Marco Island Charter Middle Welcomes New Staffers

This is the last in a three-part, Q-and-A series profiling new employees at Marco Island’s public schools. Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS) welcomed five new staff members to start the 2021-2022 school year. Among them Jessica Ragan has definite ties to Marco, having attended MICMS, as did her four siblings. She is joined by Paula and Micaela Castro, who hold the distinction of being mother and daughter.

Jessica Ragan- Athletic Director/ General Assistant

Academic background: I have a B.A. in business management, with a concentration in sports management. I’m looking to obtain a master’s degree in sports psychology or sports administration. The University of Georgia is where it all began, but Florida Gulf Coast University is where I finished my degree.

How long with MICMS? This is my first year with MICMS however, I was an intern here my last year of college.

What brings you to MICMS? MICMS has always held a special place in my heart. It has helped shape me into the person that I am today. When I had the opportunity to be a part of the school and this community, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I know the history and the culture from a student’s perspective and now as a staff member. Plus, it is very exciting to reconnect with former teachers of mine.

How does it feel to return to the classroom after last school year’s upheaval? It feels great to be back on campus - I love to see the kids’ smiling faces.

Why did you enter teaching and what do you find fulfilling and enjoyable about the profession? The aspect of athletic directing that I love the most is I have the privilege of shaping young athletes positively. I get to connect with students, staff and involve myself in numerous ways to influence the school's atmosphere.

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Hobbies: Fishing, boating, coaching, rec volleyball, fantasy football, traveling.

If not an educator, what might your profession be? If I had to choose another profession, it would be interior design. It is a form of art to decorate an already beautiful room in a home and bring someone’s vision to life.

Paula Castro, School Guidance Counselor

I can already feel how close-knit and welcoming the community is and I feel fortunate and delighted to be welcomed into the Marco Island Charter Middle School family.

Academic background: I received my bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA in school guidance and counseling in 2002. As guidance director for the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School -West Campus, I learned much through the years of helping middle school students as their counselor, with a focus on the charter middle school educational experience.

How long have you been with the Collier County Public School System and what is your previous teaching experience? I started my career in education as a student at Florida International University, where I worked as a peer tutor and teacher assistant for the English Department. Although I liked teaching, I realized that I enjoyed the counseling relationship I developed during this changing landscape even more. Since I was living and working in Miami during the Cuban and Haitian migrations, I began to develop an interest in social work during this historical time. For this reason, I branched out to work with the Florida Department of Children and Families. During this time, I also got married and my husband and I started a family. Once my daughters entered the toddler stage and became more independent, I felt led to a career working with children. I decided to utilize some of my daughter's downtime to pursue my master’s degree in school guidance and counseling and become state certified in Pre-K to 12th Grade. I also have been a long-standing member of the American School Counseling Association and the Florida School Counseling Association.

What brings you to MICMS? I have always been passionate about the role that guidance counselors serve within a school and see the importance they bring, especially in 2021. Coming off a worldwide pandemic, I was determined to re-enter counseling and wanted to work specifically within a charter school system at the middle school level. MICMS delivered all of this and more.

Middle school has always been a pivotal moment in children’s lives and providing social and emotional developmental support at this time is extremely important for students at this age level. Middle school students experience high levels of activity, coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth. They turn to their peers rather than their parents for ideas and affirmations, as a heavy reliance on their friends provides comfort, understanding and approval. I look forward to working with MICMS students, staff, families, and the community. Throughout the year, I will meet with students individually and in small groups. I will also conduct classroom guidance lessons, meet with parents and guardians, collaborate with teachers, and staff, and consult with community agencies to benefit and meet the needs of all Marco Island Charter Middle School students. After all, as the school counselor, my primary responsibility is to promote the academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students.

How does it feel to return to the classroom after last school year’s upheaval? One of my sisters is an educator and from her stories of the difficulties children have faced in remote learning and the separation from their peers that it brings, children are in need of support now more than ever.

Family: For many years, I have been a resident of Naples. My daughters attended Seacrest Country Day School and one year of public school in Collier County, receiving an incredible educational foundation. I became a full-time mom and volunteered consistently throughout their school life, including high school. In 2019, my husband and I finally became empty nesters when my older daughter graduated with her master's degree. My younger daughter was about to start her student internship as an educator, teaching fifth grade. My husband of 30 years was finally beginning to slow down in his very successful career by working from home two days a week when the pandemic happened, and in March of 2020, he was pulled into working round-the-clock from home as a commercial banker. Unfortunately, the stress and pressure resulted in a sudden cardiac arrest, and he passed away.

Hometown: I consider both Miami and Naples as hometowns.

Hobbies: Over the years, I have developed various hobbies, but in all actuality, they all share a common denominator, which is traveling. I love reading books by international authors, learning through prose about a country, its food, customs, and values, and then traveling to said country to experience my interpretation. I've been all over the world, touring with my family and traveling alone. Traveling alone might be intimidating and scary for most people, but I love the thrill of it. I also enjoy photography, and finally, I love all genres of music, attending concerts and music festivals. My bucket list is to attend both the Rockslide Festival in Denmark and the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland one day.

If not an educator, what might your profession have been? I believe that every direction you take in life will always lead you to uncover bits and pieces of your true destination and ultimate passion. Whether it was a part-time position in a college or a full-time job after college, all roads led to my role at MICMS.

I look forward to the opportunity for early intervention support that can have a positive lifetime impact on every student here.

Micaela Castro, Comprehensive Science, Third – Eighth Grade

Academic background: A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and biology from Rollins College, in Winter Park, Florida. While I was studying for my undergraduate degree, I was a research assistant to my advisor in the biology department and presented my work on Cortisol’s effect on the Brown Anole at SICBI (The Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology) in San Francisco. I continued on to my master’s degree at Bergin University in Penngrove, California and graduated this spring. My masters is in human-canine life sciences, and I presented my capstone on the “Application of Service Animals for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder.”

How long have you been with the Collier County Public School System and what is your previous teaching experience? This is my first teaching experience and I have been at MICMS for a month.

What brings you to MICMS? I was blessed enough to be on campus helping Ms. Castro, the school counselor and my mom, when I was asked if I knew anyone who had a background in science. All throughout my academic career, as far back as fifth grade, I had always loved my science classes and have always had a passion for spreading the love of the subject. I leapt at the opportunity to bring my love of this subject to the incredible eighth-grade students at MICMS.

How does it feel to return to the classroom after last school year’s upheaval? Transitioning from lifelong student to educator has definitely been a benefit in the classroom, as I can empathize with how overwhelming and intimidating school can be today. I look forward to aiding my students in this transitional year, not only into high school, but also the new normal they face for the rest of their academic career.

Why did you enter teaching and what do you find fulfilling and enjoyable about the profession? As someone who has always enjoyed school it has been exciting to surround myself with my students. My students are so clever and offer such a unique perspective in my class.

Family: I am a proud mom to my fur babies, Brian, Bologna, Fat Boy and Bubbie.

Hometown: Miami.

Hobbies: When I’m not preparing labs, I am usually watching spooky movies, learning a new song on my ukulele, or hanging out with my family.

Marilyn Morales - Seventh Grade Science

Academic background: A bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in science education, both from Florida International University.

How long have you been with the Collier County Public School System and what is your previous teaching experience? I started with CCPS in 2016, working at Tommie Barfield Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher.

I began teaching in 1997 with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I taught chemistry, earth science, and physical science at all levels and at two different high schools (G. Holmes Braddock Sr. High and John A. Ferguson Sr. High). I took a leave in 2011 when my son was born, and we moved over to Marco Island in 2014.

What brings you to MICMS? My love for teaching science at the secondary level.

How does it feel to return to the classroom after last school year’s upheaval? It feels welcoming to have our students in class, in person and learning to the best of their ability in a hands-on environment.

Why did you enter teaching and what do you find fulfilling and enjoyable about the profession? My plan throughout college was not to be a teacher. After doing an internship in a lab as an undergrad, I realized that working as a full-time scientist in a lab setting would not be the best option for me. By then, I was very close to graduating with a degree in chemistry. After receiving my bachelor's, I decided that I could teach high school science for a year or two and see where that would take me. It's been 24 years since that decision, and I wouldn't change a thing!

Teaching is a truly powerful profession. We have the opportunity to mold the future of this world. We help guide young individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of many others. A few years ago, I ran into a former student of mine who is now a pharmacist at Walgreens. When she saw me, she told me how being in my high school chemistry class had inspired her to pursue a degree in pharmacy. At that moment, I knew that I had made the right decision in becoming a teacher.

Family: My spouse of 23 years, Denis Morales, currently serves as the Tommie Barfield Elementary PTO Secretary and also substitutes at MICMS occasionally. Our son, Anakin Morales, is currently a fifth grader at Tommie Barfield.

Hometown: Miami.

Hobbies: Bike riding, digital scrapbooking.

If not an educator, what might your profession have been? A lab analyst in the field of forensic science.

Teri Bush, Instructional Coach

Academic background: Earned a bachelor’s degree from Albion College, in Albion, Mi., and master’s degrees in special education, learning and behavior disorders from Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, Mi. I have a K-12 Highly Qualified Certification and I’m a behavior and autism coach, a differentiated instruction coach, a multi-tiered support system coach, a positive behavior support coach, as well as an ESE (Exceptional Student Education) specialist and a teacher consultant.

How long have you been with the Collier County Public School System and what is your previous teaching experience? One year as an ESE specialist at East Naples Middle School. In Michigan, I spent 12 years as a middle school teacher, 12 years as a high school teacher and one year as a K-12 consultant.

What brings you to MICMS? The community and school system and my passion to provide support, my love of learning and knowing that I can make an impact. I have a passion to provide all students, staff, and parents the best possible resources available to provide assistance to all learners through a growth mindset.

How does it feel to return to the classroom after last school year’s upheaval? I am excited to be back to face-to-face instruction. There were valuable learning experiences that have allowed me to continue to grow professionally.

Why did you enter teaching and what do you find fulfilling and enjoyable about the profession? I entered teaching because I believe that all students should be provided a positive educational experience. I became a teacher because I have a love for learning. I believe that all students deserve a positive and safe learning environment. I enjoy making a difference and providing students, staff and parents with resources that are purposeful and engaging.

Family: Married with two children.

Hometown: Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Hobbies: Fishing, running, yoga, biking, walking, the beach, shelling, swimming, volleyball and helping others.

If not an educator, what might your profession have been? Meteorologist.