Robert Wright, President

Robert Wright moved to Key West in July of 2013. He is married to Jessica (Jones) Wright, a sixth generation conch and an Alumna of Mary Immaculate School. Mr. Wright has seven children, five who currently attend The Basilica School. Before moving to Key West, Mr. Wright was a teacher, coach and administrator at John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee, Florida. Mr. Wright also served as the High School Youth Director and Confirmation coordinator at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Mr. Wright earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in Social Science Education. In 2012, he completed his graduate studies at the University of Dayton, earning a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration. Mr. Wright believes in educating the whole person – spirit, mind and body – in the tradition of the Catholic Church.

Britt Myers, High School Basketball Coach

Britt Myers grew up in Gainesville, GA where he attended West Hall High School and played a variety of varsity sports, with basketball serving as his primary passion since childhood. After graduating in 1995, Myers attended Toccoa Falls College to play basketball, where he started as a true freshmen. The following year, Myers transferred to Georgia State University and joined the men’s Division 1 basketball team, which competed in the Trans Atlantic Athletic Conference. In 1998 Myers joined a Division 1 traveling team, Athletes in Action, and played against professional teams and colleges in Peru and Brazil. Myers has lived in the Florida Keys since 2006. Today is he is co-owner of Keys Weekly Media and Overseas Media Group, which operates three weekly newspapers and offers digital services to businesses across the Florida Keys. Since his arrival to the Keys, Myers has served as the Marathon Chamber Board President, served over four years on the Key West Chamber of Commerce Board, is a former Marathon Rotary board member, a current Rotary Club of Key West board member, served on the Monroe County Education Foundation board (Take Stock in Children), current Executive Board member for Florida Keys AHEC, a graduate of Leadership Monroe County-Class 16, former President of the Marathon Jaycees and a proud supporter of many other nonprofit and civic organizations throughout Monroe County. Today, Britt is married to Kirby Myers and together they are the proud parents of Tristan, Hudson and Dylan—all who attend the Basilica School in Key West. Myers is excited to offer his years of playing experiences, along with his tutelage under coaches who played professionally in the NBA and overseas, to the young men and women of the Basilica School in Key West. “To have an opportunity to join the new Basilica High School and contribute to the lives of these young people is something I eagerly wanted to be a part of,” said Myers. “And while we will focus on many aspects of the game, my job will be to create a culture that better prepares these student-athletes for life through the self-discipline, humility and passion they will learn together as teammates.”

Anna Coppa, High School Literature & Theology

Hailing from the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, Miss Coppa is a newcomer to sunny Key West. Miss Coppa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ave Maria University this past May, having earned a degree in both Music and Literature. Miss Coppa is so excited to share not only her love of English Literature but also her love of her Catholic faith.

When not reading, Miss Coppa loves to play the piano and guitar, write music, and sing with her roommate, Miss Shivas. In addition, she is an avid thrift shopper, a tea party lover, and a part-time connoisseur of delicious foods.

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.

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.”

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.