Key Biscayne Charter High School
Education Task Force
Stephanie Almirola
Graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School, G.W. Carver Middle School, and Sunset Elementary.
Currently, University of Miami Honors Student. Provost’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List, pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and International Studies. Previously, International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduate at Coral Gables Senior High, Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors Award, Experience with Dual Enrollment Program. Florida Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer.
Carolina Burelli
Bachelor of Arts - Education and Languages - Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela.
20 years experience as a private school elementary, middle and high school teacher. The last 13 years teaching in international schools in Caracas, Venezuela, with the last 6 years teaching in the International Baccalaureate program.
Gretchen Clark, Ph.D.
Doctorate Degree - Political Science – University of Michigan.
Master Degree - Bachelor Degree – Stanford University.
Currently employed by Black River Asset Management, a subsidiary of Cargill. 12 years experience on Wall Street. Taught at the summer program at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. Formerly a research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and affiliated with the Economics Division of Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress.
Carlos Coto
Bachelor of Science – University of Miami.
Additional coursework in School Administration and Counseling. Retired high school teacher. 25 years experience as a public school teacher in general science, biology and chemistry. 6 years experience as a guidance counselor. Developed bilingual curriculum to teach subject content courses in Spanish to native English speakers and in English to native Spanish speakers, in M-DCPS. Past president of the Key Biscayne Elementary School PTA.
Mariana Framinan, Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy – Physical Oceanography – University of Miami, RSMAS.
Bachelor and Master of Science – Oceanography – Technological Institute of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
20 years experience in oceanography. Current primary research area at UM-RSMAS in coastal oceanography, specializing in the application of satellite image data for environmental studies. Member of the Remote Sensing Laboratory at UM-RSMAS.
Maria Paula Garces, M.B.A.
Master in Business Administration – Nova Southeastern University.
Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering – Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.
4 years experience as a public school teacher. 10 years experience in sales/customer service and as a financial analyst. Additional coursework in Alternative Education with M-DCPS.
Jacqueline Keenan
Master of Science – Reading Education – Florida International University.
Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education – Florida International University.
National Board Certified Professional Teacher in Early Education/Generalist. 13 years experience as a M-DCPS teacher at E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary School in multiple subjects. Past member of the Florida Reading Association, Dade Reading Council, and E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary PTA & Social Committee. 2005 Teacher of the Year at E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary School.
Jacqueline Kleis Pasarell
Bachelor of Arts – French Civilization – Brown University.
25 years experience in the professional culinary business. Owner, executive chef and creator of three culinary business companies. Active member of BASC (Brown Alumni Schools Committee) which is responsible for interviewing prospective students of the area assisting admissions in the screening process.
Michelle Manjarrez, M.Ed.
Master of Science – Education – University of Miami.
Bachelor of Arts – Special Education – Universidad de las Americas, Mexico City.
15 years experience as an educator and special education therapist with culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families.
Josefina Moran, M.A.
Master of Arts – Applied Mathematics – University of Maryland.
Bachelor of Science – Business and Management – University of Maryland.
25 years experience in survey research and statistical survey projects. Prior Associate Director at a survey research company in the Washington, D.C. area. Member of the Board of Directors of Meridian Charter School (K-8) in Washington, D.C.
Maria Claudia Thorne
Bachelor of Science – Environmental Biology – California State University, Fresno.
8 years experience as a private preschool and high school teacher. 5 years experience as an Environmental Specialist performing research projects in the Everglades.
Charles Viscito
Bachelor of Business Administration – Business - University of Miami.
23 years experience in information technology, data processing, project management and management consulting. Prior member of M-DCPS Key Biscayne K-8 Center Educational Excellence School Advisory Council.
