exceptional educators

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sheryl Piper first served as Communications Director when she joined the original Development Office established in 1985. She has directed publications, marketing, and Annual Giving. Two years ago, her title and the name of the office transitioned to reflect the school’s Culture of Philanthropy. As Director of Philanthropy, Sheryl oversees all aspects of the Office of Philanthropy to maintain that the purpose and focus of philanthropy is to secure financial resources to fulfill the mission of the school and to fund the goals of the school’s strategic plan. Most recently that included support the Head of School and Board of Trustees in completing the school’s largest capital campaign in its history, the Campaign for the Arts. Thanks to many people, the goal of $16.5 million was realized and today students, teachers and the greater community, enjoy the gifts from many donors who made it possible. There are still opportunities to be a part of the Award Winning Center for the Arts by purchasing a seat in the John Davies Theater. For more information email or call Sheryl at pipers@miamicountryday.org or 305-779-7273. Sheryl is from Lubbock, Texas and graduated with a BS in Journalism from West Texas A&M University in 1983. She served on the Board for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is a member of Miami Shores Rotary and the Women’s Relief Association. Sheryl is married to Mark, who works with Northwestern Mutual Finance Network. She enjoys yoga, tennis, reading, and writing. As an alumni parent of two daughters who attended Country Day for 13 years each, Sheryl has watched Miami Country Day transform into the community it is today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vanessa has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 2007. Prior to joining MCDS, she was the Assistant to the Director at a local non-profit art gallery, worked with an airline for 10 years traveling the world, and also managed a portfolio of internet domain names. Vanessa has lived in Ohio and Massachusetts but is a Miami Shores native and bi-lingual in English and Spanish. At Miami Country Day School, she began her career as the Admission Coordinator in 2007. She then branched off to become the Data Processing Coordinator in 2013. Vanessa rejoined the Admission Department in 2015 and is now the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Admission Officer. Something Vanessa likes most about her day is helping prospective families envision and find ways to become part of the Miami Country Day community.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.”

Sean was born in Michigan. Sean has lived in Alaska, Colorado, Germany, and Montana. He attended Montana State University on a football scholarship 1989-1994. Sean played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins 1994-96 and the Detroit Lions 1997. College Living Experience 1998-2011 Miami Country Day School since 2011. Sean earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Barry University in 2014. He also has a Master’s of Arts in Administration from Barry University in 2016. Wife: Shannon, Daughters: Shayne, Alayna, Khori, and Rayden. Son: Daryon – Sean’s hobby is he has become a professional lifelong learner. He enjoys being educated but he does not always enjoy the process. Sean enjoys coaching and would someday love to coach football again. Sean would love to one day have a children’s book published that he is the author of. Fun fact: Sean’s father-in-law is Red Jenkins. A Swedish born man who is a country and western recording artist.

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.

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. 

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. 

Terry Alfonso has been teaching music since 1987. As the director of Arts Education and Programs at MCDS, she enjoys watching our students blossom as artists and performers! A graduate of the University of Miami School of Music, her students have won national and state level music contests. When not teaching or watching performances in the CFA, she is playing music with friends and hanging out with her havanese, Bongo the Wonder Dog- our LS therapy dog and lovebug!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

After growing up on a family farm in Southern Indiana, Samuel Brown attended Stanford University to earn a B.A. and M.A in English. He began teaching at Miami Beach in 2005, and Miami Country Day School became his professional home in 2014; courses taught include World Literature, American Literature, and AP English Language to students in grades 9-12. An avid reader, he also enjoys cooking and spending time with his family, which has grown to include a teen, tween, and toddler (the older two of which attend MCDS).

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.

Sheika Ganthier, as Lead GLOBE Coordinator and Lower School Dean of Students, is committed to fostering an inclusive school environment that supports the social, emotional, and academic growth of every student. In collaboration with teachers, families, and the GLOBE Team, she works to help students develop the skills and confidence to become empowered upstanders and active contributors to a safe and respectful community. Central to her work is ensuring that student voices are heard and valued, individual identities and lived experiences are affirmed, and every student experiences a meaningful sense of belonging throughout their educational journey at MCDS.