Faculty
Elizabeth Harris
Principal
Beth Harris received her degree from Mt. Berry College in Rome, Georgia. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school students throughout her 35 years in education. Ms. Harris is in her third year as the principal of Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea School. She considers it an honor to serve God in such a special mission.
Our school provides a quality Catholic education by a very dedicated staff. The atmosphere of “family” is evident in the support that exists between parents, students, and faculty.
e-mail: elizabethh376@gmail.com
Cindy Hoeffer
Office Manager
My name is Cindy Hoeffer and I am the Office Manager at Mary Immaculate. I am the mother of a daughter who graduated from Mary Immaculate. My husband works as an auto mechanic at his families business.
I was born and raised in Key West and have been a part of the church since 1970. I love my job because of the wonderful surroundings. I find it to be one of the most rewarding jobs there is because of the children.
e-mail: cindyhoeffer@aol.com
Kelly Koenig
Bookkeeper
I was raised in Key West from the age of 2 and attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Mary Immaculate High School in 1980. I’m pleased to find myself of service to my alma mater and St. Mary’s Church where my life was formed. MISS is a wonderful place to call home.
e-mail: bookkeeper.kelly@gmail.com
Mercy Leon
After School Care
Ms. Mercy Leon is our Director of the After School Program. Ms. Mercy has been dedicated to MISS for over 25 years. She began by volunteering in the cafeteria when her children attended Mary Immaculate High School.
She watches carefully over her children and provides a safe environment for them to enjoy after the school day is over.
Bro. Bud Luks
8th Grade/Assistant Principal
Bro. Bud has been teaching here at Mary Immaculate since 1990. He is Eight grade homeroom teacher, teaches Reading and Language Arts to grades 7 & 8, is the school librarian and technology coordinator. Teaching has always been Bro. Bud’s desire. He has been in the classroom situation since 1969! He also teaches Theology courses for St. Leo University at the NAS Key West Campus. Mission for the Class-Learn as much as possible while having an enjoyable experience.
Email : luks45@gmail.com
Erin Luciani
Grades 6, 7 & 8 Math and Science
I am new here to Mary Immaculate. I come with 8 years of middle school teaching experience from California. I am excited to start the year and meet each of you. Throughout my years of teaching middle school, I’ve worked with students on all levels of learning curve. It is important to keep standards high, but meet the challenges any student face with a new approach.
Email : erinluca@hotmail.com
Eileen Dolan Heitlinger
6th Grade
Mrs. D-H, her husband and two daughters have lived in Key West for 19 years. She enjoys serving Mary Immaculate School and St. Mary’s as a volunteer, a religious education teacher and classroom teacher. When she’s not at school, Ms. D-H spends her time playing the piano or playing in her garden.
e-mail: ed-h@live.com
Gene DrumI have been a teacher for over forty years. I hold a bachelor’s and Master’s degree. I like to think that the combination of my travels and experience along wit my pursuit of professional development have provided me with a unique perspective and a strong set of strategies and techniques that I will bring to the classroom.
e-mail: drumngp@gmail.com
Beth Kilroe
4th Grade
I am a certified elementary and secondary teacher for K – 12. I have taught at Mary Immaculate for 21 years. I received a BA from the University of Maine and have taken graduate level courses from Nova University, FIU, and Univ. of So. Maine. I am also the Student Council/Youth Group advisor for the 6-8th grade. My hobbies are running and distance bike riding. I also teach aerobic spinning classes at a gym
Email: bethkilroe@gmail.com
Roslyn Silwa-Grade 3
Hi, my name is Roslyn Silwa and I will be teaching third grade. I have been involved in teaching in several different capacities for the past twenty years as an Early Childhood Educator. I am a Bi-lingual teacher, Administrator and Special Educator. I received my degree in Early Childhood for grades kindergarten through grade three and my Masters degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. I have lived in the Keys since last October and last school year I had the opportunity to provide instruction to the students here at Mary Immaculate as a substitute teacher and as reading and math specialist. I am currently teaching Sunday school and have taught a variety of levels of Religious instruction over the years to children and young adults. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the children, the fine staff and the parents here at Mary Immaculate and I believe we have all been given gifts, responsibilities and talents by our heavenly father. As an educator I plan to teach our young people the importance of community and belonging to a larger family of Christ.
Email: roslynsliwa@gmail.com
Danielle Gould
2nd Grade
I have been teaching at Mary Immaculate School since 2000. I am the second grade teacher as well as The Green Team club advisor. My personal teaching philosophy is to positively engage the children and help them develop a love for learning that will grow throughout their entire life. As we say in The Green Team, I am committed to L.E.A.D. (learn educate and do) along with the students.
Email: daniellegould2@gmail.com
Monica Allen
1st Grade
Monica Allen teaches our 1st. grade. She has two children who attend Mary Immaculate School also. Ms. Monica graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Child Development and Psychology. Ms. Allen coaches a cheerleading squad for the Key West Junior Football League and has for over 10 years.
Email: monicaallen98@gmail.com
Sidney Jones
Kindergarten
Sidney Jones is our much loved Kindergarten teacher. Ms. Jones has been at Mary Immaculate for 24 years. She graduated from Mary Immaculate High School. She attended Fla. Keys Community College and University of North Florida. She is married to Tim Jones, who was a Mary Immaculate graduate and basketball star.
Tim and Sidney have three children, all of whom attended and graduated from Mary Immaculate.
Email: scjkinder@gmail.com
Gladys Jamardo
Kindergarten Aide
I have been married to Nelson Jamardo for 18 years. We have one son Xavier Jamardo who is a Junior at KWHS. I have been working here at MISS for five years. I LOVE my job!
Christine Leclerc
Pre K 4
My name is Christine Leclerc and I am teaching PreK 4 this year. I am very excited to be a part of Mary Immaculate. I have 14 years experience with early childhood education and have taught in Korea, Japan and Canada. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year.
Katie Olszewski
Pre-K 4 Aide
I am the Pre-K 4 assistant as well as the After School Program Teacher. I look forward to an exciting new school year with your children.
Maggie Quintana
Pre-K 3
I attended Mary Immaculate School. Married for 28 years and have two sons which attended Mary Immaculate. I attended Fla. Keys Community College and received an Associates in Science Degree.
Email: maggiequintana@gmail.com
Christine Burks
PreK 3 Aide
Born and raised in New Jersey. I went to college in Charleston, SC and started working with children and continued. Met my husband who is military and had our son who is now 4. We have moved to many places.
Myra Lay-Puig
Spanish/Computers
Ms. Myra is a recent transplant from not to far Miami. She worked for the Miami-Dade Public School system in various areas for 9 years and has found a home right here at Mary Immaculate.
Ms. Myra attended Miami- Dade Community College and Nova Southeastern University, where her major was Elementary Education. Ms. Myra, who was born and raised bilingually and is excited about bringing a foreign language program to our school.
e-mail: myrapuig@gmail.com
Nancy LaRe
Art
Nancy has a degree and graduate studies in Psychology, but used every elective to pursue her love of Art. After serving an internship in a school for autistic children in New Jersey, she went on to become an Art and Activities Director for several Mental Health facilities, including ARC, Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, and area nursing homes, incorporating both her counseling and Art therapy training.
After moving to Key West, Nancy attended “Tocci School of Art”, and helped found the original “Bahama School of Art”. During this time, Nancy was also the Editor and Senior writer of two Art publications: “Island Images” and “The Cultural Preservation Society Souvenir Program”.
She also teaches Art & Art History at the Ventnor Cultural Arts Center. She is an active volunteer for “Keys Kids” theater group and the Key West Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Art and Historical Society. Nancy has been a member of the M.I.S.S. family since 1998 and has a son, Evan who graduated M.I.S.S. in 2007.
e-mail: NLaRe23@gmail.com
Shawna Renner-Computers
Julio Orofino
PE
Julia was the PE teacher in ‘93-’04 for Pre Kindergarten through 8th grade. Her experience in working with physical education in the US began at an International Tennis Camp in ‘75. Mrs. O is presently 5th through 8th grade PE teacher.
Zachary Bentley II
Mr. Zachary Bentley II, has resided in Key West for 35 years. He is married to Mary Cobo and the father of two sons.
He is currently volunteering as Parish Manager. He oversees finances for the school and the church. Before retiring he investigated Medicare and Medicaid fraud. He is a leader in the Key West community and gives generously of this time to the mission of the parish.
Sister Mary
Born in Tanzania East Africa. I went to college in Rauya Theological Pastoral Center. Then I was teaching religion in Kenya for 4 years, then came to MISS and enjoy teaching your children religion.
Sister Lucy
Born in Tanzania Africa. Worked as Community Service Provider in Health Department for years. Came to St. Mary’s 2 years ago and enjoy teaching the children religion.
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