Teachers eager to welcome students back for another year have prepared their classrooms and coursework. Wednesday, Aug. 14 marks the first day of school for pupils who will see some new teachers and staff leading the charge. The Upper Keys Weekly had the chance to gain a little insight into the newest educators’ backgrounds, teaching styles and hobbies.
JOE SZYMANSKI
Coral Shores High School
Grade or subject: Leadership skills
Where did you get your degree? I earned an A.A. in business administration from Santa Fe College, I earned a B.A. in business administration from Saint Leo University and I earned a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.
How long have you lived in the Keys? About one month.
How would you describe your teaching style? I am very outgoing and energetic.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I am a very good chess player.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? This is my 11th year teaching and 15th in education. I have taught at Santa Fe High, Union County High School, Buchholz High School and Interlachen High School.
What would you want students to know about you? I am here to help them have the best year possible and to help them achieve all their goals. I also coach football and baseball.
What are your hobbies? I love all outdoor activities and sports.
YOANDRA LOPEZ
Coral Shores High School
Grade or subject: 9th-12th, English as a second or foreign language (ESOL)
Where did you get your degree? I received my degree from the University of Miami; B.S. in communications and history.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I have lived in the Keys for four and a half years, but spent my whole teen and adult life coming to the Keys during summer breaks.
How would you describe your teaching style? I like to mix it up and try different styles; whatever gets my students learning and excited to be in school. I do enjoy the student-centered style where we do group projects and peer-to-peer learning.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I’ve become a really good gardener.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? I’ve taught in Miami-Dade County before, and this is my first year teaching in Monroe District.
What would you want students to know about you? I would like them to know that I care deeply about my students and will create the best learning environment possible, where they feel safe, encouraged and valued; but I also have high standards and expectations, and I believe that if they work hard and try their best, they really can achieve anything.
What are your hobbies? I love to read, garden, snorkel, bike and spend time with my husband and kids.
ANDREW ENGELMEYER
Coral Shores High School
Grade or subject: Marine mechanics
How would you describe your teaching style? Teach all students, not just talent.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? To learn something new every day.
What would you want students to know about you? I have one rule, and that is “Do The Right Thing.” If they do this, everything will be great.
What are your hobbies? Boating, coaching football, traveling and exercising.
DEVON JONES (SOON TO BE PIEZON)
Plantation Key School
Grade or subject: Fourth Grade
Where did you get your degree? I got my bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and my master’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
How long have you lived in the Keys? My fiancé and I bought our home in 2018 but when the opportunity for a job in Monroe County School District came available, I made the move official in December of 2023.
How would you describe your teaching style? My teaching style is really focused on student engagement. I also believe in being a model for my students. I will never stop learning myself and I hope my students see the endless possibilities.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I have dyslexia. But I came up with my own way to remember and learn things. For example, I was helping my fiancé with rewiring our boat lift. The wires were colored and numbered, and he was trying to draw it out and write it down. But I made the correlation of the first letter of the color and the number to put them in a numerical and alphabetical order. Brown was 1, green was 3, red was 4, and yellow was 8. I do this with many different situations, to solve challenges that might be a struggle for others.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? Before coming to Monroe County, I was in Orange County, Orlando. I also taught for a few years in Volusia County, where I grew up.
What would you want students to know about you? I want my students to know that I will always be there for them and to help them in any way I can. Not everything in school came easy to me and it’s okay to not understand something. It’s about giving the students all the resources they need to solve a problem, in a way that works best for them. Along with making them feel comfortable to ask any question.
What are your hobbies? I love to travel with family and friends, anywhere. Especially, exploring new places. I love to be outdoors. I love being on the water, boating, fishing, paddleboarding or just hanging out at the sandbar.
MIKA JONES
Plantation Key School
Grade or subject: Fourth grade
Where did you get your degree? University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
How long have you lived in the Keys? Six years.
How would you describe your teaching style? My teaching style is all about making the classroom engaging and interactive. I want students to be fully involved in their learning, so I mix things up with group discussions, hands-on activities, and different multimedia tools to fit various learning styles. Overall, I aim to create a fun and supportive environment where everyone feels encouraged to dive into their education and be active participants.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? Originally from a small town in southeastern North Carolina, I started clogging at the age of 5 and continued to clog competitively until I graduated high school.
What would you want students to know about you? As a teacher, I want my students to know that I’m fully committed to helping them succeed. I believe everyone has the potential to do great things, and I’m here to support them any way that I can. I’m all about encouraging curiosity and hard work, so I hope my students feel comfortable asking questions and diving into new ideas. Most importantly, I’m here to cheer them on, celebrate their achievements, and help them tackle any challenges they face.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? I have taught in both Wilmington, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina as a third-grade teacher.
What are your hobbies? Being on the water, spending time with my family and friends, volunteer work, and cuddle time with my fur baby, Lola.
HOPE PIAZZA
Ocean Studies Charter School
Grade or subject: Second and third grades
Where did you get your degree? I obtained an associate’s in art from the College of the Florida Keys and a bachelor’s of science in exceptional student education from Florida International University.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I have lived in the Florida Keys for the past five years now.
How would you describe your teaching style? I would describe my teaching style as hands- on and relationship-based. Students can learn through movement and building connections between their peers.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I could be a cosmetologist … but for animals. Years of showing livestock in Texas has made me a pro when it comes to washing, spraying, clipping and fitting cattle for exhibition.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? I have previously taught at Treasure Village Montessori, but I am excited to start my new role in the Jellyfish Classroom.
What would you want students to know about you? I want my students to know that I am so excited to spend the year with them and each one of them holds a special place in my heart. I want my students to know that they are important individuals and have a strong voice that is meant to be heard.
What are your hobbies? I love spending time outside and on the water. My hobbies consist of boating, pickleball, the occasional co-ed softball games and spending time with friends and family.
STEFANIE NEYLON
School: Ocean Studies Charter School
Third and fourth grades
Where did you get your degree? I completed my bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Governors State University in Illinois. In addition, I recently completed my master’s degree in educational technology at the American College of Education.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I moved to Islamorada from Chicago at the end of June 2024. I have been coming to the Florida Keys my whole life, and I am so thrilled to live out my dream of teaching in the Keys.
How would you describe your teaching style? I would describe my teaching style as interactive and hands-on. I build strong relationships with my students and implement innovative, data driven and engaging lesson plans that stimulate the imaginations of learners and help them understand the subject matter.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I am a horse whisperer … maybe. I have my own horse named Sonyador. I do believe I have a unique ability when it comes to interacting with animals and horses. I got Sonyador when I was in third grade. She is now 26 years old!
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? I have taught three years of first grade in a south suburb of Chicago.
What would you want students to know about you? I want my students to know that I care so much about them and am so proud of them. We will have the best year together. Although education involves much content, it is much more to me. I view teaching as a passion and gift. There is nothing more wholesome than watching a student learn and grow both in their academic and personal life.
What are your hobbies? I love walking, reading books, volunteering and spending time with loved ones.
LEAH MAURER
Ocean Studies Charter School
Grade or subject: Second and third grades
Where did you get your degree? My undergraduate degree is from California State University, Fullerton, but I also have a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens.
How long have you lived in the Keys? I have lived in the Keys for over 11 and a half years.
How would you describe your teaching style? My teaching style is student-centered, with a hands-on approach.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I can juggle.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? This is my first year teaching full-time but I was a substitute teacher last year, spending most of my time at Key Largo School.
What would you want students to know about you? They are always asking me how I got so tall since I am 6’4″, so I always tell them it is because of all the veggies and broccoli I ate growing up. Also, little kids assume that I am very old because I am so tall, so I would like them to know I am indeed ancient.
What are your hobbies? I used to have hobbies such as playing volleyball, basketball, tennis and pretty much any sport. Nowadays my hobbies are my three children.
ERIN SNYDER
Plantation Key School
Grade or subject: Second Grade
Where did you get your degree? Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.
How long have you lived in the Keys? Part-time for 5 years, full-time for one week.
How would you describe your teaching style? Student-centered, collaborative, and hands-on.
What is your special talent that no one knows about? I am great at finding shark teeth–the tinier, the better.
Where have you taught before/is it your first year teaching? I’ve enjoyed teaching for 18 years in St. Johns County, from preschool to 12th grade, from ESOL to media specialist!
What would you want students to know about you? That every one of them matters so much to me and I can’t wait to guide them through a fun and successful school year. And that I’m always here for them, even in future years.What are your hobbies? Shark tooth hunting, yoga, reading, traveling, hiking, exploring the Keys!
