City, Missouri. She received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri State University and her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University. In 2002, Jamie left the United States for opportunities to teach abroad. Her first stop was Tampico, Mexico, where she taught fifth grade. Following a summer volunteering in Thailand, Jamie moved to Tokyo, Japan, and later Yokohama Japan where she taught sixth and fourth grades. She then moved to India in 2010, where she began working with teachers across Northeast India. In 2015, Jamie returned to the US with her family. After teaching second grade and fourth grade in Los Angeles, CA, she moved to Miami, FL, where she started teaching fourth grade at MCDS. Jamie and her husband, Atom, are also the proud parents of three MCDS students.

Jeff has been working at MCDS since 1996 as the Middle School Physical Education teacher and Varsity Boys Soccer Coach. Jeff received his BS degree from Erskine College in South Carolina and his Master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy. Jeff has his National “B” license from the United States Soccer Federation and Regional Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches Association. Jeff has been coaching high school soccer since 1982, has over 500 career wins and was inducted into the FACA Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

As a second generation Miami native, working at MCDS since 1998, has been a great fit for Jennifer as an educator and parent. She graduated from Barry University with a BS in Exercise Science and found her love of teaching physical education to children. As a PE Teacher in all three divisions, she has seen children progress into adulthood. Her four children all attended MCDS and two are still current students. She enjoys exercise, yoga, cooking and time with her family.

Jenny teaches in ACES, overseeing the care of the animals and the greenhouse. She will be teaching environmental science for grades PK3 through first!

Jessica is a Miami Country Day School alum (Class of ‘07). She got her BA in English at Nova Southeastern University and then her Masters in British Literature at Florida Atlantic University. Jessica teaches British Literature and Understanding Film in the Upper School. She is one of the sponsors of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance affinity group and Creating Awareness, Understanding & Social Equity (CAUSE). Jessica is also one of the Upper School representatives in Creating Healthy Acceptance and Global Equity (CHANGE).

Jessica joined the Miami Country Day School faculty as a Grade 3 teacher in 2019. She grew up in Connecticut with her three sisters. Jessica has been in education since 2010. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Masters of Arts in Teaching from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She holds an elementary education teaching certification in both Connecticut and Florida. Jessica has always been passionate about education. She strives to create a caring classroom community where all her students feel welcome and become involved in the learning process. She inspires to grow as a children’s book author. She began her journey as an author in December 2018 when she became a co-author of her first children’s book, The Skunk Who Lost His Stink. Her dream is to spread social emotional lessons to children around the world with her teaching and writing. She believes it is important to show all of her students that anything is possible and that life is a journey. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys writing, learning to speak Spanish, attending Zumba and salsa dance lessons, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and of course her two dogs.

Jill has a passion for learning that she loves to share with students. Teaching young minds how to engage in the world around them, experience life with a sense of awe, and think critically is her guiding mission as an educator and leader. She tackles challenges and embraces opportunities by making decisions that are focused on the best interest of each unique student. In her current role as Upper School Assistant Director, she is privileged to work directly with the incredible faculty at MCDS to cultivate learning experiences in and out of the classroom. Jill has a Bachelor and Master Degree in Elementary Education from Barry University, a Post-Master’s certificate in Principalship from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Online and Blended Learning from the University of Florida. She has two children who attend MCDS and loves to scuba dive.

John J. Hernandez studied biology at Barry University graduating cum laude. He has worked at both public and independent schools since 2009. He has also participated in several scientific training programs at Cornell university, University of Florida and FIU. Mr. Hernandez currently teaches 9th grade CP biology at Miami Country Day. In his spare time, Mr. Hernandez enjoys reading, music, and going to the beach.

Joseph Hernandez has been the Athletic Department Office Manager since 2018. He has coached at the high school and travel level since 2007 for baseball, basketball, softball, and volleyball. During that span, he previously had a coaching stint at MCDS in 2012 when the varsity baseball team won the South Florida Baseball Conference Championship. Joseph graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Business Management. Aside from being on a full-time basis as the Athletic Department Office Manager, he has additional coaching responsibilities on campus. “I am blessed and humbled by the opportunity of returning to MCDS and look forward to joining this great staff in continuing to build this athletic department”, he stated. “My position allows me to serve the people of this department to the best of my ability and focus on making an impact on a day-to-day basis.”

Josephine has been teaching Physical Education for Lower School since 2016. She is the Assistant Coach for the Girls Soccer Varsity team. She also coached the Middle School Swimming and Middle School Tennis Team. She graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor degree in Physical Education and Coaching where she played for the women’s soccer team. Josephine is certified through ISSA as a Personal Trainer and Sport’s Nutritionist. During her free time she loves to play Footvolley at the beach and spend time and travel with her family.

Joury Bell’s fundraising career has centered on major gifts, donor cultivation, and relationship management. Before joining Miami Country Day School in 2026, he held fundraising roles at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum and CCS Fundraising. In these roles, he supported multimillion-dollar capital campaigns and helped organizations strengthen donor engagement and philanthropic support. Originally from Colombia, Maryland, Joury earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. His graduate studies focused on nonprofit management and leadership, international security, and economic policy.

Judith Mistor was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and has been a classroom teacher since 1983. She attended the University of Detroit and Marygrove College, and holds a BA in Fine Arts and Mathematics. She has taught Mathematics for her entire career, and different forms of the Fine Arts for most of it. In fact, she exclusively taught Geometry for many years, a subject for which she has never lost her love and passion. And despite her love for it, Ceramics was not a subject which she thought she would ever teach! However, when teaching Ceramics and Sculpture, both 3-D forms of art, she finds that Geometry often plays a large part in the process. She enjoys seeing the tangible, real-world integration of those two seemingly disparate disciplines. She is also a proud member of the Learning Resources Program at MCDS, currently teaching 12th grade College Mathematics to students with documented learning differences. She holds her National Board Certification in secondary art education, is a national affiliate artist at SOHO20 Gallery in New York City, and has associate artist membership at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Miami, as well as the Detroit Artist’s Market. She has artist representation at Contemporaneo Asheville, in Asheville, N.C., and creates sculptural assemblage, using high-fired ceramic vessels and found-objects.

Karin Stirk-Davis will be teaching 7th grade Math at MCDS this year. She has been part of the Miami Country Day community since 2012. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Arlene S. Chaplin Endowed Teaching Chair in Mathematics and in 2017 she was presented with the Edwin B. Cole Exemplary Teacher award. Karin is originally from South Africa and has been exploring the globe for the past 22 years, having lived in six different countries and four different continents. Her teaching career began in South Africa, where she taught 6th and 7th graders. In 1997, she decided to try a different cultural experience and moved with her husband to Poznan, Poland where she lectured teachers in writing. In Budapest, Hungary, after the birth of her children she taught at an international kindergarten. Her travels then took her to Colombia, where she taught 4th graders. She graduated from The University of Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Arts and a Higher Diploma in Education with distinction. She continued studying and obtained her honors at the University of South Africa, majoring in Psychology. In her spare time, Karin enjoys exercising and traveling with her family. She is an active member of the school community, serving on many committees. She particularly enjoyed working with Caryn Lubetsky and Kerry Gruson in their triathlon challenges and facilitating The World Peace Game created by John Hunter.

Katherine Dent is a new fourth grade teacher here at MCDS. She taught here at Miami Country School from 1996-2000. She moved this summer from Chicago, Illinois. She has three children and two dogs. She loves playing golf, tennis, swimming, paddle boarding and running on the beach. In her free time, she enjoys a white mocha on her porch reading her book and alone time with her kids. In the summer months, you will find her up north in New Hampshire climbing the mountains and waterskiing on the lakes.

Kelley has been a teacher since 1999. She has been at Miami Country Day School since 2014. Kelley earned a Liberal Arts Degree from Florida International University and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction From Barry University. She has taught Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle school students. Kelley is married and has three children.

Kristina Martinez has been in education since 2000. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Florida International University. She teaches American Literature. You can often find her with a book in hand.

Lara Oehlert is thrilled to start her first year at Miami Country Day where she will be teaching 8th grade French along with French 1, 2, and 3 Honors. This will be her 9th year teaching, coming from an international boarding high school in Maryland and previously, teaching at the university level both in the United States and in France. She has a BA in French Language and Literature from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an MA in French Literature, Language, and Culture from the University of Connecticut. Apart from her love of the French language and francophone cultures, Lara enjoys backpacking and has hiked portions of the Appalachian trail in 9 states. She also loves antiquing, running, and fostering cats along with her own three cats

Laura Abreu-Grondin has been teaching Science since 2000. She has a BS degree from Florida International University in Environmental Science. Laura currently teaches 8th grade Physical Science at MCDS. Ms. Abreu-Grondin has two amazing daughters attending Miami Country Day. Her oldest daughter is in 6th grade and her youngest is in 4th grade. They are both enthusiastic learners and are endlessly inquisitive and curious. Laura and her girls enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling and boating are just a few of the activities they enjoy with family and friends. With a degree in Environmental Science and a passion for being outdoors, Ms. Abreu-Grondin wants her students to leave her classroom everyday with the awareness that Science is a part of their everyday lives, and to make conscious decisions as citizens to make our world/environment a better place.

Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University. She later earned her Master in Education with a focus in international studies from Framingham State University. She has taught every grade from pre-school to third grade and spent time as an Early Childhood Principal.

Laura graduated from Boston College with a degree in Psychology specialized in children and families. She went on to do her Masters Degree at Barry University in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children and families. She worked in two no-profit organizations as a play therapist until she decided to do the best job of all….become a mother. After 6 years of being a full-time mom she decided to go back to work and in 2016 Laura began working at MCDS as a Partner Teacher and Science Teacher for First Grade. In 2018 she became the Fifth teacher and ACES teacher for first grade, and in 2019 she became the Fifth Teacher and ACES teacher for Second Grade. When Laura is not working, she loves spending quality time with her two young boys, who are seven and ten tears old, and partner. She enjoys playing board games, going to the park, watching movies, or simply having a nice dinner and conversation with her family. Laura also enjoys traveling, going out to restaurants, and watching TV series or movies.

Laura María Rodríguez is a proud New Yorker who has happily settled in Miami, where she joined the faculty at Miami Country Day School in 2015 as a substitute teacher, and then in 2017 became a full time Middle School teacher teaching English, Spanish, and Social Studies. Before coming to Country Day, Laura and her family lived in Mexico City, Mexico, where she first taught American Legal Systems in the School of Law of LaSalle University for two years, and then English in the middle and upper school of the Modern American School for seven years. Before that, Laura working in corporate law. She is a 1994 graduate of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey with majors in English, Spanish and Latin American Studies, and of Brooklyn Law School, where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 1997.

Letty has a Business Degree and is excited about continuing her education and experience in the field of Early Childhood. She is mom of 3!

Since Marisol was a child growing up in Cuba, She possessed the desire, motivation, and empathy needed for the teaching profession. A graduate of the University of Havana, She started teaching English as a second language in 1993. Her first experience abroad as an ESL teacher was in Toronto, Canada, where she taught ESL in various private institutions. She has spent more than 20 years working with international students. This has offered her the possibility of educating students from diverse backgrounds. She came to MCDS in 2009 where she has been teaching Spanish as a foreign language. In 2015, she earned a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in ESOL. This learning experience has provided her with more insight, and research-based strategies to help students in their journey of second language acquisition. As an immigrant, she sympathizes with the learning needs of foreign language learners, and this has fueled her passion for teaching in this area. She is eager to continue to expanding her knowledge and expertise to better serve and advocate for her students. When she is not teaching, she loves traveling, reading, listening to music, and watching movies. Most of all, one of her favorite hobbies is spending time with her family, and with her precious dogs. Marisol has a Bachelor of Arts in English as a Second Language from the University of Havana and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in ESOL from the American College of Education in Indianapolis.

Mark has always been an artist. As a young child, he illustrated and bound into books invented stories. He ran wild through the woods bringing to life out of the refuse of others friends with whom he could play and places that existed only in his mind. Some of Mark’s most influential art moments occurred on stormy, Florida nights when the power went out and his family gathered at the kitchen table to draw by lamplight.Mark’s formal art training began in grade school, where his handwriting was so bad that a teacher took a special interest in him (Thank you, Mrs. Coleman!). She used art to help him improve his writing; his penmanship is still pretty bad, but the art certainly took! He went onto a vocational high school and for three hours a day studied graphic art. He learned to set type, run presses, and work with substrates like paper and board. He was introduced to the importance of design, color theory, and many of the art practices he uses today. Mark’s college career started at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, wound its way up to the Maryland Institute, College of Art, in Baltimore, Maryland, and culminated when he earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Florida.

Marnie was first employed by the Pitman School District in Pitman, New Jersey where she taught middle school and high school social studies. She then moved to Miami as a new hire at Miami Country Day School. She has been employed at Miami Country Day School since 1981 and has served in various capacities: Middle School and Upper School Social Studies teacher, Middle School Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Director of the Middle School, Assistant Director of the Upper School, Director of the Upper School, Academic Dean, Interim History Department Chair, AP Coordinator, and Director of College Counseling, which is her current position. Marnie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and a Specialist Degree in Leadership from Florida International University. Marnie loves to travel, go to the theater, attend sporting events (#1 Dolphins fan), and spend time with family including those with fur.

Marra began teaching at the age of 5 in her basement in West Virginia. Her students were her brother and cousins, but this passion for education has continued to be fueled by the growing number of students she has had the pleasure of working with since 2007. Marra’s initial six years of education focused on engineering, providing her the means to bring math and science to life in the classroom. In addition to her math classes, Marra works with Upper School students to raise money and awareness of Veteran’s issues through Ties with Troops. She is also the Class Sponsor for the Class of 2020, and co-sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta. When not at MCDS, Marra is spending time with her family: David (husband), Jack (7), Sadie (4), and Sloane (to be born Nov. 2019).Marra has Florida Professional Teaching Certifications for Mathematics (Grades 6 – 12), General Science (Grades 5 – 9), and Physics (Grades 6 – 12) as well as California Single Subject Credentials in Foundational Science, Physics, and Mathematics (all levels).

Martha has a BA in History at Georgia State University. She has taught grades 5, Social Studies,6 Social Studies,7 US History,8 US History,9 Ancient/Medieval World History,10 Modern World History,11 US History ,12 Economics, Sociology, Government during her years at MCDS. She was a classroom teacher for 36 years. All three of her children and one grandchild graduated from MCDS.

Matt Agosta has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 2025 and serves as the school’s Sports Information Director. A native of Old Bridge, New Jersey, Matt graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and later earned a Graduate Certificate in Film & TV Development from UCLA. Matt brings a strong background in sports communications, social media, digital content creation, and public relations to MCDS. Before joining Miami Country Day, he worked in the Communications & Broadcasting Department of the Miami Marlins, gaining valuable experience in professional sports media and content production. At MCDS, Matt works closely with coaches, student-athletes, and the Athletics Department to promote Spartan athletics and highlight the accomplishments of our teams and student-athletes.

Melisa Crespo, as GLOBE Logistics Coordinator, helps turn the GLOBE Office’s programs and ideas into well-organized experiences for our students, faculty, and families. She plays an essential role in coordinating the many details that make global and experiential learning possible at MCDS. Melisa supports travel arrangements for GATEway and GATEway Service programs, passports and visas, risk-management documentation, program and event logistics, communications, traveler information, budget and credit-card reconciliation, and program materials. Her attention to detail and collaborative approach help ensure that students and faculty are supported throughout the planning process from the earliest stages of an experience through departure and return. Through her work, Melisa helps create organized, thoughtful, and engaging experiences that allow our community to focus on what matters most: learning, connecting, exploring, and growing.

Melody is a 7th grade Spanish and French teacher. Although new to MCDS, Melody has taught Spanish, French and English as a Second Language since 2009. Melody earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and French from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Thereafter, Melody received her Master of Education degree from Elms College and is the recipient of multiple grants and fellowships in education.In 2014, Melody created a classroom project and inquiry, Graffiti, Argentina and The Brain to address challenging topics within Hispanic societies. The project was selected to be presented at the Global Education Benchmark Group’s international conference in New Orleans in April of 2016. It focused on brain-based learning and it is still used in her classroom today. Melody is enjoying her recent move to Miami. She loves to travel, read, write, hike, do yoga and spend time with friends and her cocker spaniel, Toby.

Michael Fallik has been teaching at MCDS since 2010, after working in the music business, coaching water polo, and assisting a U.S. congressman.  He received a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida and a Masters of Arts in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University.  While working in Washington, D.C., Mr. Fallik seized an opportunity to travel to Kenya to study agricultural development.  A chance encounter led him to a school in the Kibera slum, where he taught children for the first time.  He fell in love with teaching, and upon return to the States he began pursuing teaching as a career.  At MCDS, he has developed the 8th grade civics curriculum, published the middle school newspaper, founded the iBelong inclusivity program, coached swimming and water polo, acted as 8th grade team leader, and been a member of the CHANGE committee.  In 2019, Mr. Fallik won the Ed Cole Exemplary Teacher Award.  When he’s not teaching, Mr. Fallik loves to travel and watch movies.

Michael graduated from the University of Miami in 1995 with a double major in Marine Science and Geology. He then received a Master’s Degree from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in May of 2000. He has been teaching since 2000, first at the American School in Mexico City and then at MCDS. Michael has taught both 7th grade life science and 8th grade physical science.Michael’s wife, Renee, is also a teacher at MCDS, and both their children have attended MCDS, Elizabeth was class of 2015 and Sean is class of 2020. Elizabeth is embarking on a career in sports journalism and Sean hopes to go to college to attain a degree in sports management and business.

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and joined MCDS soon afterward in 2001. He currently teaches AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and Precalculus Honors to students in grades 10 through 12. Mike is also a certified U.S. Chess Federation Senior Tournament Director with experience at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Along with MCDS Chess Program Director Grandmaster Ron Henley, they host at least six chess tournaments at Country Day throughout the year. Outside of academics and chess, Mike enjoys playing tennis & poker, as well as spending time with his wife (and colleague) Carroll, along with their two puppies.

Michael Slotnick is an upper school mathematics teacher. He has been at Miami Country Day School since 2015 and has been in education since 2007. He has a degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and enjoys running and cooking, but not at the same time.

Michele Thibodeau teaches 9th grade English – World Literature at Miami Country Day School. While this is her first year at MCDS, she has been teaching since 2012. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French from Skidmore College, and she earned her Master of Arts degree in English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Michele is thrilled to share her love of language and literature with the MCDS community.

Michelle Farina is a graduate of Indiana University at Bloomington. She holds a BA in Media and Business Administration. Originally from Naples, Italy she grew up in both Italy and Uruguay. She brings 20+ years of strategic marketing, event planning and public relations experience with both fortune 500 companies and small businesses. She has lived in Chicago and Indianapolis and is fluent in English, Italian and Spanish. Prior to joining Miami Country Day, she was the director of an art gallery in Wynwood and coordinated several high-profile events for Art Basel, Art Wynwood as well as fundraisers for the Humane Society, Toys for Tots and ReachingU. Michelle and her husband Nick, along with their son Max have been part of the Miami Country Day community since 2013.

Michelle has been in education since 1992, beginning her career at an all girls school in Fort Lauderdale. She has her BA in political science from Brandeis University and her MA in history from the University of Miami. She has taught middle, upper and college level courses in the field of history; World Geography, American History, World History, American Government, Economics, and Holocaust Studies. Michelle has also developed curriculum for PACE Center for Girls, Hillel, Miami Dade College, HLC and Broward College. When she is not teaching, Michelle enjoys cycling, reading and spending time with her family.

Michelle Knapp joined the Miami Country Day community in 2019 and is very excited to be in Miami after spending many years in New Hampshire. She began her teaching career in 1998 working at a small New England boarding school. In 2008, she earned her MA in Literature from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. Michelle can often be found around town reading or walking her dog, Sam.

Nora Pardave, as Alumni Engagement Manager, is dedicated to helping MCDS alumni reconnect with the school and one another in meaningful ways. With more than 20 years of experience in education and philanthropy, she brings a passion for building lasting relationships and strengthening the MCDS alumni community. Nora holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science from Barry University. She and her husband are proud parents of a Middle School student at MCDS.

Pascal has been at Miami Country Day since 2014 as a Middle and Upper School Computer Science and Robotics teacher. He is currently the Technical Director for the Center for the Arts and the Nathan Hurst Amphitheatre. Pascal has a Masters degree in Electronic Commerce and his formal educational background also includes music, computer science, and business. He has been involved in music performance, live sound, and lighting, as well as music production and recording for much of his adult life. Pascal is excited to be supporting the Arts and the overall community at Miami Country Day School and encourages you to attend the many excellent events and programs offered to our world-class performance facility in the Center for the Arts.

Peter Konen graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Chicago and a masters degree in marine biology from Florida Tech. Peter has taught a combination of chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, AP biology, physical science, and evolution starting in 1993. Peter enjoys sports, reading, and science. Peter’s wife Marisol Sardina is an English teacher at MCDS and his daughter Lorelai is a member of the class of 2021.

Rachel Culley has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 2023. She is also a proud MCDS parent. She has worked in independent schools for the last 16 years in numerous areas, including academic, college counseling, student life, and advancement. As the Advancement Services Coordinator, Rachel’s work includes gift processing and data management, and collaboration with colleagues across advancement and business operations. She brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to her work, with a focus on accuracy, effective processes, and supporting positive donor relationships.

Renee Bergeron Finny received her BA from the University of Miami in 1995 as a double major in the fields of Elementary Education and Psychology. She has been teaching since 1995 and taught in the Miami-Dade Public School system and The American School Foundation in Mexico City, before starting at Miami Country Day in 2006. While a majority of her teaching career had been spent at the elementary school level, she is currently teaching 6th Grade STEM in the middle school. Mrs. Finny holds a Florida Teacher’s Certificate for Grades 1-6 and is currently pursuing her master’s degree for teaching Science to Grades 5-9. Born in Boston, she attended the oldest public high school in the US, Boston Latin School. She loves to spend time with her family, traveling, cooking Italian and Mexican dishes, and going to the beach. Her daughter is an MCD alumna and recent graduate of Duke University, pursuing a career with NBC Sports. Her son Sean is a senior at MCD, on the Varsity Baseball team, and interested in sports management.

Ron W Henley attended University of South Florida on one of the first ever chess scholarships in the late 70’s. He led the team to the Pan American Intercollegiate Championships in 1976. The following year he won the Association of College Unions International Individual Championship. Grandmaster Henley was the 1973 Texas State Champion and 1994 New Jersey State Champion as well as 1977 World Open Co-Champion. In 1982 he became one of 1500 FIDE International Grandmasters by co-winning the Madame Suharto Cup tournament in Indonesia. After winning events in Colombia, Switzerland and Mexico, Henley served as second, analyst and trainer for the Twelfth World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov in the 1990s. Henley has written over a dozen chess books and produced over seventy instructional chess videos. After a 25 years + career in Wall Street as a floor trader and hedge fund manager, he relocated to South Florida in 2009. He also served on the Board of Directors for several companies including the Paris based Quantum Genomics SAS which is listed on the NYSE Euronext. In 2013 he began visiting Miami Country Day as a guest lecturer and founded the Spartan Chess Summer Camp Program. He is currently the Chess Program Director at Miami Country Day school which has won three Florida State K-12 Championships and finished third in the 2016 US National Junior High School Championships in Indianapolis Indiana.

Ruben has been working at MCDS since 2011. Throughout the years he’s been involved in many school programs with lower school students and is part of our faculty as an Early Childhood Teacher. Ruben earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Florida International University and an Initial Teacher Professional Preparation Graduate Certificate from the University of Central Florida. He is currently enrolled at Florida Atlantic University pursuing a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. In his spare time Ruben enjoys playing soccer, kayaking, rollerblading, spending time with family and trying new restaurants.

Mr. Mofsky has been teaching in one way or another since 1992. He holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Miami and a BM in Jazz Guitar from the New England Conservatory of Music. Over the years, Mofsky has worked with students from a wide range of ages, from Junior Kindergarten through High School. During his time here at Miami Country Day School, he has taught Junior and Senior Kindergarten and Middle School Music. When not teaching, he maintains an active schedule writing, performing, and recording with his band, Gold Dust Lounge, perfecting his bbq technique, and spending time with his family.