Marleny Jones, Pre-School 3

Marleny Jones is originally from Colombia where she grew up with her mother, father and 7 siblings.  After completing her graduate work in marketing, Mrs. Jones worked for as a sales representative in Cali Colombia for 10 years. Mrs. Jones relocated to Key West in 2005. She enjoys spending time with her husband and raising her 3 boys in beautiful Key West. Mrs. Jones joined the Basilica preschool staff in 2016.

Dr. Kama Cannon, MS Social Studies

My name is Kama Cannon and I look forward to joining The Basilica School as your new MS History and Geography teacher. As a K-12 Gifted Education Specialist and Professor of Education, I have served students of all ages; middle school is my favorite! I believe the construction of knowledge depends upon students engaging with an idea or experience, and also wrestling with the tricky how and why questions as they determine its value or relatedness to their lives through their individual lenses. In my classes, I provide time for sharing, thinking, and reflection, and I guide my students as they develop understandings of themselves and their academic, social, and emotional growth.

I completed my Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction in 2020; my Master in Teaching Middle Grades Social Studies and Academically and Intellectually Gifted Graduate Certificate in 2011; and my Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with a minor in Anthropology in 2008—all at University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 2016, I founded DiveN2Life, a non-profit educational organization which utilizes scientific research diving and ocean stewardship projects to engage young adolescents in place-based STEM. When I am not under water with the dive kids, I am exploring America’s National Parks with my husband Richard and our Spanish Water Dog, Mia Mae.

Mariely Cardona, Pre-School 3

Mariely Cardona is excited to teach preschool at The Basilica School. She has worked for the last 8 years in Early Childhood Education and has discovered that her passion for teaching children motivates her everyday. She has completed her nationally recognized Certified Childcare Professional credential through the Childcare Education Institute. Mrs. Mariely had the pleasure and opportunity to be recognized with an Employee Excellence Award for valuable contributions to the families of Wesley House Family Services in 2019. She is dedicated to continuous education through online opportunities as well as courses through the Department of Education of Early Learning Programs. Mrs. Mariely enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She also enjoys fishing, going to the beach, reading, and kayaking in her free time. It is a great blessing for her to be in her second year at The Basilica School!

Miriam Gomez, Pre-School 3

A native of Key West, Ms. Miriam joined The Basilica School in 2014. She absolutely loves her work in the preschool 3 program. She really enjoys how the younger children fill the classroom with their wonder and awe — as they grow in wisdom through their academic and play experiences.

Ariela Johnson, Pre-School 4

Ariela Johnson moved to Key West when she was 7 years old from Nicaragua. Mrs. Johnson joined The Basilica School. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her family and going out on the boat. Mrs. Johnson loves watching her students grow in wisdom and joy.

Melinda Foell, Grade 1

Mrs. Foell began working at The Basilica School in 2013. A native to Key West, she relishes serving in the community she grew up in. In her free time, Mrs. Foell enjoys boating and spending time with her husband and family. Ms. Foell believes in building a strong classroom community that engages each child while instilling in them a love for learning.

Maria Thompson, Kindergarten

Maria and her husband moved to Key West at the end of October 2013, she has been working at the Basilica School since January of 2014 where she teaches Pre-K3.  Maria attended college in the U.K. and gained her degree in Business and Finance. She then worked  in HR for over 10 years. Upon moving to the U.S. she gained her CDA in child development for teaching Pre-K3 & 4.  She worked for 8 years as a lead teacher in a  Catholic school in New Jersey prior to moving to Key West.

Jessica Tillman, Grade 2

As the wife of a military husband, Mrs. Tillman has moved all over the country living in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, California and Washington State prior to settling in Key West in 2017. She has two step-children, Kada and Kane, and two dogs Louis and Stout. In her spare time, she enjoys being out on the water, yoga, reading, and watching her Green Bay Packers play.

Mrs. Tillman earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California Riverside, her Teaching Credential from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, and her Reading Endorsement through the Monroe County School District.

Professionally, Mrs. Tillman has over 20 years of experience teaching 2nd through 8th grades in both Catholic and public schools. Second grade is where she feels she can make the biggest impact on her students, making it her favorite by far. She is a dedicated educator and is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage her students in learning.

She is excited and motivated to be a part of The Basilica School and to provide a fun, positive, and faith-filled educational experience for our future leaders.

Marella Davila, ESE Specialist

Mrs. Marella Davila was born and raised in Key West and is an alumni Mary Immaculate / The Basilica School. She considers this parish and school community one of her biggest blessings in life.  After recently graduating with honors from the University of Florida, Ms. Barroso has come home to begin her career as an educator.

Mrs. Davila received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.  She has apprenticed at The Basilica School under the legendary Mrs. Sidney Jones where she learned the best of pedagogy and classroom management.  Mrs. Davila also runs her own business teaching children swimming and water safety.  She takes joy in encouraging children to overcome difficult tasks, building self-confidence and fostering an intrinsic motivation within each child to always strive to give their very best.

Gretchen Millender, Grade 2

Mrs. Millender is originally from Washington State where she graduated from Eastern Washington University with a BA in Math and Elementary Education. Teaching in a Catholic school had always been her dream and upon graduating, she began teaching in middle school. After finishing her MA in Teaching and Learning, Mrs. Millender and her family moved to Seattle where she taught kindergarten in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Once her sons graduated from high school and left for college and military service, she and her family moved to Florida. Mrs. Millender spent those years teaching in the public school system. She and her husband have three grown boys. They were recently blessed with a daughter, who they adopted in March of 2022. Mrs. Millender is very excited to be returning to her Catholic roots.

Mrs. Millender loves to bike. She recently finished a 100 mile bike ride from Key Largo to Key West, a benefit for Autism awareness. In her free time, Mrs. Millender enjoys having fun and traveling with her family.

Jacelyn Gauron, HS Advisor

Jacelyn Gauron was born and raised in Ohio and moved to South Carolina to attend Coastal Carolina University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2009 and moved to Key West shortly thereafter. While in Florida, she began a ten year career in social work, specializing in adoptions from foster care. In 2013, she and her husband relocated to New Hampshire, where they grew their family and started their deep-sea fishing business. After eight years in New England, her family took an exciting opportunity to return to Key West.

This past spring, Mrs. Gauron took a temporary position in guidance at a local public school, and feels strongly that a faith-based school setting is where she is meant to be. She is deeply motivated to provide a classroom environment that is supportive, challenging, and, most-importantly, Christ-centered.

In her free time, Mrs. Gauron loves traveling, reading, fishing, watching football, and running. Together, she and her husband have four children.

Kyle Farrell, Grade 3

Ms. Farrell is very happy to be back in a Christian school where Christ can be not only the center of her life but of her classroom also. She believes that a Christ-centered learning environment is one highly conducive to learning. She finds it a joy to watch students grow not just in intellect but in closeness to God. Her hobbies include snorkeling and photography and there is no better place to enjoy both than the Florida Keys.

A native of New York, Mrs. Farrell received her BA in Child Psychology at Flagler College in St. Augustine and her MS in Education at Long Island University. Mrs. Farrell has spent the majority of her instructional career in elementary classrooms. Her family relocated to the Keys in 2016, where she began teaching in middle grades history in Marathon.

Beth Kilroe, FT Substitute

Mrs. Kilroe has been teaching at Mary Immaculate/The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea for 23 years.  She taught 3rd grade for six years and has 4th grade for the past seventeen years.

Mrs. Kilroe was born in Boston, MA and lived there until she moved with her family to Maine.  She graduated from Freeport High School and then she attended the University of Maine at Orono, receiving a BA in political science/international affairs.  After years in the cool and rainy climates of New England, Ms. Kilroe moved to Key West in search of sun.

Mrs. Kilroe continued her studies at Nova University, Florida International University, Florida Keys Community College and the University of Maine on a graduate level to meet the state of Florida requirements to become a teacher.  Mrs. Kilroe is currently certified in K – 6th Grade Elementary and 6 – 12 Social Studies in the State of Florida.

Her mission for her 4th grade students is to develop and guide each student to become a successful learner and a child of faith.

Kristen Haskins, Grade 4

Originally from New Orleans, Ms. Kristen Haskins grew up in Houston, Texas. Ms. Haskins graduates this spring from Ave Maria University with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Theology. She has spent the last semester teaching 4th grade in Naples. She is excited to bring her love of teaching to the Basilica School full-time this fall.

Ms. Haskin’s developed a love for the Basilica and its students during the last two summers working in the Mariner Summer Camp. Students enjoy her vibrant personality and luminous smile. Her seemingly endless energy and joy keep children engaged in their learning — and her spontaneous nature makes for creative and exciting lessons.

Brittany Ruiz, Grade 5

Born in Key West, Mrs. Ruiz takes pride in working with the youth of our community and is grateful for the opportunity to help shape their future. Mrs. Ruiz is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where she earned her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on Education and Business and a minor in Hospitality. She previously taught AVID at Horace O’Bryant, where she gained an abundance of knowledge while helping students reinforce positive academic behaviors and higher-level thinking, in everyday tasks and lessons. She is passionate about helping students set goals and enjoys watching them work to obtain their fulfillment, both inside and outside of the classroom. Mrs. Ruiz enjoys spending time with her family, adventuring outdoors and being apart of her competitive cheerleading program. She looks forward to growing and expanding her love of knowledge, for academics and for our Lord, while serving in the wonderful Basilica community.

Abigail Luman, Reading Specialist

Mrs. Luman is excited to join the Basilica School for the upcoming school year. She is originally from Savannah, Georgia and is a graduate of Stetson University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Reading Education. Mrs. Luman and her family lived in the Keys from 2010-2014 before Coast Guard assignments took them to Pensacola, FL, Coos Bay, OR, Fort Smith, AR, and Natchez, MS. Her passion is working with students and helping them experience success and joy in learning. She aims to help students reach their potential and create a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives. Spending time with her family, reading, and being outdoors are some of Mrs. Luman’s favorite activities. She and her four children are all looking forward to joining the Basilica School community.

Aimee Varela, HS Development

Although born in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Aimee Varela was raised in Key West, Florida. Mrs. Varela is a Mary Immaculate alumni. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Education from the University of Florida. Education is Mrs. Varela’s passion – she is dedicated to inspiring and developing the minds of all of her students.

Dana Balmaceda, HS Math

Ms. Balmaceda graduated from Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague with a M.S. in Information Technology and a minor in System Analysis. Ms. Balmaceda taught high school math in Prague during her doctoral studies. “I truly love teaching and am honored to be a part of this amazing parish, school, and faculty. The best reward of teaching for me is the opportunity to nourish the children constantly with love, respect and to impart on them the principles that will allow them to live fully and grow academically.”

Allison Hunter, MS English Language Arts

Allison Hunter was born in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from The Florida State  University with a degree in Child Development and is a certified elementary teacher for  grades K-6.

Mrs. Hunter taught PreK-3 at Mary Immaculate from 2008 until 2010. She then moved to Naples, Florida where she taught PreK-3 for two years at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic School. Fortunately for Key West and the Basilica School, in 2012 she found her way back to Key West and The Basilica School teaching PreK-4. Mrs. Hunter moved to 5th grade in 2015 and to the middle school in 2020.

As a teacher Mrs. Hunter is devoted to creating a safe, positive, and stimulating environment in which students can grow both academically and spiritually.

Teddi Culiver, HS Social Studies

I am very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to be part of The Basilica School for the upcoming academic year! I am originally from Western Pennsylvania but have lived in wonderful Key West for nearly ten years. I am passionate about helping students gain a love of learning and creating a classroom environment that promotes inquiry-based learning in which students can grow their knowledge in the social sciences and make real-world connections while developing their analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills. I earned my undergraduate degree in Social Studies Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and recently earned my Master’s in History from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I was awarded the “Student Teacher of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies in 2013. I joined the National Teacher Corps (NTC) and committed to teaching under-resourced public schools through Teach for America. I most recently taught Advanced Placement United States History for five years at Key West High School. I love spending time with my husband, son, and Goldendoodle puppy. I also enjoy reading, designing homes, and playing tennis. I look forward to growing in mind and spirit with the Basilica School family and meeting each one of my future students.

Mayed Robertson, MS/HS Spanish

Señora Robertson is originally from Cuba. She relocated to Key West with her husband and 2 boys in March 2013. Both of her boys are graduates of the Basilica School. She received her Bachelor Degree in Law from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic, and later her Masters Degree in International Relations from Troy State University. She has lived and worked in several other Latin American countries such as Honduras, Bolivia and Chile. She has previously taught Spanish for professionals in North Carolina and for Kindergarten to 7th grade in the Basilica School.

She feels blessed to be able to come back to the Basilica School (a school and a Church that have a special place in her heart) to teach Spanish full time. She loves being able to teach Spanish to the students and see them practicing what they learn and is thrilled when they tell her that they have used Spanish outside of school.

In her free time, Señora Robertson enjoys mainly spending time with her family, traveling, and working out so that she can keep up with all her boys.

Dr. Emily Weekley, DE English

I am a professor of English and creative writing at The College of the Florida Keys, where I have worked since 2015, and where I have taught many local high school students in my classes through the college’s dual enrollment program. I taught first grade at MISS in 2006-2007 and middle school language arts in 2014-2015. I earned my Ph.D. in English from Georgia State University in 2012 and my M.A. in English from Western Kentucky University in 2004. I am the author of three books of poetry and the current Poet Laureate of Key West. I believe that knowledge is a lifelong process and that to develop a strong classroom community is the most productive and electric way to learn.

Marci Hendricks,Grade 4

Coming Soon.