
OUR FACULTY
Teachers at The Academy have many options of where they can choose to work, but they have selected The Academy at Ocean Reef. They have chosen this unique place because they have aspirations to teach and help children reach their full potential in a place where education is a priority. Teachers are not just employees but partners in an educational and life journey.

Jerome Murphy
Head of School
jmurphy@oracademy.org
B.A., Lehigh University
M.A., Sacred Heart University

Jaren Evans
Assistant Head of School/
Middle School English
jevans@oracademy.org
B.A., North Carolina Central University
M.S., Florida International University

Marnie Buchsbaum
Business Manager
mbuchsbaum@oracademy.org
B.A., Oswego State University

Meg Ryan
Guidance Counselor
mryan@oracademy.org
B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University
M.S., Monmouth University

Myriam Bernal
Dean of Students/
Second and Third Grade
mbernal@oracademy.org
B.S., Barry University

Christine Burdette
Spanish
cburdette@oracademy.org
A.A., Miami Dade College

Katherine Bustamante
Kindergarten and First Grade
kbustamante@oracademy.org
B.S., Florida International University

Kellie Diaz
Early Childhood Director
PreK3/PreK4
kdiaz@oracademy.org
B.A., Florida International University

Joseph Celmer
Music Education
jcelmer@oracademy.org
B.A., Music Illinois State University
M.A., Music Indiana University
M.A., Music Education Boston University

Evelyn M. Ibanez
Second and Third Grade Teacher's Assistant
eibanez@oracademy.org
B.A., Montclair State College

Michael Rothman
Grade 4/5 Co-teacher
mrothman@oracademy.org
B.S., Florida International University
M.A., Keiser University

Nicky Laak
Middle School Social Studies
Library & Media Specialist
nlaak@oracademy.org
B.A., Union Institute and University
M.S., Nova Southeastern University

Jeff Magliola
Educational Technology
Director of Information Technology
jmagliola@oracademy.org
B.S., University of Connecticut
M.A., Pace University

Destiny Martinez
PreK Teacher's Assistant
dmartinez@oracademy.org
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Jessamy Mathieson
Fourth and Fifth Grade
jmathieson@oracademy.org
B.A., Florida International University
M.S., Barry University

Kristen McHugh
Professional Development Coordinator
Middle School Math and Science
kmchugh@oracademy.org
B.A., University of Florida
M.A., University of Florida

Valerie Robles
Toddler
Teacher's Assistant
vrobles@oracademy.org

Amanda Rufin
Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher's Assistant
arufin@oracademy.org
A.A., Miami Dade College


Hope Sperling
Art Education
hsperling@oracademy.org
B.S., St. Thomas Aquinas
A.S., SUNY College

Margarita Vallejo
Toddler Program
mvallejo@oracademy.org
B.A., Central Education University
North American Montessori Center
STAFF

