New Faces

New Faces

of Education in South Florida

JaLynne Butler, Director of Pre-Kindergarten

St. Mark's Episcopal School PBG

JaLynne Butler was appointed Director of Pre-Kindergarten in May of 2022 after serving one year as the PK Coordinator. Mrs. Butler comes to St. Mark’s with a wealth of experience as a Learning Behavior Specialist, High School Counselor, Teacher Mentor and Private Tutor. Her twenty plus years of educational experience began in Houston followed by Manhattan and most recently the North Shore of Chicago. Mrs. Butler holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University with a dual major in Special Education and General Education and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University with a major in Counseling Psychology.

Dr. Alexandra Fernandez, Head of Lower School

St. Mark's Episcopal School PBG

Alexandra Fernandez was appointed as Head of Lower School in July 2022. For the past 20 years, Dr. Fernandez has served as a teacher and administrator in PK through Grade 8 schools, most recently as the principal of Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Parkland, Florida since 2017. Prior to her service at Mary Help of Christians, Dr. Fernandez served as the principal of Annunciation Catholic School in West Park, Florida, for seven years. Dr. Fernandez holds a Doctor of Education degree from Creighton University, a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Professional Educator's Certificate from the State of Florida. Dr. Fernandez looks forward to sustaining and strengthening the school’s outstanding academic program to provide St. Mark’s students with excellence in teaching and learning!

Louis St-Laurent, Head of Middle School

St. Mark's Episcopal School PBG

Louis St-Laurent was appointed Head of Middle School in July 2022. Mr. St-Laurent joins St. Mark’s from a one-year Interim Division Head position at All Saints Academy in Winter Haven, Florida. He also served at the Unity School in Delray Beach, Florida, for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, Dean of Students, Director of Admissions, Assistant Head of School, and the last seven years as Head of School. Prior to that Mr. St-Laurent taught in the Palm Beach County School District for many years including 14 years at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida. He has served on and chaired a number of Florida Council of Independents Schools (FCIS) accreditation teams. Mr. St-Laurent holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and a Master’s degree from the Florida State University. Mr. St- Laurent is originally from Montreal, Canada, and speaks fluent French.

Rabbi Ari Leubitz, Head of School

Scheck Hillel Community School

Scheck Hillel Community School is eager to grow from Rabbi Ari Leubitz's extensive school leadership experience, having most recently served as Head of School at Atlanta Jewish Academy and at Oakland Hebrew Day School. A visionary educator, he also has held the role of mentor and coach in the Day School Leadership Training Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary since 2015. Rabbi Leubitz's impressive record of strategic planning and fundraising, faculty and talent development, and educational leadership naturally pair with the Blue Ribbon School's academic, college preparatory profile, mission, vision and values, and unmatched sense of community. "Everybody talks about community. Yet I felt it in this school - Scheck Hillel Community School - like I have never ever felt it in any other school," Rabbi Leubitz shared at the school's 2022 Annual Meeting in June.

Upon the school's recent 50th anniversary celebration, Rabbi Leubitz's appointment as Head of School marks an exciting new era of Scheck Hillel's growth on campus and in the greater community. "Rabbi Leubitz brings a strong track record of success and, most importantly, he has a kind heart and will provide a fresh perspective so we may continue to reach new heights within Scheck Hillel's deep tradition of excellence," reflected Isaac Marcushamer, Chair of the Board of Governors.

Advancing with bold vision, timeless values and enduring identity, Scheck Hillel is designing Jewish education for a new generation.

Ms. Cindy Ley-Sepe, Director of Cushman Virtual

The Cushman School

Ms. Ley-Sepe has recently taken the lead in The Cushman School’s newest division, Cushman Virtual. Ley-Sepe is a 20-year-veteran teacher eager to bring her experience and expertise to more and more students around the country who can now access a Cushman education from anywhere. She was responsible for creating Cushman’s unique Latin program -inspired by research showing that the study of this original romance language enhances students’ vocabulary, grammar, and delivers valuable insight to many aspects of students’ lives and cultures. It has proved a highly-beneficial aspect of Cushman’s 6th through 8th grade curriculum. In addition to teaching Latin in the Middle School, Ley- Sepe runs the Student Government Association, is the student/family Community Service Coordinator as well as Master Inservice Coordinator responsible for helping faculty maintain and renew their teaching certificates. Now, Ley- Sepe is passionate about expanding Cushman’s personalized, characterdriven approach to education beyond the Miami campuses to remain relevant to the educational landscape.

Mrs. Alyson Vengoechea, Curriculum Director of Cushman Virtual

The Cushman School

Mrs. Vengoechea’s vision is to bring high-quality, world class educational experiences to students across the country and eventually, around the globe. Vengoechea believes in every student’s ability to achieve, and prioritizes the power of connection on and off the screen. Prior to her director position, Vengoechea taught middle school science in both the public and private sectors, and is an alumni of Teach For America. She obtained her MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University and BA in Psychology from George Washington University. Vengoechea was also chosen as a Curriculum Development Fellow for Miami- Dade County Public Schools where she wrote highly engaging science curriculum to be used across the county, and has spoken at events such as the Florida Council of Independent Schools Annual Conference on topics including standards-based learning and assessment, and developmentally appropriate classroom management.