Faculty

Principal
Elizabeth Harris

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 quality Catholic educational instruction from a very dedicated staff. The atmosphere of “family” is evident in the cooperation that exists among parents, students, and faculty.

Email: elizabethh376@gmail.com

 

Office Manager
Cindy Hoeffer

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 family’s 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.

Email: cindyhoeffer@aol.com

 

 Bookkeeper
Kelly Koenig

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 in service to my alma mater and to St. Mary’s Church where my life was formed.  MISS is a wonderful place to call home.

Email: bookkeeper.kelly@gmail.com

 

8th Grade/Assistant Principal
Bro. Bud Luks

Bro. Bud has been teaching here at Mary Immaculate since 1990.  He is the Eight grade homeroom teacher.  Bro Bud teaches Reading and Language Arts to grades 7 & 8, and he is the school librarian and technology coordinator.  Teaching has always been Bro. Bud’s desire.  He has been in a classroom situation since 1969!  He also teaches Theology courses for St. Leo University at the NAS Key West Campus.  His mission for the class: learn as much as possible while having an enjoyable experience.

Email : luks45@gmail.com

 

Grades 6, 7 & 8 Math and Science
Erin Luciani

 I come from California with 8 years of middle school teaching experience .  I am excited to learn more about each of you. Throughout my years of teaching middle school, I’ve worked with students at all levels of the learning curve.  It is important not only to keep standards high, but to meet the challenges any student faces with a  new approach.

Email : erinluca@hotmail.com

 

6th Grade
Eileen Dolan Heitlinger

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.

Email: ed-h@live.com

 

5th Grade
Gene Drum

I 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 experiences  along with my pursuit of professional development have provided me with a unique perspective and a strong set of strategies and techniques that I bring to the classroom.

Email: drumgp@gmail.com

 

5th Grade Science
Iris Bernreuter

4th Grade 
Beth Kilroe

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

 

3rd Grade
Heidi Hemmesch

Heidi Hemmesch moved to Key West from Chicago, IL and this will be her first year teaching at Mary Immaculate.  Ms. Hemmesch is a certified elementary teacher for grades K-9.  She has taught 3rd grade, K-8 Computer and 3-8 Gifted Science.   She received a B.A. from National-Louis University in Chicago with majors in Elementary Education and Art. Ms. Hemmesch is very impressed with the energy and sense of community that has been established at Mary Immaculate and she is thrilled to be a part of it!

Email: heidihemmesch@gmail.com

 

2nd Grade 
Danielle Gould

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

 

1st Grade
Monica Allen

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

 

Kindergarten
Sidney Jones

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 the 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

Pre K 3 / Spanish Grade 6,7,8
Ashley Paluch

 

 

 

 

 

PreK 3 Aide / Spanish Grade 1-5
Paula Mesa

 

Pre-K 4
Maggie Quintana

I attended Mary Immaculate School.  I have been married for 28 years and I have two sons who attended Mary Immaculate.  I attended Fla. Keys Community College and received an Associates Degree in Science .

Email: maggiequintana@gmail.com

 

 

PreK 4 Aide
Christine Burks

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.

 

Art
Nancy LaRe

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.

Email: nrlr23@msn.com

 

PE
Rachael Ambrose

I gained my BED from the University of Brighton in the UK in 1994. I have spent the last 17 years teaching all subjects throughout the Primary sector in many diverse schools, including 5 years in Florence Nightingale’s family home in the New Forest.  I was responsible for my year group, school council, pastoral care and sport before relocating to teach in Grand Cayman for 3 years. This was a wonderful experience, teaching children from many diverse backgrounds and nationalities. I also loved spending most of my spare time in the Caribbean waters pursuing my love of water sports, including scuba diving, windsurfing and kiting.

I came to Key West on holiday and met a wonderful man, fell in love and moved here. We are now married and have a beautiful baby boy called Tommy. I am thrilled to be teaching once again, especially within such an exciting and vibrant environment such as St Mary Immaculate.  I look forward to meeting you all!

Email: rachie_f@hotmail.com

 

After School Care
Mercy Leon

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.

 

 

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 his 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 taught  religion in Kenya for 4 years.  Then I came to Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea school and I enjoy teaching your children religion.

 

 

 

Sister Euphemia