FIA Faculty & Staff
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Ms.
Evangeline S. Belono-ac,
School Dean - ESE Specialist
Education:
Ms. Belono-ac earned both her Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Teaching English as a Second Language and Master of Arts in Education major in English Language Teaching from Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines. She has finished all the academic requirements and was granted a Certificate of Proficiency in Master of Arts in Special Education at Cebu State College of Arts and Technology, Cebu City, Philippines. She has also completed trainings in Sign Language (Levels 1 and 2). She is also trained to teach using the balanced-literacy program, the Open Court Curriculum, the Multiage Curriculum, and the Investigations Curriculum.
Experience:
She has fifteen solid years of teaching from kindergarten to sixth grade as well as in the secondary level both as a regular and a special education teacher. She has spent six years teaching in a regular classroom setting and nine years in a multiage and inclusive setting. She has had students from different nationalities and economic background. She has worked as a remedial teacher in reading and math, class adviser, language arts coordinator, assistant principal, school paper adviser, and new and student teacher mentor. Her experience also includes conducting individualized and group instruction to students with special needs, developing curriculum in the different learning areas in the elementary level, directing school plays, and planning school programs and activities. She believes that every child has the potential to learn and can only reach his or her full potential when properly guided. She is committed to work with her students as partners in learning and to make a difference in their lives.
Betzaida Mendia,
Office Administrator
Kerian Smith,
Office Assistant
Dr. Gwendolyn Purcell, Consultant
Intercultural Ed Group
Fanny
Alvarez, Spanish Teacher
Education:
Mrs. Alvarez graduated from Pontifica Universidad Catolica of Ecuador with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and also received a degree in Diplomat Development of Learning Skills from Monterrey University (Mexico).
Mrs. Alvarez has always been interested in the American culture. She came to the U.S. first as an exchange high school student, and later as a visiting International faculty.
Experience:
Mrs. Alvarez has 20 vast years of experience as a Spanish –ESL teacher. She has worked at different school levels from Elementary to High School, both Private and Public Schools. Mrs. Alvarez has been a counselor in Asuncion High School [Ecuador] and Head of the Spanish Club in Pamlico High School [North Carolina] where she was nominated “Teacher of the Month”.
Mrs. Alvarez was selected as one of the Who’s Who America’s Teachers” in 2004.
Pedro J. Gonzalez Castaneda, PE Teacher
Education:
PE Teacher & Specialist in Sports Administration.
Graduate in physical education from UNIVERSIDAD PEDAGOGICA Y TECNOLOGICA DE COLOMBIA in Tunja – Boyacá – Colombia with LAUREATE FINAL PAPER AND HONOR MENTION for EXCELLENT ACADEMIC LEVEL.
Graduate as Specialist in sport administration from the UNIVERSIDAD SANTO TOMAS
In Bogotá - Colombia.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification from Teacher Student Network
Institute in Bogotá Colombia
Experience:
Mr. Gonzalez participated actively being a member of the athleticism team of his university and Bogotá’s and as an assistant trainer of Athletic club Antonio Vargas which he co-founded. He was champion at a national school tournament of 1500 a 5000 meters.
Also Mr. Gonzalez was working in a summer camp in the United States of America planning sports and entertainment activities for adults with special needs during 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2001, Mr. Gonzalez traveled to North Brabant – Holland where he reviewed the most important aspects of the educative techniques in diverse center for special needs. Mr. Gonzalez worked 4 years as physical education teacher in preschool at the Colombo Gales School In Bogotá Colombia.
Ma. Rotessa L. Wahing,
Music Teacher
Education:
Immanuel Bible College, Cebu City, Philippines. Finished Academic Requirements Leading to Master of Arts in Music Education, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines. Completed Diploma in Special Education, Cebu State College of Science and Technology, Cebu City, Philippines. Sign Language Proficiency - completed Levels 1,2 & 3 (ASL)
Experience:
Seventeen years of experience in teaching music, piano and voice in College, Secondary and in the elementary level. Conducted choir, instrumental ensemble and organized musical production in all levels for more than fifteen years.
Ms. Fernanda Fontanes, Kindergarten teacher
Education:
Ms. Fontanes graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. she received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified to teach Kindergarten through 6th grade.
Experience:
During her college education, Ms. Fontanes completed two internships. She completed her first Internship with 1st grade and her senior internship with 5th grade. In the 2005-2006 school year, she taught 3rd grade. During the summer of 2006, Ms. Fontanes taught Pre-Kindergarten students in Sunflowers Academy in Miami, Florida. She is looking forward to a wonderful year. Her kindergartners will definitely hear her teach in two languages, English and Spanish!
Ms. Agnes Tabequero, Kindergarten teacher
Education:
Completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Bukidnon State College (teacher-training school), Philippines. Completed academic requirements leading to M.A. in Education. Eligibility to teach K-6.
Experience:
Kindergarten and elementary grade teacher for eight years. For the last five years, a college instructor teaching early childhood education courses. Also provided instruction to kindergarten children in rural areas. Committed to use my teaching skills to help each child reach his or her fullest potential.
Lisa Lennard,
Kindergarten Teacher
Education:
In 2000, Ms. Lennard earned her BA in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) and is ESOL Endorsed from Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL. Ms. Lennard went on to earn her MSc at Nova Southeastern University in 2002 in Pre-Kindergarten and Primary Education. She has her Professional Educator’s Certificate from the State of Florida Department of Education to teach Pre-Kindergarten/ Age 3-Grade 3.
Experience:
Ms. Lennard has been a Pre-Kindergarten 4 and Kindergarten teacher for four years. She has taught in both private and public schools in Davie and Plantation. Ms. Lennard’s approach to teaching involves a balance of creativity and children’s curiosity to maximize their learning potential. Ms. Lennard’s innate nurturing tendency fosters an atmosphere where children are rounded and well-balanced.
Ms. Lennard was given a "Teacher of a Lifetime" award by her Pre-K4 students and their parents in 2002-2003.
Ms. Lennard was nominated for the "DisneyHand Teacher" awards in 2004.
Ms. Nataliya Tinglof, 1st Grade teacher
Education:
Graduated from Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University, Russia in June 2001. Earned a Bachelor and Master degree in foreign language (English/German). Certified in ESOL for kindergarten through 12th grade. As a part of the student program, Mrs. Tinglof completed an internship in elementary and high school in the year of 2001.
Experience:
Elementary and high school internships. Initially, a 3rd grade teacher associate and promoted to regular classroom teacher for 2nd grade at Florida Intercultural Academy. September 2005 -January 2006. She is dedicated to ensuring every child has a quality education.
Jenny Viviana Rodriguez Vergara, 1st Grade teacher
Education:
Graduated bachelor of Spanish and languages (French and English) from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional in Bogotá-Colombia.
Graduated as Specialist in Applied Linguistics in Teaching English from Universidad La Gran Colombia in Bogotá-Colombia.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification from Teacher Student Network Institute in Bogotá-Colombia.
Experience:
Author of the series Show Time (grades 1-5), a carefully graded course which motivates children to learn English. Copyright 2003. Published by Migema Ediciones in Bogotá-Colombia.
I have been teaching since 2001. Initially I started as a French teacher and then I started to teach English as a foreign language at different school levels of Elementary school.
I taught young learners at Universidad Libre in Bogotá-Colombia, by encouraging them to be autonomous and communicatively competent.
I have worked since 2004 at New York School in Bogotá-Colombia as a self-contain
teacher handling 1st and 2nd grade students.
I strongly believe that children learn better in a positive classroom atmosphere
and that they need to be set achievable goals so that they can gain satisfaction
from learning and see their own process.
Ayesha Ching Hui, 1st Grade Team Teacher
Education:
Received her Bachelor's in arts from Christ College in Taipei, Taiwan and her Master's in TESOL from Barry University in Miami, Florida.
Experience:
Ayesha taught English on the high school level for one year as a student teacher. Afterwards, she graduated from college in China. Upon completing her internship at Dania Elementary in Florida, she started working as a language teacher at North Miami Beach Adults Education Center as an adult ESOL instructor for one year.
Ayesha loves working with children. Her philosophy of teaching is: "As a teacher, you need to always stay professional and view the profession as one from the heart."
Ms. Dempuls Glabog, 2nd Grade teacher
Education:
Mrs.Glabog finished her Bachelor of Elementary Education at Saint Theresa's College, Cebu City, Philippines in May 1997.
She earned Units in Master of Arts in Education - Special Education and in Administration and Supervision at Cebu Normal University. She completed a course for Basic Sign Language.
She has been attending trainings and seminars to enhance her teaching skills.She also handled seminars to teach other educators how to manage the behavior of some children with special needs in Manila, Philippines.
She has obtained Professional Educator’s Certificate for Elementary Education/ (Grades K-6) and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) / (Grades K-12).
Experience
Her experiences in teaching children with exceptional/special needs make her become more sensitive to the unique needs and interests of her students at FIA .
Mrs. Glabog was chosen to represent Florida Intercultural Academy during the "Teacher of the Year" Award Ceremonies held last May17, 2007 at Hillcrest Golf and Country Club in Hollywood, Florida.
She strongly believes that home-school collaboration plays a vital role in any child's education !
Elaine Ferrer, 2nd Grade teacher
Education:
Earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Sto. Tomas and finished her Teacher Certificate Program from The Fisher Valley College. She earned Units in Master of Arts In Education, Major in Special Education from the De La Salle University. She has completed the requirements in Basic Sign Language from the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Experience:
Ms. Ferrer is a licensed teacher who has been teaching since 2003. Initially she started as a general education teacher handling 2nd, 3rd and 6th grade students. Now, she also provides special education to children with unique needs. She is committed to share her knowledge and impart invaluable lessons with all her students.
Ma. Joycelyn Bequilla, 3rd Grade teacher
Education:
Graduated Bachelor of Science in Education at Cebu Normal University formerly
Cebu State College in March 1982. Granted a certificate of proficiency in Master
of Arts in Education Major in Teaching English as a Second Language in the same
university.
Experience:
Started teaching as an elementary teacher in St. Theresa's College. Then became a teacher, academic coordinator, guidance counselor and principal in two different schools. She has remarkably taught kinder 1-6 for the past 15 years with expertise in beginning reading to slow learners or non-readers. I firmly believe that teaching is touching the children's hearts and making a difference in their lives.
Mrs.
Maria Ebarle, 4th Grade teacher
Education:
Bachelor in Elementary Education, Bukidnon State College in 1992, graduated
Magna Cum Laude.
Master of Arts in English Literature, Xavier University in 2003. Master of Arts
in English Language Teaching, Bukidnon State College in 2004.
Experience:
Mrs. Maria Glenda Ebarle started teaching in 1992. She has over 12 years of teaching experience. Her experience includes 6 months internship in the elementary grades, 3 years full time teaching in grades 1 to 3, 5 years full time teaching in the University and 4 years teaching in a teacher training college. She firmly believes that if children are having fun in the classroom, they learn better!
Mr. Leonardo Insignares, 5th Grade teacher
Education:
Bachelor degree in Education Sciences, specialty in Modern languages Spanish-English from Universidad del Atlántico of Barranquilla-Colombia.
Computer Programming and Analysis Technician from Universidad Autónoma del Caribe of Barranquilla-Colombia.
Licensed Teacher from Normal Mixta de la Costa Norte of Barranquilla.
I have attended important conferences and seminars based on the development, attention and care of children.
Right now I am studying a Master in Education, Specialty in Social Research at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, in Bogotá.
Experience:
I have worked at different school levels from Kindergarten to High school since 1993. I started to work as a self-contain teacher handling 1st and 5th grade students when I was 18 years old. Then I became a Computers and English teacher in some private schools in Barranquilla and Bogotá, Colombia.
During my Studies at the university I enrolled in the Project “School for Adult Farmers” as a Coordinator for Academic Activities and, English and Spanish Teacher in Baranoa Atlántico, Colombia.
Claudine
A. Morris, 6th Grade teacher
Education:
I am Claudine A. Morris. I have been teaching since September 1, 1994. That gives me almost 14 years of invaluable experience in the field of teaching. I have pledged to provide appropriate learning opportunities for each of my students each day.
I graduated from Sam Sharpe Teachers College of Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1994 where I earned a Diploma in Teaching English. In 2001, I graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration with honours. In 2003, I graduated from Central Connecticut State University, Connecticut, U.S.A. where I earned a Masters Degree in Education. My GPA was 3.75.
Experience:
My first job in 1994 was at Peggy Barry Primary School in Westmoreland, Jamaica where I taught all the subjects on the Elementary curriculum (except Music) to grade 6.
In September of 1995, I began teaching at Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland, Jamaica. I taught Language Arts to Grade 7, 8 and 11. I was also promoted to Senior Teacher in charge of grade 7.
In 2004, I taught for one year at Tar Middle School in Tar Heel, North Carolina. While there I taught Language Arts to grade 8. I was licensed to teach Middle grade Language Arts. This license expired in June of 2007.
Since September of 2005 I have been teaching at Grange Hill High School, Westmoreland Jamaica. I teach Language Arts to grade 7, 8 and 11. I am also work with the debating team and the school magazine. I am the Leader of the 4-H club at Grange Hill High School and I am the Public Relations Officer for the 4-H Clubs of Westmoreland. I am the staff advisor for the Student Council as well as the academic staff representative on The Grange Hill High School Board. I am in charge of Clubs and Societies as well.
Since September of 2007 I have been lecturing Psychology of Learning (part-time) at the International University of the Caribbean, Sav-la-mar campus.
Shelia Thermulius, After school Coordinator, Kindergarten Assistant
Send email through Secretary
Experience:
Pre-Kindergarten teacher for 11 years. After school Director for Florida Intercultural Academy. Skilled in providing excellent child care, presenting quality and engaging Kindergarten Lessons. Ms. Thermulius is known as a worker that gives parents a “peace of mind” so they will know their children are in good hands.
