Special Subjects
Mrs. Larissa ehresman,
physical education
Graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Physical Education and certified in PE for grades K-12. Taught PE and dance for six years in New York City, and developed a competitive dance and performance dance program. Joined St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School in 2013.
Mrs. Monica Jimenez,
physical education
Graduated from UCF with a B. S. in Sports and Exercise Science. Certified in PreK-3 and K-12 PE. Taught 1st grade for 3 years and PE for 1 year. Coached Competitive Cheerleading for 12 years. Joined St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School in 2023.
Sr. Fernandez, spanish
Bachelors of Arts degrees in Spanish Literature and Linguistics and in History from the University of Central Florida. Master of Arts in Teaching Foreign Languages from the University of South Florida. Florida Certified in Spanish K-12 and ESOL endorsed. Member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Taught face to face Spanish 1 and 2 at USF from 2007 to 2009 and taught Online Spanish 1 and 2 from 2009 to 2010. Began teaching Spanish from grades 1 through 8 at St. Mary Magdalen in the 2010.
SRA. Amado, spanish K-2
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from University of Del Zulia in Venezuela. Taught primary education for 30 years in Venezuela. Began teaching PreK4 to 2nd Grade 2 Spanish at SMMCS in 2022.
ms. travis, music
Bachelor of Music from Florida International University in piano performance; Master of Music from Westminster Choir College in organ performance; Master of Arts in Music Education from University of Central Florida. A member of the Central Florida Orff Association. Certified through Level 3 in Orff Schulwerk from the University of South Florida. Member of the American Guild of Organists. Served as a children’s choir director at several parishes in Florida and New Jersey. Florida state-certified in music for grades K-12. Music teacher for K-8; church musician for grades K-8 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School since 1999.
Ms. Aniko David, art
Graduated from Valencia College with an A.S. in Building Construction Technology & Design. Prior completed a two-year Fashion Design and Technology program at the London College of Fashion, UK. Worked in design, advertising, and technology fields in Europe. In 2013, became an Art and Language Instructor at Cultural Youth Programs in Central Florida. Joined the faculty at St. Mary Magdalen family in 2020.
mrs. gardner, media specialist
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences from University of Florida. Certified English teacher grades 5-9 and certified Media Specialist grades K-12. Teaching since 1990. Joined SMMCS faculty in August 2006 as school media specialist.
mrs. walker, technology instructor
Graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production. Florida certified in Grades K-8. Worked at a university creating digital media content to enhance curriculum and integrate technology into the learning environment. Joined the St. Mary Magdalen staff in 2016.
mrs. O'Brien, School Counselor
Bachelors Degree from Gannon University, PA and a school psychology Master’s Degree from George Mason University, VA. Began working in the public school system in Virginia for three years before moving to Florida. Worked as the school counselor at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando for seven years. Joined St. Mary Magdalen faculty in 2017.
mrs. Zurita, School Counselor
Bachelor’s Degree from University of South Florida with a Major in Psychology and Minors in Behavioral Healthcare and Sociology. Obtained a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University. Worked as the school counselor at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando for eight years. Joined St. Mary Magdalen faculty in 2023.
mrs. Thomas, Resource
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Commerce, Education, and Literature and a Master of Education in Exceptional Education from the University of Central Florida. Certified in Elementary Education K-6 and Exceptional Student Education K-12. Teacher assistant, previously, for fifteen years in the Diocese of Orlando. Currently serving as the resource teacher for grades K-5.
Mrs. Moricle, CAPS
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stetson University and completed the Alternative Certification Program for Education at the University of Central Florida. Certified to teach grades Pre-K – 3 and Language Arts grades 6 - 12 with an ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Moricle taught for 12 years in Orange County Public Schools with experience teaching elementary and high school. She is a graduate of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic School and Bishop Moore Catholic High School. She is excited to be back home!
Mrs. MCwhorter, Math Resource
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Catholic Schools from the University of Dayton. Teaching since the Fall of 2000, with experience teaching Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades in the Diocese of Orlando and Archdiocese of Cincinnati. After returning to the Orlando area, she joined the SMMCS family in 2018.