Faculty and Staff

Administrative and Operations Team

Director, Co-Founder, and Counselor - M. Elisabeth Weiss co-founded The Weiss School with her husband, Dr. Martin Weiss. M. Elisabeth Weiss holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from New York University and did her postgraduate studies in Gifted Education at the University of Florida. Mrs. Weiss was Berlitz trained and taught Portugese and English for eight years prior to opening The Weiss School in 1989.

Martin Weiss - co-founder of the school, holds a BA from New York University in Anthropology, as well as a MA and Ph.D from Columbia University. Dr. Weiss is the President of The Weiss Group and the author of two books that reached The New York Times Best Seller List. The Weiss Group provides many services for The Weiss School including computer technology support.

Principal - Rosemary Colarulli-Daniels received her BA in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics from Rhode Island College and her Masters and Doctorate degrees from Florida Atlantic University in Educational Leadership. Her expertise in gifted education keeps her much in demand as a keynote speaker and educational consultant. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and was the president of FLAG (Florida Association for the Gifted) in 2001. Dr. Daniels was the recipient of the prestigious FAU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993, the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education in 1992, and the Palm Beach County Gifted Teacher of the Year in 1992. She is a active member of the Palm Beach Gardens Kiwanis and the Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Business Manager - Maribeth Lenz worked for the Palm Beach County School District for thirteen years before coming to The Weiss School. In the public school system she worked as a director for the after-school program, data processor and administrative assistant for student services. She was the recipient of the Palm Beach County School Board Support Employee of the Year in 1993. She continues to be a data processing consultant for the county, working as a specialist in employee training and school operations. She has taken numerous hours of inservice workshops through the school board and has completed her Early Childhood certification at PBCC. Ms. Lenz was also trained in learning styles under Dr. Rita Dunn of St. John's University. She is an active member of the Palm Beach Gardens Kiwanis and the Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Receptionist - Kelly Varty's business studies at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire served as an entrée into the Hospitality business. In Vermont, she owned and operated a Country Inn and restaurant for eleven years, later transferring her energy and interest to a sailboat in the tropics. Mrs. Varty's experience in the business world is valued at The Weiss School. She is the receptionist and handles all communication between the school and the home.

Facilities Manager - James Panek has an Associate degree in Computer Science from Sommerset County College in New Jersey. He attended the American Training Institute and is certified in Building Maintenance. Mr. Panek is the facilities manager and is responsible for the maintenance of the school campus.

Faculty

Christopher Berry has a B.A. in History and a BA in Political Science from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He completed his Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology in December of 2002. Mr. Berry taught in the Palm Beach County School District at Atlantic High School prior to coming to The Weiss School. Mr. Berry teaches middle school social studies and is the middle school Student Council Sponsor.

Jessica Burns did her studies in education at "Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal" in Lima Perú. She completed an English Language Course for Language Teachers and received a certificate from the University of Cambridge. Mrs. Burns taught English and Spanish at different language schools in Lima for over 15 years. She has published several articles related to teaching English as a Foreign Language. Mrs. Burns teaches Spanish to students in grades preK-8th.

Renatta Espinoza graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Elementary Education and a BA in Political Science. Mrs. Espinoza has her ESOL endorsement, is fluent in Spanish and is currently working towards her Master's Degree at Florida Atlantic University. Prior to The Weiss School, Mrs. Espinoza taught grades K-8th grade in a multiage environment. She is certified in the area of multiple intelligences with Kagan Style and various learning styles. Mrs. Espinoza teaches 2nd Grade Science and Math at The Weiss School.

Dorothy Flores received her teaching degree at the Normal School of Teachers Manuel Belgrano in Argentina. Mrs. Flores had taught grades 1-7 for many years before coming to the United States. She comes to us from PGA Montessori, where she has taught early childhood education for seven years.

Nancy Gall has a BS in Elementary Education from Florida Southern College, with a minor in music, math and Early Childhood Education. She has taught music for thirteen years and elementary education for sixteen years. She also served as a children's choir leader for seventeen years, and privately instructs students in piano, guitar and woodwind. Mrs. Gall obtained her endorsement in gifted education from Saint Leo University and teaches music, preK through 8th at Weiss.

Brian Jakob is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University where he received a BA in Education. Mr. Jakob taught gifted classes exclusively since 1993. Prior to teaching, Mr. Jakob toured the United States as a musician, and appeared as a principal actor in several commercials and films. He is certified by the state of Florida in middle grade mathematics and also completed his gifted endorsement through Florida Atlantic University and St. Leo University.

Sean Kavanaugh is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Kavanaugh has taught gifted Science courses in the Palm Beach County School District for eight years. He was honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers, as well as the Belin & Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development in 2002. In 1996, Mr. Kavanaugh received the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award. He is currently completing his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership at Lynn University. Mr. Kavanaugh has coached softball, baseball, volleyball and soccer at the middle and high school levels. From 1996-1998, Mr. Kavanaugh coached two Odyssey of the Mind teams to the state competition, leading one to the World Championships in Maryland. At The Weiss School, Mr. Kavanaugh teaches middle school science and coaches Odyssey of the Mind.

Summer Kavanaugh graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Since 1995, Mrs. Kavanaugh has taught grades K-7th in the Palm Beach County School District . Mrs. Kavanaugh has extensive training in literacy, gifted education, learning styles, performance-based assessments and multiple intelligences. She has written and presented professional development workshops for teachers in Mathematics Curriculum and Assessment, Balanced Literacy Programs, and Performance Assessment. She is currently completing her Gifted Endorsement coursework, and is teaching 3rd Grade Science and Math at The Weiss School.

Phillip Lemieux is retired from the Sheriff's Dept. in Boston, MA. Coach Lemieux received his degree from Palm Beach Atlantic College. Mr. Lemieux teaches physical education and coaches intramural sports.

Susan Lemieux is from Massachusetts where she earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College. Mrs. Lemieux continued her education at Laboure College while working in administration at Norwood Hospital. After having her two children, Mrs. Lemieux returned to education, teaching in public school in Holbrook, Massachusetts. Mrs. Lemieux comes to us from Jupiter Academy and teaches fourth grade at The Weiss School.

Carolyn Macdonald graduated from the University of Western Ontario, in London Ontario. Ms. Macdonald has taught English at the University of Toronto, Ashton College in Vancouver, British Columbia and most recently The Toronto Board of Education where she led and taught a Literacy Enrichment Academic Program (LEAP), which is an accelerated intensive program for gifted children. Ms. Macdonald has expanded her education and experience to include English as a second language and authored five curriculums that are now being used in parts of Asia. Ms. Macdonald has worked with the Canadian Learning Association in London, Ontario and is a research member of the Canadian Learning Benchmarks in Ottawa, Ontario. Ms. Macdonald is pleased to now teach English to students in grades 5 through 8 at The Weiss School.

Christine Panek graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Elementary Education and she has completed her ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Panek is presently completing her endorsement in gifted education and is a kindergarten teacher at The Weiss School. Mrs. Panek has substitute taught and assisted in the summer camp program at Weiss for three years.

Marika Powell is a 6th degree Black Belt. She received her Master Instructor certifications and licenses from the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy, Korea, and the United States Taekwondo Union. She is also a Certified US Class-A Referee, Level II Coach, and the autor of the "Academic Taekwondo" text book. In 1991 the World Taekwondo Federation awarded her a Citation for the Development of Taekwondo. Specializing in children's training, Master Powell has taught the art in the Palm Beach County School District since 1988. She instructs Taekwondo for Grades K-8 at The Weiss School.

Kimberly Rac received her BA in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. She taught in the Palm Beach County School District prior to coming to The Weiss School. Mrs. Rac has her ESOL endorsement and is currently completing her gifted endorsement. Mrs. Rac teaches kindergarten at The Weiss School.

Eileen Ruda completed her undergraduate work at the College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, Maryland. While Mrs. Ruda has taught primarily Reading, Creative Writing and Social Studies for the past eighteen years, she attended the University of Southern Connecticut Graduate School, enrolled in Health Education. The Health Education curriculum she developed for her Master's Degree program has been implemented in the Bridgeport Catholic Archdioceses elementary and middle school programs. Mrs. Ruda had the opportunity to teach a summer voice and projection class for the Polka Dot Children's Theatre in Bridgeport, CT. This led to an assistant director's position for the next two years. Mrs. Ruda has worked as an after school drama coach for eleven years, and has written several original children's plays. Her play, "Who Me on Drugs?" was recognized and awarded third place in a Connecticut State competition about the effects of drugs on teenagers.

Genie Salzverg received her BA from the University of Florida in Art Education and her MA in Education from the Western Michigan University in Rehabilitation Teaching. She currently attends Florida Atlantic University taking reading resource coursework. She has traveled extensively visiting art galleries, museums, and historical sites throughout the world. As an artist, she has a keen interest in drawing, painting and ceramics. Ms. Salzverg instructs students in Art for grades preK-8th at The Weiss School.

Jami Shannon has had a long and extensive career with young children. She owned her own preschool center in Jupiter for ten years and opened the first Playful Parenting franchise in Florida. The arts is her passion. She owned a performing arts school for over three decades, presently directs a fine arts program for the towns of Tequesta and Jupiter and is the director of a summer stock theatre camp in New York each summer. Ms. Shannon is active with the Florida Storytellers and many area theatres. She is currently working on a series of exercise videos for children and is the artistic director of Serendipity Players. Ms. Shannon received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and theatre from FAU and is currently working towards her Master's Degree. Ms. Shannon teaches the three year old Early Childhood children.

Denise Spirou has a BS in education as well as a M.Ed. from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. She taught in the Stroudsburg Area School District for four years. After a leave of absence to care for her children, Ms. Spirou began teaching once again in the fall of 1999 for the Palm Beach County School District. Mrs. Spirou teaches third grade English and Social Studies at The Weiss School, has completed her gifted endorsement and is currently working towards her doctorate at Florida Atlantic University.

Cheryl (Sam) Stevens is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she received her BA in Early Childhood Education. She completed her gifted endorsement through Saint Leo University and has a strong teaching background in learning disabilities. Ms. Stevens is a teacher for four-year olds in the Early Childhood Center. She has taught at The Weiss School for five years and had two years of teaching experience prior to her time at Weiss.

Terry Topchik has a BA from Hunter College and a MA in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Brooklyn College. She has been a teacher in private schools for over twenty years. Mrs. Topchik completed her endorsement in gifted education from Saint Leo University. Mrs. Topchik teaches first grade at The Weiss School.

Tani Toyen has a BS in Educational Media from Florida Atlantic University and a MS in Human Resource Development/Adult Ed from Florida International University. In addition to media she has elementary education certification and endorsements in ESOL and gifted. She has been a Media Specialist in Florida, Hawaii, California and Minnesota, as well as an ESOL and Early Childhood teacher. She also attended New York School of Photography and the University of Hawaii at Hilo for graduate classes in Ethnobotany and Environmental Studies. Ms. Toyen is the Media Specialist for The Weiss School.