Motivating Minds just announced some exciting news regarding their move to a new location.
The charter school is grateful to Truist for the opportunity to increase their footprint in a safe, clean environment and double the size, which has been needed as they continue to expand by opening a third location in Coconut Grove in August. Led by Betty Riera, former principal of Mater Academy East Charter School, Motivating Minds are now accepting students for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Also, this fall, Silvia Tarafa is joining the team as director of the Academy for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Tarafa, former principal of the Kay Biscayne K-8 Center, has partnered with Motivating Minds because she believes in their way of learning—a hands-on, individualized approach designed to meet each student’s specific needs.
The Academy gathers information from each family to craft a personalized program centered around the student’s learning pace, irrespective of their current grade level. They offer families and students flexibility, reading intervention programs, project-based learning and small learning groups to enhance their academic knowledge and provide individualized attention. To increase the students’ overall success, the Academy also have services for reading intervention, ESOL and gifted students, and work with companies that provide speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy.
The Academy believe in inclusivity and thus cater to students who are both neurotypical and neurodiverse. They use the term “flexible” to describe their program because the school understands the importance of structure yet do not believe in a rigid classroom environment. Instead, the school allows students to adapt their learning space to their unique needs, whether standing or sitting in various settings, to complete their work. Homework is also optional, and families are allowed flexible scheduling to support their or their child’s lifestyle.
Finally, the Academy is launching a new toddler program for ages two through four. Sessions will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. They are dedicating this program to Megan Welsh Andrews. Megan advocated for children with learning differences and always led with compassion and intuition, qualities they strive for at Motivating Minds. The school welcomed Megan’s granddaughter into the new program and have Megan’s daughter, Alexandra, join oteam as a reading interventionist. Alexandra has earned her degree in elementary education and holds endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of other languages.
Motivating Minds emerged from Key Biscayne. When Monica Pernas and Christine Ortega first opened the Academy, they knew this was their passion and a chance to build a legacy for the beautiful island on which they were both born and raised. Christine’s family was among the first to live on Key Biscayne in the 1950s. At Motivating Minds, the school understands how important it is to provide families with the proper educational tools to support future generations’ learning and development.
The Academy is looking forward to every opportunity to help give the community what it deserves — a brighter educational future.
Source: Islander News